Chapter XXII - Causes and symptoms of diseases of the nose

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the causes and symptoms of diseases of the nose (Nasa-gata-roga-Vijnaniya). 1.

Nomenclature and Classification:—

Diseases which are specifically found to affect the organ of smell may be classified into Thirty-one different groups, viz.,—Apinasa, Puti-nasya, Nasa-paka. Shonita-Pitta,Puya-shonita, Kshavathu, Bhramshathu, Dipta, Nasa-naha, Pari-srava, Nasa-shosha, the four kinds of Arshas (polypoids), the four kinds of swelling, the seven types of tumours and the five types of Prati-shyaya which will be described hereafter with the specific treatment of each. Thus the diseases of the nose are said to be thirty-one in all. 2.

Symptoms of Apinasa and Puti-nasya:—

Chokedness and burning sensation in the nostrils attended with dryness and deposit of filthy slimy mucus in their passages, thereby deadening the faculty of smell and taste for the time being, are the specific indications of Apinasa, (obstructions in the nostrils) which are identical with the symptoms (of the same type) of Pratishyaya (catarrh). It is due to the concerted action of the deranged Vayu and Kapha. The disease in which the fetid breath is emitted through the mouth and the nostrils owing to the presence of the deranged Vayu mixed up with the other Doshas (Pitta, Kapha and blood) in the throat and about the root of the palate is called Puti-nasya. 3–4.

Symptoms of Nasa-paka, Rakta-Pitta and Puya-rakta:—

A purulent inflammation and the presence of pimples (Arush) in the nostrils owing to the vitiated condition of the local Pitta attended with sliminess and fetid odor is called Nasa-paka. The four kinds of Rakta-Pitta (hemorrhages) with the two different origins and two different courses will be dealt with again later on.^[1] The disease in which bloody or blood-streaked pus is discharged through the nostrils either as the effect of a blow on the region of the fore-head or through the highly heated condition of the local blood, Pitta and Kapha is called Puya-rakta (bloody pus). 5–7.

Symptoms of Kshavathu:—

The disease in which the Vayu charged with Kapha repeatedly gushes out of the nostrils accompained by loud reports or sounds, owing to the fact of the nasal Marma being anywise affected, is called Kshavathu (sneezing).^[2] A trickling sensation in the gristle of the nose owing to the insertion of a thread, etc., into the nostrils, or to the action of any strong (Tikshna) articles of fare, or of any pungent smell, or of looking to the sun causes sneezing. 8–9.

Symptoms of Bhramshathu and Dipta:—

The disease in which the deranged undigested thickened and saline Kapha previously accumulated in the region of the head is dissolved or disintegrated and dislodged from its seat through the heat of Pitta and is expelled (sneezed off) through the nostrils is called Bhramshathu. The affection in which the Vayu, in the shape of warm vapour-like breaths, comes out of the nostrils accompanied by an excessive burning sensation in the locality is called Dipta. 10–11.

Symptoms of Nasa-Pratinaha, Nasa-parisrava and Nasa-Parishosha:—

The condition under, which the up-coarsing Udana Vayu of the region of the head is deranged in its passage by a surcharge of Kapha, seems to stuff the passages of the nostrils, and is called Nasa-Pratinaha. The disease in which there is constant, transparent, slightly discoloured water-like secretion (of Kapha) through the nostrils, more particularly at night, is called Nasa-Parisrava (fluent coryza). Difficulty of respirating (inhaling and exhaling) caused by the drying up and consequent thickening of the Kapha (mucus) accumulating in the passages of the nostrils, through the action of the deranged Vayu and Pitta, is called Nasa-Parishosha (parchedness of the nostrils). 12–14.

Local Arshas (polypoids) as well as local Shopha (four each) are due to the action of the three deranged Doshas of the locality jointly and separately. The different kinds of Arvuda (nasal tumour) as mentioned in the Shalakya-Tantra, with the one of Sannipatika origin are seven in all. The five types of Pratishyaya (catarrh) mentioned here will be dealt with in chapter XXIV. Remarks made in the chapter on the causes and symptoms of swellings in general (Shopha-Vijnana), as well as those of Arshas (haemorrhoid growths) in the Nidana-sthana should be understood to apply to those diseases affecting the locality of the nose as well. 15–18.

 

Thus ends the twenty-second chapter in the Uttara-Tantra of the Sushruta Samhita which deals with the causes and symptoms of the diseases of the nose.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The four kinds are due to vitiated Vāyu, Pitta and Kapha as well as their concerted action. The two origins are (a) the spleen and the liver, or (b) the Āmāśaya (stomach) and the Pakvāśaya (intestines). The two courses are (a) the upper and the lower orifice, or (b) the mouth and the nostrils. (2)

[2]:

The sneezing is here said to be of two kinds (1) Doshaja and (2) traumatic. Here the former is Doshaja, while the latter is of traumatic origin.