[A study of the Arsaprasamanisutra: analysis].

The present paper focuses primarily on a philological and historical study of the Arsaprasamanisutra ("The Sutra of the Tranquilization of Hemorrhoids"). This Sutra is one of the Buddhist scriptures that is characterized by the magico-religious treatment of various diseases, especially by means of "healing spells" (skt. dharani or mantra), as shown by the preliminary survey in our penultimate paper "The Tradition of Healing with Magical Spells as Seen in Buddhist Texts," Journal of the Japan Society of Medical History 55/1 (2009), 77-96. In our last paper "The Tradition of Healing with Magical Spells as Seen in Buddhist Texts (2): A Study of the Arsaprasamanisutra: Edition and Japanese translation" we provided critically edited texts of the Tibetan and Chinese translations accompanied by their Japanese translations with critical notes and annotations. In this paper we analyze the descriptions of hemorrhoids as found in the Sutra in comparison with those illustrated in classical Ayurveda literature, besides a detailed philological examination of the relevant passages available only in the Chinese translation of the Mulasarvastivada-Vinaya. We also offer further observations about the methods and principles for the treatment and healing of hemorrhoids that are attested in Buddhist scriptures, as well as make an overview of the transmission and historical reception of the Arsaprasamanisutra in Japan between the Nara and the Taisho periods.

[Study of "The Suitra of the tranquilization of hemorrhoids" and other relevant material].

The present paper focuses primarily on a philological and historical study of the Arsaprasamanisutra ("The Sütra of the tranquilization of hemorrhoids"). This Sutra is one of the Buddhist scriptures that are characterized by the magico-religious treatment of various diseases, especially by means of "healing spells" (skt. dharani or mantra), as shown by the preliminary survey in our previous paper "The Tradition of healing with magical spells as seen in Buddhist texts", Journal of the Japan Society of Medical History 55/1 (2009), 77-96. The original text of the Arsaprasamanisutra, most probably written in Sanskrit, is lost whereas its Chinese and Tibetan translations have survived. After an introductory summary, we provide critically edited texts of the Tibetan and Chinese translations accompanied by their Japanese translations with critical notes and annotations. In particular, the Tibetan translation presented here has been critically edited for the first time on the basis of collation of the five editions of the Tibetan Buddhist Canon. In our next paper we will analyze the descriptions of hemorrhoids as found in the Sutra in comparison with those illustrated in classical Ayurveda literature. And we will also offer further observations about the methods and principles for the treatment and healing of hemorrhoid that are attested in Buddhist scriptures.

["Wetlands". Charles Bukowski and Charlotte Roche on hemorrhoids]. / "Feuchtgebiete". Charles Bukowski und Charlotte Roche über Hämorrhoiden.

More than 40 years ago Charles Bukowski described his experiences with coloscopy and the ensuing surgery on his hemorrhoids, both performed by a doctor pictured as sadistic. Bukowski not only depicts these procedures but also characterizes his compassionate inpatients as well as the nursing staff. In her bestseller published in 2008 Charlotte Roche's protagonist Helen needs surgical inpatient treatment because of hemorrhoidal bleeding. Her stay in the hospital, prolonged by a postoperative self-inflicted bleeding, provides the basis not only for strategies to bring her divorced parents together but also for thoughts on genitalia, manifold sexual practices, as well as on rules of hygiene. From a psychodynamic viewpoint the protagonists in both stories suffer from a depressive basic conflict, compensated in Bukowski's work by a dependent, self-destructive, philobatic form of coping and in Roche's alter ego Helen by an impulsive, sexualized behaviour.

Maimonides: an early but accurate view on the treatment of haemorrhoids.

Moses Maimonides was not only one of the most influential religious figures of the middle ages, but also a pioneer in a wide variety of medical practices. A brief history of his life, and what is known about his medical education, is given here. His paper on haemorrhoids is summarised, as well as a review of the current understanding of the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of this common condition. The comparison of Maimonides' writings to modern understanding of not only the prevention and treatment of haemorrhoids, but also his approach to the patient as a whole in terms of pre- and postoperative care, demonstrate how ahead of his time this great philosopher was.

[A look at the Hippocratic treatise On Hemorrhoids in the Byzantine Era]. / Autour de la connaissance du traité Hippocratique Des hémorroides a l'epoque Byzantine.

In two manuscripts of Galen's De compositione medicamentorum secundum locos, the Marcianus gr. V 7 and the Vaticanus Reginensis gr. 172, Galen's text is interrupted by a brief anthology about aetiology and therapy of prolapses, haemorrhoids and anal inflammations. Both manuscripts present a chapter, titled (see text), which consists of chapters 1-2 (p. 146, 2-12 July) of the Hippocratic On Haemorrhoids. My contribution presents this new document about the knowledge of this Hippocratic work, neglected by modern scholars, but well known by Byzantine medical writers.

[Historical aspects of a frequent anal disease: haemorrhoids]. / I momenti storici di una frequente patologia anale: le emorroidi.

In this report the authors outline the main historical aspects of haemorrhoids after a thorough review of the literature. The first texts concerning haemorrhoids are the ancient Egyptian papyruses. The twenty centuries of the history of haemorrhoids are marked by multiple pathogenetic theories, and of these the vascular and the sliding of the anal mucosa are still valid. From an analysis of the historical texts and the most recent publications, we deduce that the principles of therapy are substantially unchanged since the days of Hippocrates. In conclusion, we can say that, as in ancient times, the therapy of haemorrhoids is based on three fundamental approaches: surgical treatment, ambulatorial non-surgical treatment and medical treatment.

A literary review of Arsas (haemorrhoids).

The disease Arsas (hemorrhoids), an ano-rectal disorder is as old as mankind. Susrta farther of surgery described the Arsas under heading of 'Mahagadas' (eight major diseases). Due to inconsistency of human diet and social obligations, a large proportion of the population is suffering from hemorrhoids. As per Ayurveda, the etiological factors are broadly classified as Samanya (Non-specific) and Visesa (Specific). Visesa again sub divided in to Sahaja and Janmottara. Susrta classified this disease on the basis of clinical manifestations in to six types, where as Caraka and Vagbhata classified in to two according to discharging nature and causative factors respectively.

[A 15th century manuscript concerning hemorroid and its treatment]. / Basur hastaligi ve tedavisiyle ilgili 15. yuzyila ait bir metin.

This study is about a 15th century Turkish text, a general survey of hemorroid. A copy of the text is available in the Diyarbakir Public Library. The 48 page treatise was composed upon the request of a statesman of the time. Hemorroid is described in terms of diagnosis, classification and treatment. This study contains important information on the methods of the treatment of hemorroids. A glossary is inserted at the end of the study in order to be used for deciphering the text, which is a rare example of old Turkish medical literature.