Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c12.69

c12.69

By *rohini*, *rohinikā* (redness) is meant acute growth at the root of the tongue (in throat?) connected with manifold pain. It brings death after three days at the latest, but can quickly be cured by an expert physician (Car). The death results from suffocation when caruncles shut up the throat. There are also milder forms, particularly one brought about by blood, in which numerous small pustules appear. The curable cases are to be treated with blood-letting, emetic, fumigation, gargle and nasal remedy (Su, Vr, Bhāv). The growth *galagraha* originates from the hardening of phlegm in the throat (Caraka). Connected with this is *kanthasālūka*— a hard and rough tumour in the throat originating from phlegm and causing pain like thorns or pricking insects (*sūka*). It is to be removed by operation. A growth on the tongue raised like top of the tongue is called *adhijihva* and is dangerous if suppurated. The high and extended swelling *valaya* that obstructs the admission of food is incurable. Whether *balāsa* which is equally dangerous and causes breathing difficulties and pain, corresponds to the Vedic *balāsa*¹ is doubtful, since *balāsa* also denotes the phlegm as exciter of disease in general. Directly fatal or at least highly dangerous are *sataghni*— a hard, painful swelling blocking the throat with many caruncles, *galavidradhi* "abscess in the throat"— a growth covering the whole throat, *galaugha* "swelling of the throat"— a big swelling that obstructs breathing, eating and drinking, *swaraghna* "corrupting the voice"— blocking up of the air passage by phlegm, with hoarseness, difficult breathing and dryness, *māmsatāna* "flesh-lump" (polype in the throat-BR)— a hanging growth that gradually covers the throat etc. In all there are eighteen diseases of throat (*galaroga*) including the five *rohini*. Whether croup and diptheria are to be counted among these, cannot be decided because of the generality of the descriptions (Car 1.18; Su 2.16; 4.22; AS 6.25; AHr 6.21; MN 346-50; Vr 58; 53 ff. ).