History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c21.s4.t6: Management of Ascites
History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c21.s4.t6
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Management of Ascites
v1.c21.s4.t6.1
*Paracentasis* : A patient afflicted with ascites (*Jalodara*) should be first anointed with medicated oils, possessed of *vāyu*-subduing virtues and fomented with warm water. He should be made to stand and held firmly in the armpits by dependable persons attending on him. The surgeon should make a puncture with a surgical instrument known as the trocar (*Vṛhi-mukha*), on the left side of the abdomen below the umbilicus, to the breadth of the thumb in depth and at a distance of four fingers to the left of the dividing line of hairs (midline) in the abdomen. Simultaneously, with that a metal tube or a bird's quill, open at both ends, should be introduced through the passage of the puncture to allow the morbific fluids accumulated in the abdomen, to ooze out. And then having removed the tube or the Quill, the puncture should be lubricated with oil and salt and bandaged.
v1.c21.s4.t6.2
The entire quantity of the morbific fluid should not be allowed to ooze out in a single day, inasmuch as thirst, fever, aching of the limbs, dysentery, dyspnoea and a burning of the feet might supervene in consequence, or as it might lead to a fresh accumulation of matter in the abdomen, in the event of the patient being of a weak constitution. Therefore, it should be gradually tapped at intervals of three, four, five, six, eight, ten, twelve, or of even sixteen days. After the complete outflow of the ascitic fluid, the abdomen should be firmly tied with a piece of flannel, silk-cloth or leather, so that gases may not cause distension.
v1.c21.s4.t6.3
Diet - For six months the patient should take his food only with milk or with the soup of wild animals:
v1.c21.s4.t6.4
The diet for the next three months should consist of (meals taken with) milk diluted (and boiled) with an equal quantity of water or with the meat soup of animals of the wild group seasoned with the juice of acid fruits. During the next three months it should consist of light and wholesome meals. This rule observed for a year brings about a cure.