A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c15.3

v1.c15.3

The correct application of anuvāsana (an evacuative, oleaginous enema) and nirūha (a medicated, non-oleaginous enema) is described; the preliminary diet and after-treatment; the seasons and parts of day and night which are most suitable; the succession of the two types of enema;⁵ the number of times a nirūha should be administered in kapha, pitta and vāta disorders: one or three, five or seven, nine or eleven times respectively (1.25); the effects of the two types of enema (1.27–31);⁶ their indications (1.32–34)⁷ and contra-indications (1.36–37); the signs of adequate, deficient and excessive application of enemas; three courses of treatment with enemas (basti): karma-, kāla-, and yogabasti; karmabasti consists of one nirūha to begin with, followed by twelve nirūhas and twelve anuvāsanas, and five nirūhas at the end;⁸ kālabasti is a course of one nirūha, six nirūhas and six anuvāsanas, alternately administered, and three nirūhas at the end; yogabasti consists of one nirūha, three nirūhas which alternate with three anuvāsanas, and one nirūha at the end (1.38–50ab).