Sushruta Samhita Vol.I

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY

WILLIAM

H.

DONNER

COLLECTION purchased from a gift by

THE DONNER CANADIAN FOUNDATION

*v

AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. Vol.

l.—SUTRASTHANAM.

I

>

»

AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION

i

,

»

OF

THE'

SUSHRUTA SAMHITA

BASED ON ORIGINAL SANSKRIT TEXT.

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY

KAVIRAJ KUNJA LAL BHISHAGRATNA WITH A FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION, TRANSLATION OF DIFFERENT READINGS, NOTES, COMPARATIVE VIEWS, INDEX, GLOSSARY

& PLATES.

(

IN THREE VOLUMES.

)

»

%

Vol.

I.-SUTRASTHANAM. «&fro»-

-

CALCUTTA No.

IO,

:

KASHI GHOSE'S LANE. I907.

* t

•• •

.

>.

Printed by J. N. Bose. College Square, Calcutta.

(AU

Rights Reserved)

9

• 3

m

o«

*

.

•

WAHAMAHOPADHYAYA KAVIRAJ DVARKANATH (

In

Durbar

dress)

SEN,

KAV1RATNA.

II

:

W^— •>•£

II

' •

>•»

PREFACE. :-^5#

!

No special ^apol6"gy is necessary for the publication of an English translation of the Sushruta Samhita. The vast medical literature of ancient India practically remains as yet unexplored, and any undertaking, which „has the object of making that terra incognita, known to thescientific world,

is

bound

to be

welcomedby the public.

Spasmodic attempts have been made by several scholars and erudite bodies to bring out an English translation of the Sushruta Samhita, as the most representative work of the Ayurveda, but we regret to say that such efforts have hitherto proved abortive.

In spite of incomplete information on the subject many drugs of the Ayurvedic Materia Medica have been adopted by different foreign

systems of medicine, and this has afforded us a fresh impetus to issue an English translation of the book, which not only deals with the essentials of Indian Therapeutics but embraces the whole range of the science of Ayurveda, as

it

was understood and

We

practised

by the Vedic

sages.

hope that the English rendering of which we have undertaken, will, when

sincerely

Sushruta,

completed, supply a long-felt want and help to start a fuller inquiry into the properties of the indige-

nous drugs of started

already the sole object

India.

both

Many in

institutions

have been

England and Germany with

of studying

the

astiodogy of tropical

diseases, and of formulating an empirical system of their prevention and cure, and we, hope an English

translation

of the

Sushruta Samhita,

embracing as

it

11 -

made by

does the results of researches

our ancient

Rishis in the land of their origin, may contribute no amount of useful information to those bodies.

small

"We

have

many

things to learn" observes Lt. Col. C. P.

Lukis, M.b., f.r.c.s.,

I.

Medical College,

M.S., Principal,

Calcutta, "from the people of this country in respect of medicine and medical science," and .we doubt not

that an

accurate knowledge of the contents of this of the Ayurveda in quarters where splendid it has every chance of being utilised and improved

monument

upon will make the fuunan race better equipped to combat the ills of life. A few remarks on the method we have adopted in editing this work are necessarv by way of explanation.

We

texts

of

have the

collated

carefully

Sushruta

Samhita,

or otherwise, expunging from all

which, though

texts,

are of

spurious,

them

Texts."

the

available

whether

body

printed of our work

not proved to be wholly

questionable

in foot-notes as "Different

we have

the

all

authority,

and putting

Readings" or "Additional

In cases of doubt or discrepancy of opinion thought fit to abide by the decision of

our revered

Dvarkanath

preceptor,

Mahamahopadhyaya

Kaviratna,

Sen,

and

inserted

Kaviraj within

brackets explanatory clauses, where a strictly literal translation of texts would not convey their true meaning. In

many

instances

it is

impossible to find in the English for the technical terms of the

language equivalent words

In such cases we have put approximate within brackets, after the original Sanskrit words English For exapiple we have translated the term Ojah terms.

Ayurveda.

as albumen. "But the thing.

t

It

albumen;

Ojah of the Ayurveda

is a disputed but not exactly to contributes largely

may mean something glycogen,

which

like

Ill

I

the reproductive activity of tire body in certaip/instances, would appear to be the more correct description. In cases like this we have not put before our readers,

any suggestions of our own, but left them free to draw their own inference. And for this purpose we further intend to

work an index

Append

to

the last

volume of

this

illustrating the possible

a,nd a glossary

meanings of the Ayurvedic terms with English and Latin synonyms, wherever possible. The true meaning of the Ayurveda can be better explained or understood only with the light of modern science, and we leave it European colleagues to carry on the research on

to our

the lines

we have

suggested with regard to this ancient system of medicine, which a better knowledge of its principles and methods will enable them to do.

By a lamentable oversight, Kaphah and Dosha have been

the terms Vayu, Pittam, translated as wind,

bile,

phlegm and humour in the first few chapters. For the sake of convenience we have divided the entire work into three volumes, the first containing onlv the Sutrasthanam, the second Nidanam, Sharira and Chikitsa, and the third Kalpa and Uttara Tantram. We have adopted the diagrams of surgical instruments

from that most valuable work of the Thakore Saheb of Gondal,

called

Science, for

the

which

Highness. In conclusion,

I

History

am

of

the

Aryan Medical

particularly indebted to His m

we beg

convey our sincerest thanks to our preceptor's son Kaviraj Jogendranath Sen Vidyabhusana M. A., Dr. U. D. Banerji L. R. C. P., M. R. C. S. to

(Lond), and Lt. Col. K. P. Gupta M. A., >I. D., I. M. S., Professor Janakinath Bhattacharya M.A. B?L., P.R.S. for

having

of the

kindly examined

manuscript.

I

am

the

different

portions

grateful to Dr. Surendranath

IV (

Gosvimi E< has

6 tor

all

A., L.

'along taken

various

M.S.

teo,

for

*

the kind interest

the publication of this

in

intelligent suggestions,

he

work and

which have been of

considerable help to me.

thanks are also due to numerous learned authors, ancient and modern 'from whose writings, I have found

My

it

io,

necessary to

make

Kashi Ghose's Lane. ist

December, igoy.

CALCUTTA.

c

frequent quotations.

KUNJA LAL BHISHAGRATNA,

}

)

J

Kavtraj\

»

)

INTRODUCTION. =?>£

Sushruta :— His

and personality :— A

age

few

preliminary observations regarding the technique of the Ayurvedic system of medicine are necessary at the outset

to

understand the aim and scope of the Who was Sushruta ? When and

correctly

Samhita.

Sushruta

where did he

and

live

flourish

?

These are

that would naturally suggest themselves

of

our

like

where

life

lives of

kings or

moment and

all

ancient itself

;

th^

of

can only

was simply regarded

as

an

illusion,

commoners were deemed matters

to the vital

biographies

questions readers

be imperfectly similar questions respecting the lives In a worthies. country like India

the following pages

answered

but

to the

economy

were

of the flimsy vanities

of the race

looked

of

life.

upon

and

;

all

of

the

little

histories

the embodiment

as

Lives of saints and canonised

kings had been made use of in certain instances as themes of national epics. But they were intended more to elucidate or

enunciate the doctrines of certain schools of Ethics or

Metaphysics than to record any historical fact or event. Authentic history we have none beyond chronicles of state

and those which events and royal names in some instances are usually found in the Sanskrit Puranas are strange combinations of myths and legends, which often contradict ;

each other.

Hence the

utter futility of attempts to explain the light of a votive medal or tablet by perhaps from the ruins of one of sur ancient

a historical fact

unearthed cities.

Such an endeavour

make the

"

confounded.

darkness

serves, in

visible,

"

*

most

and the

cases,

onlv to

confusion

more

'introduction.

ii

•

•

(

r

r

Identity of Sushruta and Divodasa :— It is only safe that Sushruta was of tl>2 race of Vishvamitra. The

to assert

Mahabharatam

(

i)

him

represents

as a son of that roval sage.

This coincides with the description given of him in the present recension of the Samhita. The Garuda Puranam (2) places as fourth in descent from Dhanvantari, the first propounder of medical science on eartlj, whereas the Sushruta Samhita describes the two as identical persons. But

Divodasa

this

apparent anomaly in the Samhita can be accounted we consider that in some parts of India the custom

for, if still

prevails of appending, for the purposes of

fication,

the

name

of one's father, or of a

better identi

7

ancestor

glorious

one's name, and it is therefore not surprising that Divodasa (the preceptor of Sushruta), who was a firm believer in the doctrine of psychic transmigration, should

to

represent himself as

an

name and assume meagre genealogy we

style in

his

incarnation

of

the usual

Dhanvantari,

and

Revond

this

way.

no trustworthy information

possess

regarding the life and personalitv of Sushruta, the father of Indian Surgery.

Age

of the Sushruta

Samhita :— We have no means

of

ascertaining what the Samhita was like as originally written bv Sushruta, the present being only a recension, or rather a

(i)

S3lTrr?Jifrs*T TTJtT*j

STRTfa:

^nTOWT

I

Mahabharatam — Anushasan Parva, Ch. IV. 12)

nTqrfMTifsrcra =?rr
tm^^si:

*t^p?t*hf»%5TT

^Ts?ifiT3!»2ff?w?T:

q&r.

TfsrwMr

11

ffffaT^g^g:

Garuda Puranam, Chap.

i

11

139. Vs. 8-

1 1.

INTRODUCTION?

Ill

VI

recension of recensions, made oy Nagarjuna (i)' All opinions concur in identifying him with the celebrated founder of a facf the Madhyamika school of Buddhistic philosophy

—

fixing the age of the present Samhita. A few quotations from the Vriddha (old) Sushruta But are all that are preserved of the original Samhita.

which materially

assists

us in

their genuineness, is of' a problematic character, and we are not sure whether thev are the productions of lesser lights,

of ancient though less renowned commentators, attributed to the master to invest them with a greater sanctity

or

and

common

was quite practice which the bibliographers of Ancient India.

authority— a

amongst

Date Of Nagarjuna

:

—At

all

who

events Nagarjuna

redacted the Sushruta Samhita lived about the latter part of era ;(2) and the the fourth century before the__ChristJaii

Dallana's Commentary, Sutrasthanam, Ch. etc., as the

Dallana mentions the names of Jejjada, Gayadasa of the original Samhita, texts

the

and

rejects as spurious or of questionable

which cannot be found

in

i.

authority

the work.

of

their editions

I.

redactors

Most

from the Vriddha Sushruta. probably the authoritative verses are quotations Recension or Pratisamskara consists in curtailing statements that have elaborate,

and

with in

the

been

made

been

very succinctly dealt

inordinately

in dilating

upon

truths that have

A

book.

original

Redactor or

Pratisamaskarta makes an old book new again. *ffeqsifcrfepj?1'if

A

wra' f^wfcT ^

Samhita, on the other hand, deals with aphorisms

Vedas.

I

contained

in

the

„

(2)

ct
«t^«i:

urafaw


Rajatarangini

%:

I.

[

Taranga. Vs. 172-173.

4

IV

MfTROiftjCTION. ••

original or Yfaddha Sushruta 'must

two centuries

least

authority

earlier in

have been written

at

order *to

and prescription of

age,*

acquire that hoary which alone could

have given its right to a recension at the time. Several scholars on the authority of a very vague and general statement concerning" the recension of the Samhita in

Dallana's

commentary, ascribe

authorship of the Sushruta Samhita) to Nagarjuna. We, on the other hand, hold the Uttaratantram to be neither an interpolation, nor a subsequent addition,

Uttaratantram

•

but that

it

originally

In

the

divides

such

th'e

(latter portion of .the

forms an integral portion of the book as though not planned by the

written,

was

Rishi.

Chapter of Sutrasthanam Divodasa formally

first

the

it

Science of Ayurveda into

eight subdivisions,

the Shalya (surgery), Shalakya (portion treating of diseases restricted to super-clavicular regions such as the as,

etc.), Kaya-Chikitsa (general diseases such as, fever, but does not speak anything about them in the first five etc.), Sthanas or subdivisions of the book. It is only once in the 25th chapter of the Sutrasthanam that he mentions

eyes,

the

name

of

Netravartma (diseases of the eyelids)

in con-

nection with the classification of surgical operations. It is impossible that Divodasa would fall short of his duties

by omitting to give instructions on all the subdivisions of the Ayurveda as he promises at the outset, or that Sushruta would leave his Samhita, which is pre-eminently a work on surgery, incomplete by banishing_^ophthahnicsmge£v. laryngotomy or fever-therapeutics from his work. From the general plan

of the

book we can

safely

assert

that

Sushruta dealt with easier or more elementary topics the

our of for

in

five subdivisions of his Samhita in the manner of modern progressive readers, reserving the discussion those requiring a more advanced knowledge and skill first

the Uttaratantram.

The Uttara f antram

has

not been

included within the five original subdivisions of the Samhita

inasmuch

as

it

embraces and

more elaborately

discusses

INTRODUCTION.

V

I

v»

which legitimately belong

topics

mentioned

in

those

to,

subdivisions.

pr are but incidentally

Hence

it

more

is

of

the nature of an appendix or supplement, arising out of the > It is probable that exigencies of the original subdivisions. Nagarjuna might have redacted this part of the Samhita in

common with its other portions. (i) Western opinions* on the subject :— The western

of

opinions

of the

to

is

place B.

third

consensus the

in

Nagarjuna C. (2). and

first

for

fixing Century Sushruta as a contemporary of Sakya Sinha Buddha. It is contended that the age immediately preceding Sakya

quarter

t

and a period of decadence in Hindu thought the Sushruta Samhita must have been the fruit of a revived

Muni was

;

which usually follows the advent of a assumption which is in favour of the

intellectual activity

creed —-an

new

hypothesis of Greek influence on the Hindu system of medicine. But great men there had been in India before

Buddha. of

The age which immediately preceded

Buddha was by no means an age

the age

of decadence properly

Buddhism

speaking, the age which followed the downfall of shows, on the contrary, signs of true decadence.

India had

had eminent philosophers and scientists almost contempoThe chronological facts raneously with the great Buddha. collected

above from the

Mahabharatam, and the Garuda

Puranam could hive been construed

to prove that the was prior to that of the Mahabharatam the internal evidence furnished by the Samhita

of Sushruta

age but for itself

shall

as

to

the

probable

date of

have occasion to deal with

its

composition which we

later on.

Extraneous Evidence :— Sushruta

(1)

Mahamahopadhyaya

Kaviraj DvarakS Nath

Calcutta subscribes to this opinion (2)

I

mentioned

is

— Tr.

Bael's Buddhistic Records of the

jSen

Western World.

Kaviratna

Vol.11.

(3)

Lalita-Vistaram

— Raja

>

R, L. Mitler's Edition, Chapter

1'.

3

>

Stein's Rajatarantnni.

in

I,

the

of

212.

*

VI

Vartikas

Katyayana

or*(i)

no hesitation

K

INTRODUCTION.

Century B.

{4

C.)

and we have

Samhita

was saying thaT~~£he* original two centuries before the birth of Buddha. We are equally ready to admit, on the other hand, that the final recension of the Samhita by Nagarjuna, at least the at

written

form

in

least

which we have

in

Century B.

was made about the second

it,

C.

•

Two Nagarjunas :— Several of Dallana

(the

scholars,

commentator

celebrated

on the authority of the Sushruta

endeavour to establish the identity of Nagarjuna of this Samhita) with his namesake, redactor the (the But their celebrated alchemist of the tenth Century (2). Samhita)

contentions verses

of

to the ground when we know that many Sushruta Samhita occur in the works of

fall

the

Bagbhat (Ashtangahridayam) and Madhava (Nidanam), which are two of the works which were translated by the the eighth century. The internal evidences of the book do not supply us with any authentic order of the Kaliph

material father of

(3) in

to compose anything Hindu Surgery.

like

biography of

a

this

•

Internal Evidence :— The line in the Samhita, which the veritable bone of contention amongst

has formed

shades of opinion as throwing a light upon the probable date of its composition, occurs in the Sharira Sthanam, in connection with the development of the fcetal

scholars

of

all

—

body and reads as "Subhuti Gautama said that it is the trunk that first developed." Conflicting testimonies and the uncertain indication of materials at our disposal :— It is a matter of historic (1)

gwtaflfa?^f Kilyayana's V&rtikas

(2)

aniHsrct

P. C.

Grammar.

%^h?: swn* ^sTtwamfinrer'

"

(3)

to Panini's

Chakra Dutia

— Hindu Chemistry Roj

p.

1

?r^rsr«i

ajtf*-

— Rash&yandhikara.

XVIII. (1902).

INTRODUCTION.

'

VII

V)

certainty

that Subhuti was

one of, the personal disciple's it was customary

Buddha, and that

Sinha

of

Sakya amongst the contemporaYy Buddhists to append the appelation of their (i) lord (Gautama or Bodhisattva) to the name of a proselyte to accentuate his

wisdom and

the

sanctity in

A

certain section of scholars is'never tired of setting this line as a conclusive evidence of the fact that the

world.

up Samhita was, at best, a contemporary production of early Buddhism. But they shut their eyes to opinions of

Shaunaka and others on the

subject quoted exactly in the

same portion of the book, which places the date of

its

composition at least several centuries earlier. Shaunaka, who was the sixth in remove from the immortal Vyasa in direct line of discipleship,

Shaunaka Samhita

was the author of the renowned

of the

very plausible colour

to

Atharvan.

These

facts lend a

our hypothesis that the original

which, was first composed perhaps contemporaneously with the latter portions of the Atharvan, naturally discussed the opinions of Shaunaka and other

Sushruta Samhita

Vedic

embryologisls,

while

Nagarjuna,

at

the

time

of

redacting that book, quoted the opinion of his contemporary Subhuti for the purpose of giving him an equal status with

the Vedic Rishis,

if

for nothing else.

Greek Influence

:

— As regards Hellenic influence on the

Hindu system of medicine and on the Sushruta Samhita we must disabuse our mind of all sentiments

special,

vanity and proceed scientific and unprejudiced racial

to

investigate

spirit

before

the case in giving

a

in

of a

more

detailed account of the contents of the Sushruta'Samhita. (i)

Nagdrjuna Bodhisattva was well practised

in the art of

compound-

ing medicine.

Nagarjuna Bodhisattva by moistening all the great stones with a divine and superior decoction changed them into gold. Bael's Buddhistic Records of the western world Vol. II.

—

Anuv£k

19. 45. 46.

5.

<

"

viii

introduction.

From the very apparent Sus^hruia and Hippocrates :— of this Samhita contents similarity which exists between the scholars western •and the aphorisms of Hippocrates, many conclude too hastily that the ancient Indians drew their inspiration in the healing art from the medical works of the Greeks. But the reverse may be said of are

apt .to

the Greeks as well with the greater confidence because such

supported by historic facts, and confirmed by According the researches of the scholars of the west (i). to all accounts Pythagoras was the founder of the healing art amongst the Greeks and the Hellenic peoples in general

an assertion

This

(2).

is

philosopher

great

imbibed

his

in his

India

in

Buddha, and he carried

Greece identifies him with is

it

but

Mr. Pocock

recipes The sacred him.

thought to have been the

We

know

Buddhist

there

is

(3)

Indian

Nelumbium

They

known

were

good reason

to

to

countries

distant

to

that

believe

is

(Utpalam).

preach the

their

Greeks

the Greek

new and

Simnoi

the Buddhist Sramanas

(venerable) were no other than

Now

bean of Pythagoras

that simultaneously with the birth of Buddhism. Sramanas were sent out to Greece. Asia minor.

Egypt and ether religion.

or

Buddhagurus

easy inference to suppose that and aphorisms of his master's

an

many

Ayurveda with

and

mysteries

metaphysics from the Brahmanas of India.

(4).

teaches the sciences of his missionary usually of his gospel. The the to addition in preaching country distant mission stations or monasteries of Buddhism were a

There'is no ground whatever to suppose that Sushruta borrowed On the contrary, there is much system of medicine from the Greeks. tell against such an idea— Weber's History of Indian Literature. The Origin and Growth of the Healing Art Bedroe P. 162. (1)

his to

—

(2) (3)

Pratfs Fkrvfering Plants. Vol.

(4)

These 'Simoi

(venerable)

whom

Clement

of

Alexandria

has

pyramid originally dedicated to of a god, were the Buddhist Arhats (venerables) Sramanas. LaliiaA'istaram— Raja Rajendra I.ala Mitter*s Edition, Ch. I.

narrated to have rendered worship the relics

I

P. 57.

to

a

INTRODUCTION. the principal centres for

IX

,

disseminating

Brahm^nic culture

and Hippocrates, though he did his* utmost to liberate medical science from the thraldom of speculative philosophy, yet might have thought it necessary tctetain in distant lands,

only those truths of the Ayurveda which Pythagoras and the Buddhistic brotherhood might have imported into his country, and which of pure metaphysics. of different

do not exactly appertain to the domain Of course, it is quite possible for men

nationalities

arrive

to

at

the same truth or

conclusion independently. There are coincidences in science as in art and philosophy, (i) Gravitation and circulation

blood

of

were known t
(2)

the births of

Indians long in

before

The

Europe.

cele-

brated atomic theory was preached in the Gangetic valley some five hundred years before the birth of Christ (3).

But

well

may we look

hobby, to It

may be

ask those, who the reverse

stated

adhere to this Hellenic

still

side of the picture as well.

at

without the least

fear

of contradiction

and Sushruta, through the Channel of Latin translations still form the Persian and

that the Charaka

Arabic, (1)

^igresifara *r€t

sfTgi^

w

firrcocfhr

?m w^i' i^Tfag^: ^i^t

vrrffT

^?{

m&nn

?1t?j" sct:

§

j

n

Siddhanta Shiromani (Bhaskaracharyaya) Golodhyava.

it^t^

*nuT5T ^rfa

^\iu t\W«?

11

Tmi*xm\

seTg 1

%fi
im

HT^i?^T3HiT

%^

1

The Harita Samhita, which according the

Sushruta Samhita, refers to the

*3*r?r 1%tt:,

cT?i^

faPrei

(Bhavaprakaslia). lo certain scholars, is

circulation

of

blood

in

older

than

describing

Panduroga (Anremia). The disease, he observes, is caused by eating clay which thus blocks the lumen of veins and obstructs the circulation of blood. Bhavamisra,

the

celebrated

author of Bhavaprakasham,

and who

is

century older than Harvey, has the above couplets bearing on the subject. (3)

Vaiseshika Darshana by Kanada.

a

«

Introduction.

x

systems of scientific medicines in the world (i). Of these, the Sushruta Samhitj. is the most representative embraces all ;vork of the Hindu system of medicine. It basis of

all

that can possibly appertain to the science of medicine

Sushruta prior to

'

Sushruta as

—The general

(2).

consensus

to place

is

respect of time.

I

:

Charaka prior to Sushruta in But the Puranas unanimously describe

of expert opinion

,

Charaka

a disciple of

Dhanvantari, the

first- propounder

(samasas) used the Sushruta of and metrical the portions prose by him, other and of models after the philosophy Jaimini, Patanjali,

of medical

cal

writers

The long compounds

science.

to prose or metre according in their rationalistic tenor of the subjects

who had adopted

exegetic or works, have all been cited to prove Sushruta a contemporary But these may serve, at of the Darshanas, or of Buddha.

the

the date of the recension by Nagarjuna, i.e., the Samhita as we have it, but can never help to

least, to fix

Sushruta

determine the chronology of Sushruta, the disciple of Dhanvantari "who was churned out of the primordial ocean in the golden age

(Satya Yuga)

On

(3).

the

other

hand,

if

and Sushruta were translated into

(1) A. "The great works of Charaka in Arabic, under the patronage of Kaliph Almansur,

The Arabic

version

Sushruta

of

Latin.

The Latin

known by

These translations

Shawshoore-al-Hindi."

remained indebted

is

in their turn

versions formed the basis of to

the

Eastern

seventeenth

seventh century ._

name

of

" Kelale-

were rendered into

European medicine, which

of

science

of the

the

the

medicine

down

to

century."— History Saheb of Gondal) P. 196. B. For Uje indebtedness of Arabic school of Medicine

to the

works of

Indian masters, see Puschmann P. 162.

C. (2)

Bedro'e. 1>r

Book IV. Ch.

II.

286—299.

Wise (Hindu system of medicine). (;t_

^rtri^git f3»?rr

t^

^55^'

the

Aryan Medical science (Thakore

hf\ ^sgifrft^^TT

tj^^t

1

^igfsm:

Garuda PurSnam.

11

Chip. 142. Vs.

5-6.

