CHAPTER XLVIII
Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the (symptoms and) medical treatment of thirst (Trishná-Pratishedha Adhyáya). 1.
He who is not satisfied even with the constant drinking of water but craves for more and more water should be regarded as afflicted with the disease known as thirst (morbid desire for water). 2.
Etiology:—The Pitta, and Váyu of the body become extremely aggravated by such factors as (excessive) exercise, grief (or any violent mental agitation), fatigue, drinking, use of any extremely dry, acid, hot or pungent fares, or of those which cause a parched condition in the organism, or waste of any vital organic principle (Dhátu) of the body, fasting or exposure to the sun, and combinedly affect the water-carrying channels of the body (diminish the liquid portion of the bodily lymph-chyle). The water-carrying channels thus affected give rise to violent thirst. The disease is divided into seven types. 3.
Classification:— The first three are due to the action of the deranged Doshas (Váyu, Pitta and Kapha). The fourth and fifth are respectively incidental to any ulcer and to the waste of any of its fundamental organic principles. The sixth is due to the presence of undigested fecal matter in the intestines (lit. mucus) and the seventh is due to errors in diet. Now hear me describe their specific symptoms and the therapeutic agents to be employed in curing them. 4.
Premonitory Symptoms:— An extreme dryness of and a burning sensation in the palate,
