A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c42.s15.30

v3.c42.s15.30

Chapter fourteen treats mūrchā (fainting) and some related disorders. The pathogenesis of this disease is described as an occlusion of the apertures (dvāra) of the five sets of twelve vessels (nāḍikā) of the five sense organs, resulting in a sudden loss of consciousness (saṃjñānāśa). Six types of the disorder, also called moha, are distinguished, caused by vāta, pitta, kapha, blood, trauma (abhighāta), and alcoholic drinks (madya) or poison (14.1–6).²⁸⁴ Two more varieties, brought about by saṃnipāta and kṣaya, are referred to (14.13 and 15–16). Related disorders mentioned in this chapter are bhrama (giddiness), caused by pitta and vāta, tandrā, caused by vāta and kapha, and nidrā (sleepiness), caused by kapha, vāta and tamas (14–17).²⁸⁵