INTRODUCflON. the testimonies of the

xi

>

Puninas -»have any

historical

worth,

we can at

safely place him somewhere in the Satya Yuga, (age) least in those dim centuries which immediately succeeded

the composition of the Atharvan. Charaka, too. in connection with his discourse on the development of the foetal body

opinion of Dhanvantaii (i) on the subject promulgated in the Sushruta Samhita) & referred his disciples to the Dhanvantari school of surgeons cited the

has

same

(the

as

(meaning Sushruta and his school) aid and knowledge are necessary was before Charaka.

in

where

cases

this proves that

;

surgical

Sushruta

—

Sushruta was emphatically a and the Sushruta is the only complete Samhita Tgeon, 'ok we have which deals with the problems of practical surgery and midwifery. Almost all the other Samhitas

Sushruta as a Surgeon

:

c,

written by Sushruta's fellow students are either lost to us, but imperfectly preserved. To Sushruta may be attri[or are buted the glory of elevating the art of handling a lancet forceps to the status of a

or

be out

not

Ayurveda

as

of place it

practical

here to give a

and

science,

was practised and understood

which he

if

—

We would Commentators of the Sushruta Samhita of our if we closed this portion of ingratitude guilty :

be

may

of the

in Pre-^uhsrutic

only to accentuate the improvements introduced in every branch of medical science.

times

it

short history

dissertation without expressing a deep sense of

our

obliga-

Bhaskara, Madhava, Brahmadeva, Dallana and Chakrapani Datta, the celebrated commentators and scholiasts of the Samhita, ut'ho have

tion

to

laboured

Jejjada

much (

i )

to

Achdrva,

Gayadasa,

make the book

s*rf if9rafaaiqf'?fH

a

repository

^^ft:

of priceless

i

Charaka, Shariraslhanain. Chap. V. era

^T^^gTTmf^fTT:

fi&snfsnft

i

Charaka, Chikitshasthanam. Chap. V.

•

xii

wisdom

INTRODUCTION.

ancf experienge.

commentaries

in

Dallana

made

has

and

revising

all

the

texts

of

use of

the

collating

.Sushruta Samhita.

v

Origin and History of the of medicine, as in

A yurveda

:

—In

the science

other branches of study, the ancient have derived their knowledge from the

all

Aryans claim to

gods through direct revelation. Su'shruta in his Samhita has described the Ayurveda as a subdivision (Upanga) of the

Atharvan

the science of the

while according to others

(i),

Ayurveda has its origin in the verses of the Rik Samhita (2). Indeed the origin of the science is lost in dim antiDeath and disease there had been

quity.

in the world since

man it was by following the examples of animals in disease, that our primitive ancestors acquired by chance the knowledge about the properties of the advent of

;

lower

many

There

valuable medicinal drugs.

a

is

verse

in

the

Rigveda which shows that the lower animals were the preceptors of man in matters of selecting food stuffs and medicinal simples (3V

Individual experiences in

the realms

of cure and hygiene were collected, and codified,

and thus

bases of the present Ayurveda. The verses in the Vedas clearly mark each step in the progress of medical

formed

the

The

knowledge.

hymned

in a

properties

of

a

new drug were always

Vedic verse with a regularity which enables us

put our finger upon the very time when a particular drug of our Materia Medica first came to be of service of

to

man

(4). (l)

(2)

Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthanam. Ch.

I.

3.

5g*f\*«i4j4« ^qt?:

Oharana Yvuha by Vyasa. (3) (4)

aftfatfV ^3P*?[

A.

srr:

I

^FS? \*

I

^

I

\1

sm: ^gft^Tf^^icn It^^q^rdqif^

1

Atharvan Samhita U.

Sec also Ibid

I

2

II. 4. 7. 9. 25,

27 and 36.

introduction.

xiii

,

—

Verses
most

in the

Rigveda, and perhaps

Agnivesha, who was

it

was

for this reascn that

a physician, has ascribed the"* origin

of

the Ayurveda to revelations in the Rik Samhita. Precepts" relating to the art and practice of surgery are found most in the Atharvan (i), which amply accounts for the fact of

Sushruta's opinion of holding the Ayurveda as a subdivision

he was pre-eminently a surgeon himself. kinds of physicians :— Vedic India, like

of the Atharvan, as

Different

Ancient Egypt,

recognised the principle of the division of

labour

followers of the healing art.

among the

There were

Shalya Vaidyas (surgeons), Bhisaks (physicians) and Bhisagr atharvans (magic doctors), and we find that at the time of the Mahabharatam, which nearly approaches the age of our author, the number of the sects had increased to five which i

were named

as Rogaharas (physicians^ Shalyaharas (surVishaharas (poison curers), Krityaharas (demon-

geons),

.

and Bhisag-Atharvans (2). In the Vedic age (before the age of Sushruta) physicians had to go out into the open streets, calling out for patients

doctors)

(3\

They

medicinal

lived

in

thousand and

houses

surrounded

The Rigveda mentions

herbs.

one medicinal drugs

(4).

by

gardens of

the

names

of a

Verses eulogising

the virtues of water as an all-healer, and of certain trees and

herbs as purifiers of the atmosphere are not uncommon in the Vedas. Indeed the rudiments of Embryology, Midwifery, child

management (1)

(pediatrics)

and sanitation were formu-

crwT^ftarearrfa^ *m?xm

^rfvnraTWW

Rik Samhita (2)

I

M.

1

1

16-16.

Mahabharatam. Shantiparva. Rajadharmanu^hashan ParvSdhyaya. (3)

^a

fwrar

I

Rigveda. (4)

ntf

?t

umw

IX M.

I12.

fvnrer *TOgsfljR?tTT.

>

Rlk

-

r

r

XIV

INTRODUCTION.

lated in the t age of the

see

presently

how

Sushruta created

Vedas «md Brahmanas, and we

a science

and

even

aMmirs/ion of the world

human

shall

from* these scanty and confused materials a Sarrjhita after

which invite the

thousands of years of

progress.

— In India, as in all Origin of Ayurvedic Surgery other countries, curative spells and heading mantras preceded and the first man of medicirte in India was medicine (i) :

;

a priest, a Bhisag Atharvan, in

a

The

societv.

who first

held a superior position to Aryan settlements in the

surgeon Punjab were often assailed by the dark aborigines of the country, and in the wars £hat ensued surgeons had fre-' quently to attend to the Aryaa chiefs and soldiery. So in the Rigveda

we

(2)

that

find

were amputated and

legs

replaced by iron substitutes, injured eyes were plucked out, and arrow shafts were extracted from the limbs of the

Aryan

many

difficult

for,

although sureeons

some the

were successfully per-

net

allowed

often

This

Vedic India.

of

of heaven, did not

become

incredible.

was constantly sought

of surgery

Brahmanic society

that

believe

to

them sound almost

of

aid

were

reasons

operations

surgical

formed, though

But

Nay we have

warriors.

mix

to

the

in

hinted

is

at

by our author when he says that it was during the wars be tween the gods and demons that the Ashvins, the surgeons entitled to

they had made themselves head of the god of sacrifice to

till

eligible

his

any for

(1)

it

must

of the

is

oblation

uniting the

by

body.

The

long and

inter-

here to mention that with

suffice

Bedroe's Origin

it

decapitated

story of the progress of Ayurvedic surgery esting, but

sacrificial

Healing Art,

and

Sir

the

John Lubbock's

Prehistoric times.

(2)

ssit 5tei*rni€f

fasn^it v% ff crw
c

»

#

#

#

Rik Samhita

I

w$n'

11

*

A. 8 Ad. 186 S. 116.

5.

1

XV

INTRODUCTION. o

return of peace, the small Aryan settlements grew in number And the rich Aryan nobles now travelled in

and prosperity.

stately carriages,

and

as there

were constant accidents ihere

arose a class of surgeons who exclusively devoted themselves to the treatment of injured animals. The surgeons, now no

longer required in camps and on battle fields, had to attend on the rich ladies at baronial castles during parturition, the

magic doctor (Bhisag Atharvan) who could assuage fever and concoct lo\e potions (i) being held as the greatest of them all. But the V^edic Aryans had a regular armoury against pain and suffering, which is in no way inferior to our present

day Materia Medica. in

But of that we shall speak later connection with the therapeutics of Sushruta.

on

The scope and nature of Sushruta's Surgery -So much for the history of Vedic Surgery. It is in the Sufshruta Samhita that we first come across a systematic method of arranging the surgical experiences of the older :

i

and of collecting the scattered

facts of the science

Krom the vast range of Vedic literature.

Sushruta had no

(surgeons,

desire of

abandoning the Vedas

the darkness and pushing en an independent voyage of discovery. The crude methods and the still cruder implements of incision such as, bits of glass,

bamboo

skins

etc.,

laid

in

down and

described in the

bj the relics of a

Samhita, may primitive instrumentalogy which found favour with our ancestors long before the

hymnisation of any Rik verse.

Practical

surgery requires

good knowledge of practical anatomy. The quartered animals at the Vedic sacrifices afforded excellent materials a

for

the framing of a comparative

devoted his

whole

Wl

life

*rqaf

anatomy

wre^ qui #PfeH **%*

II

Rik Samhit5. (2)

Sushruta

(2)'.

to the pursuit of surgery proper, to

Vide Aitareya BrAhmana

X M.

145 S.

I, 2. II, \±. Ill, 37,

I.

1

•

XVI

INTRODUCTION. «»

•

a

which he brought a muid stored with luminous analogies from the lower animals. It was he who first classified all ^.surgical

operations into five differe'nt

them under heads such

and grouped

Aharya (extractions of solid Chhedya (incising), Eshya (prob-

Bhedya (excising), Lekhya (scarifying), Sivya

bodies), ing),

kinds,

as

Vedhya (punc-

(suturing),

and Visravaniya (evacuating fluicjs). The surgery of Sushruta recognises a hundred and twenty-five different after the shape of beasts and instruments, constructed turing)

birds,

and authorises the surgeon to devise new instruments

according to the exigencies of each case.

and equipments of

a

The

qualifications

surgeon are practically the same as

recommended at the present time. A light ment is enjoined to be given to the patient before a

are

refresh-

surgical

operation, while abdominal operations, and operations in the mouth are advised to be performed while the patient is

Sushruta enjoins the sick room to be fumigated Nimva with the vapours of white mustard, bdellium,

fasting.

leaves,

and resinous gums of Shala

shadows the antiseptic

number

which

trees, etc.,

\bacilli) theory of

modern

of surgical implements described in the

times.

fore-

The

Samhita

is

comparison with the almost inexhaustible resources of western surgery, and one may be naturally led to suspect the au' henticity of the glorious achievements

decidedly small in

claimed but

to

have been performed by the surgeons of yore kno vledge of the properties and virtues of ;

then their

drugs were so great

that

cases,

which are reckoned

surgical nowadays, were cured with

internally *applied.

not doctoring

(t)

(

I

).

as

help of medicines

"Surgery," says Tantram, is mutilation should only be employed when the

It

Ac f^ffa-fa' f^cg

the

3j*i?t

fain frfa si»3fa5n

ST

^

^f%faf«T#

^fa^T

3W^

||

i

j

xvii

INTRODUCTION, affected vital energy

cure

find in

is

not strong enough to al^fte effect the

surgeon is justified to handle his knife. We Hie Samhita that ophthalmic, obstetric and other

that

the

>

operations caution.

Plastic

were performed with

utmost

the

and

skill °

and

Operations :— Doctor

Rhinoplastic

—

Hirschberg of Berlin Jays "the whole plastic surgery in Europe took a new flight when these cunning devices

workmen became known

of Indian

ting of sensible skin-flaps

(Sushruta,

is

Sutrasthanam,

successfully demonstrated the

first

to

The

us."

transplan-

an entirely. Indian method Ch. XVI). It is Sushruta who also

feasibility

of

mending

a

dipt earlobe with a patch of sensible skin-flap scraped from the neck or the adjoining part.

To Sushruta

is

of cataract-crouching

art

of discovering

the

which was unknown to the

sur-

attributed the glory

geons of ancient Greece and Egypt. Limbs were amputated, abdominal sections were performed, fractures were set, dislocations, hernia

and

and ruptures were reduced, haemorrhoids

were removed, and we take pride in saying that the methods recommended in the Sushruta Samhita somefistula

prove more successful than those adopted by the surgeons of modern Europe, as we shall have occasion to observe later on. In the case where the intestines are injured, times

Sushruta advises that "the protruded part should be gently A surgeon should replaced by following with the finger" enlarge

the

wound

in

wr*rt ~zm\

it,

if

cff%T*r

means

necessary, by

wmvr

ft*N?t

of a knife.

11

Mahanilatantram, Patola X. Vs. 72-74. B.

By

F.

See the Article on "Heredity and some of C.

Page 357.

Tii/ell,

M. n.

its

Surgical Aspects."

The Mediual Advance Vol. LXIV. Jun?

s"*

1906.

»

c

c

xviii

^INTRODUCTION. ••

In the

cas ^ c

parts should

ants

their

to

where the intestine be held ends.

is

severed, the

severed

together by applying living black Then their bodies should be cut off

heads to serve the same purpose which only in modern" improved European surgery an animal tissue like the

Teaviifg

catgut is expected to fulfill. After this the intestine should be fairly replaced in the abdominal canity and the external abstain here opening stitched and properly dressed.

We

from

a

lengthy description of the different

mended by the Sushruta

in

cases

methods recomabdominal

of

and

We only ask our readers to compare Chapter (II Chikitsa^thdnam) of the Sushruta Samhita with the Chapter in any work on European chirurgery which deals with the same subject. Certain medicinal

peritoneal wounds. this

plasters

were used to be applied to

embedded locations

in the limbs of

localise

wounded

the shafts of arrows

soldiers

and their exact

were ascertained from the inflammation caused

by the application of such a plaster with a precision which would be sometimes welcome even in these days of Rontgen rays.

Lithotomic Operations :— In these cases, elaborate the perineal instructions have been given for making about the care and general management In a case of Shukraoperation.

as well as

incision,

of the patient after the

shmari

(seminal

or

spermatic concretion)

the

forma-

have been very recentlv discovered bv English pathologists, Sushruta enjoins that the stone, if in the urethra, should be removed with the tion

and existence

of

which

help of Anyvasanam and urethral enematas, failing which ihr penis should be cut open and the concretion extracted with the help of a hook. Kaviraj Umesh Chandra Gupta the introduction to his Vaidyaka Shavda-Sindhu remarks, that he and I>r. Durgadasa Gupta M. B. translated the in

Chapters on lithotomic operations and instrumental parturition «f the Sushrufa Samhita for the perusal of Dr Charles, the

then

Principal

of

the

Medical

College.

Calcutta.

INTRODUCTION. "Dr.

Charles

highly

praised

experience of the

in

came under

his observation."

being found in

like

Amputation

:

(i).

of

process

all

— Amputations

medicated wines, were given tics

xix

delivery

in

and even confessed that with all his great midwifery and surgery he never had any*

difficult cases

idea

the

*

the medical

were freely

to

the

\\;orks that

made

and

patients as anaesthe-

These conclusively show that

Sushruta does not

rest

the surgery of content with the mere bursting or and the healing of the incidental

opening of an abscess, wound, but lays down processes for major operations as well. The removal of the cicatrix until it becomes of the same colour with the surrounding skin

and the growth of hair

thereon are suggestions which we find nowhere else. Of the seventy six varieties of Ophthalmic Surgery :

—

Sushruta holds that fifty-one are surgical ophthalmic 1K, ira Tantram Ch. The mode of operation which VIII). diseases,

l'

is

to' be

performed

in

each

case has been elaborately de-

scribed in the Samhita, and does not unfavourably compare in most instances with modern methods of ophthalmic

surgery.

Sushruta was aware of the

reflection

is

equal to

the

angle

of

fact that

the angle of

incidence, and that the

same ray which impinges upon the retina serves the double purpose of illumining the eye and the external world, and is

in itself

converted into the sensation of

—

light.

the region of practical midwifery Midwifery that one becomes so much impressed with the greatness of :

It is

in

Sushruta. The different turning, flexing, gliding movements, the application of the forceps in cases of difficult labour and other obstetric operations involving the destruction and mutilation of the child, such as craniotomy, were first described in the Sushruta Samhita lung systematically before fillets and forceps were dreamt of in Europe, and thousands of vears before the birth of Christ. Sushruta, who > i

For the use of Sanmohinis (anaesthetics) Prabandha bv BallSla Pandit. Bhoja (i)

for surgical

purposes, see

«

\.\

introduction. «

advocates Cesarean section in hopeless eases of obstruction, down that the instrument should be employed only in

lays

those

cases

where the proportion between the child and the is so defective that medicated plasters,

maternal passage fumigations,

are not sufficient to effect

etc..

His directions regarding

the

a

management

natural delivery. of the puerperal

and management of the child and the choice wet-nurse are substantially the same as are found in

state, lactation

of a

scientific works of European authors. A feeling of and moves our heart when we contrast these pride joy achievements of our ancestors with the of meanness glorious

modern

results

which modern Europe has gained

in this

department

days perhaps there were no huddle to hospitals patients together in the same room and thereby to create artificially septicemic poisons which are

of

In

midwifery.

now

so

common and

built lving-in

room

the

each

individual

rays

bamboo-chip value

of

old

so fatal

lying-in rooms.

in

A nc

]V

an open space abunduntly su^ed of the sun and heat of the burning fn e for

with

the

those

for

in

case,

the

which

.1

the

recommendation

section

the west

of the cord

has

vet

of

a

fresh

are suggestions to

learn

from

the east.

the

Dissection :--Sushruta, himself a practical surgeon, was first to advocate dissection of dead bodies as indispen-

sable for a successful student of Surgery.

The

Panischittas of

ancient Egypt perhaps learnt their art from the Purusachettas (Dissector) of ancient India.

among western

scholars

With a candour less common Dr. Wise observes that, ''the

Hindu philosophers undoubtedly deserve the credit of having, though opposed by strong prejudice, entertained sound and philosophical living,

views

and were the

respecting

the

first scientific

uses of the dead to the

and successful cultivators

of the most important and essential of

all

the departments of

medical knowledge, &» practical anatomy". A bungling surgeon < hat, "theory without is a public danger and Sushruta says i

practice

is

like a

one-winged

bird that

is

incapable of flight".

1NTRODUCTSUN. >

XXI

»

Study of Practical Surgery :—To

give

efficiency

in

surgical operations, the pupils of Dhanvantari(Sushruta etc.) were asked to try their kniv'es repeatedly first on natural and artificial objects resembling the diseased parts of,* the

body before undertaking an actual operation. Incision, for example, was practised on Pushpafala j[cucerbeta maxima), Alavu (Longenaris Vulgaris) or Trapusha (cucmis pubescuas), evacuating on leather bags full of water and on the urinary bladders of dead animals, scarification on the hides of animals on which the hair was allowed to remain. tion

was practised on the

stalks of the water-lily

bamboo

reeds etc.

;

vessels of

Venesec-

dead animals and on the

the art of stuffing and probing on bodies on Panasa

extraction of solid

:

(Artocarpus Integrifolia) and such like fruit, scraping on wax spread on a Shalmali (Bombox Malabaricum) plank,

and suturing on pieces of cloth, skin or hide. Ligaturing and bandaging were practised on dummies, cauterisation (both actual and potential ) on pieces of flesh, and catheon

terisation

unbaked earthen

vessels

with water.

filled

It is almost with a feeling of wonder we hear him extirpation of uterine excrescences and discourse

necessity of observing caution in surgically

uterine

tumours

borne

mind

in

for

These

(Raktarvudai.

talk

on

of

the

operating upon should be

facts

as thev would help us a good deal in accountnumerous anomalies that are to be found in the

ing the anatomical portions of the Samhita.

Study Of Practical Anatomy :— We have fore

that

the

quartered

sacrificial

stated

animals

be-

afforded

excellent materials for the framing of comparative anatomy.

The Aitareya Brahmana quartering of such

contains special injunction for the animals (i) and we are told that the

preceptors availed

themselves of the religious meetings to

(i)

The Aitareya Brahmana

the organs

and

viscera

of

atnonL; the priests. Aitareya

the

describes a

sacrificial

particular

way of dividing

animals which was

Brahmana VIII.

i.

3 kept secrei

'

XXI

INTRODUCTION.

1

<

demonstrate the lessons on, practical anatomy. We come across such terms as the heart, stomach, brain, intestines, anus, •

liver, spleen,

uterus

etc',

(i).

There

Aitareya Brahmana

the subject

devoted, to

Rigveda, and the an entire hymn (Rik) treatment of Phthisis (Raja

and

Yakshma) which becomes

the

in

is

utterly

unintelligible

the

in

absence of an accurate knowledge about the structure of The Vedic lungs, and mechanism of the human heart.

Arya

fully

understood the resultant nature of the human

The Rik Mantra, which

organism.

to this clay

is

recited on

the occasion of a funeral ceremony, amply testifies to the fact that he used to look upon his mortal frame as the product

combination of the

of the

He tion

understood the

and the

five

effects of

which the

office

elements

physical

different drugs

tendons,

upon

(2).

diges-

muscles,

flesh

and nerves, etc. respectively serve in the economy. It is in the Sushruta Samhita that we find a systematic attempt arranging together the facts of anatomical observation. age of Sushruta, the Acharyic age of the Ayurveda, was a period of scientific investigation. The sturdy Aryan at

The

colonists a\h\ ease.

exchanged their simple mode of living for luxuiy The number of genera! diseases was great. Jn

H| A.

fT9T

vmiq


Rik Samhita V.

f ^T B.

(2)

bination

The nature of <>f tin*

five

;

Vide also Aitareya Brahmana the

human body

I

II 12. Ill 37.

2.

as the resulting

effect

elementals have been clearly described

1

Which being

?3 *$WQ €ta*TTTT

VII, 1,53,538.

Ibid

Rik Samhita

of the

com-

in the verse.

X M.

10 S.

3.

translated reads :- Let his eye go to the sun, let his breath-

wind mix with the wind *bf the atmosphere, and

to

cereals the parts which have sprung out of them. etc.

the sky,

earth and

the

INTRODUCTION. did

vain

and

living to

return

Narada

(i)

simple

mode

xxiii

»

preach the gospd of plain high thinking, and exhort them, like Cato,

the

holy

to

their

in its train

brought opulence and disease. Men

like

of

life.

The

long peace

and wealth begot indolence Angira, Yamadagni, Asa-

Bharadvaja,

Gautama, Agastya, Vamadeva', Kapisthala,

Atreya,

marthya, Bhargava, Kufhika, Kapya, Kashyapa, SharkaraCharaka, ksha, Shaunaka, Man mat hay ani*, Agnivesha, Pulastya, Asita, Chyavana, Paingi and began to write Samhitas. Each hermitage was

Sushruta, Narada,

Dhaumya

etc.

College of Ayurveda, and the empirical method of investigation was introduced into each department of the science a

of cure.

Anatomical

Anomalies in the Samhita :— Having

on to the study of the Anatomical portion of the Sushruta Samhita, we must try to account for the many anomalies and discrepancies got so far in our analysis, before passing

that have crept into or have been suffered to remain in the Take, for example, the line present recension of the book. in

which Dhanvantari

bones

in

human of

human

the

frame,

is

made

to

speak of three hundred

organism.

It is impossible that the has got rid of so many of

in so short a time,

skeletal accessories simply

its

of their

becoming superfluous

More absurd

environments.

through disuse, or because

in

the altered condition of

is it

to

its

think that

Sushruta, authority except the testimony of positive knowledge, would write a thing which none but the blind would believe in a dissecting room. The spirit of the age in which he flourished precluded the possibility op such an

who

discards

all

error.

Anomalies accounted for chosen

lor

the demonstration

always children (i)

(2),

-In ancient India, subjects

:

of practical

anatomy were and naturally those bones, which are

Vide Aitareya Brahmana VII.

13. »

(2)

The

more than

injunction of the

Hindu SHastras

2 years old should be burned."

is

that '-corpse of persons

Cremation of dead bodies being

\X1\

[N^RODU* TION.

<

<.i

or'anastomised into'one whole during ° adult a

fused

some

to

—

enumerated

been' separately

account

extent,

for

have

life,

circumstance which

a

may,

number

excess in the

th'e

of

Samhita

(i). Likewise the theory that Sushruta might have included the teeth and the cartilages within the list of s'keletal bones comes very near the truth,

bon'es described in this

but

it

does not reflect the whole

that the

orignial

several recensions

one by

present

Ntigarjuna

made many

have

is

The

tilth either.

has

and we have reasons

;

The

one made.

hist

t

Sushruta Samhita

neither

in

is

through

passed

to believe that the

the only

redactors, according to their

interpolations

fact

the

text,

nor the

own

light,

and

when

Brahmanas, they have tried to come to a sort of compromise at points of disagreement with the teachings of the Vedas >2). Therefore

Samhita

that

it is

we come

as ''there are

across such statements

360 bones

in

the

in

human

the

body, :-o it is in the Vedas, but the science of surgery recognises three hundred skeletal bones." What lends a greater colour to the hypothesis

is

that Sushruta, who, in the Chapter on

Shariram, has so accurately described the

and ligaments, anastomoses of nerves, veins and

arteries etc.,

obligatory on Government, as well as on private individuals,

impossible

to

secure a full-grown anatomical

more so when we consider

the

and mutilation

tion spirit

from purging

access

to

of

off its

a higher

that the

it

uncleanness

spiritual

life.

was almost

Pauranic India,

subject in

Hindus look upon the non-crema-

corpse with a peculiar horror as

a

Marma

unions of bones

in

the

Naturally

funeral in

it

prevents the

and

fire,

bars

and more

later

it^

cere-

monial times the interred corpses of infants, less than 2 years old, had be unearthed and dissected for anatomical purposes and these portions of the Sushruta Samhita might have been modified by the subsequent commentators in order to conform them to occular proofs.— T. R. 10

;

(1)

See Gray's Anatomy (1897)

(2)

^^mpfafv; s$:

p.

trsrfasF:

2S8 and 301 Kig>.

mswi'

24«S

1*'

Vishnu Smriti.

