Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c13.31

c13.31

§ 71. External and Internal Abscesses :— By the oft mentioned ailment *vidradhi*, *vidradhikā* (Vedic *vidradha*) which also comes as a consequence of diabetes, various abscesses and inflammations are meant. According to Car 1.17.95 the name is derived from brisk burning or demolition (*śīghravidāhitvāt*). There are external and internal *vidradhis*. Caraka identifies the latter with *granthi* "growth, deep seated abscess" that has its place in heart, lungs, liver, spleen, stomach, kidney, navel or groins. Ripe abscesses empty their contents from the mouth if their place is in the upper half of the body and from the anus if in the lower half of the body, from both sides if their place is in the navel. Those in the heart, navel or bladder or due to three *doṣas* are fatal. In all *vidradhis* the pain is very acute as by cutting with a knife, by throw of a spear or by burning with fire. In the ripening condition the pain is like the stinging of a scorpion (Car 1.17). Caraka describes other *vidradhis* and *granthis* in the chapter on *śotha* (6.12) :— *vidradhi* on the palate with burning and redness of flesh, *dantavidradhi*— a tumour on the gums, *granthi* which must be cut out lest it may recur, *arbuda* which are of similar quality and are to be treated like *granthi* etc. According to Su, MN, *vidradhi* is a dangerous, deep-rooted painful, round or oblong tumour. By *vāta* it is black or red, of changing size, extremely painful, grows and ripens slowly, the discharge is faint-coloured. 2. By *pitta*, its colour is like that of a ripe fig or dark brown, it is accompanied by fever and heat, grows and ripens quickly, the discharge is yellow. 3. By *kapha*, it is (big) like a dish, whitish, cold, glittering, not very painful, grows and ripens slowly and itches, the discharge is white. 4. By *tridoṣas* the colour, pain and the pus are of different kinds; this form is incurable. 5. By wounds the signs are as by *pitta*, but by neglecting the wounds, there occurs fever, thirst and heat. 6. By blood the tumour is surrounded by small black dots, is dark-coloured, causes violent burning and pain, otherwise shows similar signs as by *pitta*. The internal *vidradhis* are to be distinguished from the external *vidradhis*. The internal *vidradhis* correspond to the abscesses in heart etc. described above according to Caraka. If they burst from upwards (from the mouth) they are fatal. *Makkalla*, the abscess of the confined woman due to retention of blood is also here considered, cf. § 49, and the difference between *gulma* (cf. § 54) and *vidradhi* is explained. The former tumour does not ripen, because it does not contain flesh and blood, the latter ripens, i. e. suppurates, because it contains much flesh and blood. For vidradhi the application of leeches and mild purgatives, plasters and poultices and various medicines etc. are recommended ( Su 2.9; 4.16; AS 3.11; 4.15; AHr 3.11; 4.13; MN 260-5; Vr 43; Bhav 2.3; Vang 600-6. ).