A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c42.s6.16

v3.c42.s6.16

The chapter on the treatment of epilepsy (apasmāra) contains a second version, different from that in the Nidānasthāna, of the pathogenesis (samprāpti) of this disorder, described in the following way: when the mind (citta), due to various causes, is disturbed, the heart becomes desiccated; subsequently, vāta obstructs the bodily heat (ūṣman) and reaches the channel (nāḍī) which transports water; the person, suffering from this ailment, is oppressed by thirst, becomes confused, and develops epilepsy (Ci. 9.2–4). The involvement of bhūtas in the causation of epilepsy is not mentioned, which is no matter of surprise, because an involvement has been rejected categorically on previous occasions.¹⁹⁴