EAP810/1/1/39

Titles in original script:

நூல் 1: வைத்திய வாகடம்நூல் 2: வர்ம நூல்;

The manuscript is composed of two texts, written both in verses and prose, which are incomplete. The palm leaves of the manuscript are very darkened by fungus infestation, making the reading sometimes difficult.

Text 1- The text consists of 30 palm leaves numbered from 1 to 30 (number in Malayalam). It is incomplete. It is related m ostly to human physiology for which it describes diverse parts of the body, notably, eyes, head, face, hands and legs, and the whole body, and gives some information on embryology (karu uṟpatti). It details the three main pulses (nāṭi: vāta, pitta and cilēttuma) and their states (naṭai), provides the name of the ten types of pulse (taca nāṭikaḷ), defines what is kuru nāṭi, and explain the functioning of air (vayu) in the body. Additionally, it describes what a physician has to be in terms of his/her qualities (vaittiyaṉ taṉmai) and details the persons to whom medicines cannot be administered.

Text 2- The text consists in 46 palm leaves numbered from 2 to 80. Numerous leaves are missing. This text deals with two major topics: embryology (karu uṟpatti) and varma practice. Regarding embryology, it describes the process of formation of the whole body (carīra uṟpatti), of the head (talai), of nerves (narampukaḷ), and of bones (elumpukaḷ) to which provides some details. Concerning varma practice, the text explains the place of vital points (varmam) in the body, notably tuṭi kālam, iruṭṭira kālam, naṭcattira kālam, piṭari kālam, aḻiyaṭaippāṇ varmam and maṇipanta varmam, and presents 56 external techniques (aṭaṇkal) to treat injured vital points. This text also explains the formulation of some medicines used in varma practice which are not named.

Size of the manuscript 17,4cm x 3,0cm. The manuscript is in good condition but it is very breakable and dark due to infestation by fungus. The text 1 is numbered in Malayalam and in Arabic from 1 to 30; it is incomplete. The text 2, numbered from 2 to 80, also in Malayalam and Arabic, hqs numerous missing leaves: 1,5,6,11- 14,19,21,22,24,26-28,32,35-37,39-50,52,54,55,58.