This section is from the book "The Sushruta Samhita", by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna. Also available from Amazon: The Sushruta Samhita.
In all the four cases when the catamenial blood would be found to be vitiated (by the deranged Váyu, Pittam, Kaphah or Sonita), the preliminary remedial measures of the application of oil etc. purgatives etc. (Pancha-kaima) should be first employed and then the following measures should be undertaken viz. application of Kalka, (levigated paste of drugs), Pichu (medicated plugs--pecharies etc), Pathya (diet) and Achamana (washes with decoctions) as described under the treatment of Gyonoecological cases etc. Appearance of clots of blood (Granthi) in place of the healthy menstrual fluid would indicate, decoction or a pulverised compound of Páthá, Trushuna and Vrikshaka (Kutaja).
A decoction of Bhadas'riyam * and Chandauam is indicated in the case when the menstrual fluid would smell like fetid pus, or contain marrow. The remedies described under the head of seminal disorders, should be likewise prescribed in cases of menstrual anomalies caused by the action of the deranged Váyu, Pittam and Kaphah according to the requirements of each individual case under treatment. Sáli-rice, barley, wine and meat with cholagogue properties should be deemed as a wholesome diet in these cases. 13 - 16.
Semen which is transparent like crystal, fluid, glossy, sweet and emits the smell of honey; or like oil or honey in appearance according" to others, should be considered as healthy. The catamcnial blood (Artava) which is red like the blood of a hare, or the washings of shellac and leaves no stains on cloths (which may be washed off by simply soaking them in water) should be considered as healthy. 17 - 18.
An abnormal or excessive discharge of the menstrual blood (Artava), or its long persistence even after the wonted time, or its appearance at a premature or unnatural period (as well as contrarity in its colour or properties) is called Asrigdara. All types of the disease (Asrigdara) are attended with an aching in the limbs and a painful flow (of the catamenial fluid). In case of excessive hoemorrhage (from the uterus), symptoms such as weakness, vertigo, loss of consciousness, darkness of vision, or difficult breathing, thirst, burning (sensation of the body), delirium, palour, somnolence and other Vátaja troubles (convulsion, hysteria etc.) may set in. A physician should treat a case of Asrigdara with measures and remedies as laid down under the head of Rikta-pittam (hoemorrhage) in a case when the patient is young (of sixteen years), careful in her diet, and the disease unattended with severe complications. 19 - 21.
* Bhidras'riyam is S'richandanam according to Dallana or white Sandal wood according Gayádása.
In a case of suppression of menstruation (Amenorrhoe) caused by the obstruction of the deranged Doshas (Váyu and Kapham) in the passage, the patient should be advised to take fish, Kulattha pulse, Màsha pulse, Kànjikam fermented sour gru 1 etc.), Tila, wine (Sura), cow's urine, whey, half diluted Takra, curd and Suktam for her diet. The symptoms and treatment of thin and scanty menstruation have been described before. Still in such a case measures laid down for the treatment of Nashta Rakta (amenorrhoe) may be adopted. Under a course of treatment described as before, the semen or the cata-menial blood of a person would be resorted to their healthy and normal condition. 22 - -23.
A woman with (healthy) catamenial flow should forego the bed of her husband during the first three days of her uncleanness, as well as day sleep and collyrium. She shall not shed tears nor bathe, nor smear her person (with sandal paste etc.), nor anoint her body, nor pare her nail, nor run, nor indulge in loud and excessive laughter and talk, nor should she hear loud noise, nor comb her hair, nor expose herself to droughts, nor do any fatiguing work at all; because if a woman sleeps in the day time (during the first three days of her period) her child of subsequent conception becomes sleepy or somnolent. The woman who applies collyrium along her eyelids (during those days), gives birth to a blind child; by shedding tears (during her period) a woman gives birth to a child of defective eyesight; by bathing or smearing her body (with sandal paste etc.) a miserable one; by anointing her body a leper (Kushthi); by paring her. nails a child with bad nails; by running a restless one; by indulging in excessive laughter, a child with brown (Syàva) teeth or palate or tongue; by excessive talking a garrulous child or one of incoherent speech; by hearing loud sounds, a deaf child; by combing her hair, a bald one; whereas by exposure to the wind or by doing fatiguing work (during the first three days of her period) she gives birth to an insane child (conceived immediately after it). Hence these acts (day sleep etc) are to be avoided. 24.
 
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