Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c13.40

c13.40

with the groins and upper thigh, affect the flesh and blood and reach the foot in course of time, where they gradually bring about a firm swelling (AS, AHr). If caused by vāta it is hard, black, rough, the skin cracks, there is pain without occasion, the pain is violent and there is fever. By pitta the ślīpada is yellowish, a little soft, accompanied by fever and heat. By kapha it is smooth, whitish, heavy (bhārika "forming a load") immovable, big, oversaturated with outgrowth of flesh and painless. Ślīpada is incurable after one year and if it is excessively big, resembles an anthill and dribbles excessively etc. "According to some authorities" ślīpada arises, besides on the foot, on hands, nose, lips and ears, and also on the eyes and penis. It occurs especially in such regions as contain stagnant waters, are swampy and cold in all seasons. The surgeon should open a vein above or below the ankle-bone according to the tridoṣas, or on the big toe. Different plasters and smearings are then described, heat is also to be applied, the patient should fast or drink castor oil with cow-urine for a month or take an enemeta; in extreme cases the swelling should be branded (Car 6.20.93; Su2.12; 4.19; AS 6.33; AHr 6.29; MN 258-60; Vr 42; Bhāv 2.3; Vang 594-600). The elephant-foot and similar monstrously big tumours on the scrotum as well as the elephantoid swelling are met with even at present in India especially in swampy regions¹.