Causes: - Visuchi, Alasaka and Vilambika arc produced from the effects of the three kinds of indigestion spoken of before (in Sutra, chapter XLVI (Symptoms And The Medical Treatment Of Faint-Ing Fits (Murchchha-Pratishedha))), viz,, Amajirna (indigestion properly so-called), Vidagdha-jirna (indigestion with acidity) and Vishtabdhajirna (indigestion with undigested food stuffed into the intestines in the form of undigested fecal matter). 2.

Definition

The disease in which the deranged and incarcerated bodily Vayu produces, owing to the presence of indigestion, a pricking pain in the limbs resembling that produced by the pricking of needles is called Visuchika' by the physicians. Men well-versed in the (dietetic) principles and temperate in their diet, enjoy an almost absolute immunity from its attack, whereas fools who arc greedy and intemperate and eat like gluttons, fall an easy victim to it. 3.

Symptoms: - Fainting, diarrhoea (loose motions), vomiting, thirst, pain, cramps, vertigo, yawning, burning sensation in the body, discolouring or paleness of complexion, pain (cramps) at the heart and a breaking pain in the head are the symptoms of Visuchika'. 4.

Alasaka : - Excessive pain in and stuffedness of the abdomen, rumbling noise (in the intestines),* and the upward coursing of the Vayu incarcerated in the abdomen making a croaking rumbling sound in its way upwards, absolute suppression of stool and flatus, hiccough * and eructations - a patient suffering from these symptoms is said have an attack of Alasaka. 5.

* According to S'rikantha the commentator on Madhava's Nidana- the patient himself makes an indistinct sound.

Vilambika

The person in whom the deranged and undigested food matter does not find any outlet either through the upper or lower channels of the body owing to the fact of its being obstructed in its course by the action of the deranged Vayu and Kapha, is said to be suffering from an attack of Vilambikat by old medical experts and should be given up as incurable. In whatever part of the body the Ama (undigested food matter) is present, it produces its'own characteristic symptoms in that very part and the vitiation of a particular Dosha in such cases should be diagnosed by the presence of the characteristic symptoms (e. g. distension, etc.,) of Ama (indigestion). 6 - 7,

Prognosis

A patient exhibiting such symptoms as blackish blue (Syama) colour of teeth, nails and lips, diminished consciousness, vomiting, eyes sunk in their sockets, feeble voice and looseness of all the joints, should be regarded as not returning from his journey (to the eternal home). 8.

General Treatment

In the curable types, cauterization of the regions of Parshni (heels), dry fomentation, exhibition of strong emetics and such like measures are recommended. Fasting should be observed at (the time of) the digestion of the food. Digestive (Pachana) remedies as well as purgatives should also be prescribed. The patient gets instantaneous relief in cases of fainting, diarrhoea, etc., on the cleansing of his body with the medicinal (emetic or purgative) remedies. Intestinal injections after the manner of an As'thapana Vasti may be likewise applied in all cases of the present disease. Now hear me describe the recipes of other medicinal compounds which may be employed in the aforesaid diseases in addition to those already mentioned. 9 - 10.

* Madhava reads "thirst" in place of "hic-cough."

A pulverised compound of Pathya, Vacha, Hingu, Kalinga (Indra-yava), Grinja (a variety of garlic), Souvarchala and Ativisha taken with tepid water instantaneously relieves an attack of indigestion, colic, Visuchika and an aversion to food. The medicine known as Kshara'-gada (Kalpa - chapter VII (Sounds Of A (Medicated) Drum, Etc., Possessed Of Anti-Venomous Virtues (Dundhubhi-Svaniya))) or Vit-salt, or mustard-seeds and a profuse quantity of treacle, should be taken (with tepid water). Sain-dhava, Hingu, Vija-pura, (D. R. seeds of Saka), clarified butter and the two Tri-vargas (Tri-phala and Tri-katu) in combination with any fermented gruel (Kanjika), or Tri-katu and Saindhava-salt mixed together with the milky exudation of Snuhi, should be taken (with Kanjika). In the alternative, the medicated salt known as Kalya'na-Lavaua described before under the treatment of Vata-vyadhi should be taken (with Kanjika). Pippali, Yamani and Apamarga, or Pippali and Danti in equal parts should be similarly taken. Pippali mixed with Danti should also be used with the expressed juice of Koshavati (Ghosha). Pippali and S'unthi should also be taken with hot water. 11.

The drugs known as Vyosha {Tri-katu), Karanja-huhs (seeds), the two kinds of Haridra* and the root of Matu-lunga taken in equal parts should be pounded together, made into Gutikas (or pills) and dried in the shade. The application of these pills as an eye-salve (Anjana) along the eye-lids proves curative in cases of Visuchika.† 12.

* Chakrapani reads Haridra in the singular number.