Page:Sushruta Samhita Vol 1.djvu/287

 CHAPTER XX.

Now we shall discuss the Chapter which treats of the salutary and non- salutary effects of regimen, etc. (Hitahitiya- madhyayam).

According to certain eminent medical authorities, an article or a substance which is beneficial in derangements of the bodily Vayu may prove positively injurious in a Pittaja affection; hence it is impossible to name an article or substance which is absolutely or universally wholesome (irrespective of the nature and type of a disease, and of the deranged bodily humours involved therein}.

But we cannot subscribe to the foregoing hypothesis, since by nature or combination, things (substances are, or become endued with properties, which prove absolutely beneficial or unconditionally harmful or exert a mixed virtue (both beneficial and injurious) according to the difference in the nature and type of the disease in which they are employed. Things or articles such as, clarified- butter, water, milk and boiled-rice, etc. may be denominated as absolutely beneficial owing to their congeniality to, or natural suitableness to the human organism.

Similarly, substances such as fire, alkali and poison, may be designated as unconditionally harmful in virtue