A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c13.125

v1.c13.125

The specific samprāpti of śvāsa 455 is dealt with (17.45), and the five types of this disease are described: mahāśvāsa (17.46–48), 456 ūrdhvaśvāsa (17.49–51), 457 chinnaśvāsa (17.52–54), 458 tamaka (17.55–62), 459 pratamaka, 460 and samtamaka (17.63–64). 461 Kṣudraśvāsa (a minor degree of śvāsa) is described as a disorder brought about by dry articles of food and exertion; it is curable in strong patients. The other types of śvāsa are curable if not fully manifest (avyaktalakṣaṇa) (17.65–68ab). 462 The fatal cases should be given up, the curable and palliable ones should be treated as quickly as possible (17.68cd–69).