A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c42.s6.13

v3.c42.s6.13

Religious elements in the treatment of fevers are mentioned (Ci.1.46–51; 2.39–41): paying homage to Vṛṣabhadhvaja, i.e., Śiva (1.46; 178 2.40) and Bhūtādhipati (2.40), as well as the recitation of Vedic mantras (1.49); the exorcist (bhūtavaidya) 179 should employ the caṇḍakarman 180 characteristic of bhūtavidyā (1.50). A series of opinions on the aetiology of irregular fevers (viṣamajvara) is referred to, rejected by Bhela, who asserts that they are caused by saṃnipāta (2.1–5). These fevers are thought to corrupt bone marrow, osseous tissue and fatty tissue on the first day, muscular tissue and blood on the second day, kapha and vāta on the third day, pitta on the fourth day (Ci.2.6–7). Religious elements are mentioned again in the treatment of irregular fevers: paying homage to Acyuta, i.e., Viṣṇu (2.40), and Vṛṣabhadhvaja, i.e., Śiva (2.40), as well as measures belonging to the realm of bhūtavidyā (2.41).