"faf% ^ifa^Tfa vrm*r«ri *r^ ^ft^nfra«nf: (

and 262.

Ch. 96.

55.

1''

'haraka. ShSi irasthanuin.

INTRODUCHON.

must have described

their coursss

XXV

,

and locations, ^otherwise

it would have been quite impossible for practical suigeons, for whom it was intended, to conform to the directions of the

Samhita

in surgically

operating on their patients' limbs* and

to avoid those vulnerable unions or

anastomoses as^enjomed

These Marmas have been 'divided

therein.

such

three

into

the Sadya-prana-hara as, Kala-prana-hara, and Vaikalya-kara, according as an injur)- to any of them proves instantaneously fatal, or fatal in course of time, or classes

;

followed by a maimed condition of the limb concerned. fact is that the study of practical Anatomy was in a manner forbidden in the reig>n of Ashoka Piyadarshi

is

The

were prohibited by a royal edict (i), and the subsequent commentators (who were also redactors on a small scale) of the Sushruta

inasmuch

as all

religious

sacrifices

in the absence of any positive knowledge on the had to grope their way out in darkness as best subject, could hence, this wanton mutilation of texts and they

Samhita,

;

hopeless confusion of verses in the Sharira Sthanam of the present day Sushruta Samhita, which should be re-arranged

and restored

their

to

proper chapters before on the anatomical

an)' definite

opinion can be pronounced of the holy Sushruta.

knowledge

Sushruta as of his

what

Sh:irira

man, wherein

is

he come into all'

Indian

down from that

a Biologist :— In the first chapter Sthanam, Sushruta discusses the question. lies

why

his

individuality,

does he

philosophers, Sushruta the universe to man.

govern

sical aspect,

being,

evolution

the are

of

the

extended to cover

physical aspect of

man

(organic

die

argues

The

does

all ?

Like

the

question

factors

universe

the

why

at

in

or

laws,

its

phy-

evolution of the

evolution).

There

is

but

one law and one force which run through •the three plains of mind, matter and spirit. Physiology, that fails to look (i)

Journal of ihe Asiatic Society

4

»f

Calcutta Vol. VII,

P.

26?.

INTRODUCTION.

XXVI <•

into the nature of

life

and

i(s

a

away

plain

all.

(

of

Cell

not

is

life,

the

background and

organ'ic

but there

cells, is

is life

called the true bearers of Ike.

more

tries

living force as the

intelligent,

action

chemical '

this

Dr.

Lo

ex-

product of

no Physiology

in a cell.

Cells

Weismann

at

be

may

insists that

it

continuity of the general of "the Professors Geddes than ceils." germ protoplasm and Thomson observe that, "the bodies are but the torches is

correct to speak of the

which burn out, while the living flame has passed throughout the organic series unextinguished. The bodies are the leaves which fall in dying from the continuously growing branch. Thus although dealh take inexorable grasp individual, the continuance of the

life is still in

of the

a deep sense

unaffected the reproductive elements (cells) have already claimed their protozoan immortality, are already recreating But to invest these reproductive cells with a new body.'" ;

immortality, and to deny the same to the individual self, which directs and controls these protoplasms, and is before

and behind them,

like

is

when he admits the chance

the statement of Prof. Huxley of the

physical transmigration organic constituents of the human body, and yet denies the possibility of an individual self continuing in any

of the

other

form.

"It

precedes the self to which

sensibility," observes Sushruta, "that

is

the senses all

and

self, the sensibility proceeds from such conditions are referred as mine." ;

Sushruta's Theory of Cosmogony old

Duality of

Sankhya

The two

(Subjective).

Out

is

based

Prakriti (Objective)

on

the

and Purusha

are coeval and co-extensive realities.

Avyakta (unmanifest) or Prakriti has evolved Out of this the Mahal, the animated cosmic matter. of

cosmic duality into

the

matter or

three

has

more kinds

evolved Ahamkara (the sense of indivicorrect lv egoism) which is divided

such

as

the

Vaikarika

(phenomenal,

Taijasa (kinetic), and Bhutadi (pertaining form of matter). This Vaikarika Ahamkara

thought-form), i" in

tlje

first

combination with the Taijasa

Ahamkara

has

fathered

INTRODUCTION.

xxvn

3

>•>

sense

eleven

the

which,

organs,

Bnutadi, have produced the ' of

sensibles

touch,

Tanmatras

taste,

smell,

proper material

are

etc.,

the

btft

which Akasha

of

Tanmatras,

or

The

etc.

hearing,

sight,

principles of sound, light, modifications of these five

combination with the

in

five

etc. are the grosser (ethereon), Vayu (ether), light, and sound, In other wordo, these Tanmatras may he defined forms.

as

atomic essences of the material principles of sound,

the

like In addition to these, Sushruta, etc. of a kind of atom-like units existence the admits Kapila, of consciousness, which he calls Purusha. The combination

ether,

light,

of'

the sixteen aforesaid

for the expansion

being

treatment,

who

the

is

fit

of the

the product

Purusha

the

A human

latter.

subject

is

for

medical

combination of Purusha

primordial material principles (Mahabhutas). Purushas, real selves of beings, the sources of

the

with

The their all

and liberation of the

(individual), is

and

categories

five

vital

energy,

and

the controllers

and directors of

organic or mental actions, are extremely subtile in

and

essence,

themselves

manifest

combination of the

seed

only

the

through

element)

(paternal

their

or

ovum

Karma

the

(dynamics of acts done by a person in a prior existence) which determines as the nature of the body it will be clothed with, (maternal element).

we'd

<*s

in its

It

is

che nature of the

womb

Nature Of Self: — Self

is

Force

is

such,

shall

it

be conceived

in,

next incarnation.

is

force.

immaterial. It

a

simple substance, and, substance and substance,

endued with constructive

is

intelligence,

a:,

is

and,

gravitation or cohesion, can permeate a material body,

like

without,

in

way, disturbing t. It is adaptative or other words, elects that kind of selves for

any

elective, or, in

,-

parents as are best suited to the purposes' of its being. Man is the outcome of an influx of a se,f, a force, a dynamis

its

with of

its

its

path

prior

determined by the dynamics of the dvjeds To think that vitality starts from

existence.

XXviii

INTrtOIHTCTION.

,

is

protoplasm,

Chemically examined protoplasm But no amount of C, O, H, N

insanity.

C, O, H,

is but',

N

and

and S put together

S.

constitute

will

The

life.

idea that

nothing prior to it, that the force which controls the co-ordination of man's economy perished with the death 'has

life

of

his

not

is

organism,

as

and,

creation,

'quite

its

see only the middle link in

we

call life,

ones is

is

such,

which constitute

realities

Life

puerile.

linked

to

expansion and those unseen

and future

prior

the

is

chain

We

selves.

existence

ol

which

but take no notice of the preceding or succeeding The grosser material body (i).

which are invisible

much

a finer, immaterial one, in as

linked to

as

nothing

without being attached to its antecedent. So each conception there is the influx of a new self, for

can exist at

constituents of a human body can not create no matter how many chemical or physiological man,

the a

lifeless

may be postulated to run to their rescue. — Before entering Ayurvedic Embryology discussion of Sushruta's theory of conception, we actions

into

the

shall

take

:

a little

more trouble

to enunciate fully

on the subject. "The child of sperm and ovum" (2'. inside the uterus, a

and protects that

viscus.

1 (

)

is

It

(3)

The

^araiftfa

eyes

ajifH'fa

the

with

its

of

the

child

«

(2)

^

{

ay-

* '

*

?wm

I

II. 28.

1

i«wri: ¥«! Aiteriya

of,

Orife^Affevf,

Astanga lhidayam (Vagbhat) Ch. I. Sharira Sthanam.

e

/

^mmw^f^:

out

any injury done to

effects of

sra^anfN w vT

wf$\ T

head downward

facilitates its passage

Bhagavat Gita

w«fc

Vedic theories

the combination

fruit of

lies

which

fact

form from the

its

the

1.

1

Brahmana VI. I<\ ec

!

INTROT>UCT?0\.

as

the cephalic portion of the

The the

from

body,

of the

uppearance

developme'nt of the fecundation to

time of

the

of the

described in a verse

the

to

characteristic

developed.

first

is

body

which are essential

factors, fetal

feial

XXIX

sense-organs,

Rig Veda

mythology each organic function tutelage of a presiding* deity, and

is

In

(i).

have '^een Vedic

the

''consecrated

the

to

Vedic Aryan loves

a

by the name of its divine custodian own. Rightly translated, the verse Vishnu (the presiding follows — "May

to call a thing oftener

than

of

that

by

would read

as

its

:

and nerve

expand thy uterus, may heat and metabolism) Tvashta (the presiding deity limbs and the of the differentiation bring about the full deity of ether

force)

'of

sex of the

the

may

foetus,

through the blessing

of

(the

Prajapati

ovum) sprinkle thy

the

of

lord

human

and

of

Sarasvati

of

intellect) (goddess the gods (the presiding surgeons Now, -help thee in taking the seed."

the

Ashvins,

deity of

the

May

destiny.

the

of

the

presiding deity

and mayst thou conceive

uterus,

fission, etc.)

development of

body takes place after the pattern of its father's and this conformity to the pattern of its species

fetal

species,

an

represents

goddess

of

celestial

(i)

of

fW^fff**

its

fl^TqfrTsrtm

»w §ff

f%*?Nr«ft.

cf

%

w

verse

ftfsig

<^t
H

^ft

^**T5n

«Tf«

IJfT^

that of the

process

of

of the

fetal

would

mean

i

ii

jw §f? *rwfcr

^f^srp?3T3T^Tjt

JTW TJen*T§

the

^rwfa

^TfrNg

jm %

formation

the

allegory,

3f?cr?i?j,

the

over

preside to

with

invoked

been

essential

so

Divested

Hence, the aid of the

intellection.

has

who

surgeons,

cell-division,

limbs.

of

act

intellect

i

11

II

'

Rik Samhila X. M. 184.

S.

XXX

INTRODUCTION.

•

•

«

the *sperm healthy and well-developed uterus' through the agency of the Vayu (increased activity of the- local nerves) meets the 'maternal element (ovum) that

in

a

t'hat

viscus.

of

process

ft

Then the impregnated matter undergoes and takes shape

after the pattern of

When we

of

fission, •

father's

its

into

led

species.

think

so

idle

many

which

regards the proces% obtained credence so late as the begiuning of the i8t h arose century in Europe, and the controversies that of fertilisation,

speculations as

between the Ovists, Performists and Animalculists that

cannot

(i),

we

the

Ayurvedic Embryology, help regretting which started under such h'appy auspices, could not fully solve the problem of fertilisation even before the advent

The fundamental

Tantrik age.

the

of

principles

with

of the Acharyayas (Sushruta, was started are substantially the same as have now been discovered by the researches of the Sushruta in his dissertation on the Western workers.

which

the

Embryology

Dhanvantari,

subject

showed the illegitimacy which

predecessor's

research

up

etc.)

theory

(

lay at the root of his

Siiarirasthanam Chap.

II.

)

and took

where the Vedic Rishis had

exactlv

left off.

He

a physiological clearly demonstrated the fact that "by the as known lymph chyle Rasa;uka (metabolism) process is metamorphosed into sperm in men, or into ovum in

women,

the

in

down

carried

is

The sperm

or

The

course of a month. into

ovum

is

catamenial

fluid

the uterus through its proper ducts. thus the quintessence of a man's

woman's body. The sperm meets the ovum (Artavam) in the ute/us, which resembles a lotus-bud in shape, and whose aperture is shut up with a mucous deposit as

or a

soon

as

time

for

day

(

ol

fecundation

fecundation

after the

n)

takes place. is

The most

favourable

between the fourth and twelfth

appearance of the

flow

(Garbhakala)" as has

For a short history of the Theories of Fertilisation, Vide Evolution P. Geddes and [. A. Thompson) Chap. XII. pp. 169— 171.

Sex (Prof,

INTRODUCTION.

been lately demonstrated

Von

XXXI

I

by 'the

researches »*of

Prof.

Ott. (i).

Sexual Diamorphisni :— Some light is thrown on the preponderance of the sperm and ovum in the birth

relative

of

a

"When

female child.

derates the child

is

female

the maternal element preponpaternal element is

when the

;

When both the elements are stronger the child is male. child is the of no In theory at least Sushruta sex.'' equal, admits the possibility of the birth of many children at a "When the seed is divided into two by single conception.

—

inherent force (Vayu), twins are born in the womb" a statement which points to the 'irresistible conclusion that its

multiplicity of birth of the

fission

seed

the

is

in the

outcome

womb

of

the

multifarious

under certain abnormal

Sushruta gives a reason for believing that, in exceptional circumstances, and without sexual union, the conditions.

ovum may

unfertilised

rise

give

to perfect offspring, thus

giving a prevision of the modern theory of parthenogenesis. Pathological parthenogenesis has occasionally been noticed in

higher animals.

of hen's eggs,

of

Oellacher

noted this in respect and Janosik has observed it in the ovarian ova

many mammals such

extends

the

without

though

the

as the

probability

He

conditions.

has

to

admits

guinea-pig, etc.(2) Sushruta the human ova under certain

the

he observes that like

all

development does not proceed far such a hypothesis it is but one step enunciates

the

possibility

of

possibilitv

admixture of the male

germinal

asexual in

the

to

the

of conception

conception element,

genesis" case."

the

From

theory which without proper

sexual union.

But (i)

to

understand

theory of sexual diamorphism,

Vide the chart of menstrual wave

Man and Woman "(Havelock (2)

his

The EvolufioB

of

and

Ellis)

prepared by V«n Ott ^iven Chap. XI.

Sex Ch. XIII. P. 1S5. Prof, P. GeddesMind

/.

.).

Thompson.

it

in

XXXli

«

INTRODUCTION. «

<

necessary that one^shoufd fully comprehend the meaning of such Ayuryedic terms on the subject as Ichchha Shakli is

(1) (preponderance of the and male reproductive element) Shonita-Vahulyam (preponderance of the female reproductive element) etc. Sushruta,

Shukra-Vahulyam

(will-force).

common

in

mordial

Brahmanic

with "the

of sex

distinction

believed that

Manu

hermaphroditism.

philosophers of Ind, evolved from a pri-

h'as

in

ha>

Institutes

his

emphasised the fact (2), though in a highly poetic style. He observes that 'The Purusha (Logos), by a stroke of Will, its body (animated cosmic matter) into two, one which was male, and the other female." The Tantra

divided of

says that, ''the male part was endued 'force) of its own, which is called Pitrika

with

an

Shakti

;

energy and the

corresponding female part, with the one, which is called Matrika Shakti. Pitrika Shakti is a disruptive force -Matrika Shakti is a constructive energy. Though the ;

conception of force in Sanskrit sciences is but partially physical, the nearest approach to the connotations of the Pitrika and Matrika Shakti is made by the terms Ana-

bolism and Katabolism Sanskrit physiology vital

force

in

a

the

of

Western

the two

recognises

and

organism,

living

physiologists.

opposite

has

poles of

taken

not

inconsiderate pains to determine their exact locations in

and woman. the

half

left

regards vital cases

Matrika Shakti, of a

it

woman's organism, which

magnetism.

(3)

where female offspring

Now, Sushruta is

man

observes, predominates in is

negative as

says

desired, the enceinte

that,

«

(i)

(2)

Sharirasthanain Ch.

II.

f^is^w^t t^iiN g^msw^rr

^l

nrff rT*qt

*I

fW5PR^5r?T

fl*J'

II

Manu Samhita Ch. (3)

^faiiiai: *w

I.

32.

v

fi:

*i*^t

^!*THHu f*Tsn*^:

in

should

1

Sarada Tilak Tantram.

XXX111

INTRODDCTJPN. >

snuff through her

>

left nostril (the,

expressed juice of certain

herbals), while the same should be administered through her right nostril where rrjale" issue would be the object. In

other words, the anabolic (Matrika) or katabolic (Pitr,*ka) forces of a mother's organism can be so adjusted with the help of drug-dynamics, as to determine,the sex of the child in

The

womb.

the

b\rth of a male

of the

saged by the appearance

Sushruta

child

is

usually pre-

milk (which according to

metamorphised menstrual blood) in the right and where that has been effected

is

breast of the enceinte

;

with the help of suitable medicines, it must be presumed that the Katabolic pole of her Jife-force has been acted

upon, as desired.

The

original hermaphroditism,

condition of of the

all

two opposite poles of forth in

set

clearly

which forms the anterior

subsequent sex distinctions, and the character the

vital

have been very allegory of Ardha-

energy,

Pauranik

Narishvara(i). The figure, observes the Pauranik rhapsodist, half life, half death (since, death, is half male, half female ;

is

the father

katabolism

with the

in

fact,

;

of

life)

(2)

crescent

bull, the

law of the universe

(lit

the

its

pre mise,

brow,

is

the

representative of

:

made

immutable

aware

fully

the fact that, conception is effected only on the part of the mother that the

sacrifice

;

the real manufacturer of

through the two

Matrika

and that the Pitrika

life,

Shakti (paternal element) evokes, or

of

an enormous

at

is

the

to sit

— the four-footed order). The Rishis

and Rasasiddhas of ancient India were

Shakti

half

half anabolism,

moon,

of progressive evolution on

symbol on the eternal

;

into

calls it

play only

disintegrating or disruptive effect by separating opposite life-poles, that lie neutralised through

its

contact. (1)

(2)

It is love that

governs these two complementary

Vishnu PurSnam Ch.

^ra:

wzxn

^j*

7.

3

Vs. 10-11.

sn^r swrfa

i5tt:

i

Mahabharatam.

l

INTRODUCTION.

XXxiv

•

forces of .life

and death

(i)

r

.

in fact

(though

they represent

the two different aspects of the same energy) and controls its evolutionary rhythms through the desire of seeing "

many though one

itself

cells, as

in reality.

same view when

endorse- the

protozoons„are

Does not modern biology

says that the reproductive immortal, and that bodies are the it

natural appendages which blossom.forth and fall off round these cells for the fructification of their innate purposes of being (2)?

A

more investigation into the biological thesis would be necessary for the clear comprehenRishis of the and "Shonita-Vahulyam" of sion of little

'

"Shukra-Vahulyam"

Sushruta and other Tantras spirit

sets

both animal and

is

and the Ayurvedic physiology recognises two distinct of apparatus in his organism answering to the different The one helps him in performing of his existence. ;

phases the organic functions,

which are

so essential to his animal

and keeps intact the co-ordination of those

inter-

functions with the incidents of his environments.

The

existence, nal

Man

(3).

other

is

attuned to the finer forces of nature, and responds (1)

(2)

"The body

The Evolution

or soma",

of Sex. Ch.

XVIII.

Prof. P. Geddes and J. A. Thomson. Weismann says, "thus appears to a certain

extent as a subsidiary appendage of the true bearers of the

life,

—the repro-

Ray Lankester has again well expressed this :— "Among the multicellular animals, certain cells are separated from the rest of the consti-

ductive cells".

tuent

units

of the body, as egg-cells and sperm-cells ; these conjugate and whilst the remaining cells, the mere carriers as it were of

continue to live,

the immortal reproductive cells, die

higher

anireals

which

die,

and disintegrate.

may from

The bodies

of the

point of view be regarded as

this

something temporary and non-essential, destined merely to carry for a time, to nurse, and to nourish the more important and deathless fission-products of the

and

J.

unicellular

egg/'— Quoted

in

the

Evolution of Sex (P. Geddes

A. Thompson) 1901. Chap. XVIII. (3) (a)

wfa^TT wt?nff

vrtiiftfa^:

h«t^

i

Sarada Tilak Tantram. (B)

Sushruta Samhila (Sharira Slhanam Ch. Ill

)

XXXV

INTRODUCTION. >

to

the

>

of his higher or

call

organic, the other

is

The one

psychic

Th'e one

self.

psychic,

is

down

chains him

governed by the laws of growth the other opens on the region of absolute and decay realities where growth and decay have no room to be. to the phenomenal, and

is

;

Growth

not

is

the only condition of

Man may

life.

exist

he can manage to dive

without food (i)or respiration, only these two deep into the realities within himself. Between if

of apparatus there

is

the Jivatma, which, by

its

own

sets

peculiar

energy (the will-force), can operate in phenomenal or organic or recede from thence into the psychic one, thus

pl?,in,

contact with the world of the senses', and the one

being in

beyond the darkness of death. Death, in fact, is the grand usherer to life, which is only the rise of the curtain over the life's drama, all equipments for which are that

is

made

in the green

room

of death.

A man can not propagate at will. No amount of willing on the part of the parent-animal can help him in creating progeny. The life, chooses its

or quiescent sion of of

the child,

who

is

about to come into

own

parents, according to the dynamics of acts or Karma, from the region of the lunar Pitris

own

its

self of

life, if it

be warrantable to use such an

expres-

The self of the would-be child mixes with the self human father, and hovers over the reproductive cells

(2).

its

the latter's organism, and regulates the intensity of its the nature of the sex,

father's sexual desire, according to

determined necessary for the fruition of the purposes of A greater intensity of its into the world. its advent father's desires

ensures the preponderance of tile in the impregnated ovum,

Shakti (katabolism) (1)

^wrei^T

w faf%:

irai

*f% 19

T*l

Skanda Puranam quoted by Shridhara Svami on the Vishnu Puranam. Ch. VI. V. 16. (2)

^V}] fa^cRm

I

Shruti.

Pitrika

which

l

in

his

commentaries ,

,

XXXvi

INTRODUCTION.

'

determines the malef sex of the child, while such a thing, on the part of the mother at the time, is followed by the

preponderance of the Miitrika. Shakti (anabolism) which accounts for the femininity of the issue. Equal intensity of sexual desires in both the parents, creating an relative

absence of the relative preponderance of the Pitrika and Shaktis in the impregnated ovum, leaves the sex

Matrika

The

of the child practically undetermined.

relative prepon-

or Matrika Shakti, as evidenced

derance of the Pitrika

by

the greater or less intensity of the sexual desire of either of the parents, which results in the speedier emission of the paternal or maternal element (sperm or ovum) during an act of successful

is

fecundation,

contemplated

by the

term

"Shukra-Vahulyam," or "Shonita-Vahulyam," by the framer of the Samhita, as ma)' be fully substantiated by a couplet

by the venerable Daruvahi (i). So far Sushruta is at one with the modern Western theory of preponderant katabolism or anabolism in the as the determining factor of the sexual diamorphism

ovum

to the extent that seeds or reproductive cells are the bearers

and not

manufacturers of

the

only containing those

life,

categories which foster

its evolution into an life, and help To deny this would be to admit the chemi-

organic being. cal,

or

never

The number

to

and

(i)

cells

of the immortality «?|
s

*rerTcf»raT

\£

of

g^T^t

is

of the mortal, organic

the father of light.

wr

from

W^ fSfTf

Darubahi (Quoted by Arunadatta

was

India.

The

the seed (germ plasm) has

f>^5nw5[cnfT

cltfteqTfarflT ^i^T'

of ancient

may be increased bv immortal reproductive

come out

to say that darkness

stuff* is

question

life,

as a theory,

which,

life,

biologists

to say thai the

the creators of

cells, as

the

of reproductive

suitable dietary,

food

basis of

physiological

acceptable

in his

»

i

tTT

II

commentaries on Yrigbhat).

11 '

INTRODUCTION.

been

discussed

elaborate!}*

XXXvii

the commentaries on

in

Sankhya Darshanam(i). The Pjah Vindus (germ with

the

cells)

the

pulsate

movements), which are the

vibrations (rhythmic

ffl

the primordial ethereal vibrations, which ,ushered the birth-throes of the universe. As such, the}- are

relics of

in

>

essential to the evolution of

of the

universe,

;

them

retains

still

and man,

life

an offspring

as

in his reproductive cells

as the best condition for calling out the life in his

when

its

mother's

womb.

Life

is

product nf any chemical or physiological process. influx and microscopes and spectroscopes to view the hinterlands of birth and expose ;

was

offspring,

the impregnated ovum in the the essence of self, and not the

into

enters

self

It

is

mav

an not

genesis.

theorv of will-force and intensity of parental desire as determining the sex in the child, together

Perhaps

it

this

with the facts of parthenogenesis observed in lower animals, from which Sushruta was disposed to extend the analogy to the human species, and believed that conception without sexual union ,

is

possible in

The conception

',rika Shaktis n

jth regarding relates the story

universal

insulted bolism),

of the

more

is

follows

as

mother,

(or

(etiology) of fever

:

— Daksha,

father, his

;

Sushruta of the

father

in

quota of

sacrificial

oblations.

of the insulted deity broke out in the shape of

in

(i) (a)

man

which

has been

qTC^cu-S-sffTOT

often

The

fever.

is

compared

-^Wl^^T

process

'to

I

Sankhya Sutra Ch.

