A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c25.531

v1.c25.531

The origin and normal characteristics of blood are described;⁸⁷² it is of both a saumya and āgneya nature; blood is regarded as a doṣa, but some hold it to be a dūṣya, while others again say that it shares the nature of both (36.5). The effects on the body of blood in a normal state are dealt with, followed by a list of disorders arising from corrupted blood; when these cannot be cured by measures directed against the doṣas, they should be diagnosed as brought about by excitation of blood and, accordingly, treated by phlebotomy⁸⁷³ (36.6).