Amoebic Dysentery
It is an infection caused by an organism. This organism is only a secondary factor in the causation of this disease. Irregularity of diet, intake of heavy indigestible food, and emotional factors such as worry, anxiety and anger etc. are mainly responsible for the emergence of this disease. In Ayurveda amoebic dysentery has been described as pravahika.
There is loss of appetite and the patient becomes excessively weak. In chronic amoebic dysentery, the liver is affected seriously and the patient loses a considerable amount of weight, because his disease is characterized by the passage of mucus along with the stool which occurs frequently.
For the treatment of this disease kutuja is the best drug. The bark of this plant in powder form is given to the patient in a dose of one teaspoonful, three times a day. To make this, 30gms. of the powder of this drug is boiled with two cups of water till it reduced to one-fourth. Some honey may be added while given it to the patient, because this decoction becomes bitter and the patient can’t swallow it easly.
After taking this drug, the patient will have frequent motions but the stools containing mucus will be of small quantity. He may even feel constipated. Therefore, for constipation as a routine, the patient should be given two or three teaspoonful of the powdered Isabagol with milk.
In chronic dysentery Rasaparpati is used. It is a preparation of mercury and sulphur, and is given to the patients in a dose of 125 gms thrice a day. During this treatment the diet should be limited to boiled rice cooked in milk mix with a little sugar.
A complete bed rest is advised to the patient. He should not take the bath also during the actue stage of this disease. Salt and water should be strictly prohibited.
Curd mix with rice with a little dose of opium can be given in the patient. A mixture of boiled moong-dal with rice is also a good diet in this disease. Soups of tomato is also advised for the patient. Substances having sour taste like lemon, pomegranate, banana are useful. For children banana with a very little opium may be given once a day.
The patient of this disease should never be given fried substances, chillies or other alike things.
