Changes

Thus, ends the sixth chapter on diagnosis of ''shosha'' in [[Nidana Sthana]] in the treatise composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charak. [16-17]

Thus, ends the sixth chapter on diagnosis of ''shosha'' in [[Nidana Sthana]] in the treatise composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charak. [16-17]

=== ''Tattva Vimarsha'' ===

=== ''Tattva Vimarsha'' / Fundamental Principles===

* Wasting or emaciating conditions like ''shosha'' occur because of four factors: ''Sahasa'' (overexertion), ''Sandhaarana'' (suppression of natural urges), ''Kshaya'' (emaciation), and ''Vishamasana'' (Dietary error).

* Wasting or emaciating conditions like ''shosha'' occur because of four factors: ''Sahasa'' (overexertion), ''Sandhaarana'' (suppression of natural urges), ''Kshaya'' (emaciation), and ''Vishamasana'' (Dietary error).

* Etiological factors, ''dosha'' vitiation and clinical features help in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease.

* Etiological factors, ''dosha'' vitiation and clinical features help in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease.

=== ''Vidhi Vimarsha'' ===

=== ''Vidhi Vimarsha'' / Applied Inferences===

The point of significance in this chapter is the identification of the intermediary clinical state called ''shosha'' which is the precursor to ''rajayakshma'', a pathological state warranting early diagnosis and treatment as a promotive health care strategy. Sushruta acknowledges the specific role of microbial infection through direct physical contacts as the real cause, while Charak emphasizes upon the role of pre-existing progressive weakness and emaciation accompanied with lowered ''vyadhikshamatva'' (poor immune strength) as some of the key causative factors responsible for the entire spectrum of the disease complex that includes ''shosha, kshaya,'' and ''rajayakshma''. This fundamental idea for which Charak devotes one full chapter in [[Nidana Sthana]] is an original contribution of Charak, drawing specific attention to the fact that the host factor and host resistance against disease is more important than the causative microbial organism in case of contagious diseases like tuberculosis. It also endorses the Ayurvedic stand that the solution lies in enhancing or strengthening the immunity of the host and not merely in tackling the microorganisms afflicting the person. Use of antibiotics, as is prevalent in western medicine, is now dwindling because of their adverse side effects and rapidly emerging problems associated with drug resistance. In fact, there is now a growing consensus that an idea of an antibiotic war in medicine is anti-life and anti-health.

The point of significance in this chapter is the identification of the intermediary clinical state called ''shosha'' which is the precursor to ''rajayakshma'', a pathological state warranting early diagnosis and treatment as a promotive health care strategy. Sushruta acknowledges the specific role of microbial infection through direct physical contacts as the real cause, while Charak emphasizes upon the role of pre-existing progressive weakness and emaciation accompanied with lowered ''vyadhikshamatva'' (poor immune strength) as some of the key causative factors responsible for the entire spectrum of the disease complex that includes ''shosha, kshaya,'' and ''rajayakshma''. This fundamental idea for which Charak devotes one full chapter in [[Nidana Sthana]] is an original contribution of Charak, drawing specific attention to the fact that the host factor and host resistance against disease is more important than the causative microbial organism in case of contagious diseases like tuberculosis. It also endorses the Ayurvedic stand that the solution lies in enhancing or strengthening the immunity of the host and not merely in tackling the microorganisms afflicting the person. Use of antibiotics, as is prevalent in western medicine, is now dwindling because of their adverse side effects and rapidly emerging problems associated with drug resistance. In fact, there is now a growing consensus that an idea of an antibiotic war in medicine is anti-life and anti-health.