A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c15.2

v1.c15.2

Sneha should be applied for a minimum of three and a maximum of seven days (1.6cd–7ab);² the effects of sneha are mentioned (1.7cd). The effects of sveda are described (1.8ab).³ The correct application of emetics and purgatives is discussed; the preliminary diet; after-treatment; the signs of adequate, deficient and excessive dosages;⁴ the degree of action of an emetic drug is inferior, moderate or superior according to the number of times a patient will vomit: four, six or eight times; the number of times a patient will open his bowels and the amount of the stools determine these degrees in a purgative drug: ten, twenty or thirty times, and an amount of faeces passed of two, three or four prastha (1.8cd–21).