A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c44.s8.t1.4

v3.c44.s8.t1.4

*Special features* The author distinguishes first the usual six types of irregular fever: satata, prātyahika (= anyedyuṣka), tṛtīyaka, caturthaka, tṛtīyakaviparyaya and caturthakaviparyaya (2. 38–39), but describes later four viparyaya types: satata-, anyedyuṣka-, tṛtīyaka-, and caturthakaviparyaya (4.186–189).⁵⁶¹ Fevers by vāta are said to be of three varieties: satata, śuddhasatata and śuddhaprātyahika (2.42). Fevers by two doṣas may present the same three varieties, with the exception of the fever by kapha and pitta (3.14), because vāta is absent there. Tṛtīyaka and caturthaka, however, are never caused by two doṣas, but always by three (3.24). The distinction between prakṛtisamasamaveta and vikṛtiviṣamasamaveta fevers,⁵⁶² and that between prākṛta and vaikṛta types,⁵⁶³ have an important place throughout the work, as well as the periods of time during which a particular fever presents itself.⁵⁶⁴ The madhara fever, characterized by eruptions in the throat and on the chest, together with lassitude (tandrā), and occurring in Mahārāṣṭra, is described as an example of those fevers which were omitted by the ṛṣis and ācāryas (4.138–142).⁵⁶⁵