153 - Diseases 

Dhanvantari said: 

1. Sushruta, I shall now describe the pathology of Arochaka (Non-relish for food). Three types of Arochaka are caused by the three humours severally situated in the tongue and the heart. 

2. Fourth type of Arochaka is caused by all the three in combination. Fifth type of Arochaka is caused by the dejection of the mind. If wind is the cause, the mouth has an astringent taste. If Pitta is the cause, it has a bitter taste. If Kapha is the cause, a sweet taste is experienced. 

3. Just as everything is tasteless at the time of sorrow and anger so also in all the five types of Arochaka, food is tasteless due to the vomiting sensation on account of the deranged humour. 

4. The Udana vayu flings up the deranged humours resting beneath the mouth and they give rise to a saline taste with watery oozings in the mouth. Hence non relish for food. 

5. It pains the umbilical region and the back; the food taken is cast to the sides. The patient vomits, bit by bit, small lumps of frothy astringent matter. 

6. Due to the action of vayu there is an eructation with loud sound that dries up the mouth. Hiccough with hoarseness of voice is also observed. 

7. If the attack is by the deranged pitta the patient vomits something like saline water mixed with blood. It is sometimes greenish yellow in colour, bitter and pungent in taste. Thirst, fainting and a burning sensation in the body are the further characteristics. 

8. If kapha is the cause, a thick glossy yellowish honey like mucous of excessively saline taste is vomited with watery discharge and horripilation. 

9. Patients having swelling in the mouth, with sweet taste, pain and disquietude in the sinews and hiccough are to be considered having all symptoms and are to be given up as incurable. 

10. To him seeing anything or hearing any sound is hateful. If the sickness is due to the food being contaminated by germs, the symptoms are colic (Shula), shivering and disquietude aggravated by vayu, etc.