I.

122.

'

(B)

flft5TT?T

*-J?1%

Ibid. Ch. III. 3.

*

*

man)

her consort (destructive meta-

a morbific heat (hyperpyrexia) of digestion

the

and

Pauranika

metabolism

constructive

by witholding

Matrika

nature of these

clearly set forth in the

the origin

the divine

The wrath

women.

ffaT'«nTt

-^Tft

fk$?

ttm

g

*

i

Sankhya Prabachana Yashya (Vijnan Bhikshu) Ch.

I.

S.

I.

an act

•

« '

INTRODUCTION.

XXXV'iii

of

Homa

the Ayurveda. Stripped of its in a pathological be explained quite myth may means that when the Pitrika Shakti, the process sacrifice (I)

in

allegory the line^

It

Shiva in Hindu

of destructive metabolism (Pita, father or

mythology being the god of destruction or disintegration) of the body is not properly served by the factors, which constructive metabolism (Father of the Matrika the excrements and excretory process of the bod} are arrested (by the wrathful deity), and the heat generated

nourish

its

7

Shakti),

consequence is fever. Fever, then, Whenever digestion and excretion. in

one of

With

this Pitrika

there

disturbed or not properly served is

a disease of defective

is

is

Shakti,.

is

and heat

fever,

essential effects.

its

a precision

and love of

details,

which mark the

literature, Sushruta lays down rules observed by the enceinte, from and conduct to be of diet

best days of

month

Bnihmanic

month, during the whole period of gestation,

to

and gives medicinal

recipes

partially atrophied child in the

for

the

development

of

a

womb.

A

perusal of the Chapter on Marma Shiriram world the conclusion that anatomical kh^sfy, ledge was cultivated by surgeons and soldiers alike. lajt.. knowledge about the locations of the vulnerable joints, *ir leave no doubt for

nerves,

pressure

anastomoses

vein

or

may

enable him to

the success of a single believe

formulated practised

blow

work

or of

a

his

little

man

dearly prized by the soldiery at a the fate of a war was often decided by

time when

to

a

short

be

but

could not

where

make

that in

the

by the

a

champion, and

we have

reasons

system of wrestling was of the Sushruta Samhita, and

scientific

light

gentry of

ancient

India

much

«

Charaka SamhitS.

like

INTRODUCTION.

XXXIX >

the

Yuyutsu,

(Skr.

Jiujitsu

intending

t,he

fighter) of

'

modern Japan,

(i).

Sushnita's Physiology .'-But

much

Sushruta

if

ad-

is

scientific jL'ast practical and is of mind, it is his writings on iwlrich Physiology, practically the same as the one adopted, by all schools of

mired

the

so

Ayurveda)

block

the

to

and Eastern fit

his

for

which

,

have

as

appeared of

intelligence

many

a

stumbling and

Western

a

European Sanskritists have thought to translate "Vayu," "Pittam'' and "Kapham" (the three scholar.

main physiological functions) as air, bile and phlegm. But nothing could be more misleading, or erroneous than that.

A

right understanding of the

of the

science

Ayur-

branches, hinges on a right conception of the Vayu, Pittam and Kapham, so we should like to clear up the nature of these three physiological factors vedic medicine, in

all its

before proceeding farther in our enquiry.

the division:— A reference to these

Of

Antiquity

three physiological factors of Vayu, Pittam and Kapham, under the name of Tridhatu, is first met with in the

Rikveda,

Sayana explains the term

(3).

a

as

synonym

for

Vayu, Pittam and Kapham. The Vedic physicians possessed at least a considerable

knowledge of the process of

tion^), the circulation of gas in the

human

diges-

organism, and of

It is cuiious that the phonetic and etymological resemblance (1) between Sanskrit "Tuyutsu" and Japanese '"Jiujitsu" (would be fighter) should be so close. Perhaps it was the Buddhist missionaries (and they were not always peaceful hermits) who had carried with them a system of scientific wrestling from India, which was subsequently developed in Japan. Compare with the complete Kano, Jiu-jitsu (Jeudo) by H. Irving Hancock and Katsukuma Higashi. Chart I and III.

*

*

(3)

"

k

f^^Tg 3"S

TfcT" Srw*qcft

||

Rik. Samhita.

Sayana explains

(4)

q\*>zm

*ntr:


f*n?f^

>

»!rsn f%ff,

stsf»re:

it

^:

I. 3, 6.

as

?rret

1

mw.

1

sv;

9:

*?rfa^l

*ft^

!

Tigrrnn?

jw^

Chhandagya Br&hmana.

w^t%. 41sf>TT

xl

INTRODUCTION.

„

(.1

the properties and function* of ligaments

and

cartilages.

flesh, fat,

But

to

the

muscles,

tendons,

Acharyas of the

Ayurveda belongs the glorv of *nrs£ formulating a systematic physiological science, to which end Sushruta as a surgeon no mean a quota. In the light of Western the actionsr of living matter, varied as they are, be reduced to three categories, viz. {a) Sustentative,

did contribute

science

may (b) is

Generative, and (c) Correlative functions. not co-extensive with the entire existence

The second of a

living

organism, Sushruta observes some such distinction among the functions of a living organism when he denominates the living body as the "three supported one" (Tristhunam), and describes the normal Vayu, Pittam and Kapham as its

three

We

wonder

how

the term

Vayu, meaning nerve force can be confounded with the same term meaning air, since Sushruta derives the former supports.

;

from the root "Va," to move, to spread. Vayu, according to Sushruta, is so called from the fact of its sensory and as, smelling, &c. But the Vayu in the Ayurveda is not wholly a physical or organic force, it has its spiritual aspect as well which does not legitimately fall within the It is safe to aver scope of our enquiry. like its that the however, physiology, Ayurvedic

motor functions such

sister

science

with the organism,

in

modern Europe,

is

concerned

more

molecular components of the human with the workings of its gross members.

invisible

than

The

holy Agnivesha warns the students of physiology against the danger of regarding the human system as something other than the aggregate of molecules (1).

*

Charaka Sauihita SharirasthAnaro, Chap. VII.

xli

INTRODUCTI9N. >

The three fundamental principles of Vayu,,Pittam and Kaphah: — The actions of living matter vary and so may be reduced to three categories. They are either— (i), functions which of the body and determine

affect

its

the material composition is the balance of

mass, which

the processes of waste on one hand and l>hose of assimilation on the other. Or (2), they are functions which subserve the of

process

ment

of a

reproduction

which

essentially the

is

endowed with the powers

part

detach-

of developing

independent whole, or (3), they are functions in virtues of which one part of the body is able to exert a direct influence on another, and the body, by its parts as an

into

a

becomes

whole,

a

source

of molar

motion.

The

first

may be termed Sustentative, the second Generative, and the third Correlative functions. The above is the sum and substance of the works which a living matter has to perform. But setting apart the processes of reproduction as a future

for

subject

we

discussion,

shall

examine what the other two functions are by

Oriental

In

thinkers.

the

now as

try

to

understood

Mahibhiratam the Prdna

It is somedescribed as a force, akin to electricity. This shows fact atlonce lightning (1).

vayu

is

what

like a flash of

the errors of confounding Prana vdyu with an effete material with gases generated during the processes of digestion.

—

Shushruta describes organism into

UTWfraN

(1)

mw.

it

motion.

ajcTTft

vtum

Trfaf

which

as a force, (2)

Self-evolved,

WU ?s)f«^^

n^ift it*

it

sets

I

sftsf^ra:

I

MahabMratam. Shanti Paya (2)

Fo v ce may be defined

a body at

res..,

— Daschanel. 6

as

the whole

acts as the principal

that which

S. 39.

tends to produce motion in

or to produce change of motion in a

body which

is

movjng.

xlii

INTRODUCTION.

factor that determines the genesis,

continuance and

tegration of the livir.g body.

the primary

It is

that governs our organic

all-in-all

faculties.

produced

Its special

in

it,

feature

is

as well

as

disin-

cause

— an

our cognitive

the vibration, that

that

is

instead of travelling like light in a transverse

direction, takes a course as the controller of the correlative

functions of the system. It maintains an equilibrium between the Pittam and Shleshma which are said to be inert, (i) But for this

adjustment the living body would stand in imminent

consumed

danger of being

like

fuel

by

its

internal

heat

or fire. Taking into consideration the various functions the living body has to perform, Sushruta attempts a classif.ca-

Vayu into Prana, Udana, Samana, Vyana and Apana, which, in detail, correspond to the divisions of tion of

functions performed by the Cerebro-spinal and Sympathetic

nerves of the

abounds

in

the

Western physiology.

plexuses) and contains a sensory, and

Tintric literature

Nadichakras (nerve more detailed account of the motor,

descriptions

of

the

mixed nerves according to their differences in and relations. In short, the term Vayu may

their functions

not only be rightly interpreted to mean the nerve force, but is often extended to include any kind of electro-motor or (as when we speak of the Vayu of the soil), is the term though loosely applied now to signify gas or The Rishis of yore gave the name of Vayu to the air. bodily force in the absence of any suitable nomenclature,

molecular force

little

(

I)

that it might be confounded with the by the foreign translators of their works.

suspecting

atmospheric A*

air

*nj««i**l*|ire:

W^

3

?" ^T*rr?r

i

Charaka, SutrastMnam. Chap. XII.

WT
is

*JcI

«ft?r% ?ra

Pittam, inert

is

JT^f% ^g^fT

Kaphah,

inert

are the Malas

clouds, they go wherever they are carried by the

STr^Vr

||

V5yu.

&

"Jhitus

Like

INTRODUCTION.

xliii

i

Pittam

:

— The

function

the

metamorphosing of organic

»

the

of

»Pittam

chyle, .through to

principles,

a

a

consists

in

series

graduated substance

protoplasmic

like

sperm in men, and the ovum in women. Thus we see that the Pittam of the Ayurveda corresponds to metabolism of

Western physiology.

of terms the excreted

But by

a

confounding carelessness

portion of Rasa and blood though with those normal physiological

ultimately connected processes has been respectively

Kaphah and

of

as the

styled

Doshas or

Pittam.

Again, as in the case, of soil, the terms Vayu, Pittam and Kaphah are extended to denote magnetism, kinetic energy and humidity of its defiling principles

The

molecules.

Pittam, while

is

connected with the

of

lymph chyle (Rasa) is Shleshma the two combinedly forming what the sustentative function of the Western

related to is

circulation of blood

the circulation

called

Physiology.

The term the agent

Pittam,

which, by its etymology, signifies metabolism, has been loosely used by our

of

Ayurvedic physiolgists to denote two different organic principles from an observed similarity in their nature and functions.

Pittam

Sanskrit

in

bolism of tissues as

well

means both

product of the latter. Hence a few commentators that Pittam

the

is

the

heat

real

import of

five

sub-divisions

performing the term may be of

according to their called the

lean

the

Pittam,

and meta-

which

is

towards the

incarcerated

in

principal agent

bile

as the bodily heat

in

the

digestion

gathered

made by

bile, (i).

from

the

view

and

The the

our 'Rishis

functions and locations, and which are

Pachaka, Ranjaka, Sadhaka,

A lochaka

Madhukosha.

and

f

INTRODUCTION.

Xliv

1

whether

metabolic

All

Bhr^jaka.

or

constructive

1

the

in

processes

destructive, are

organism,

called

Pittam,

which is said to be in the products of those processes whether serum, bile, blood, albumen, etc., which are either essential to the substance

body, or to the proper

the

of

any organic function. Hence we learn that latent in Lasika (Serum), blood, lymph chyle, In etc., and in the organs of touch and sight.

performance of Pittam

is

albumen

other words, metabolism goes on in those principles and regions of the human organism (i) either as a sustentative or as a cognetic physiological process. First, of which or the heat digestion, Pachakagni

we have is

,,the

situated in

the region between the stomach and the intestines (2) and being a liquid fire or fluid heat incarcerated in the secre;

primarily concerned in digesting the four kinds of food (as they meet it in the abdomen). tions of the liver

(bile),

is

it

Thus we see that the Pachakagni of our Ayurveda is the same as the bile of Western physiology, its other function being to differentiate (precipitate) the nutritive essence of the food from its unutilisable portion, and to act as an excrementitious matter.

metabolism

other

in

It

this

is

Pittam,

the body

parts of

which makes

possible,

by

(3)

helping the organism in acquiring fresh energy. (1)

w.

TTfvrciam: *rfr<«rat^TvpH:'

ssrsmi'

^

faw

*rrfa*er

\

f^fhm

11

Bagbhat (Sutra SthSnam (2)

The

bile

assists

in

emulsifying

the

fats

of

cti.

rendering them capable of passing into the lacteals by absorption bile has

to

been considered as a natural purgative

* *

4

XII.)

the foods, and thus

The

bile

*.

The

appears

have the power of precipitating the gastric proteoses and peptones, is mixed up with them. * * * As an

together with the pepsin, which

excrementitious substance, the bile

may

serve as a medicine for the

separa-

tion of certain Highly carbonaceous substances from the blood.

Kirk's Physiology Ch. XIII. pp ,

(3)

*T«^^fTfrr»Ti sfaTJttfltgg^i;

^TlfH

isi^l

*TT^F

37737S-

1

ITfl rT^./Tfl;

II

Bagbhat Sutra ch. XII.

INTRODUCTION.

The second kind

of Pittam

xh*

•

i^calWRanjaka o'r pigment

imparting the characteristic colour to th'e lymph chyle as it is transformed into blood bv coursing through the liver and spleen, wmere it is

located

and

of

contractions

man by

it

Perhaps

(2).

many

The colouring matter that

of the bjle

heart's

our ancient

of

is

of the

view

this

is

'

to

the

situated hi

the performance of cognitive keeping up the rhythmic cardiac

contraction that predisposed (1) A.

is

(Sadhaka)

indirectly assists in

functions in

related

its

(i).

third kind of Pittam

The heart,

the

from

Pittam

circumstance

physio-

derived from and

is

closely

blood, since the qualities of the bile pigment secreted

of

which

are markedly increased by the injection of substances into the veins are capable of setting free haemoglobin.

Kirk's Physiology— (Metabolism in the liver.) Ch. XII. p. 505.

There seems

B.

to

be a close relationship between

matters of the blood and of the bile, and urine (urobilin) and of the feces— Ibid c.

in

at the

the

blood

formation of

'

between these

Ch. VIII.

seems probable that the spleen,

It

engaged tl

*

like

colouring

and

of

that

p. 376.

the

corpuscles.

the

lymphatic glands, is For it is quite certain,

blood of the splenic vein contains an unusually large number of

white corpuscles, f \ t In Kottiker's opinion, the development of colourless and also coloured corpuscles of the blood, is one of the essential functions of the spleen, into the veins of which the new formed corpuscles and are conveyed into the general current of the circulations.

pass,

Ch. XII.

Ibid.

The contraction

(2) A.

without

a

view that

is

(of

the

heart)

can

not

be long maintained

due supply of blood or of a similar nutritive at present

taken of the action of the heart

is

fluid.

* *

The

'

heart

that in

those of muscle, as in protoplasm generally, the metabolic processes are anabolism or building up. which takes place during diastole of the heart * * * and the katabolism or discharge which is manifested in the contraction of the heart.

*U*TO

Kirk's Physiology (metabolism of the heart). Ch. VI.

i?5pT' fTflfl

II

" ,

Bagbhat Sutra.

Ch. XII.

13.

Xlvi

INTRODUCTION.

'

hold

to

logists

Sthanam).

The

as

it

l

He

seat

of

( Vuddhi

cognition

(I)

fourth, which

the

is

Albchaka

or the Pittam of

sight; indicates the metabolic process in the substance of the retina (Drishti) which gives rise to visual sensation. (2; The fifth is the Bhrajakagni or the Pittam in the skin

which produces perspiration or hefps exudations from the skin by evaporation. In short it is the Pittam which keeps under certain circumstances, the secretions from the sweat and sebaceous giands of the human skin. active,

Kaphah

:— Sushruta

"the animal

oie

is

bod)' dies daily,

moment some

of

part

in in

holding with Foster thg.t the sense that at every

substance

its

is

suffering decay,

undergoing combustion." The etymological significance of the term Shariam (Skr. Shri, to wither up) testifies to

is

knowledge of the combustion that goes on within the system. Three kinds of fire are detected in the body,

his

human

which are sure to feed

upon

its

constituent

principles

in

absence of proper fuel in the shape of food and air. food and the fundamental bcdily principle of Shleshma,

the It is

which

or

watery in its essence, that fiv to the rescue of the organism, the latter (Sleshma) surcharging it with its own essential humidity and keeping intact the is

cooling

integration of

The

food,

ingested

(1

sun

)

The

is

at

the sun,

its

component molecules. chyle which is prevents the internal

formed out of the

Rasa, or lymph

seat of the

the

moon

is

the root of the

at

root of the navel

;

palate and

that of

the place of the air (or breath)

and mind dwells above the moon.

between the mind and the

spiritual soul) dwells

Chittam above

(or

the

from

fire-

bodily

the

sun.

is

the

above

passage

and

life

dwells above the moon.

Jn&na Sankalini Tantram, International Journal of Tantrik order (New York) Vol. V. No. 5 p. 109. (2)

It is

upon the

which

falls

a chemical alteration in the protoplasm, and

that

supposed that

retina,

is in fact

this stimulates the optic

the

change effected by the

nerve-endings.

light,

Kirk's Physiology Ch.

XVII,

xlvii

INTRODUCTION. i

preying upon the vitals by coursing freely through the whole organism. The Rasa, thus generated, undergoes a sort of purification, the purified portion being called >

Prasadabhuta, and the excreted portion Malabhuta, are found as effete

sucJh

as

deposited in certain

products pores of the body. Kaphah or Sleshma is that pprtion of Rasa which fills all the intercellular, spaces of the body, thus holding them together in a kind of cooling embrace (Skr. Slish to

embrace) and prevents (i) the dreadful combustion which would otherwise have been caused by organic heat. Our Acharjas have classified the Kaphah into five different kinds such

the Kledaka,

as

Shlcsmaka according locations in the

Dosha

:

Avalamvaka.

their

to

different

Vodhaka

and

functions

and

economy.

— The lymph

chyle, born of the

digested

food,

and which courses through the body, potentially contains the elements which build the different tissues of the

human it

is

Under the

organism.

influence of metabolic heat

transformed into blood, flesh, fat, bone, and In other words, under the Ojah.

progressively

marrow, semen

process of physiological

metamorphosis, the lymph chyle

sets free that part of its constituents (2)

(1)

A

srwfw^sr:

which possess blood-

— Bagbhat.

Charaka Chikitshasthfinam. Chap. (2)

a.

y^fa

*?r?g *jwr$w.

crwr<^*r? ^t?ft ^«fT*!

fafNfasft;

^t^

t«:

15.

1

11

Bhava Mishra. b.

33% ^nfta^iT^srfrirc^:

^Tfta^ft T*r*?nft

im

qfasjfa

1

gsnfr

* * *

gsp* *ng*rr*f

y$

»ra:

*?t?rfp?sr*?f?T

*r

*sit3*N

tftwsftrsT?!

1

Chakra Datta's commentary on the Charaka Samhita. Sutrasthar.am. Cr.

XXVIII.

xlviii

INTRODUCTION.

making

blood —

properties, (its

and are ultimately

unutilised* or excreted

transformed into

portion

being eliminated

through the natural apertures of the body), and so on, thrqugh the progressive series of metabolism to Ojah Dhatu.* Thus with the derangement of the bodily Vayu which causes the its vessels,

cular part

fr^e coursing of the

lymph chyle through imetabolismjof tissues), in any partiof the body, is also affected by reason of its

the Pittam

incarceration,

and thus

causes

tion in the excreted portion of the

an

increase

Rasa, which

or

diminu-

is

another

name for Kapham during the progressive metabolism. Thus we see that Vayu, Pittam, and Kaphah, which, in their normal

state, are

are transformed

the three supporting principles of the body into

morbific

diathesis

by increasing

or

diminishing the bodily heat, secretions, or excretions. t Thus congestion and inanition (atony) are the

two main forms of disease recognised by the Ayurvedic Pathologists, the former being held amenable to resolution or elimination, and the latter to local feeding or nourishment.

Aglli

and Dbiitvagnis

:

— We can

not better conclude

our dissertation than by speaking a word or two about Agni. Sushruta raises the question whether there

this portion of

any kind of fire in the human organism other than the Pittam or are they identical ? Sushruta holds that the Pittam is

;

the only fire present in the svstem, in as much as all acts from the digestion of food to the disintegration of tissues are is

performed with the help of the Pittam, which includes its signification what is connoted by Anabolism and

within

Katabolism of Western

Physiologists.

But Agnivesha and

certain sections of the Ayurvedic Acharyayas hold that there

^TrTfir§3P*TQ?t

^

ffqi rf% «is fTT:

n

Bha\aprakasha Part b «mfqrt ^nfi^ts:

and* etowpr

I.

t

Charaka Sutrasthanam Chap.

.

I

I.

[NTRODUCTfON.

xlix

,

I

five Anjali-fuls of Agni (i)» in the human Organism. This discrepancy is best explained away by including one Yava measure of Agni (enzymes, ferment) in the five

are

>

Anjali-measures of Pittam.

The

A'yurvedic Physiology recognises the existence of another kind of Agni, which is called Dhatvagni (proto-

plasm) and which it classifies into seven different kinds. Arunadatta, the celebrated commentator of the Ashtangahridayam, holds that there are as many Dhatvagnis as the constituents of the body. (2)

'(i) (2)

q^

faw — Charaka

a

q4 qTwtfaqfi *pq*T:—

Samhita.

q^ g^ift:,

fraqra^sft q^^rnim

qw
qi3?

r

sfa sratesn^ra: flfq

qt^r;

1

*rgqTfa
qi^>?rfcT^^m 1


qrffefqTejWHTq:

*irgwf«:

^

1

^rgirq*:

qTf?T3T3I«fllfa

Arundatta. b.

r\w *mq, faTism mifttfwmfii

q^l C.

^ q^rfasmt^fa

*TfSqan* ?!?rq

?hff ^ETTTf *T«qt

ffcrccit

fl^Tlf "^=31%

t^'sw

qra^srarr

^m

1

=qifa*rgcw

wi* ^n^T

^^s^^f^ftfe^

sftaiii

I

1

q^q^

3
i^ra q^rfl^^r sn^sfag ^cftewm qfftfa ?ra aftftspre.t

^^^m^f^T

q.^


##f

#f

^TarafiTauf^fvrvrK

;

ww fl^n

*r«fi'

fraT?r?T

sftfqsi"

u

1

ww^xw. eTcT:

11

1

ww*: sn^inam:

gf?j5?n^igrf%^[5ftif

Ibid.

II

11

*q n:

cm:

1

11

WTgHsf^

1

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthanaroj Chapter XV. i).

^rqfwf^ *nmfr *n?rfr ffcfw qi:

w^wfafw:

qr«F sufa

ff s

1

"

irai^Q:

i!

Vid Ibid Chap.

XX.

INTRODUCTION.

1

The Commentator

Chhandagya Bhasyam has

the

of

emphasised the identity of the Pittam and the solar heat. In fact' it was a doctrine of faith among the Rishis that the solar heat pent up in the solids is transformed into organic heat (Bhutagni) which, becoming liberated in the

but

are

All

produces 'the heat of digestion, (i) forms of solar heat. The

stomach,

c

different

and Udaragni

inert

lie

the organism.

in

these

Dhatvagni

It is

the

Vayu

and makes them operative. The Dhatvagnis (protoplasm) of the muscle are not of

them

that sets

free

the same kind as that the

of the

of

quoting temptation physiology on the subject.* (i) a. *i1

j?vr:

^ ^iw

We

arteries.

few

a

cannot

*?N ?jm *t5wi«j q^fa*n h ^f*

^f*im?r*TR*?r

resist'

from Foster's

lines

JT^sifH

<*3

i

Chhando^ya Upanishad.

Chhandogya Bhasyam.

