CHAPTER LXI.
Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the (symptoms and) medical treatment of Apasmára (Apasmára-Pratishedha). 1.
Derivative Significance:— The word "Smriti" signifies the faculty of past sense-perceptions and (the prefix) "Apa" denotes the privation (of any object or attribute). Hence, this disease (in which an individual loses the faculty of past cognitions) is termed Apasmára (Epilepsy) and it turns fatal. 2.
Causes: — Excessive, inadequate and improper attention to the objects of the sense as well as to their actions, partaking of filthy, impure, incompatible and uncongenial articles of fare and regimen of conduct, repression of any natural urging of the body or aggravation of the Rajas and Tamas (nescience), or going in unto a woman in her menses, or indulgence in amorous fancies, fright, anxiety, anger, or grief, etc., leads to an aggravation of the bodily Doshas which in their turn affect the mind (Chetas) very greatly and give rise to Apasmára. 3.
The sense-carrying Srotas (channels) of the body overwhelmed by the concerted action of the deranged Doshas bring in a predominance of Rajas and Tamas (Nescience) causing the patient unconscious and forgetful of all past memories. He writhes in agony and throws his hands and legs in convulsive jerks with contracted eyes (D. R. tongue) and eye-brows. He gnashes his teeth, with foams at the mouth, etc., and falls to the ground with open eyes, the consciousness returning a short while after. The disease is called Apasmára which is
