Garuda Mahā Purana - Achara Khaṇḍa
151 - Diseases
Dhanvantari said:
1. O Sushruta, listen, I shall describe the causes of the illness Hiccough. Its preliminary stage is due to dyspnea. The different types of hiccough have their own nature as the differentiating factor.
2-3. Hiccough is of five types (1) Bhakshyodbhava (originating from diet) (2) Kshudra (Insignificant) (3) Yamala (The twin-natured) (4) Mahati (great, acute) (5) Gambhira (grave). The first type is caused by hasty eating of coarse pungent unwholesome food stuffs injudiciously. The usual onset is along with the evening meal and beverage when the Vayu is aggravated with the food and the drink. A low sound is produced.
4. By exertion the Vayu principle gets excited and produces the Kshudra hiccough.
5. It originates from the root of the clavicle. Its paroxysm is not virulent.
6. The Kshudra hiccough is aggravated by exertion and becomes mild on taking food. The next type of hiccough (yamala) rises in couples and is slow in its action.
7. It culminates in the face shaking the head and neck violently. It is called Yamala (Twin-natured) hiccough.
8. Delirium, vomiting, dysentery, distortion of the eyes and yawning are the symptoms which are very pronounced at the advanced stage.
9-10. The symptoms in the acute type of hiccough (Mahati) are—the eyebrows droop down and the temples sunk, the eyes turn towards the ears, the body is benumbed, speech is impaired, power of memory fails and unconsciousness results. The vulnerable joints are split, the spinal column is bent down.
11-12. The Gambhira (grave) type of hiccough rises from the abdomen or navel just like the previous one, but is attended with great pain, loud sound, severe violence and high potency. It induces a wide yawning and jerky movements of the limbs. This is curable if carefully treated.
13-15. The first two types shall be avoided as also the hiccough where all the symptoms are pronounced. As a general rule, in the cases of old men, persons of impaired digestion and accumulated undigested matter within, persons indulging too much in sexual exercise, invalids and starving emaciated persons, all ailments are fatal unless attended to quickly. Hiccough and dyspnea are definitely fatal.
Summary of chapter 151 of the Garuda Mahā Purana - Achara Khaṇḍa is as follows:
Bhagavān Vishṇu outlines the causes, diagnostic symptoms, and herbal remedies for dysentery and acute diarrhea, Atīsāra. As it happens, the Divine Master prescribes astringent herbal decoctions utilizing Bilva, Kutaja, and pomegranate rind to soothe inflamed intestines, halt fluid loss, and restore healthy digestive fire.