These facts and other considerations, which might be brought substance

(if

tentative

the

forward, lead to

we may

conception of protoplasm as

use the word in

somewhat

loose sense)

being

a

not only-

unstable in nature but subject to incessant change, existing indeed as the expression

change,

of

of

replacement

incessant

much

very

as

water.

molecular. >.<.

a fountain

is

We may

the

picture

chemical expression to

and physical of incessant

ourselves

the total

change, which we denote by the term "metabolism," as consisting on the one hand, of a downward series of i.Katabolic changes) a stair of

many

with

steps in which

the

setting

the more complex bodies are of energy

free

on the other hand, of an upward also

a stair of

simplicity Imilt

up

it

series of

broken down

simpler waste bodies, and,

changes (anabolic changes)

by which the dead food of

varying complexity is with further assumption of energy into more and mure complex bodies. The summit of the steps,

or

double stair of

.many

into

we

as a single

call

'"protoplasm"

body

:in

the

whether we have right to speak sense of that word or as a

chemical

INTRODUCTION.

li ,

»

From what

now been

has

regarding die

siated

func-

Vayu, Pittam and Kaphah, the Acharyayas of the Ayurveda contem-

tions and significations of the

appear that plated three different

it

will

mixture it

in sonic

Even

Vayu,

in

topmost steps

either

or as

stair,

side,

are

Whether we should regard

bodies.

of several

domains of

and Kaphah

Pittam,

summit of the double

as the very

as the

way

of principles in the

sets

Biology and Pathology.

we can

as well

embracing not

at

present

tell.

forming the topmost summit, its existence is absolutely temporary, at one instance it is made, at the next it is unmade matter, which is passing through the phase of

if this

life, rolls

down on

be a

simple

substance

up the ascending step

the other side *

Further the dead food

te

the

top

and

forthwith

rolls

o fairly, but far

itself

from being wholly

becomes more and more complex living material. It becomes more and more explosive and when it reaches the summit its equilibrium is over-thrown and it actually explodes. The whole stable in character,

downward

events

stair of

seems

in

fact

to be a series of explosives

by means of which the energy latent in the dead food and augmented by the touches through which the dead food becomes living protoplasm,

is

set

Some

free.

again by the material

itself, in

of

of dead food, the rest leaves the If this be admitted

it

those freed

body as heat

is

energy

order to carry on this

same

used up

verification

or motion.

almost inevitably follows, that

what we

that have called protoplasm, can not be always the same thing there must be many varieties of protoplasm with different qualities and with corresponding different molecular structure and composition. :

tinUsing the word '-protoplasm'' in this sense, it is obvious that almost innumerable. numerous are indeed, protoplasm

varieties of

The molecular protoplasm, which state

must

differ in

nature, in

brings forth

composition, that

a is

contractile kata-

construction

in

protoplasm where kata-state is a mother of Fur* her the protoplasm of a swiftly contracting striped

from glandular ferment.

muscular fibre,

fibre

must

differ

the protoplasm of a

a sheep or a frog, the

that

of another

from that of the

torpid, smooth, unstriated

human muscle must

protoplasm of

muscle, in

the

differ

from

one muscle must

same kind

that of

differ

from

of animal, and the pro-

of Jone's— Foster. toplasm of Smith's biceps must differ from that

INTRODUCTION.

Hi

t

Dhatus or fundamental principles of the economy, when in virtue of their correlative and sustentative funccalled

tions,

with the help of their subservient processes of

or

metabolism and lymphatic circulation, they ensure an equipoise among the different vital and physiological processes in

whole economy which

the

to

essential

is

Biologically considered they are

health.

but

its

the

perfect

primarv

subtle

dynamics of organic life, or as Sayana expresses it, the three fundamental principles of the body.* But when this healthy equilibrium is disturbed either through the agency of any extrinsic or idiopathic of

them

is

abnormally

augmented

two, thus altering their mutual

factor,

relation

naturally certain pathological conditions

the esse of a disease

thev are said

to

when any one

or dominates the other in

the economy,

arise

which form

the parlance of the Ayurveda been transformed into Doshas or

;t or in

have

Even blood, which, according to our Acharyayas, forms one of the fundamental principles (Dhatu) of the organism, may be designated as a Dosha (morbific

morbific diathesis.

when owing to its congestion in any particular member of the body, it brings about a disturbance

diathesis),

organ or in

its

vascular system and produces pathological which are offshoots of its own deficient or

general

conditions

disturbed circulation.

when observed

still

They

are

in grosser

denominated

or

superficial

Malas,

as

principles

X

of

organism producing those excretions, or organic lesions which appertain to the sphere of morbid Anatomy. the

Thus we

see that the Ayurvedic principles of Vayu, Pittam and Kapbah embrace both the biological and pathologi-

Sdyana's Commentary Rig V.

Charaka.

I

A.

INTRODUCTION.

Hii

,

>

of the organism or in other wCrds, the and investigates the Ayurvedic physiology elucidates causes through which the 'same principles, which sustain cal principles

life

;»

and the organism, are transformed into the dynamics

of disease, lastly pointing out the grosser excretory changes

and organic lesions in the external or •superficial plane of existence, which form thi subject of morbid anatomy and confounded with the disease

are sometimes

In the

itself.

Vayu, Pittam and Kaphah of the Acharyayas we have at once a complete picture of the finer sustentative forces of the

human economy

as well as their antithesis, the construc-

tive as well as the expulsive

forces*

of

the

inner

man,

to-

gether with an exhaustive analysis of their grosser products which legitimately fall within the sphere of morbid anatomy. A real knowledge of the nature and functions of

the Vayu, Pittam and Kaphah may be useful in giving a deeper and clearer insight into the principles of true biology or pathology. It is incorrect to translate Vayu, Pittam and

Kaphah

and phlegm, except under certain cirVayu, Pittam and Kaphah are air, bile and

as air, bile

cumstances.

phlegm only when they are transformed into Malas or organic excretions which are supposed to be

grosser so

very

intimately

connected

with

factors,

pathogenetic

or pathological, but they are not air, bile and phlegm in those planes of their functions which determine the genesis,

growth and continuance of the organism, as well as its death, decay and disinteg ation. The knowledge of a •

region without that of its antipodes is but a half knowledge, and the principle of Vayu, Pittam and Kaphah is the only one of its kind that tries to embrace the whole sphere of organic existence.

Ojah-DhSltU

:

— From

what

has

been stated

before

during the process of tissue-formation, appear the lvmph or chyle, under the influence of Pittam, or metabolic heat, is transformed into the same, the refuse

it

will

that

or un-utilisable portion of

it

being

passed

off

through the

llV

INTRODUCTION.

«

the body, &s excretions.

apertures of

present

in the reproductive

The Ojah-Dhatu

is

energy that lies latent in every

organic principle, viz. lymph, blood, muscles, bone (synovia), ma'rrow, and in the *male & female reproductive elements. Hence it is not a matter of surprise when we find in Ayurvedic works this Sbma, or Ojah-Dhatu mentioned as lying diffused in the human organism atl'd described as the essence

lymph chyle, blood, &c. (l). The terms Rasagata Ojah. Raktagata Ojah are therefore used perhaps in the sense of modern serum-albumen, blood-albumen, &c. The

of the

male

&

female reproductive elements,

according to this

view, form the essence of 'the body as a whole, and the Ojah, which is abundantly found in these protoplasmic cells, is

the quintessence of a quintessence. The muscle of the heart alone, according to Charaka, is chiefly associated with substance, which is of a bloody yellowish &. colour possesses both cooling & heat-making virtues. (2) In diseases caused by defective assimilation it is said to

this

energetic

be ejected through the kidneys and to pass off with the urine (as in certain types of Prameha) (3), whereby the patient gradually loses strength, flesh, and healthy glow of complexion inasmuch as these are but the accompaniments of its (i)

*fr=»lJ?f

TT^tWpTf ^gjT^Tlt

f^^gjRfq

R^cT*

arrfq t^ft?lfaf*H**5w

I

11

Vagbhat. (2)

?f^ m^fcf q^*r" *^»t>h Jftw. aift?

*f*aiTfT*

rTsTTSITtn

*nf1fT^*T

1

fafs?lfir

11

Charaka (Sutra Sthanam) Ch. XVII. (3)

a.

^*fira*iftMi
^

3f%'

cT^T

^n?ra JPSPfa

3p5t

I

*q*f TRfC* '.

II

Charaka (Sntra Sthanam) Ch. XVII.

*

Charaka (Sharira Sthanam) Ch. IV.

INTRODUCTION.

lv

,

>

healthy continuance in the human organism. "Health and strength," observes our Rishi,"' reside latent in the Ojahdhatu, as butter (Ghritam)-lies latent in milk, (i) Dallana Mishra, the celebrated commentator

Sushruta Samhita, has defined

Ojah

of the

su6stance

a fatty

as

completely combustible in its character. Thus in the course of tissue combustion its excess quantity is deposited the female body

in

especially

peculiar

softness

in urine

is

alone

a

presence of Ojah

"of

this fact

Taking

(3).

inclined

is

of these

which produces that

The

Madhumeha

consideration one

consequence

f.tt

(2)

Ojah must be something

that

As

said to induce

into

as

and elegance.

to

the

the nature of

belief

sugar.

different interpretations

of

Ojah the question arises whether there is present in the human organism any such common element that produces either of these

two important oxidising materials,

viz.

fat

and sugar. It

found

is

glycogen in

demonstrated

a

is

in

modern

in

fact

other

Physiology that and organs besides

tissues

Tissues of embryos and of young animals newly formed pathological growths may be said

the liver.

as well as

to contain glycogen. The activity of the heart, as well as the development of the fetal body (4) is largely dependent (i)

A.


^srrftT^' faro

sftcf

%t*

f^cHT

t

Bhavaprakasha. Part b.

^t

i?rf?ni ?rf 1


I.

1

Bhavaprakasha. -i

^frrraj"

#Nrf

ferifacft

*Rfa

cfa

mi?'

yft*smm' «^fcl

1

Dallana Mishra. (3)

See Note (4)

3

grT

(B) Page

iiv.

»

^ttjh?i *w«r inrsrfosnw:

1

Charaka Sutrasthanam, Chap.

XXX.

INTRODUCTION.

K'i

upon this Ojah-dhatu which may be best translated as glycogen in the parlance of Western physiology. In fact, our Acharyayas have used tke term "ojah" to denote that vital principle in the organism which is essential to the maintenance of a healthy combustion in its tissues and to the due performance of their normal functions and activities, no

matter whether that principle

patent in the form of proto-

is

plasm, protoplasmic albumen, glycogen or mucosin (Prakrita shleshma)* in accordance with the difference of their func-

and conditions of protoplasmic metabolism. In short, they were cognisant of the fact that fat and sugar tions, geneses,

are evolved out of a

common

basic principle in the organism

been very eruditely

has

as

Goswami,

B. A., L.

M.

S. in his

demonstrated by Dr. S. N. treatise on Pumsavanam t

from our intention to thrust this opinion on any we have simply stated our conclusion in the matter

It is far

one and

;

will

welcome the

on

result of fresh enquiries

this subject.

Charaka Samhita Sutrasthanain, Chap. XVII. b.

^srwrfq ^t^t^^j'-' ^Rfaifam ^rafaihrra

Chakradatta's t

"From

these

Commentary extracts

S.

appears to us

it

like Dr. also discover, countrymen did fat and sugar in the animal economy, as well

can be elaborated from study of the

one

common

two systems of

still

;

the

as

we,

vividly

mode

in

A are

which they

comparative

and

Indian

therefore

that our

importance of

the

(76-78).

science,

if

more

Paw,

principle.

medical

has led us to arrive at this conclusion

i

Samhita, Sutrasthanam Chap. XV.

European,

not

inclined

Ojah with albumen, as it has been done by some modern Indian commentators, we have reasons to believe that the aforesaid to identify

extracts have not as

yet

received

sufficient

from them, as

consideration

forming the muri'ive basis of the procreative elements ; in short the subject has hitherto been neglected or, at least, been placed in the back-ground,

rom want of

attention on the part of those

gate into the truths of Science.

To

whose business

hold that Ojah

is

it

kept

the heart. a> a reserved food material, for the maintenance of

was in it«

to investi-

deposit

in

own work

introductions'.

•

lvii

Space does not permit us to giVe here even something like a satisfactory synopsis

of the

for our

It is

physiology of Sushruta. create for our readers

we can

enough purpose • an interest in the various physiological problems discuss'ed by our author in this part of his work, or in his description if

of the various physiological processes,

continuance

to the healthy

Hindu physiology

is

in

startling

are essential

the

But

if

demonstration of the

its

as well as for the production of germinal seed,

reproduction depends entirely upon

w'hich

human economy.

of

to

is

admit that efficiency of of this

efficiency

important sub-

stance in the body."J

(76)

JJ^ftr^^^UT^TTel' TflWTj

(77)

fcT"

WT gRW^^: tfoer

(78)

?t??TS^H?V

firT^ng^:

%wtsfqr

WW.

1

^f if»pi:

^*TTTr»lTW

-Ibid.

Those who partake of heavy and cooling food abounding in acids and new rice, and beverages, or constantly enjoy sleep and luxuries, or or who habitually abstain from the neglect the exercise of body and mind, 76.

salts,

of

use of corrective bile,

fat

and

flesh

medicines,

and these

;

help

to

accumulate

interfere with the

which causes the Ojah to be displaced from bladder and produces glycosuria, 77. all

the whole of

As Ghee pervades

its

milk,

in their bodies

functions

proper place

of

phlegm,

the

down

so Teja (qjah)

Vayu, in

the

permeates

the tissues of the body. 78.

Teja (Ojah) too

excess quantity of

it

gets

is

combustible

deposited

which produces softness and elegance.

8

;

in

course of tissue-combustion, the

especially in the female

body

as

fat

Iviii

INTRODUCTION.

<

c

growth is not th*e only condition of life, that vitalisomewhat independent of the physiological processes,

fact tha'u

ty is that the inner man, with the'hdp of Yoga, can long survive

even without food and respiration,* and that death and comdecay*" may be arrested to a considerable degree by in pletely stopping nfany of those physiological processes essential to the bodv,t which are considered st> very living

by the savants of the West, then Hindu pathology in its

Sushmta's Pathology ruta, that falls sick

The body afflicts

that

is

unique

conception of the nature of disease.

mind

or the

the

has

In

man,

the direction

of

it

vitality,

whence

the

it is

— What

is it

that that

man, asks Sush-

in a

we

treat medicinally

?

•Sushruta says that, "anything that (self

or

disease!

is

Purusha)

and

flows

in the inner spring of out to the surface, the external

everything else in the universe, inherent force is from the centre to

in

as

the circumference.

:

is

primary seat

its

vitality from which

body''.

?

man

inner

disease

What

?

The shock

is felt first

at the

transmitted outwards and

the energy which holds the molecules together,

centre of

thus affects

Dvyanuks and

Tryanuks (Binary and tertiary atoms) of which the gross body is composed, and further opposes the dissolution of those molecules into their elemental constituents in the living Even in cases of external injuries such as snakeorganism. bite, etc.

the potency of the virus is carried at once to that it is almost instantaneously transmitted

centre from whence

through the external channels of the body to

f w»rTiir w*Jm

its

surface,

i

Patanjala

Darshanam Y'ibhutipada 29

I'alanjala

Darshanam.

— 30

A.

Vibhutipada. 21. A.

Sushruta samhita.

Sulra.

Chap.

1.

INTRODUCTION.

lix" ,

>

otherwise what purpose does the vayu (nerve force)>serve in human economy ? What do those myriads of Chaitanya-

the

Nadis (sensory nerve's)

vahini

system first

In

?

to be experienced.

voices of sensations,

Disease then

is

the

diseases

all

in

for

the

human

subjective sensations are i'he

am

"I

exist

"I feel hot," etc. are the

ill,"

which form the

u

es r.e" of the

disease.

a force arvd not matter.*

Pathology of Tridosha :— Sushruta, though adopting the Vedic pathological dictum of Tridhatu, has expressed He observes that the a very clear opinion on the subject. and the deranged Vayu (nerve Pittam (metabolism) and Kapham (unutilised product

relation force),

between

a disease

of the system), and the pathogenic factors which lie at the These root of that disease, is not real but contingent.

the whole organism and it is without creating any discomfort, only when they find a distinct lodgment, and are centred in some distinct morbific

principles

may permeate

of the body, that part or tissue factors of disease.

Drug Potency :—The what

medicine, or

is

next

become the exciting which naturally

question

such a

connection with

arises in

they

of

theory

other words, what

in

pathogeny,

is it

in

the

is

drug

Sushruta, after closely investigating all the theories on the subject, inclines towards the opinion that it of the drug that is curative, though he observes is the cures

that

!

potency

that inasmuch as potency

drug, a drug

is

cannot exist independently

of primary interest for

nil

of a

practical purposes

in therapy. u Drug-Dynamisation :- It is the potency of a drug The potency is administered best that cures a disease". *

That

shadowed by works.

is

Sushruta,

Hahnemann

this spiritual

that

Hahnemann's

theory

will

appear

observes

that,

self-acting vital force,

primarily

of

deranged by

agent inimical to life— Orgenon,

disease

was

from the above

when a person

everywhere present the

dynamic

long before foreextracts from his falls

in

influence

ill,

the of a

it is

only

organism, morbific

INTRODUCTION.

lx

€

when the

of a drug are performed by subjecting it to In the dedicated Ghritas or oils of

physical

annihilated.

This

or

chejmical

is

best

heat or pressure.

properties

ou/.pharmacopcea, which are prepared by successively boiling cocking them with drug-decoctions, we cannot even

or

detect the trace of „iny

of

its

we know how potent and

When

hands of our Vaidyas.

a

still

they prove in the Sushruta formulated the

oils and Ghritas, and laid preparing the use of Shatadhautam Ghritam (clarified butter,

medicinal

process of

down

component drugs, but

efficacious

hundred

washed

times

with

water

in

succession),

Sahasrapak Tailam (medicinal oil, successively cooked a thousand times), or Kumbha-Ghritam (clarified butter, a

hundred years

old)

it

may be

fairly

said

that he was in

sight of the principle of drug-dynamisation.

Principles of A yurvedic Treatment:— Ayurvedic phytwo different sets of principles

sicians practically recognise in

the domain of practical therapeutics, which

in the terms ol their western colleagues as

and Contraries.* fully

accounted

may be stated Laws of Similars

This apparent contradiction has been and explained in the writings of

for

the latter day commentators, but it does not fall within our province to enter into these disquisitions. In addition to those, Sushruta, in

time, never

fails

to

° Similar in character

common

with the Acharyayas of his emphasise the value of psycopathy in of a disease — Similar in — Similar in character both to the exciting

co the exciting factors

character to the Esse of a disease actors and Esse of a disease.

Contrary

Contrary Contrary

in character to the exciting factors of a disease. in character to the in character

Esse of a disease.

both to the exciting factors and Esse of a disease.

Madhava Nidanam Ch

I.

V.

8.

INTRODUCTION. those

forms of mental

Mesmer

or

now

rightly

lxi f

nervous distempers f?r which so n\uch honor. Since

receives

the creation of man, the tpuc'h of the "Saintly" has been and Avisha credited with the virtue of curing the sick ;

(auto-hypnotism) and Samadhi (higher phases of clairvoyart of healing ance) have achieved many miracles in the ,

in India,

which was the

t

successfully practised for

first

country where

was

it

first

the welfare of man.

Samshodhanam and Samshamanam :— All

kinds of

treatment may be grouped under two heads such as Samshodhanam and Samshamanam, i.e. either the body should

be cleansed (Samshodhitam) of the morbific diathesis with the help of emetics or purgatives, or steps should be taken to restore the deranged

Vayu, Pittam and Kapham to their

normal condition with

the help of proper medicinal drugs

without resorting to any eliminating process. But in cases of inflammation, Sushruta enjoins that, instead of any Sam-

shamanam

remedies, diaphoresis should be

first

resorted

to.

where counter-irritants are indicated and in parts which are directly accessible, leeching and cauterisation should be practised with a due regard to the season of the In cases

year and the

Samhita

requirements of the case. We find in his account of the several species of leeches

a detailed

with their habits and habitats. Of medicine: — Powders, lambatives,

Forms as well as

medicated

oils,

Ghritas, confection and

decoctions

wines are

the forms in "-hich, according to Sushruta, medicines should be given. The different diugs such as roots, leaves, etc. should be culled in the seasons proper to each. Reclassified the soil into five different kinds for the purpose of

growing

Even the ascertained

of

drugs

virtues

with

different

of different

regard

therapeutic properties. and colours were

flavours

to their respective actions

on the

deranged morbific principles of the body. The Ayurveda being the science of life Rasayanam and health, the holy Agnivesha, at the very commencement :

—

INTRODUCTION.

lxii ,

of the

therapeutical portion of his

several medicinal

and

human

'

Theoretically speaking the

Ayurveda recognises no preordained

existence.

of suitable

has described

compounds, which improve general health

arrest the ravages of time.

sciebce of the

*

work,

can

Life

medicines.

researches our

By

limit to

be prolonged with the help dint of observation and patient

maay such adjuncts which rejuvenate an old man, and supply those vital elements to an old and exhausted human body, which ebb away Rishis

devised

can

the

with

progress

of

we

Hence,

years.

find

many

rejuvenating medicines to have been prescribed for men in health which would arrest decay and guard against the approach of senility by increasing the fundamental vital of the body and preventing Vayu, Pittam and from being transformed into morbific diatheses. Kapham Diet — "A good and proper diet in disease is worth

principles

a

hundred medicines and no amount of medication can do

good to a patient who does not observe

a strict

regimen of

Our Ayurveda,

instead of being content with specifyin diseases in general, mentions the of diet nature the ing names of articles, which should, or should not be taken in diet.''

malady, judged by the light of their properties The dietic or of aggravating Vayu, Pittam or Kapham.

any

specific

therapeutic

properties

human consumption,

of a

large

number

as well as the

of

articles

of

chemical changes they

undergo in the digestive apparatus of different mammals, have been studied and analysed, and so we find in our physique, medical Samhitas, such injunctions that barleycorns passed undigested with the fceces of a cow or ,

r

*wT^
^fteiaf ttf^q ssf

^njifafir'

sTfa"

Pilfer'

^^

qr* n

it

T^rraim

i

Charaka SamhitS Chikitsd Sthinam Ch

I.

INTRoDUC'l'lON.

lxiii

>

»

horse, should form

from

suffering

a

Prameha

'a

be given

should

milk of a she-camel

the

of

the diet of

*

a

to

cutaneous affection, and that

any carnivorous beast

that

patient

patient

the

flesh

should be given to' one

or bird

'

from

suffering

was

consumption and

pulmonary doctrine

a cardinal

with Ayurvedic

on.

so

It

the

that

dietists

any particular kind of food patient longing in a certain disease, emphatically shows that his organism elements which enter into the is in want of those of

for

a

Hence elaborate offered. of the article composition dietetics were formulated, which cannot but be acceptable to the

'

most fastidious patient.

Therapeutics:— The exclusion! the food of an

ascites

Samhitas shows

our

of salt

chemical

knowledge regarding the

on

human system than many

the

and water from

anasarca patient as laid down in that our Rishi possessed a higher or

effects of organic

of

us

matter

ready to

are

accord to these pioneers in medical science. Medical Botany: After therapeutics comes the subject

—

Sushruta divides the whole vegetable

of Medical Botany.

%snsrcT t*r?j3T q^Ht,

^t

jfm*r*r?rr^

«^t:

11

Charaka Samhita. Chikitsa Sthanam. Ch. VI. r

The

researches

efficacy of such

exclusion

of Dr. Benjamin

Horniman

23.

been lately demonstrated by the

has

(Lectures,

Sanitarium,

Park

London.)

t A.

<

?TSJt 'ir

*JT3KUT?arf»T

f^Tftfl JJ^fa^

|

Charaka Chikitsha Sthanam Ch, XIII.

Chap.

J[bid

c.

w^re^^rfq i\vi

*m' w.

mgi ?rf^qgt

«rr

T^^^tR?^

13.

i

=#jr9Ti' jjrftusft T^t 3T

II

Charaka Chikitsha Sthanam Chap.

1 2.

St.

INTRODUCTION.

lxiv

kingdom into Vriksha, Guhna, Vanaspati and Virudha. This been minutely worked out in works on Hindu Botany where we find such nice subdivisions as

classification has

toplings are only planted), Mulaja

AgrSvija (whose

(whose

roots only are planted), Parnayoni, Skandaja, Vijaruha (germinated from seeds) and Sannurudhaja. But the botany of

Sushruta a

is

more

Medica than

of a" Materia

of the nature

work on Botany proper, though sometimes he mentions

the habitat and describes the that they

may

of certain

foliage

so

plants

distinguished from others of a cognate

be

species. r

The

v

uses of metals and minerals

poses in India

are

ruta describes the

as

old as the

methods

for

pur-

therapeutical *

Rigveda

of preparing

or chlorides of the six metals as the case

oxides,

may

Sush-

itself.

sulphates

be.

Mercury

has been only once mentioned in the Samhita and then very vaguely too. Processes for the preparation of alkalis and

the

described. of ashes are very elaborately these the chemical knowledge of Sushruta scarcely

lixiviation

Beyond extends.

Hygiene and Public Health:— A?

a writer of

Hygiene

and public health, Sushruta emphasises the importance Water whose both sririt and body. of cleanliness of disinfecting virtues have

Vedas t forms the

so

subject

often been of

hymnised

discussion

in

the

an entire

of

chapter of the Samhita. Outbreaks of epidemic have been attributed to contrary seasons to the floating of minute in the air, and to the particles of poisonous flower pollen sin or unrighteous

conduct of the community.

