Page:Sushruta Samhita Vol 3.djvu/267

 Now we shall discourse on the (symptoms and) medical treatment of Phthisis (Śosha-Pratishedha). 1. Nomenclature: — Wasting or a general emaciation of the frame marks the sequel of and comes in as a premonitory symptom of an organic disease. Any cachectic condition of the body accompanied by a low lingering fever is called Kshaya. A correct diagnosis and a radical cure of the disease under discussion has baffled many a skilful physician. The disease is nameds Śosha* from the fact of its consuming or drying up (Śosha — withering) the vital principles of the body such as Rasa — serum, etc. It is called Kshaya (wasting) since a wasting process is found to accompany all the functional activities of the body during its attack. Since the Moon-god, the king of the Bráhmanas, was the first to fall a victim to its attack, it is also called Rája-yakshmá (king's disease) † by some authorities. 2.

Some say that the disease is produced by the separate action of the three fundamental Doshas of the body. It being usually found to be attended with all