Study and examination of Pulse according to Sage Kaṇāda

 

 

B: K. R. L. Gupta. Distributor: Lulu. $9.99. 88 pages. Paperback DG. 2016 (1891).

The original title of this work was Science of sphygmica or sage Kaṇāda on pulse, which was modified here to avoid the term sphygmica or the modern term sphygmology.

Pulse diagnosis is a diagnostic technique used to assess internal conditions. It was part of the premodern Western medical models and is still used in 'traditional' Asian medical systems. Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Mongolian medicine, Siddha medicine, traditional Tibetan medicine, and Unani.

Sage Kanada, also known as Kashyapa, Uluka, Kananda and Kanabhuk, was an Indian sage and philosopher who probably lived before Buddha. He founded the Vaisheshika school of Hindu philosophy. The Vaisheshika Sutra, or Aphorisms of Kanada, introduces one of the earliest systematic realist ontology system. Kaviraj Russick Láll Gupta states that his translation is based on the Nadivijnana or 'Pulse Science' but no other references suggest the origin of this work or the attribution to Sage Kanada. Historically, the knowledge of pulse clearly emerged in an organized manner in the Sharangadhara samhita compiled by Acharya Sharangadhara sometime in 14th century A.D.[1]

This study covers the description of the Pulses, timing of examination, pulse frequencies, fever-related conditions and other types of examinations.

 

Contents

 

  • Preface
  • Chapter I. The description of the Pulses, with their various aspects
    • The process of pulse examination
  • Chapter II. The time for examining the pulse
  • Prohibitory time for examining the pulse
    • The natural movement or beating of the pulse
    • The symptoms of a sound health
    • The natural movement of the three humors: vāyu, pitta and kapha
    • The full explanation of the irregular or eccentric condition of our pulses
    • The state or movements of the dandaja pulse
    • The general or incurable symptoms
  • Chapter III. The previous symptoms of fever
    • The phenomena or symptoms before the remittent and typhoid fever
    • The science or the exposition of fever
    • About the fevers arising from the eccentricity of vāyu
    • About the prohibitory rules for fever patients
    • Acute dysentery
    • The different type of dysentery
    • About the pulse of a person either in appetite or after meal
    • About the eatables
    • About juice or liquid substance
    • About indigestion and loss of semen or vitality
    • About the sound state or strengthening of digestion
    • Of cholera and obstruction of the stool and urine
    • About the urinary diseases
    • About gonorrhea
    • The nature of the pulsation in eating poison
    • Particulars about the gulma-diseases
    • An exposition of sinus, abscess, carbuncle, piles, and fistula
    • The examination of the menstrual discharge
    • The symptoms of pure or sound menses
    • About the examination of semen
    • The symptoms of sound and healthy semen
    • Examination of Urine
    • Different other proofs regarding the urine
    • The examination of nose
    • The examination of mouth
    • About the examination of eyes
    • Examination of tongue
    • A slight hint about destructive diseases
  • Chapter IV. About the attendance of messenger or physician
    • Some Hints to Health
    • Breath
    • Food
    • Cleanliness, External and Internal
    • Exercises of the Body
  • [Appendix]
    • Lexicon
    • Books
    • Authors

 

 

[1] K. R. Srikrishnamurthy (Tr.). Sarngadhara-Samhita — A Treatise on Ayurveda — A Treatise on Ayurveda (English Translation). 2012.