Beri-Beri:

Causes: Lack of food, irregular and indigestible diet, milled rice and flour, adulterated mustard oil, weakness, and (according to modern science) one kind of bacillus.

Symptoms: Stiff and swollen heels, later swollen and burning feet, swollen body, diarrhea, fever, breathing trouble, cramps, heart-throb.

Treatment: Nabayas Lauha, Makaradhwaja, Punarnaba Ras with honey. For the chronic case, give Sothkalanal Ras. For heart weakness, give Nagarjunabhra with embelic myrobalam powder and honey. In fever use Sarbajwara Bati, and in diarrhea, Mahagandhak or Karpur Ras. For the weak patient prescribe Brihat Chandroday Makaradhwaja with betel juice and honey. Suskamuladya Taila should be massaged on the swollen parts of the chronic beri-beri patient.

Diet: Sago, barley, arrowroot, pineapple juice, pomegranate juice, etc. where there is fever. Warm milk, as far as digestible, is good for this patient; once-boiled milk may be used also, but not condensed milk. Aram is good. If there is no fever, give rice, luchi, bread, boiled aram, hog-weed leaves, musuri and mugh lentil soups, fish and meat soups, lemons, sugar, etc. Salt is not allowed, but a little rock salt may be given if it is mixed with juice of bel leaves and fried. Physical labor, oil massage on feet, milk, and avoidance of milled foods. will help the beri-beri patient.