Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c12.17

c12.17

Even though the Vedic medicine advises the surrender of the hot fever to the cold frog and the tying of a green-striped frog under the patient's bed, it also advises the application of *kuṣṭha*—a plant also used later as a remedy for fever². The Bower MS contains numerous recipes for fever, and the effect of *harītakī* (*Terminalia chebula*) as remedy against the intermittent fever is praised therein (2.939). The later literature is also full of recipes for every kind of fever, yet the application of dietetic remedy is particularly recommended. In the first stage upto the 7th day (according to others upto the 10th day) from the beginning of the fever, the patient should generally eat nothing or only thin decoctions (*yavāgū*) and the like in small quantity. Ordinary water should not be denied to him, yet he should, as a rule, take only boiled and warm water, as the cold water increases the fever and medicines have also a bad effect in this stage. In fever which comes immediately after meal, an emetic is first to be given. In general, the rule is to prescribe fast in the beginning, then promotion of digestion by corresponding diet, lastly medicines and purgatives after the fever has gone down. In mild fever medicines may immediately be given. In intermittent fever both purgative and emetic should be given. Bleeding should be resorted to in every kind of fever only if all other remedies have proved futile. Fever should be understood to have ceased if the head and body have become light; fatigue, deafening and heat have disappeared, the mouth has inflamed, the head itches, there is perspiration, appetite and sneezing. Even then the patient must avoid exercise, sexual intercourse, bath, taking a walk and wind-draught until he has fully recovered his strength (Car 6.3.136-342; Su 6.39.83-299; AHr 4.1; AS 4.1; Bhav 2.1.7-125; Vr 1.25 ff.).