Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c13.48

c13.48

The identification of "syphilis" with the disease *phiraṅga*, *phiraṅgaroga*, *phiraṅgāmaya* "the Franc disease" is certain which, however, is mentioned in the works of the 16th century, especially in Bhāv 4.50-2³ along with boils and the small pox. There its name is explained by the fact that it frequently occurs in the land of France (*phiraṅgasamjñake deśe*) i. e. in Europe. It is a gland-disease (*?gandharoga* for *gandaroga*?) that is caused by physical contact with a *phiraṅgin* (European), (and particularly-comm.) by intimate intercourse with a *phiraṅginī* (European woman), and belongs to the diseases originating from external cause (*āgantuja*). 1. External *phiraṅga* resembles the vesicular disease (*visphoṭa*, of. § 70 ) and causes little pain. If the vesicles burst, they are to be looked upon as wounds and are easily curable. 2. The internal *phiraṅga* occurs in the joints, causes pain and swelling like rheumatism and is difficult to cure. 3. The external-internal causes the signs of 1 & 2, is painful, very much protracted and very scarcely curable⁴. Bad complications in *phiraṅga* are: thinness, loss of vitality, depression of the nose, indigestion, wasting and crookedness of bones. External *phiraṅga* is curable if it is new and free from complications. The internal is scarcely curable, external-internal is incurable if the patient has become weak and if there are complications. As the chief remedy for *phiraṅga*, mercury⁵ (*pārada, karpūrarasa*) is recommended, especially internally, e. g. in a pill with wheat which is to be swallowed in without allowing to touch the teeth, also externally as smearing substance, or when it is fully pulverized between the hands. Saltish and sour things should not be eaten after internal use, also exercises, heat, long journey on foot and especially sexual intercourse should be avoided. A further specific medicine for *phiraṅga* is *cobacīnī, copacīnī*, a well known remedy for syphilis in India even at present which, according to Bhāv 1.1 is also called *dvīpāntaravacā* apparently from its foreign origin. This is sārsāparilla, the root of smilax which must have come to the Portugese in Goa about 1535 A. D. as a remedy against *Lues* through Chinese traders,⁶ and is known in Europe only since the 16th century. The Berlin MS in which *phiraṅga* is described,⁷ appears to be an excerpt from Bhāv.⁸ The European origin of *phiraṅga* cannot, therefore, be doubted.