Kaya Chikitsa Tantra: The Ayurvedic Concept of Internal Medicine

Introduction

Kaya Chikitsa Tantra, in Sanskrit काय चिकित्सा तन्त्र, the section of Internal Medicine follows the school of Atreya Punarvasu. The ancient Ayurvedic book, Charaka Samhita is one of the best texts for study. The section of internal medicine being one of the eight branches of Ayurveda plays a major role in the field of basic treatment. In general, internal medicine deals with fever, broncho-pulmopathy, alimentopathy, cardiopathy, hepato-spleenopathy, uropathy, male genitopathy, gynopathy, dermopathy, neuropathy, sensopathy, pathogenic conditions of the bodily ingredients and psychopathy.

Fever

Fever as a disease and symptom is well analyzed to understand the different therapeutic conditions. In general, it is classified into eight categories monsoon fever, autumn fever, spring fever, typhoid fever, three kinds of paratyphoid fever, and accidental fever. Accidental fever has four different types: traumatic fever, magic fever, curse fever, and emotional fever. The emotional fever is related to sex, grief, fear, anger, poison, allergy, and infection. The fever concerning infection covers the epidemic typhoid fever and the malarial fever of different types. The proper diagnosis and treatment of fever are well explained for study.

Broncho-Pulmopathy

The Broncho-Pulmopathy includes all the diseases of the respiratory system. Cough, bronchitis, asthma, hiccups, tuberculosis, hemoptysis, pleurisy, pneumonia, alveolitis, suffocation, cancer, etc are the main diseases of the lungs and the bronchial pipe. The proper diagnosis and treatment of these diseases are explained in detail in the Ayurvedic study.

Cardiopathy

The proper diagnosis and treatment of all diseases of the heart are the subjects of cardiopathy. Heart attack, angina pectoris, pseudo-angina, tachycardia, myocarditis, pericarditis, acute endocarditis, hypertrophy, abnormal growth, low and high blood pressure, weak heart, etc are the main diseases of the heart.

Hepato-Spleenopathy

The Hepato-Spleenopathy is concerned with the proper diagnosis and treatment of all the diseases of the liver and spleen. Hepatomegaly, neoplasm, jaundice, hepatitis, non-functioning gall bladder, gallstone, cholecystitis, amebic abscess, cirrhosis, enlarged spleen, splenitis, neoplasm of the spleen, etc are the main diseases of the liver and spleen.

Alimentopathy

The proper diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to different organs of the alimentary system are the subjects of Alimentopathy, also known as Gastroenterology. Vomiting, nausea, gastritis, acidity, tumors, ulcers, achlorhydria, etc are related to the stomach. Indigestion, anorexia, loss of appetite, pancreatitis, abnormal growth, etc are the diseases of the pancreas. Sprue, duodenitis, duodenal ulcer etc are the diseases of the duodenum. Diarrhea, gastro-enteritis, enteritis, cholera, tympanitis, hernia, obstruction, constipation, parasites, tumors, perforation, etc are the main diseases of the intestine. Colitis, dysentery, spasmodic colin pain, parasites, abscesses, etc are the related diseases of the colon. Hemorrhoids, prolapses, stricture of the anus, proctitis, fistula, neoplasm, etc are the diseases of the anus. Peritonitis, ascites, etc are the diseases of the peritonium.

Uropathy

The proper diagnosis and treatment of the diseases related to kidneys, bladder, and urethra are the main subjects of uropathy. The urinary diseases with the fatty cast, waxy cast, serum, sugar, alkaline, porphine, myoglobin, blood, hemoglobin, bilirubin, etc. polyuria, glycosuria, coagulation, phosphaturia, chyluria, spermatorrhea, cold urine, calcium oxalate, anuresis, albuminuria, stone, diabetes, etc are the diseases of the kidneys. The diseases of the bladder are obstruction, a decrease of the urinary force, distended bladder, anuria, neoplasm, gleeting cystitis, dehydration, pneumaturia, dislocation, spasmodic stricture, stone, etc. Urethritis, painful urination, etc are diseases of the urethra.

Male Genitopathy

Male Genitopathy (Genitourinary) deals with the proper diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the prostate glands, penis, and testicles. Prostitis, abnormal growth, defective semen, seminal calculus, etc are diseases of the prostate gland. The diseases of the penis are syphilis, herpes, corn, melanoma, erysipeloid, balanitis, traumatic boils, chancroid, numbness, red pimples, multiple perforations, skin infection, angioma, myoma, abscess, acute infection, gangrene, paraphimosis, tearing of the prepuce, phimosis, stiffness, condyloma, warts, etc. Enlarged testicles, orchitis, hydrocele, spasm, tinea cruris, neoplasm, impotence, etc are the diseases of the testicle.

Gynopathy

Gynopathy deals with the proper treatment and diagnosis of diseases related to the organs of the woman. Menorrhea, menstrual cramps, primary amenorrhea, dyspareunia, trichomoniasis, traumatic damage, malposition, narrow passage, cervical atrophy, endometrial polyps, sterility, heavy bleeding, amenorrhea, pregnancy bleeding, early miscarriage, habitual miscarriage, dislocation cervical neoplasm, premature orgasm, leucorrhea, neoplasm, frank prolapse etc are the diseases of the uterus. Cysts, menopause, etc are the related diseases of the ovary glands. Vaginitis, herpes, syphilis, yeast infection, condyloma, etc are diseases of the vagina. Breast diseases are abscesses, defective milk, neoplasm, etc.

Dermopathy

Dermopathy deals with the proper diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases including external glands, leprosy, psoriasis, fungus infection, ringworm, eczema, ecthyma, scabies, eruption, erysipeloid, prickly heat, leucoderma, verruca plantaris, juveniles, keloid, folliculitis, boils, neoplasm, comedones, mumps, cellulitis, herpes zoster, plague, corn, nail skin infection, inguinal bubo, baldness, alopecia, hair fall, dandruff, pediculosis, gray hair, wrinkles, acne, mole, freckles, melanosis, warts, measles, perianal candidiasis, smallpox, neoplasm, tumor, cyst, fibroma, lipoma, myoma, angioma, epithelioma, carcinoma, sarcoma, scrofula, goiter, filariasis, erysipelas, abscess, etc are the diseases of the skin including the glands etc.

Neuropathy

The proper diagnosis and treatment of nerve diseases are the subjects of neuropathy. Paralysis, lockjaw, wryneck, parkinsonism, atrophy, stiffness, painful wrist, tremor hands, arthritis, spondylitis, spasm, lumbago, scoliosis, tetanus, lame, sciatica, multiple sclerosis, inflamed knee, ankylosis, arthrosis, gout, rheumatism, etc. are the diseases related with the nerve.

Sensopathy

Sensopathy deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to sensation. Epilepsy, coma, intoxication, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, etc. are the main diseases concerning the sensation.

Pathogenic conditions of the bodily ingredients

Serum, blood, meat, fat, bone, marrow, and semen are the main bodily ingredients. The pathogenic conditions of them are related to many diseases. Anemia, loss of weight, thrombosis, sclerosis, obesity, edema, varicosis, osteoporosis, impotency, sterility etc are the main diseases. Defective conditions of them also cause many diseases. The proper diagnosis and treatment of all these conditions are concerned here.

Psychopathy

The proper diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases are the subjects of psychopathy. Insanity with physical and metaphysical symptoms, insanity with changing personalities, insanity related to sex, grief, fear, chronic diseases, insanity related to slow poison, insanity with a stupid mind and stupid activities, etc. are the main diseases related to the mind.

Author

Dr. Mana Bajra Bajracharya