Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c12.30

c12.30

The colic (*śūla*), a frequent disease even in upper classes¹ in Bengal of today, does not appear in the old pathology (Car, Su, AS, AHr) as an independent disease, although it is frequently mentioned along with other diseases such as constipation, diarrhoea and the like, or as a symptom. In wider sense, pricking pains of every kind are to be understood by *śūla*, " spear ", especially " spear of Śiva " as e. g. *pārśvaśūla*- " pain in sides ", *hṛdi śūlāni*- " pain in the heart " (Bower MS 2.79). Frequently, however, it has a narrower meaning- " colic or violent pain arising from the bowels or stomach ", just as *parikartana*, *parikartikā* generally means " cutting ". According to MN 195-198 there are eight kinds of *śūla*: seven from the derangement of the *doṣas*, individually, in pair or united, and one from indigestion (*āma*). " Digestion-colic " (*pariṇāmaśūla*) and " colic of food and drink " (*annadravaśūla*) also belong to this. The complaints which give rise to these conditions are due mostly to different mistakes in the diet. *Pariṇāmaśūla* is caused during digestion. The accompanying signs in *vāta* are: flatulence, tympanitis, constipation, retention of urine, bad taste and trembling. Oily and hot medicines give relief to the patient suffering from this disease. In *pitta*: thirst, heat, bad taste, perspiration, deterioration by use of pungent, sour or salt things, amelioration by use of cold things. In *kapha*: vomiting, nausea, numbness, light but persistent pain. Relief is obtained by use of pungent and bitter things. In *annadravaśūla*, which arises during or after digestion, it makes no difference whether one eats wholesome or unwholesome food, eats or observes fast or regulates diet. Only emetic is helpful in this condition ( MN 1. c.; Vang 441 f.; Bhāv 2.3.1 f. ). Emetic, fasting, perspiration, remedies promoting digestion, suppository, cauteries and pills are recommended for curing śūla ( Vr 26.1 = Vang 442 = Cakra 180 ). Hemādri also mentions a ceremony in which a golden and silver spear (śūla) is presented to a sacrificial priest, and the challenge is given to the spear to cure the śūla in the belly, sides or the back ( caturvargacintāmaṇi, 1.755-757 ).