Earthquakes,

famines, and physical phenomena, which are at present attributed to magnetic disturbances of the earth, have been *

Lead crystal (including diamond) gold and mineral poisons are menI. 16. I. 29. I 55. and IV 10. of the Atharva Samhita.

tioned in the

Rik Samhita

I.

23

s.

19.

INTRODUCTION.

l.XV

>

described by Sushruta as the usual precursors of devastating epidemics such as plague etc. Mortality among birds and an

unusual death among rats and other burrowing rcdents have been included among other presaging indications of a visitation by Providence. Interrogated as to the cause of such outbreaks, Dhanvantari observes that, the

Vayu (molecular energy) of the soi! is disturbed or affected by earthquakes, and seasons of unnatural drought or deluge, deranging their Pittam (kinetic energy) and Shleshma (humidity) which produce morbific factors that affect a whole community. Sushruta, as

regimen of

has elaborately dealt with the conduct during the different seasons

a true physician,

and

diet

-U. T.

of the year (Ch. 24

64) which, strictly followed, should

good prophylaxis against attacks of

act as a

diseases,

conditions of

life

breakdowns

in

many epidemic

most careful regard to the which obtain in it, and ward off those sad

being framed

with a

health, which are, in

many

instances,

the

an unsuitable mode of living in this country. Twofold division of Time &C :— It is a fundamental

result of

dictum of Sushruta that

in a case of medical

treatment the

then prevailing season of the year should be taken In his Samhita

account.

we

find

two

into

distinct classifications

one based on the peculiar physical phenowhich mena distinguish the different seasons of the year, a fact which emphatically proves that Sushruta was an inhabitant

of

seasons,

of the

sub-Himalayan Gangetic Doab, the other

is

for

the

showing the respective accumulation, aggravaIn tion and subsidence of morbific diatheses (Doshas).

purpose of

quarters of the day and night have been minutely charted or set down to show the aggravation and subsidence of the deranged

the same manner the

spontaneous Vayu, Pittam and

different

Kaphah during the 24

fyours.

The

influence of planets as to the production of certain diseases such as small-pox, measles, scarlet fever, &c. is almost a

proved

fact.

prevalence 9

governs the* prevalence and noncertain maladies, the aggravation and

As of

it

(

INTRODUCTION.

lxvi

<

non-aggravation of certain

much

existing disorders as

of their origin to this potent

kingdom from which we glean our to this influence, in selecting

factor.

The

daily food

is

well

owe

vegetable

also subject

and hence the discrimination we exercise

our food on certain days of the lunar month.

have been divided into Jangala or A'nupa

Countries

ac-

their physical features partake of the character cording of a dry plateau or of a swamp or marsh, a Sadharana one possessing features, which are common to both. Diseases, as

which are natural or are spontaneously relieved in each of these kinds of country have been treated with that sciontifie

insight

which marks modern medical works on sea-side

or spring sanitariums.

The

virtues of the waters of different

rivers of India

were ascertained

therapeutics.

The

for the

therapeutic

purposes of practical of the milk of

properties

a she-goat, she-buffalo, mare, cow-elephant, or woman, as well as of any of their modifications such as curd, whey &c.

together with the properties of the flesh

and urine of the

which are indigenous to

groups of she-animals, were studied and analysed, thus placing

several

the land,

of a

disposal

diseases

different

list physician a soothe the taste

practical

to

of of

at

the

dietary in the most

at the same time potent is he enough to cure the distemper suffering from without the help of any special medicine. Thus it is that we find our

fastidious patient,

and which

Vaidyas prescribing the

is

flesh of

many

carnivorous animals

consumption, goat's meat in phthisis, goat's colitis and Tittira's flesh in fever &c.

as a diet in

milk in

Diseases of the Kidneys and Bladder: — In treating of the diseases of the kidneys, bladder and the urethra, Sushruta has described the symptoms and the colour of the urine

mode

in,

each specific variety without laying

enjoined his readers at to other allied branches of the science for

which

down any

But we know that Sudiruta lias the very outset of his work to refer

of testing the urine.

is

not

contained

in

his

book.

In the

information

same manner

->

INTRODUCTION.

we can account

the

for

in

making

a correct

oh any

absence

regards the feeling of the pulse

an

as

We

diagnosis.

IXVll

instructions

important auxiliary need but repeat ithe

statement that the readers of this Samhita this information in the

as

must look

for

Kanada's Nadi Vijnanam, which has

made our Vaidyas

such expert sphygmologists. the Kalpasthanam of his Samhita, Sushrtfta has described the symptoms of hydrophobia and snake bites,

— Kalpa: In

etc as well as those developed in cases of vegetable poisoning, together with their therapeutical treatment and remedies, which, if rightly studied and investigated, may yet throw a new light upon the subject.

Sushruta as an Observer :— It has been lately discovered by a German physiologist that tubercular bacilli do The importance of goat's milk not thrive in goat's blood. in

an efficient agent

colitis as

in

intestines, or of the close contact

checking ferment of a

goat

auxiliary in curingtuberculous phthisis was

by of

not

—

goats, bodies fail

first

a

in

the

powerful

demonstrated

Not only this but the inhalation of the cattle-shed and especially the fact that exhalations

Sushruta.

air of a

as

tend to destroy the phthisis germs did the Indian Rishis the

to attract the attention of

of

the sick-room with

fumigation such as sjcts^ in its origin

and in

;

antiseptic preparations

(Asthanga dhupas) is purely Indian no way inferior to the modern introduction

The

of Cogghill's respirators.

microscopic germs that are said

to propagate septic fever otherwise called ^crrfw

gt^'Ist f^fl^T under this Indian disappear very device where no medicines produce any impression. Thus many a wonderful discovery like the above hails from the

are

found

often

to

dimness of a bygone age.

Many

truths

lie

embedded

medical literature of the Brajimanas which claimed close attention and devout study, even by the

in

the vast

western savants. pages can help a

We

have not laboured

little

to

reviVe the

in

old

vain

genius

if

these of the

Ayurveda, or help the progress of human Science one step onward towards the attainment of its goal.

\

PLATE

No.

I.

\

1.

2.Arsho yantra.

Anguli yantra.

4

2 3 Ashmaryaharna yantra.

4.

.

Basti yantra.


5.Bhringanrukha yantra.

6 Dar vyakritishalaka. .

<& Garbhashanku

7.

9

.

Kskamukha

8.

yantra.

10

.

Jalodar yantra.

Kankamukha

yantra.

yantra.

^ ll.MucTruti yantra 12,'Na.di

13

.

Rikshanmkha- yantra. SEE CHAPTER

14-.

VII.

yantra.

Sadansha yantra.

PLATE

15

.

No.

II.

Shamipatra yantra. 16.

Sfralaka jvantra. >

17.

Sharapunka nrukha. 18.

19.

Shvanamukha

21.

Sinhanmkha

20.

yantra.

Shanku

yautra.

yantra.

Simhi yantra. 22. Tala yantra.

23 .Tarakshumukha.

24.Vrikanmkha yantra.

25 .Vrinaprakshalana yantra.

26 .Vyaghramukha yantra

27.Yugmashanku yantra.

28 Ycmyavekshara yantra.

SEE CHAPTER

VII.

l

PLATE

No.

111.

2.Atimukha

l.Ardhadhara shastra.

=580

C 3.

4.

Ara shastra.

Badisha. shastra.

^ 5.Dantashanku shastra.

7.

shastra.

Karapatra shastra

8.

Antarmukha kartanka. SEE CHAPTER

VIII.

PLATE

No. IV.

r

-'>-H1>h'tW.-

i>

-i^.

-,ltl-

sliastra.

—

<^

Pf^S;H

ll.Mandalagra

sliastra.

lO.Kushapatra

9.Kritharika shastra.

«

12.Mudrika shastra.

_

13.Na.klia shastra.

14.

'^"•^gSi.i.Vt

Shurarirmikha sliastra.

IS.Trikurchaka shastra.

17.

Utpala.patra sliastra.

,

18. Vetaspatra sliastra.

15.

Suchi sliastra.

"••"•B^y"

20 Vridliip atr a shas Ira .

19 Vrihimukha sliastra. .

SEE CHAPTER

VIII.

.

»

CONTENTS. CHAPTER

I.

— The eight

divisions of the Ayurveda Origin of the Ayurveda and the characteristic features of each of them History of Surgery :

— — and primary importance Gradual extension of the Ayurveda — Definition of Purusha — Classification of the mobile and the immobile — Definition and classification of disease — Classification of Oshadhis —The four factors to be employed in successfully coping — 15 with disease —The four stages of a disease its

'a

...

CHAPTER medicine

of

— Mode

:

of Initiation

preceptor and his disciple— Prohibited

Ayurveda

...

II.

Ayurveda — Qualifications — Compact between

Initiation of a student of the

student

...

CHAPTER

of a

the

periods of the study of the ...

...

Classification of the

1

...

...

16—20

III.

Ayurveda &c.

:

—The

distribution of

its

hundred and twenty chapters among the five subdivisions of .this Samhita A synopsis of the contents of the chapters allotted to

—

each of

its

subdivisions

— Skilful

and

unskilful

— Duties

mode of studying the Ayurveda finished the study of the Ayurveda

physicians

of a pupil ...

— The

after

having

...

21—32

CHAPTER. IV.

—

General explanations Necessity of a clear exposition of the Defects which flow from nonexposition of the same :

Ayurveda

—

Duties of a student of the Ayurveda

—

...

...

33 — 35

Contents.

'

ii

CHAPTER

V.

— Classification

Preliminary surgical measures Accessories which are to be collected :

operations

—

—Qualifications

surgical

the

outset

—

surgeon Modes of incision, etc. at the different Measures to be adopted after surgical operations

a

—

the body

parts of

—The

of

of at

prophylactic

Mantra

— Directions

for

dressing

wounds and

the prevailing season

to the nature of

removing bandages according Acts and articles prohibited to a patient with a of the year Measures for removing the pain in a surgical granulating wound

—

—

wound

...

...

...

...

CHAPTER Characteristic features of

and their influence

Etymology of

tion

seasons

VI.

the different seasons of the year Time and its traits-

on health and drugs

of the term Kala (time)

the

the

of

36—44

...

:

—

— Divisions of time and classifica-

year,

with

their

respective features.

of the year for the purposes of the Ayurveda Inception, aggravation or subsidence of the deranged Vayu, Pittam and Kapham according to the nature of the prevailing Classification

of

the

seasons

—

—

season of the year Aggravation or subsidence of the same in the di If erent quarters of the day and night— Causes of epidemics Prophylactic measures

CHAPTER Surgical of surgical

— — 55

— Features of natural or unnatural seasons

45

VII.

—

Number appliances, their use and construction instruments Names, dimensions, use and functions of :

—

surgical appliances with points of their respective excellence or defect

— Minor surgical t

accessories

— Excellence of Kankamukha

CHAPTER :

— Mode

commendable

of

handling the different

— 63

VIII.

Surgical instruments, and their names, tion

56

...

use and construc-

surgical instruments.

features — Sharpening, edging

and tempering,

— Their

etc..

of

contents'.

111

and enumeration of eases where they »should be

surgical instruments

employed

•

...

...

...

...

64—70

...

i

Practice of

CHAPTER IX. — Teaching of surgery

surgery

suitable fruits, etc.

...

,

of a

in

making

a diagnosis

— Means

dummies and

71—73

...

...

CHAPTER Essential qualifications enters his profession:

<>n

:

...

X. before he formally to be observed

physician

of diagnosis

— Things

— Cure, palliation and incurability of

Prohibited conduct of a physician

...

— — 77

diseases

74

...

CHAPTER XL Mode as

of

preparing alkalis, and their comparative excellence or

incising, excising

application or internal use

three

potencies

of

:

alkalis

for

or defective features in an alkali

measures should

—Symptoms be

not

abuse

external

— Mode

of satisfactory

with

treated

alkalis

Actual cauteries

:

of

application its

—Commendable

— Dangers

— Persons

which

in

different diseases— Different

symptoms a

XII.

cauterised

— Seats

heat— Medical treatment

Symptoms which appear when etc.

the

of cauterisation

of

of treating a burn or

burns and scalds, etc.—

the nostrils, etc. of a person

smoke— Its treatment— Medical

scorchings by hot wind,

— Pre-

as

modes of cauterisation— Characteristic

of burns and scalds, etc.— Rationale

scald with

with

is

its

78—87

an act of cauterisation

liminary measures— Symptoms which manifest themselves skin, or flesh, or a vein, or joint

who

attend ...

...

CHAPTER — Accessories to

and after-

application,

cauterisation

...

...

...

—

Alkalis for external scraping agents where alkalis prove injurious— The

—Cases

...

treatment of sun

is

choked

strikes, ...

88

and

— 07

CONTENTS.

IV

^

Leeches and their

CHAPTER XIII. use — Persons who may

be

:

leeched

—Mode

—

of extracting the vitiated blood in> such cases Mode of applying the leeches Classification, and mode of collecting and keepleeches and their characteristics Aftering the leeches Bad

— —

measures

—

...

...

f ...

...

...

CHAPTER

1(8—105

XIV.

—

Its Origin and characteristic features of lymph chyle course and metamorphosis into blood Menstrual blood :

—

location,

— Successive .metamorphosis of the fundamental — — — principles of the body Etymology of the term Dhatu Blood — which should be bled Two of blood not kinds letting— Swellings mode and different aspects — Mischief created by the Venesection, vitiated blood not extracted from the system — Causes of excessive effect upon the system — Symptoms of satisfactory bleeding and beneficial results — Measures to be adopted in cases bleeding and of excessive or scanty bleeding — Medical treatment of excessive — 106 — 119 bleeding Various instructions and

its

nature

its

its its

...

...

CHAPTER Development

or

...

XV.

non-development of the excrements and

—

constituent principles of the body: Nature, locations and functions of the Normal Vayu, Pittam and Kapham, as well as of the lymph

marrow, semen, and ojah (albumen), and the symptoms which mark their increase, decrease, or dislodgment in the chyle, blood, fat,

human system — Etiologies

of obesity and thinness

CHAPTER

...

120

— 140

XVI.

—

Evils which Piercing and bandaging of the lobules of ears Medical unguents and of a Different processes of bringing about the adhesion lints :

attend the accidental hurting of a local vein

—

—

bifurcated ear-lobe

— plastic and rhinoplasty operations

...

141

— 154

CONTENTS.'

CHAPTER

V

i

XVII.

Distinction between suppurating and non-suppurating swellDifferent types of inflammatory swellings produced by the :

—

ings

deranged Vayu, Pittam, etc and the symptoms which mark their actions in each type Characteristic symptoms of a suppurating, suppurated, or non-suppurated dwelling Hints on in ,

—

respective

—

opening an abscess

swellings-r-Evils of

at its suppurated inflammatory stage Feeding and anaesthetising of a patient before lancing off an abscess Classification of surgical operations in

cising

—

—

connection with an abscess

...

CHAPTER thickness,

of the different types of plasters

and

:

— Classification

of medicinal

— Use — Bandages

and function

application

— Articles

names and applications

their

— Renewals

— 161

XVIII.

Dressings and bandages of ulcers plasters according to their

155

...

...

of bandaging

—Tow — Mode

of introducing a

nature

of the ulcer bandages according and the prevailing season of the year Evils of non-bandaging Benefits of bandaging Cases where bandaging is prohibited Hints lint

to the

of

—

—

—

—

on

the

proper lubrication

of the

lint

— Incidental

bandaging of fractured or dislocated bones

CHAPTER

remarks on the

...

...

162

— 175

XIX.

—

Nature of his Nursing and management of an Ulcer-patient bed and chamber— Articles prohibited to an ulcer patient Prophylaxis conduct of an ulceragainst monsters and demons Diet and :

—

—

patient

...

...

...

...

CHAPTER and Non-salutary

Salutary fication

of

all

unwholesome or

otherwise

Injuriousness

articles

to

the

of

fare

human

176—182

XX.

effects of

regimen,

etc.

:

— Classi-

according as they are wholesome or

system, or are relatively wholesome

— Foodstuff— Incompatibility through

...

through

combination—

combination— Incompatibility through

pre-

VI

"CONTENTS.

<

paration,< quantity or rlavour-rEffect of winds on the as they blow from the' different quarters of the heaven

CHAPTER The deranged Vayu,

Pittam,

— Seats of Vayu,

human system ... 183—193

XXI.

etc.,

the exciting causes of

as

Pittam, etc. iiv the human body, and their functions— Different kinds of Vayu, Pittam and Shleshma, and thenulcers

:

functions and locations in

aggravate periodicity

the deranged

the

economy

Vayu, Pittam

nature

—Symptoms of the deranged Pittam,

Expansion of the deranged Vayu, Pittam, their

of

and

incarceration in the different parts

etc.,

— Factors

which

and

Kapham,

Kapham and

their

and diseases dve

body — Disease —

of the

—

blood

to its

development and occasions which necessitate the calling in of medical The nature of medical treatment in the case where two or all of

aid

—

the Vayu, Pittam and

Kapham

are involved

CHAPTER etc. — Symptoms of bad

...

194

— 211

XXII.

— Shapes — ulcers Secretions from

Secretions from boils and ulcers

as to the

...

:

and seats of ulcers

boils

— Presumption

derangement of Vayu, etc. from the nature of the secretion kinds of pain which mark the different types of ulcers

—

— Different

Colours of Ulcers

...

...

...

...

CHAPTER

212—219

XXIII.

r—Easy

curability of an ulcer—Syuip Prognosis in ulcer cases toms of an ulcer which readily granulates— Symptoms of difficult — or incurable types, as well as of those which admit only of palliation

Symptoms

of a purified,

granulating or healed ulcer

lead to the reopening of a healed ulcer

CHAPTER Classification

surgical

:

of

diseases

— Further classification

congenital,

etc.— Diseases due

— Factors

which

220—227

...

XXIV.

according as they are medical or

to

of diseases

mental,

according

physical

or

as

they are

providential

I

V

CONTENTS. causes

— Diseases

Relation

Kapham

due

between fever and

of

the

deranged

.....

...

...

,

the derangement

to

Vli

»

ch}-'^, etc.

lymph

*

and

Pittam

Vayii,

228—237

...

...

—

CHAPTER XXV. forms of surgical operation

different

Eight

:

—Cases

where

incision, excision, scarification, aspiration, extraction, etc., should

respectively resorted to tive

surgical

hurting 6f

operations

—

a vein, artery,

and conditions of suturing DefecSymptoms which mark the injudicious

ligament, joinl or hone,

as

which are manifested when any of the other Marinas

well is

'

...

...

...

...

those

as

accidentally

'

hurt

be

—

— Mode

238—246

...

CHAPTER XXVI.

—

DefiExploration of splinters, deep-seated in the organism Sbalyam Classification of the shafts of arrows Flights of arrows Characteristic symptoms of arrow-wounds— Localisation :

—

—

nition of a

—

of

a

shaft of arrow lying imbedded in the body

show that the shaft or the splinter does not wound Evils cf not extracting the shaft of an

—

a

wound

...

...

Extraction

...

...

CHAPTER XXVII. of splinters — Fifteen different :

— Symptoms which lie

imbedded

'inter

splinters

from

a

from

wound

veins,

processes

etc.— Dangers of not ...

...

CHAPTER

the

247—255

...

i— Two recognised modes of extracting splinters from inds— Measures to be adopted after the extraction acting

in

arrow from such

...

of extracall

types of of

— Mode

extracting

256

— 265

XXVIII.

vourable or unfavourable prognosis of an ulcer:

symptoms — Advisability of

— Fatal

abandoning ihe patient hese unfavourable symptoms appear ... 266 269 ...

avourable

—

contents.

Vlll

CHAPTER XXIX. Favourable or unfavourable prognosis in diseases as known

from messengers, omens, birds same predicted from dreams, etc. under the circumstance

happy or

of

evil

augury

—Remedies for inauspicious

— Description of auspicious dreams

:

—The

dreams

270

— 283

CHAPTER XXX. Prognosis that can be obtained from the perverted functions of the five sense organs

toms — Unfavourable

:

— Arishtas

symptoms

or unfavourable

mental

symp-

connection with the faculties of

in

hearing, touch, taste, smell or .sight

...

...

284—287

CHAPTER XXXI. Prognosis features

:

to

— Other

gathered from the altered condition of symptoms in connection with Asthma,

be

Aristha

Cough, and (Edema, &c.

...

...

...

CHAPTER

288—292

XXXII.

Prognosis based on the perversion of the external appearances 293 297 ... body and other Arishta symptoms ...

—

of the

CHAPTER

XXXIII.

Incurable diseases, and Incurable symptoms developed in conof the nervous systems, morbid urethral

nection with diseases discharges, concretions,

abdominal glands, Epilepsy

...

Haemorrhoids

Leprosy, Difficult

labour,

Abscess, ...

Ascites,

:

— Fistula

in

Fever, Dysentery,

Chlorosis, Haemoptysis, ...

ano

...

— Urinary Phthisis,

Insanity ...

and

298—302

CHAPTER XXXIV. Mode the

of preserving the li'e of a

march

:

—The four

factors of

king whose soldiers are on Good which

medical treatment

—

CONTENTS.» results

IX

from a satisfactory combination ol

Commendable nurse

features

...

in

a

all

physician,

factors

...

303

...

—

and

medicine

yatient,

...

...

these lour

— 307

CHAPTER XXXV. Clinical Observations

:

— Chracteristic

features of

a

lived

long

—

man, or of one with an average duration of life Physical temperaments and dimensions of the limbs and members

or

short

of

lived

the body

pathetic

capacity

and

— Curable, stages

Kapham

or

diseases

suppressive

— Sym-

— Different kinds of digestive man — Relative preponderance of Vayu,

diseases

Primary

— Three

Pittam and

incurable

of

during different stages of

life

of countries according to their physical features

— Classification 308 — 328 ...

CHAPTER XXXVI. Miscellaneous remedies for swellings

:

—Plasters

for establish-

ing suppuration in swellings— Plasters for bursting, pressing out the

— Aseptic pastes — Fumigating com— or pounds—Healing pastes Compounds which favour granulation

pus from, or asepsising swellings

in,

destroy the supergrowths around an ulcer

...

...

329

— 335

CHAPTER XXX VII. Destructive traits of the different kinds of soil

herbs

the growth or culture of medicinal soil

from which medicinal drugs

of drugs

are

to

:

be gathered

— Mode of collecting drugs — Commendable

to be used as a drug-store

...

...

CHAPTER

commended

— Examination

of

for the

— Examination

traits in ...

room

a

336

— 341

XXXVIII.

A

General Classification °£rdfv?r according to th^eir therapeuseven different groups of Eniuner n u j| ian properties ^hirty 'ons ... ... 342 357 medicinal drugs— Their ame

tical

-

:

—

us^

|.

—

p

option of the Vehicn.

^ lesh

group

CONTENTS. «-

CHAPTER XXXIX.

—

EmeticsDrugs possessed of cathartic or soothing effects — of emetic and both Purgatives Drugs possessed purgative properties :

—Errhines — Drugs Pittam and

which respectively soothe the der inged Vayu,

Kapham

— Mode of administering medicines...

CHAPTER Drugs and their flavours, actions or

:

their

flavours,

curing diseases as

regards

disease

the

of

primary

reaction

different kinds of

of

importance

...

...

and chemical

potencies,

the primary importance

potency, or chemical

— Causes

— 363

XL.

virtues,

— Disquisitions as regards

358

...

in

digestion

CHAPTER

of

—Conclusion

in

drugs

...

of drugs,

respect

...

curing

364

a

— 374

XLI.

—

Classification of drugs according Specific properties of drugs the preponderance of the virtues of elemental matter in them :

to

of drugs of dominant earth

Characteristic features

Periodicity of drug action

— Reasons why purgative

matter, etc.

drugs move the

bowels — Factors which lead to the aggravation or subsidence

deranged Vayu, Pittam and

Kapham— Potency of

CHAPTER

— —

drugs...

of the

375

— 381

XLII.

:— Reasons for the classification avouvs— Relation of the elemental earth matter with the flavours —Reasons for the primary derangement of Vayu, Pittam, etc.— Specific properties of flavours

of

fl

Symptoms and aggravating and

Kapham— Virtues of

etc.— Enumeration

of

Mode

:

—Tne

.

the

deranged

drugs,

XXXI

rlavoi^R life

»..

march

of

*

groups Of

different combinations of

the

factors

Vayu, Pittam

the different kinds of favour, such as sweet,

of a

/actors of

etc.— Sixty-three

•••

king w»

medical treatment

••

382

— Good

—393

wliiv

'/

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER Mode

of administering emetics

Compounds

of Jimutaka

••»

XI

XLIII. :— Compounds of Madana ...

...

394

fruits

— 399

CHAPTER XLIV/ Choice of purgatives — Most efficient purgatives— Purgative — — compounds Purgative soups Asavas, wines, Sauviras, and Tusho— dakas, etc. Instructions as to the way of administering purgative — compounds of Danti, etc., in the manner of Trivrit compounds fruits and Trivrit Ashtakam — Mode of using purgative milky :

exudations of trees— Administration of purgative medicines through the media of wine, etc.

