The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s13.t1.2

c5.s13.t1.2

Nux vomica has been introduced into Hindu Medicine at a recent period. There is no generally recognized Sanskrit name for it. In some recent Sanskrit compilations it is mentioned under its vernacular name *kuchilá*, a term which is not to be found in standard Sanskrit dictionaries. Sárangadhara and other writers give some prescriptions containg a drug named *vishamushṭi*, which is generally interpretted to mean in these places, nux vomica seeds; but *vishamushṭi* according to the Bhávaprakása has an edible fruit and is called *Kareruá* in Hindi. In this work the Sanskrit term *kupilu* with its synonyms, *kulaka*, *vishatinduka*, *mar-kaṭatinduka*, etc., is said to be the Sanskrit synonyms for *kuchilá* and this translation is followed in some Hindi medical books, as for example in the treatise on the properties of drugs, compiled by Pundit Keshava Prasáda Dvivedi of the Agra College. This interpretation however is not accepted in Bengal, for neither Wilson nor Sir Rájá Rádhákunta Deva has given *kuchilá* as the Vernacular for *kupilu*, nor does this term or any of its synonyms above mentioned, occur in any Sanskrit medical prescription. In our account of this drug we will according to the practice of ous kavirájas in Bengal interpret *vishamushṭi* as *kuchilá*.