वृद्धिस्थानक्षयावस्थां रोगाणामुपलक्षयेत् | सुसूक्ष्मामपि च प्राज्ञो देहाग्निबलचेतसाम् ||३६||
[Examination of stages of disease] A wise physician should carefully observe the subtle changes in the state of diseases (aggravated, normal and diminished) while properly assessing the patient’s body strength, digestive power and mental ability.
The physician, who is keenly observing variations in disease stages in the patient, should know it (the disease) well and prescribe such a treatment that would be helpful in attaining the fourfold effect of therapeutics.
प्रायस्तिर्यग्गता दोषाः क्लेशयन्त्यातुरांश्चिरम् | तेषु न त्वरया कुर्याद्देहाग्निबलवित् क्रियाम् ||३८||
Generally, doshas that are spread over obliquely (in the transverse direction) afflict the patient for a longer time. In that condition, treatment should not be initiated in a hurry without proper assessment of body strength and digestive power.
These doshas should be alleviated first by treatment, or they should be carefully be drawn to the koshtha (bowel). After knowing their status in koshtha, the wise physician should eliminate them through the nearest route.
In the Nidana Sthana, a compendium of symptomatology has been provided as a reckoner for the Ayurveda practitioner to gain adequate knowledge of some of the major classes of diseases and diagnose them effectively. But these symptoms may independently develop into diseases and create emergency situations.