The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s1.13

c4.s1.13

The various actions of medicines on the human system are described in considerable detail. All diseases being supposed to be caused by derangement of the humours, namely, wind, bile, phlegm, blood, etc., all medicines are likewise supposed to have some influence upon one or other of these humours. Susruta divides medicines into two classes, with reference to their action on the humours, namely, *Sansamana* and *Sansodhana*. *Sansamana* are medicines which rectify the deranged state of the humours and calm their excited action, without promoting the excretions. *Sansodhana* are medicines which remove collections of bad humours and discharge them by the excretions. The first is subdivided into three orders, namely, medicines influencing wind, bile and phlegm, respectively. The second includes emetics, purgatives, errhines and other depuratories. Sárangadhara and other writers describe the actions of medicines in further detail and mention the following classes :—