...

...

...

400—417

CHAPTER XLV.

—

Water Rules to be observed in respect of liquid substances — group Modes of purifying different kinds of water and their virtues :

— Milk group —Virtues of the different kinds of milk —Curd — — — group Virtues of the different kinds of curd Takra group Modes of preparing different kinds of Takra, and their attributes — Properties of butter, Kilat, etc. — Different kinds of Ghritas (clarified butter), and their properties — Oil group and the properties of different kinds of etc.

oil— Properties of the fat obtained from aquatic or domestic animals

— Honey group — Classification of the different kinds of honey and their properties — Sugar-cane group, and the properties of the different — Wine preparations of sugar-cane juice, such as treacle, sugar, — 468 — of the different kinds of animal urine... 418 group Properties etc.,

CHAPTER XL VI. Different kinds of for

Dhanyam, Shasht* Barley, Wheat, Sr to their ..maturity

and drink :— Descriptions

of

Shali

1

~~.i\-

,

Mudga, Sesamum, Jnanyam etc. — Properties of Dhanyas according .

.udhanyam, Vaidal,

— Description of the

Vei'udha

Dhanyas— Flesh group

XI 1

(

— Classification of

ONTENTS.

— General properties of — Etymology of the term Pratuda —

flesh— The Vishkira group

tbe flesh' of Vishkira, animate Enumeration of the animals of

the Pratuda

group— Cave

—

dwelling,

and hole dwelling animals— The Prasaha group of animals Beneficial use of flesh of the Prasaha group in, Phthisis Detailed classification

—

of animals with the etymology of ties

generic names, and proper-

their

— Frvit group, and the properties of different fruits — — pot herbs, and their properties Flower groups The

of their flesh

— Group

of

group of edible leaves of plants, and their properties bulbous plants potash, etc.

—Tbe group of

salts

— Properties of gold,

—The

— General properties

iron, silver

group of

of nitrate of

and other metals

— Deter-

mination of the properties of drugs other than those herein mentioned Drinks and beverages Rules of diet Rules of serving out the

—

—

meal

— General

types

of

causes of

—

indigestion— Symptoms of the different treatment of the same Symptoms

— indigestion Medical

which mark

acts of

a meal before a

over or

previous

hungry even when

one

suffering

—

insufficient is

eating,

digested

or an act of eating

— Reason

from indigestion

of one's feeling ...

469

— 571

\*

l\

*

*f

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHUA SUTRASTHANAM. CHAPTER we*

Well,

shall

now

describe the origin of the Science

of Medicine, as disclosed

by the holy Dhanvantari to

Once upon

a time,

when

greatest of the

mighty

celestials,

of Divodasa, the king

of Kasi,

Karavirya,

others addressed

much

incarnated in the form

was

blissfully

Aupadhenava, Vaitarana, Aurabhra,

kalavata,

us

the holy Dhanvantari, the

seated,

surrounded by a concourse of holy

in his hermitage, ;

his

(Vedotpattimadhyaryam).

disciple Sushruta.

Rishis

I.

him

Gopura-rakshita, as follows

to find men, though

:

— "O

Paush-

Sushruta and Sire,

it

grieves

otherwise well befriended

»

*

The

work which

formed the subject of a discourse by the holy sage Dhanvantari to his disciple Sushruta, has been compiled in its present form by the venerable Nagarjuna, and is accordingly designated present

as the Sushruta Samhila.

originally

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

2

r

b)

mental,

physical,

wailing in earth

;

and

kin

the'ir

agony

like

with

the

the duties

and

allotted to us

of

sufferings

for this,

in

at

humanity

hereafter,

O

is

in

Lord,

the

of

the

Eternal

Ayurveda

faithfully

discharge

and

life,

alleviate in

Bliss

large.

to

this

blissful

this life

eternal Ayurveda,

we have made

bold to approach

Dhanvantari

holy

the

gift of this

To them, "Welcome to

thee as thy humble disciples." the

on

Lord, to illumine our

we may

(Medical Science) so that

and

O

I.

and piteously

friendless creatures

utterly

truths

Chap

prey to diseases,

or natural,

traumatic,

and we supplicate thee,

minds

«--

falling a

relations,

C

:

—

All

hermitage.

of

thus replied all

are

you

of

you

worthy

of the honour of true pupilship or tutelage."

The Ayurveda

(which forms the subject of our

present discourse), originally

Atharva Veda

sections of the

creation of mankind, it

formed one of the sub-

the

;

and even before the

self-begotten

together into a hundred thousand

divided

into

a

thousand

Brahma

strung-

couplets (Shlokas),

chapters.

But then

he

thought of the small duration of

human

and

human memory, and

the failing

found into

it

character

of

life

on earth,

prudent to divide the whole of the Ayurveda

eight

different

branches

such

as,

the

Salya-

Tantram, the Salakya-Tantram, the Kaya-Chikitsa, the Bhuta-Vidya, the Kaumar-Bhritya, the Agada-Tantram, the

Rasayana-Tantram and the Yajeekarana-Tantram.

I.

Chap.

Now

SUTRASTHAN'AM.

]

about

the

characteristic

3

features

of each

these branches of the Science of the Ayurveda

The Salya-Tantram*— The branch of Medical Science

is

anv extraneous substance such

clotted

hair,

mav

be

,

presentation,

mode

of using

general,

and

to

a dead

of

cases

in

deal with the principle and

and handling

surgical

and with the application of

and treatment of

nails,

the case

uterus

out of the

alkaline (caustic) substances, sis

(as

about safe parturitions

bring

ulcer

splinters,

;

condensed pus

or

draw

to

or

foetus, or to

false

blood,

scope of this

fragments of hay,

as,

bone

or particles of stone, dust, iron

:--

remote from an

to

of

instruments

fire

(cautery)

in

and

together with the diagno-

ulcers.

The Shaia'kya-Tantramt— embraces

as

its

object the treatment of those diseases

which are

to the

clavicles ) fissures or

upward (lit:

cavities

—region above the

of the body,

restricted

such as the ears, the eyes, the

cavity of the mouth, the nostrils, etc.

The Ka'ya-Chikitsa' of

treats *

to

Any is

it,

use

diseases!

which, instead of being

foreign mailer, lodged in a

—

simply

human organism and proving

painful

called a Shalya.

The name

t

the

diseases,

General

is

derived from the Sanskrit term Shalak6, a probe or a rod,

and application of the instrument being primarily ^included within

the scope of this branch of the Ayurveda.

$

The term Kaya

literally signifies the

vital

heat

or

fire

which runs

through the entire system, and hence the Ilaya-chikitsa deals with diseases

which may gradually invade the root-principles of a living human organism.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA'

[

Chap.

I.

L

restricted to

an}',

specific organ, or to

any

particular

part of the body, affect the entire system,

as Fever,

Dysentery, Haemoptysis, Insanity, Hysteria,

Leprosy,

unnatural discharges from the urethra, etc.

The Bhuta-Vidyar down

lays evil

and

demons, cures

making

Gandharvas,

of

diseases

modes

and

incantations

spirits

'Demoniacal diseases) of

Yakshas,

originating

exorcising

the

to

offerings

—

etc.

Rakshas,

from their

gods, for

malignant

influences.

The Kaumara-Bhritya

Management

of

— deals children)

with the nursing and healthy bringing

up of

with

infants,

mothers'

found

milk,

and

characteristic traits,

peculiar to infant

life

and

purification deficient

in

also with

and due

cures

to the

use

bettering of

any

of its

for

diseases

of

vitiated

mother's milk or to the influences of malignant stars

and

spirits.

The Agada-Tantram with

worms, and It

has"

from

bites

snakes,

their characteristic

also for

its

object

Toxicology —deals

spiders

venomous

and

symptoms and

the

elimination

antidotes.

of poison

whether animal, vegetable, or chemical (resulting from incompatible combinations) from the system of a man,

overwhelmed with

The

its effects.

Rasaryana-Tantram

Rejuvenation

)

—has

for

its

specific

Science object

of

the

I.

Ci.np.

SOTRASTHANAM.

]

human

and tke invigoration of

prolongation

of

memory and

the vital organs

or

life,

of man.

which enable a man to

recipes

5

deals with

It

retain

manhood

his

and which

youthful vigour up to a good old age,

human system

invulnerable

The Varjeekarana-Tantram

(Science of

make

generally serve to to disease

and decay.

—treats Aphrodisiacs of

man

a

of

by which the semen

of measures or

scanty

naturally

shorn

becomes

the

defects

its

in

deficient ;

or

is

quality

purified,

if

deranged by the vitiated humours of the body (such as wind, etc. (if

or

;

is

invigorated and increased in quantity

pure and healthy); or acquires

consistence of youth".

[In short,

it

deals with things

the pleasures of youth and to a

make a man doubly endearing

entire science of the

into the eight preceding branches.

them

is

disciples

:

(

surgery

to be taught

Shalya

vantari

O

:

:

— "Be

— "We

are

)

and

To it

all

Ayurveda

Xow

all,

O

classified

is

tell

and to which of you

— "Instruct us

of our study."

said

which increase

woman].

Thus the

of

healthy and normal

thinned and enfeebled by indiscretions

if

I

its

me, which ?

Said the

Lord, in the science of

that be the

chief subject

which replied the

holy Dhan-

so."

of

let

Then one

the

mind

disciples in

the

again matter,

Lord, that Sushruta shall be our spokesman and ask

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA

6

[

Chap.

I

you questions conformably to the general trend of our All of us will attentively hear

purpose.

what you

will

be pleased to discourse to Sushruta, [and that will save

you the trouble of teaching us individually]". To which the venerable

replied

Sushruta,

sage

The

dear child.

my

— "Be

Now

so.

it

science which forms the subject of our present sion,

as

(

listen,

object or utility of the discus-

ma}- be grouped under two distinct sub-heads such

i)

the cure of diseased persons, and (2) the preseiva-

tion of health in those

who

are not

afflicted

with any

sort of bodilv distempers."

The etymological veda"

may be

meaning

term

"Ayur-

interpreted to denote either a science

the knowledge of which

man

of the

life

exists,

to enjoy a longer duration of

or

which helps a

life.

The primary position

of

surgery:—

[As regards time and importance among the other branches of the Science of Medicine]. Hear

on the Science of Surgery the oldest of

all

is

four classes of testimonies,

Analogv primary

fact that

its.

me discourse

Shalya-Tantram) which

further corroborated viz.,

is

of this

time or

branch

origin),

by the

Perception, Inference,

Truths

Scriptural

position

(as regards

allied

the other branches of the Science of

Medicine (Ayurveda) and

and

(

in

may

(Agamas). of the

The

Ayurveda,

be inferred from the

Surgery lends her aid materially towards the

SUTRASTHANAM.

I. ]

Chap.

reason

traumatic

of

up

healing

an

such

for

y

The

-ulcers.*

'second

may be

inference

deduced

from the replacement of the severed head of Yajna. It

God

the

of Sacrifice

the

approached

them

follows

as

:

Yajna with the

celestial

Ashvins, twins,

command

Ashvins us

those

to

all,

—

We

the

oldest of

do,

celestials

his

body

may

of

the

all

of to

Jbr/f£g etaW e world belongs

-•

suc ^

appliances

as,

f

of locomotion, belong to

.

tile

t0

iiimdamental material

"•PP earance

0iV ) ]>

h

is

nd Surgery contriwofold

IV

the

branches of the

other

°**

"*

death

be

the

instantaneous actions can be

cfheaitfi

,'nav be aimied here, since

ff

the

be SUL ~^"

*

ln

is

subdivisions].

Receptacle

^GpSf*

for.

prayed

branch of the Ayurveda (Shalyanga)

most important

a

propitiated

as

:

r'Ve
you

reunited the

The primary importance Shalyam —All hold this Tantram '

replied

lords, as

The Ashvins

of Yajna to

all its

"liO see/-v 7 lt

head of

To them,

O

are

of a sacrifice, might be allotted

course

heavenly twins.

this

who

lords,

connect the

shall

Then the

addressed

in order that a portion of the oblations

severed head

[Hence

:

"

do."

to

the god Indra offered in

of us

and

O

decapitated trunk."

his

divine

Whereupon the gods

(Yajna).

— "You

be the greatest

to

Rudra, severed the head of

that the god

told

is

up of those the allied

ulcers,

brashes

h?.

not

9'-'

But

si

/

be dressed and

sword-cuts

gods and the demons,

idiopathic

attril/ was

art,

to

maladies such*

of the

Ayurveda

is

long before

as, fever, etc.

demanded of her towards

branch

of tho-se iiing

had

nd the

;

the healing

the oldest of

all

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA'

8

external

operations,

surgical

cauterisation,

contains

all

and

etc.,

«

of the science

the

highest

eternal

all

and a source of

and opens the

gates

of

prolongs the duration

of

and helps men

in

piety,

Heaven

human

successfully

to

Hence

Gradual extension

it

is

It

is

imparts fame its

votaries,

existence on

fulfilling

and earning a decent competence,

vedic Knowledge

by means

the medical Tantras.

infinite

it

the superior

effects

instruments and appliances. of

as

other branches

the

of medicine as well, with

in value

I.

alkalis,

inasmuch

secondly

advantage of producing instantaneous of surgical

of

applications

that can be found in

Chap.

[

earth,

their missions,

in life.

the

of

Ayur-

:—Bramha was the

first

to

inculcate the principles of the holy Ayurveda. Prajapati

The Ashvins learned

learned the science from him. it

from Prajapati and

Indra,

who

entire

knowledge

am

me

favoured

has

thereof.

ready to impart

it

the

imparted

Dhanvantari

(

for

I,

knowledge

to those

to

with an

)

the good of mankind,

^T/antram)

-m' 11 earth.

anches of the Sc<

The King

of Karsnther

count of himself supreme and

original

Dhanvanta'ri. It

is I

decay from the

god

i,

Perception

i

Riths

who wardt

celestials.

of the region of heaven,

now

CO]Toborate ,vf

fi

f

a

•

,

i

,

Inf

^. am?c

,

Fo I

(

,

*

ac-

m

the

form of

disease

and

was an inmate

xcarnate;!

on earth

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap. I.]

9

with the view to teach the Science1 of SurgerV with

branches of study to men.

allied

all its

>

In the present science (Ayurveda), the

conscious organic individual) of the combination

of the

of alkaline

applications

world

created

primary

as,

surgical

of medicinal

remedies and

or

cauterisation,

Purusha alone.*

?

The answer

is

composed of

so

is it

five

such

substances,

are restricted to the

Why

and the

soul

administration

operations,

simply because the

is,

two

distinct

such as the mobile and the immobile. t their

in

classes,

purposes of the

the

hot

Agneya

orders,

world

of

medicine

and

Saumya

science

composed

is

of

*

It

and Saumya may be

is

the two

into

Hence

(cool.

principles,

twofold virtues,

Agneya

(cool).i

questioned

why

they

should be

confined to the

Purusha

?

met by the statement that the Purusha the receptacle of health and disease in contradistinction to the

Such a query may be alone

These two

material

five

though characterised by the (hot)

classes,

further sub-divided for the

are

turn,

(self-

described as the resultant

All medical acts

materia] principles.

etc.),

is

Purusha

successfully

Self or Ego.

t

The

vegetable world belongs

to the

latter

category,

while 'animals,

possessed of locomotion, belong to the former.

J

It

may be argued

air

and sky

possessed

here, since everything in

fundamental material principles

of the five

(ether)

of the

],

it is

twofold

(cool or watery), alone.

not

competent

attributes

But since

[

to

the

assert

Agneya (heated

fire (heat)

universe

of earth,

water,

that

composed

fire

(heat),

the universe

or fiery)

or water (cold)

in all things in the universe in juxtaposition with the

is

is

and Saumya

predominates primary virtues of the

THE SUSFIRUTA SAMHITA.

IO

[Chap.

I.

Further classification of the mobile and the immobile :- The animated world may be divided into four subdivisions, such as the Svedaja

and moisture

of sweat or heat

(born

the

Andaja

egg-born or

(

oviparous

i.

c.

abiogenous \

the

),

Udbhijja

(vegetable) and the Jarayuja (placental or viviparous).

The Purusha greatest

made

of

or the subjective personality

them

because

all,

all

is

the

life

are

(man)

other forms of

to minister to his wants on Earth.

Disease (man)

is

Sts Definition :—The Purusha

:

the receptacle of any particular disease, and that

which proves a source of torment

or pain to him,

There are four

minated as a disease.*

is

different types

of disease such as, Traumatic

or of extraneous

(Agantuka),

Mental

Bodily (Sharira),

Natural (Svabhavika).

blow

or

hurt

food

in

origin

and

(Manasa)

disease due

to an extraneous

Agantuka.

Diseases

called

is

irregularities

A

deno-

or

drink, or

due

to

to

incidental

a

deranged state of the blood, or of the bodily humours acting either

singly

Excessive anger, miser};,

pride,

or

grief,

greed,

other fundamental material

in

concert,

fear, joy, lust,

are

called Sharira.

despondency, envy,

desire,

not

malice,

etc.

are

to

classify

all

under the head of hot or cold, a third factor being non-existent.

Hence

the

world *

(«TT?[) is possessed of the

A

disease

may

be

it

is

improper

twofold virtues, hot and cold.

defined as

(self-conscious personality), afflict

principles,

something which

or those things

afflicts

or incidents

the

Purusha

which combine

the Purusha are usually interpreted to connote that meaning.

to

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

I. ]

Chap.

the

within

included

distempers

whereas

;

(Svabhavika)

category

of, mental (ivianasa)

hursger,

thirst,

the natural

derangements of the body.

The Mind

are

etc.

sleep,

and the Body are the

seats of the abovesaid distempers »

either of them, or

according as they are restricted to affect

decrepitude,

called

death,

imbecilit}',

both of them

in unison.

Samshodhanam (Pacification of the

*

Samshamanam

and

Cleansing),

deranged or agitated bodily humours

giving rise to the disease", and the regimen of diet are

employed

in order to successfully

is

the four

and

which should be duly

conduct

Food

t

t

factors

cope with a disease.!

the principal factor which materially contri-

butes to the strength, complexion and vitality (Ojah) of

Food consists of animated beings. N5* The Self or the JeevcLtma of a person as such, can never be affected t

by any

Cleansing (Samshodhanam)

External purification consists cauterisation

operations,

alkaline preparations

such

is

above

human concerns

and,

disease.

measures as surgical

employing such affected

and medicated

part

plasters,

or

the

measures as exhibition of purgatives and

intestinal

all

different tastes

of two kinds, viz. External and Internal.

in

of the

is

six

organ, external internal

emetics,

enemas (Asthapanam) and blood-letting.

Diet

one

use

of

including

application

of

comprises four

different factors such as, food, drink, lambative, etc., which, for the purposes

of the the

Ayurveda, are again grouped under three different heads,

pacifier of the deranged

such as

bodily humours (Dosha-prashamanam), thera-

health-giving (Svastha=Vrittikara). peutical (Vyadhi-prashamanam) and Achara (conduct) appertains to three different factors, such as the body, The abovesaid measures, duly employed, the speech, and the mental acts. are

potent

enough

special exigencies

to

of each

combat case

all

are

sorts

of bodily distempers,

if

carefully taken into consideration.

the

THE SUSHRUTA

12

SAMHITA'.

[Chap.

cannot exist independently of the subs-

(Rasa) '[which

tances] in which they are

These substances

inherent.

which are called the Oshadhis may be divided such as the

classes

I.

immobile Oshadhis

into

The

mobile and the immobile.

in their turn,

under four sub-heads

such

two

admit of being grouped the

as,

Vanaspatis,

the

Vrikshas, the Virudhas and the Oshadhis proper.

Those

trees

which bear

are called the Vanaspatis

without blossoming

fruit

such

as,

the Plaksha and the

Those that bear both

Oudumvura).

fruits

and flowers

Shrubs and creepers that

are called the Vrikshas.

trail

on the ground are called Virudhas, whereas those plants

which

die with

the ripening of their

Oshadhis proper such as cereals

The mobile Oshadhis

are

fruits,

called

.

or animals

lour classes such as the viviparous,

are

the

divided into

oviparous,

the

sweat-begotten, and those that are born of decomposed vegetable matter. the

first

second

;

group ants,

;

Man

and other mammals belong to

birds, snakes,

worms,

etc.

belong to the

reptiles

belong to the third

and Indragopas belong to the poses,

and

bark, leaves, flowers,

fourth.

;

while frogs

For medicinal pur-

fruits, roots,

bulbs, the

ex-

pressed juice, and milky or resinous secretions of plants, etc.*

*

are .obtained

The

use of

oil

from

the

vegetable

expressed out of drugs and

seeds,

ashes or alkaline preparations are likewise indicated.

as

world.

well

The

as of their

Sl'TKASTHAWAM.

Chap, i.]

skin,

wool, blood,

nails,

flesh,

'3

marrow,

fat,,

bones,

are procured from the animal world.

Metals and minerals such as gold,

Manahshila

Kapalas (bones),

etc.

should be

the earth}' substances. Gale, ness,

cold,

and

seasons,

as

included

rain,

fortnight,

night,

should be

etc.

solstices,

or

humours (such

of

wind,

month,

deemed

as the

their natural

accumulation, augmentation,

diminution

as,

list

shade, moonshine, dark-

day,

contribute to the

pacification

the

in

works of eternal time, which, by virtue of effects,

and

clay

pearls,

*

sunshine,

windfall,

heat,

well

as

(Realgar),

gems, and

silver,

of

etc.

the

deranged

bodily

.

Authoritative verses on the subject of

:

— Physicians should look upon these

.'food,

conduct, earth and time

,

as the

four factors

accumulators,

aggravators and pacifiers of the deranged bodily humours

and of the diseases

resulting therefrom in

due to causes which affect the

body

in

mind

are

or the body.

man. Diseases

extraneous to the body ma}'

When

it

would

affect

the

the shape of any traumatic disease (such as an

inflammation due to a blow or a sword cut

be treated medicinally

,

it

should

like the rest of the physical

mala-

dies, while the remedy should consist in the enjoyment of r

Oxide of Iron,

Gairika

(ferruginous

sand, yellow sulphurate of earth),

arsenic (Orpiment), salt, Rasdnjana (antimony) should be regarded as

appertaining to the class of earthy substances.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

14

i.

hap.

I

pleasurable sound?, touch, sights, taste or smell where the

mind would be found Thus

I

have

to be the seat of the distemper.

with the Purusha, Disease,

briefly dealt

The term

Medicine, Appliances and the Specific Time.

Purusha should be interpreted to include within

meaning the combination of and

ponents,

its

five

its

com-

material

things resulting therefrom, such as the

all

limbs and members of the body, as well as the skin, the

flesh,

the blood, the

The term Disease to the several or

signifies

and

efficacy

all

their

etc.

distempers incidental

virtues,

The term Medicine tastes,

potency,

Prabhava and reactionary properties

Appliances (kriya

denotes such processes

operations, injections, emulsive etc.

and the nerves,

combined actions of the three deranged

bodily humours and blood.

drugs

veins

The term Time

signifies all

signifies

inherent

Yipaka

.

as, surgical

measures, lubrications,

opportune moments

for

medical appliances.

Authoritative verses on the subject —The primary principle of the Science of medicine :

has thus been briefly stated and will be fully dealt with 1

in the following

buted among of the

chapters

the

present will

one hundred and twenty chapters five

work.

main sub-divisions These

be found to be

hundred

or

and

elaborately

according to the specific import or significance

distri-

Sthanas

twenty discussed

of their

denominations under the sub-heads of Sutra-Sthanam

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap. I.]

(Definitive

Aphorisms

Nidanam (Etiology, Physiology

,

or

Fundamental

Chikitsa-Sthanam

in

,

and and

(Therapeutics)

Subjects

preceding ones will be discussed

other than the

the closing chapters

book by way of an Appendix Uttara-Tantranv. 1

Authoritative verse ject

principles

Sharira-Sthanam (Anatomy

Kalpa-Sthanam (Toxicology).

of the

15

:

— The

Medicine origined

(

man who

on the sub-

reads this Eternal

Science of

Ayurveda-Shastram) discoursed by the

Brahma and propagated by the King

becomes noted

for his piety,

is

self-

of Kasi,

honoured bv the kings

on earth, and attains to the region of Indra

<

the

lord

of the celestials) after death.

Thus ends the

first

chapter of the Sutra-SthSnam

Samhita which deals with the origin of the Ayurveda.

in

the

Sushruta

CHAPTER Now we

discuss

shall

the

II.

Chapter

which

deals

f.

with the

rites

Medicine

of

science

of formal

initiation of a pupil into

the

(Shishyopanayaniya-

madhya'yam). Such an

initiation should be

imparted to a student,

belonging to one of the three twice-born castes such as,

the Brahmana, the Kshatriya, and the Vaishya, and

who

should be of tender years, born of a good family,

possessed

of,

a desire to learn, strength, energy of action,

contentment, character, self-control, a good retentive me-

mory,

intellect, courage, purity of

simple and clear comprehension, into

the things studied,

mind and

bod)',

and a

command a clear insight

and should be found to have

been further graced with the necessary qualifications of thin lips, thin teeth

and thin tongue, and possessed of a

straight nose, large, honest, intelligent eyes, with a benign

contour of the mouth, and a contented frame of mind, being pleasant

in his

speech and dealings, and usually

painstaking in his efforts. attributes

A man

possessed of contrary

should not be admitted into

the

sacred

precincts of) medicine.

