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CHAPTER VII

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the pathology of the diseases which are peculiar to the Drishti (pupil) of the eye (Drishti-gata-Roga-Vijnániya). 1.

Experts well-versed in the anatomy of the eye aver that the Drishti (pupil) of the eye is the quintessence of the five material elements with that of the eternal light predominating therein—this principle of light neither increasing nor decreasing in this case. It is naturally accustomed to cold from the very nature of its temperament and is covered by the outer coating (Patala) of the organ proper. It looks like a hole and is equal in dimension to that of a Masúra seed or pulse*[1]. The pupil of the eye resembles in its action the phosphorescent flash of a glow-worm or that of a minute particle of fire (in not burning the things coming in contact with it). Now we shall describe the pathology of the twelve kinds of disease peculiar to the region of the Drishti(pupil), as well as of the one which is known as Timira (loss of vision) affecting the Patala (coating over the pupil). 2.

All external objects appear dim and hazy to the sight when the deranged Doshas of the locality passing through the veins (Sirá) of the eye, get into and are incarcerated within the first Patala (innermost coat) of the pupil (Drishti). 3.

Symptoms—when second Patala attacked:—False images of gnats, flies, hairs, nets or cob-webs, rings (circular patches), flags, ear-rings appear

  1. * According to Nimi, quoted in Mádhava's commentary by S'rîkantha, the dimension of the Drishti is equal to only a half of that of a Masura-pulse.