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APPENDIX A
DISEASES MENTIONED IN THE NC.
From the text
valuable information about various
diseases can be found which is in corroboration with the ancient medical texts. An alphabetical list of the various diseases along with their description as found in the NC. is appended below:
(i) Ajira (Indigestion): Ajira, also known as aratita, was same as indigestion. The person suffering from it was unable to digest any food.2
(ii) Ameha Eating impure food or food that has been touched by ants was the cause of the disease amehā which led to the 'loss of wisdom'."
(iii) Arisila, Arisa or Ast, (Piles-Haemorrhoids) : Arisila,* also known as arisă or asi, was same as piles or haemorrhoids and it affected the rectum.5 Oil-anema (nehavasti) was especially prescribed for the patients suffering from this disease.
(iv) Bhagamdara (Fistula in Ano): Bhagamdara or the disease 'Fistula in Ano' affected the rectum of the body and the pustules attracted small worms or
1. NC. 3, p. 258.
2. अरतितो जं ण पच्चति — NC. 2, p. 215.
3. मूइंगसंसत्ते अमेहा भवति, मेहोवघातो भवतीत्यर्थः -NC. 1, p. 92.
4. NC. 2, p. 90.
5. असी अरिसा ता य अहिठाणे णासाते वणेसु वा भवंति – NC. 2, p. 215.
6. NC. 3, p. 392.
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