A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c42.s15.98

v3.c42.s15.98

Chapter thirty-eight describes two diseases, gaṇḍamālā and lūtā(vraṇa). 355 Four varieties of gaṇḍamālā are distinguished, brought about by vāta, pitta, kapha, and samnipāta (38.1–3). This is a unique feature, since gaṇḍamālā is not divided into a number of varieties in any other medical treatise. 356 The disorder called lūtā is described as a deep ulcer (vraṇa) with a purulent discharge (pūyavisrāva) (38.1–16), while some small animal, the lūtā, is supposed to live inside (38.17–20). 357 Seven kinds of lūtā are distinguished and characterized with regard to their form, colour and location: rohiṇī, viśadā, vijayā, (vi)bhedinī, kāntārī, vajrapuṣpā, and indrāyudhā (38.4–16). The treatment of lūtā(vraṇa) aims at curing the ulcer and killing the animal inside (38.17–23). The therapy of gaṇḍamālā is referred to in passing, together with an otherwise unknown disease called prakaṇṭaka (38.18).