Symptoms

Swelling of the scrotum, swelling and stiffening of the supporting ligaments and the blood vessels of the testicles, throbbing pain in the abdomen and in the scrotum, swelling of the scrotum due to accumulation of water, etc., are symptoms of this disease.

Causes

Generally there are two possible causes for this disease: (1) internal, and (2) external.

(1) In different parts of the body there are glands which act as storage places for shukra. In these glands the life-carrying spermatozoa are produced from the shukra. A male’s testicles are such shukra-producing glands.

When a man’s mind is subjected to lustful thinking or any sort of sexual passion, his testicles are stirred into action very quickly and start producing spermatozoa. The spermatozoa are then channelled along with the seminal fluid to their ultimate storage sacs. During intercourse or nocturnal emission, spermatozoa are emitted from the body in the semen. If, however, the semen cannot find an outlet for some reason or if its flow is unnaturally obstructed, then the semen becomes decomposed in the storage sacks. If under such circumstances a particular patient is found suffering from any kind of pitta defect, constipation, etc., which has already weakened his blood and his lower anatomy, then the decomposing semen becomes watery and the person suffers an attack of hydrocele. His testicles start swelling very slowly, and ultimately the swelling becomes permanent.

(2) Due to too much leaping about without wearing a kaopiina [laungot́á, a tight-fitting kind of underwear], or due to a sudden blow, the testes, along with their supporting ligaments and their blood vessels, may get swollen. This results in enlargement of the testicles and allows accumulation of fluids in them to form a hydrocele.

If people who do not take a dip bath [i.e., who splash water or shower without fully immersing themselves] also bathe in a standing position, the lower abdomen and back may remain completely dry. This dryness may irritate the nervous system and invite an attack of hydrocele.

Treatment

Morning – Utksepa Mudra, Vasti Mudra, Vasti Kumbhaka, Ámbhasii Mudrá or Ámbhasii Práńáyáma, Sarváuṋgásana and Gomukhásana.

Evening – Upaviśt́a Ud́d́ayana Mudrá, Agnisára Mudrá and Utkat́a Vajrásana.

Whenever an opportunity arises, the patient should perform vasti kumbhaka on an empty stomach. Rules of bathing and of drinking water should also be followed strictly.

Diet

If the condition of the liver permits, all types of nutritious food can be taken. However, a very close watch must be kept on the regular clearing of the bowels. Fast on ekádashii, púrńimá and amávasyá.

Dos and don’ts

Sexual thoughts and excitement are among the causes of hydrocele, so the more one can stay away from these things the better. Patients should use kaopiinas. Alternative applications of cold and hot compresses will give quick relief.

How to apply a compress: Lying in a supine position, apply an ice pack or an ice-cold water compress on the testes for fifteen to twenty minutes at a stretch. After the tissues have become thoroughly cooled, a warm flannel compress should then be applied to the skin for about one or two minutes to bring back its warmth. Again, apply the cold compress for fifteen to twenty minutes, following it with a warm compress as described above. At night, before retiring to bed, alternate cold and hot compresses should be applied a few times in a similar manner. The last compress of the night should be a cold one instead of hot to keep the tissues of the testicles cool for the night.

Some remedies

1. Wrap the testicles in kadamba leaves; or

2. Dissolve ammonium chloride in water and use a wet bandage soaked in that solution; or

3. Pound opium and svet candan [white sandal] into paste together and apply the paste on the testicles; or

4. Grind leaves of mango, jám, kayetbel and lemon together into a paste, and apply it to the testicles, in order to relieve hydrocele.

5. Apply the root of Brahmayasti or bamunháti ground in the water with which rice has been washed; or

6. On any Tuesday, tie a root of a barren kul plant [Zizyphus mauratiana Lamk.] around the waist in such a manner that the root remains dangling down touching the testicles; these remedies will relieve hydrocele.

7. Good results can also be obtained in a very short time if one ties fibres of borácaka leaves around the waist.