Mode

Of Initiation :— A Brahmana

should initiate a disciple or student

— A square sand cushion or

in

preceptor

the following

way

platform, measuring a cubit

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap/H.]

and breadth, should be

in length

smooth, level

and

on

laid out

combination such tion of the

plot

ground under the benign

sacred'

as,

or

of in-

astral

the "Karanam," otc. and in a direc-

compass whtbh

The cushion

is

held most auspicious to that

the platform

should be plastered

over with a solution of water and cow-dung

Kusha

a

any auspicious phase of the moon or

iluence of

end.

l7

grass should be strewn over

and blades of

;

Then

it.

the gods, the

Brahmanas and the physicians should be worshipped with oblations of flowers, fried paddy, gems and sundried

the

rice.

Then having drawn

straight

Sthandilam so as to meet the top of the

side of the square,

down

grass tied up in the form of a knot,

Bnihmana, along the right,

fire

Palasha,

butter, he

as the

Then

sacrificial trees

of

Devadaru and Yilva, or of Yata,

Oudumvara, Ashvattha and Madhuka clarified

known

close to his seat.

soaked the twigs of the four

Khadira,

a blade of

side of the sacred cushion to his

and kindle the sacred

having'

furthest

and having sprinkled them over with

holy water, the preceptor should lay

Kusha

across

lines

should perform

according to the rules of a Darvi

in curd,

the

Homa

rite

honey and of

Homa

ceremony,.

Then

libations of clarified butter should be cast into the sacrificial fire

with a repetition of the

preceded by the mystic Omkara. clarified butter

Yyahriti Mantras

After that, libations of

should be cast into the

each of the gods and Rishis 3

Maha

fire

in

honour of

(celestial physicians)

invoked

THE SUSHRUTA

,8

b3'

repeating the

be

made

to

SAMHITA'.

I

Chap.

II.

Svaha Mantra, and the disciple should *

do the same.

A Brahmana

preceptor

competent to

is

initiate a

student belonging to any of the three twice-born castes.

A

preceptor can

Kshatriya

the

Kshatriya

or

preceptor

can

A

alone.

parentage

initiate a

Vaishya

initiate

Shudra

caste,

student of

while

a

student

of

Vaishya

own

student of his

a

the

caste

and

character

good

be initiated into the mysteries of the

may

the Mantras

Ayurveda by omitting

enjoined

be

to

recited on such an occasion.

Then having

circumambulated the

thrice

fire,

and having invoked the firegod

the

fact,

as

ciple

to bear

sacrificial

testimony to

the preceptor should address the initiated disfollows

:

—"Thou

shalt

renounce

lust,

anger,

greed, ignorance, vanity, egotistic feelings, envy, harshness, niggardliness, falsehood, idleness,

the good

soil

name

of a

thy nails and

pair cloth,

nay

clip

thy hair and put on the sacred live the life

in rest, or

about— while

study,

The

at

Ashvins,

Svaha

and Svaha'

to to

meals or

should

libations

Svaha

of a truthful,

anchorite and be obedient and respectful

towards thy preceptor. In sleep,

Hrahnri,

that

man. In proper season thou shalt

dyed brownish yellow,

self-controlled

:

all acts

he

in

offered as

Prajapati (the lord

India. Svaha to

to A'treva.

of

follows

and

in

all

acts

Svaha (obeisance)

the created

Dhanvantari,

while moving

beings),

Sv£ha

to

Svaha

to to

Bharadsdja,

SUTRASTHA'NAAl.

il.

Chap.

|

thou shalt be guided by

do what

fail

no

thee

unjustly

lame.

equal

ledge prove

and

hand,

obedience and

treat

indigent, the honest,

ability],

God

life

friends,

;

who

it

come

live close

[to

the best

any remuneration

Thou

that.

medicinally a professional hunter, a

him who has been degrad-

and even by so doing thou

fame,

the

and thou shalt give them

bless thee for

will

elders,

shall

shall

and kinsmen

relations

and

thy

and those who

fowler, a habitual sinner, or in

I

know-

my

all

the

[without charging for

not

shalt

may

Brahmanas,

a distance;, or those

whatever], and

treat

the

helpless

as well as thy

medicine

may

shalt

with thy professional

help

friends,

the

thee (from

in life

ether

thy perfect

shalt

knowledge,

of thy knowledge

ed

and thou

and never have any scope of work

Thou

anchorites,

by,

w'ith

the

with thee, and

futile,

preceptors and

to

on

I,

even

sin

display.

skill

thy study and knowledge

all

conformity to the terms agreed upon,

in full

or

If

me, otherwise

to

to bear their wished for fruit,

gain

incur

and

sin

Thq.u shalt

directions.

pleasant and beneficial

is

thou shalt incur shall

my

19

piety, wealth

and thy knowledge

and

all

shalt acquire

wished

for objects

shall gain publicity."

o

Prohibited periods of the study of the Ayurveda — The day of the new moon, the :

eighth day of the moon's wane, the fourteenth day of the

dark fortnight, as well

as

the corresponding days in

THE SUSHRUTA SA.MHITA.

20

the bright one, the day of the ings of

day and night such

occasions

when

Similarly,

a

Chap.

II.

moon, and the meet-

(morning and evening) are

as

the study of the

Ayurveda

is

prohibited.

heard at an

clap of thunder

improper

Phalguna and Chaitra), or a

season (months of Pousha,

Hash of lightning occurring at

mena

full

L

a'

time when such pheno-

are naturally rare, or an evil befalling one's country,

relations,

prohibiting

or

king,

the

should be of the

study

deemed

as

occasions

Moreover,

Ayurveda.

(

one should not read riding

(an

elephant,

in a battle-field,

val

or

nor

it

in a

horse,

cremation ground, nor while or

in a place

any) conveyance, nor of execution.

the appearance of inauspicious omens,

A

festi-

and the

days of the fortnight usually avoided by the Brahmanas in

studying the

the

Vedas,

as

well as

an unclean state of

body, should be regarded as occasions prohibiting

the studv of the Ayurveda.

rhus ends the second

chapter

of

the

Suliasihanain

in

the Sushruta

S.unhita which treats of the formal initiation of a student into the Xvurvcda.

H A

C

Now we

TER

P

chapter which

shall discuss the

deals

with

Ayurveda and the order

of the

the classification

III.

[in

which the venerable Dhanvantari discoursed on them

Adhyayana-Sampradarniyam.

his pupils]. It

has been stated before, that a hundred and twenty

chapters have been distributed

:

— Forty

Sutra-Sthanam)

<

in

six

Litiology of diseases

ing the

;

and eight

their antidotes

these the

;

and connects by Chapter

of the

i

Ayurveda.

Describes 2

Aphorisms

human body with poisons

In addition to

of sixty-six chapters.

The Sutra-Sthanam which

:

is

so called because

arranges

links

following

the part of Therapeutics

in

Uttara-Tantram consists

the form of hints,

parts

ten in the part explain-

in the part dealing

contains forty-six chapters, in

the

in

(Kalpa-Sthanam).

Metrical texts

rive

the part dealing with the

(Nidanam)

(Sharira Sthanam); forty

and

in

Anatomy and physiology

Chikitsitam

the

the part of Definitive

sixteen

;

among

work

or subdivisions (of the present

order

to

in

topics

it

discusses

the form of aphorism s relating

the origin

to

longevity.

of the science of the

Relates to the formal initiation of a pupil '

into

the

science

of

medicine,

3

Deals

with

the

THE SUSHRtJTA SAMHITA.

22

[Chap. in.

and order of the study of the Ayurveda.

classification

Dwells on general interpretations and explanations

4

of subjects studied,

Treats of preliminary preparations

5

6

for surgical operations.

on health and drugs.

influence

7

commencing

be

to

observed

which

and

their

in

to

Cauteries

12

use.

13

Blood.

14

use).

Dwells

preliminary to of

Pharmacy

1 1

practice.

cauteries).

(potential

men

of medical

duties

Gives

9

10

practical instructions for surgical operations.

on the

their

of surgical

Treats

Describes surgical instruments.

8

appliances.

and

Deals with seasons

their

alkalies

and

the rules

how

Leeches Dwells

15

on

of development and non-development of the

the study

humorous constituents of the body and excrements. 1

6

1

7

The ceremony

How

to

suppurating of ulcers.

of

between suppurating and non-

swellings.

18

salutary

treatment of sores, etc.

24

curable

of

The nature

different)

to

decisive

modes

The opening

21

know

and

incurable

of

The

25

the

in

of abscesses,

the

(surgical

of diseases in general.

ways

exploration

body.

22

effects

non-salutary

General rules to be observed in

2$

ment

etc.

bandages

of patients with ulcers,

and

The

21

etc.

and

Dressings

The management

19

regimen,

ears.

distinguish

The

20

etc.

of piercing the lobules of the

treat-

diseases.

The

(eight

of using surgical instruments.

26

The

seated

in

the

splinters

lost

extraction 1

favourable

(deep of

splinters.

and unfavourable

28

How

terminations

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. HI.]

in surgical diseases.

The

favourable or unfavourable

as"

known from

diseases

in

prognosis

29

omens

and

version

of sense

dreams.

2%

Prognosis

30

the

per-

Prognosis based on

31

perception.

messengers,

from

the altered condition of features, etc. 32 Prognosis based

on the perversion body.

The

34

treatment

Palliative

33

such

as

poisoning

of

water,

man

for

the safety

of

a

the march.

35

sicians.

Miscellaneous

$j

The

of

of vegetable

medicines.

by a

medical

etc

.

and

of the soil

with

surgical

diseases.

the

selection

on

to be

it

used as

according to

drugs

The two

their

therapeutical

drugs

which cleanse the system [by evacuating

uses.

39

humours] and drugs which pacify the 40 41

42

Drugs,

The

their

properties

Flavours.

choice

flavours,

of

43

of

The

purgatives.

drugs

45

classes

irritated

properties

and

46

bad

humours. maturity.

44

The

Food

and

emetics.

Liquids.

of

considered.

specially

choice of

on

made by phy-

for

of

Classification

is

connected

subjects

products growing

38

dangers,

king whose army

injuries

examination

(against

observations

Clinical

treatment

the

of incurable diseases.

be taken

to

precautions

36

of the

the external appearances

in

drink.

From

their

investigating the

and symptoms of (etiology)

diseases,

and are sixteen

in

they

(pathological) 'are called

number.

causes

Nidanam,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMH1TA.

24 Chapter wind. 5

~

i

Skin diseases

Abdominal

unnatural

and dislocations)

bv

caused

generation

cellaneous diseases,

The

10

discharges.

and

Abortion

Erysipelas and

tumours. 13 Fractures

of the male

Shuka.

16

sage

great

12 Scrotal

Diseases

14

8

Abscesses.

9

Tumours

1 1

Urethral

6

and dropsy.

turn ours

4 Fistulas

calculi

Urinary

3

Kushtha).

labours.

Carbuncles.

ill.

Causes and symptoms of diseases caused by

Hcemorrhoids.

2

[Chap,

organ of

and

Minor

15

mis-

Diseases of the mouth.

devoted ten chapters to the

has

Anatomy and Physiology (Sharira-Sthanam) medical men and contemplative saints to learn the

subject of for

component parts of the human body. They are Chapter healthy)

2

Cosmology.

1

condition

Development of the tion of the foetus.

foetus.

Component

5

Investigation of each vital part. veins.

8

(child-birth

and of

Venesection.

female

parts of the 7

and management

of

women

10

3

descrip-

body;

Description

Arteries.

9

un-

germs.

Analytical

4

—

and

Healthy

male and

of

:

6

of the

Pregnancy child-birth

in

children).

The

division of Therapeutics, (Chikitsitam) includes

(amongst others; the

modes

of treating

diseases

medicines, expiatory ceremonies, propitiatory tranquillizing efforts. to this division.

rites,

by and

'Forty chapters have been devoted

Chapter

1

Treatment of two

varieties

Chap.

til.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

of ulcers.

Treatment of instant wounds and

2

therefrom.

resulting

Diseases of wind. 6

7

scesses.

17

19 Scrotal

Shuka.

22

the

Diseases

unnatural

20

2^ Miscellaneous

diseases. 26

Tumours.

Minor

23

Tonics for

diseases.

caused

organ

bv

Swellings.

Prophylactic treatment against diseases

24

Ab-

16

18

mouth.

the

9

11 Urethral

labours.

male genital of

Fistulas.

Abdominal Dropsy.

14

tumours and Syphilis. of

4

and sores caused by

pustules

Erysipelas and Carbuncles.

Diseases

21

8

skin diseases.

13 Diabetes.

and

Abortions

calculi.

Urinary

Warts,

urethral discharges, 15

Fractures and dislocations.

3

10 Grievous

12

ulcers

Grievous maladies caused by wind.

5

Haemorrhoids.

Skin diseases. discharges.

25

in general.

virile

debility.

27 Tonics for general debility. 2S Remedies for increasing

mental powers and duration of innate maladies. 30 31

Means

for

life.

2g Remedies

removing wordly

for

distresses.

Treatment of diseases where oleaginous substances

are useful.

32

Treatment by diaphoretics.

and Purgatives.

J4 Treatment

injudicious use of emetics

and

pipes,

mishaps from the

and purgatives.

and enema apparatus.

injudicious use of enemas.

^S Clysters.

for

37

Nozzles

Enemas and

from

injections.

39 Treatment of complications in general. etc.

their proposing remedies against poisons,

are called Kalpas, 4

^

36 Mishaps

40 Inhalation, fumigations, gargarismata,

From

33 Emetics

and are eight

in

number.

they

THE SUSHRUTA

26 ChUpter inorganic 4

i

poisons.

and

5

(for

2

Poisons from

3

III.

Chap.

I

and

Vegetable

creation.

organic

Treatment of snake-bites.

treatment.

its

kettle-drums for

Preservation of food.

Snake poison.

bite

SAMHITA'.

6

Rat-

Emitting the sound of

7

the elimination of poison).

and treatment of venomous

8

Antidotes

insect-stings.

Thus a synopsis of one hundred and twenty chapters

Now

has been given.

division called after

its

here follows the supplementary

own name (Uttara-Tantram).

The Chapter on Sympathetic

diseases

of such diseases and their treatment.

(margin of the eyelids)

eases of the eyelids.

Cornea. 8

pupil. tic

6.

The

4

first,

The

Diseases of the

2

of the

eyeball.

Sclerotic of the eye.

eyeball, as a whole.

Treatment of eye

7

3 Dis5

The

Diseases of the

diseases.

Prophylac-

9

and curative treatment of wind affections of the eye 10 Treatment of Bile affections of the

and ophthalmia.

eye and ophthalmia. tions of the eye affections

which

eye.

scarification is

is

of the

Treatment of Phlegm

and

17

vision.

affec-

Treatment of Blood affections

Treatment by

15

regarding ophthalmic medicine

ment of traumatic

2

14 Treatment in

ectropium.

pupil

1

Treatment of

13

needed.

needed.

Entropium and

diseases

1 1

and ophthalmia.

of the

paracentesis 16

placed

main object the description

as this division has for its

joinings

is

in

which

incisions.

Treatment of the 18

General

and surgery.

affections of the eyeballs.

rules

19 Treat-

20 General

Chap.

III.

and symptoms of

signs ol

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

|

ear

diseases.

2

1

Treatment

and symptoms of

Signs

23 Treatment of nose affections.

affections.

ment

22

diseases.

ear

2J

of nasal

catarrh.

cranial

diseases.

These

(twenty-six

2^ Signs

cranial

eight divisions of the Ayurveda, called

of

affections.

end

form the

chapters)

24 Treat-

symptoms

ai\d

Treatment of

26

nose

of the

Shilakyam.

Chapter 2j Signs of diseases caused by the Nava28 Prophylactic

grahas.

29 Treatment

by Skandha.

33

of convulsions

of Revati

affections.

Treatment

Treatment

35

36 Treatment of Naigamesha.

nine

division

fifth

of the

Ayurveda

)

Kaumara Tantram.

Chapter

39

Fevers

Enteric Catarrh and

treatment.

their

of the

Origin

These twelve chapters together with

form the

anatomy,

its

Mukhamandika.

included in (the last chapter of the division on

is

called

of

$j

Treatment of

34

$S Diseases of the Vagina (and internal female

genital organs).

what

31 Treat-

Treatment of Putana.

^2

Andha Putana.

of

Shseta-Putana.

Grahas.

caused bv

30 Treatment of Sakuni affections.

Skandha.

ment

treatment of diseases caused

etc.

their treatment.

treatment.

their

treatment.

treatment.

40

41 Consumption and

42 Diseases of the abdominal glands and

treatment.

Pectoris

its

and

Diseases

43 44 45

of the

Anaemia and

Hemorrhagic

allied

heart

(Angina

diseases

and

and

their

affections

46 Apoplectic diseases and their treatment.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

2g

Chap, ill

I

i>

47 Diseases from excessive drinking and their treatment.

48 Symptoms, causes, and treatment of excessive

thirst.

49

Causes, symptoms and treatment of vomiting. 50 Causes,

symptoms and treatment

of Hiccough.

toms, and treatment of Dyspnoea.

and

toms

treatment

Entozoa.

of

of excrements.

retention

and treatment

Kayachikitsa

the

describe

chapters ;

symptoms and diarrhoea.

affections.

57

59

These twenty

diseases.

diseases

remaining third

'

symptoms

Causes,

58

(which forms the

54

Aphonia.

and treatment of

and urethral

of cystic

Causes and treatment of urine

one

Causes, symp-

Choleric

treatment.

its

Causes, symp-

53

Causes,

and

treatment of Dyspeptic

Anorexia and

cough.

56

1

52

symptoms

Causes,

55

5

division

of

of the

Ayurveda').

Chapter diseases

60

Causes,

caused by

and

symptoms

symptoms

powers.

61

Causes

Epilepsy.

62

Mania.

superhuman

treatment

of

and treatment of

These three chapters form the Bhuta Vidya

(the fourth

division of the Ayurveda).

Chapter 63 64

(leneral

rules

Deductions and study bid

oi"

the for

different varieties

the preservation

inductions drawn from

the Ayurveda.

elements

to be

on

(humours;.

66

On

of

flavour.

of health.

the

texts

65

and

the varieties of mor-

These

four

chapters

are

understood as being supplementary, and as orna-

ments to

this division.

III.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

j

This

the

others,

From is

it

subjects,

the

its

over

superiority

have called

sages

great

(Uttaram).

from

division

last

2n

information

called the best, the

it

the

the

Excellent

gives

on varied

permanent and the

last.

In

this division

which

is

called the

included four divisions (of the Ayurveda)

(treatment

and

Kayachikitsa general diseases)

The

virile

preserving (fourth

)

The

vigor,

doctrine of antidotes this treatise

limbs

proclaimed

who

have been

etc.)

of

to the world

the book should be read

should

attend

physician

who

ed by kings,

to

included

the

is

;

the

in

tne

is

incident-

Thus these

are the

shall

of Medicine

Science

original god.

Those,

make

of the

with due care and

It

children),

comes under the head of

by the

knowledge with caution, this earth.

the

Bhuta-Vidya.

and Shalyam surgery

divisions

study them

men on

above

called Chikitsa.

treated throughout the book.

eight

Shalakyam,

and Rasayanam remedies

division (of this treatise

Kalpa of ally

etc.)

power,

4

are

Yajeekaranam (on the strength-

division (named)

ening of

viz,

situated

Kaumarabhritvam (management of

clavicles), 2 3

of parts

of diseases

there

last,

use

preserve the

lives

of

imperatively necessary that

and

after

practice

having read

(of the science

has learnt these both,

is fit

.

it

one

The

to be honour-

THE SUSHRIT A SAMHITA.

30

!

Chap.

III.

Authoritative verses on the subject — A physician, well versed in the principles of :

the science of medicine (Ayurveda), but unskilful in art

want of

through

practice,

bedside of his patient, just wit's end first

time he finds himself

On

army.

in

is

condemned by

deserves

all

the

is

at

his

for the

physician, experienced in

knowledge

good men

oi"

as

the Ayurveda,

a

the

at

punishment

capital

at

when

do

to

wit

the ranks of a contending

the other hand a

his art but deficient in the

his

coward

as, a

what

determine

to

loses

his

and

quack,

hands of the

Both these classes of physicians are not to be

king.

trusted, because

thy are inexpert

and half educated.

Such men are incapable of discharging the duties of their

vocation, just as a one-winged bird

taking flight

in

the

air.

Even

is

incapable of

a panacea or a medicine of

ambrosial virtues administered by an unpractised or

norant physician,

will

ig-

prove positively baneful as

a

draught of poison, or a blow with a weapon, or a thunderbolt.

A

physician, ignorant of the science and art of sur-

gery and emollient measures a killer

carry

of

on

men

his

out of cupidity, and

nefarious

advertence of the king. principles

Sneha-karma

of surgery,

trade

A and

only

who

,

is

etc.

through the

in-

physician well versed in the

experienced

in

the

medicine,

just as

only a two- wheeled cart can be of service

field of battle.

but

allowed to

tice of

is

is

prac-

alone capable of curing distempers, in

a

SUTRASTHANAM.

III.

Chap.

Now

hear me,

O

child, describe the

and near

sit

calmly

who

mind, of the

recited his

his

him

of studying

pupil having

pure in

a

should

prayers

daily

preceptor,

should teach

mode The

the present science of the Ayurveda.)

worshipped


body

and

£hloka or couplet

full

Ayurveda), or a half or a quarter part thereof,

adapted to

his

make

full

a

intellectual

and

recited couplet or

individually to do

elaborate

any part the

Then he should

capacity.

paraphrase

thereof,

same.

and ask

When

the

of

the

his pupils

pupils have

paraphrased the same to the satisfaction of the preceptor,

he should again recite the same stanza or couplet.

The passages hastily, nor

or

shlokas

drawled out

should

in a

be recited too

not

timid or faltering voice, nor

with a nasal intonation. The voice should be neither too but each

loud, nor too weak,

and distinctly uttered, and the brows, and the hands, to

etc.

sound should be clearly lips,

should not be

keep time with the recitation.

allowed to pass between the pupil

eyes, the

the

lifted or

Xo

eye-

moved

one should be

and the preceptor

at the time of study.

Authoritative verses on the subject — A pupil who is pure, obedient to his :

preceptor,

applies

himseli

steadily

abandons laziness and excessive

to

work, and

sleep, will arrive at the

end of the science (he has been studying

A

his

.

student or a pupil, having 'finished the

course of

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

32 his studies, fine

would do well

and make

Chap.

III.

to attend to the cultivation of

speech and constant practice

learnt,

|

unremitting

attainment of perfection (in the

in

the

efforts

art

he has

towards

the

art).

Thus ends the third Chapter of the Sutrasthanaoi in Samhita which deals with the Classification uf the Ayurveda.

the Sushrui..

CHAPTER Now we with

shall

General

the

discuss

IV. which

Chapter

deals

(Prabha'Saniya-

Explanations

madhyayam). The endeavours Ayurveda

man who has

(shastra) but fails to

of the same, are carries a

of a

load

able to enjoy

a clear

sandal

wood

entire

exposition

vain like the efforts of an

of

its

make

studied the

that

ass

ever being

(without

pleasing scent).

Authoritative verse on the subject — A foolish person who has gone through a large :

number of books without gaining any the knowledge propounded therein,

is

insight into

real

like

an ass laden

with logs of sandal-wood, that labours under the weight

which

it

carries

without being able to appreciate

its

virtue.

Hence the preceptor or a

half or

a

quarter

will clearly explain

thereof as contained

part

the present work, divided into

chapters

(as

well

or discoursed difficult

to

a hundred and

as in the concluding portion

Uttara-Tantram appended to the disciple shall

each shloka

it)

;

and the

in

twenty of

the

student or

attentively hear everything explained

on by the preceptor. classify

drugs,

Since

taste,

it is

extremely

virtue

(Guna),

potency (Virya), transformatory or reactionary

effect

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

34

(Vipaka), fundamental bodily

principles

[

Dhatu) bodily

I

excrement (Mala), hollow viscera (Ashaya),

(Marma\

veins (Sira),

Chap. IV.

vital parts

nerves (Snayu), joints (Sandhi),

bones (Asthij and the fecundating principles of semen

and ovum, and to extricate any foreign matter lodged an

ulcer),

ulcers or

able

or to

fractures,

nature

or

the

and position of

the palliative, curable or incur-

of a disease, etc.

even

perplex

ascertain the nature

in

;

and since these subjects intellects

profoundest

though

a

thousand times discussed and pondered over, not to speak of

men

capacity, hence

of it

smaller

comparatively is

intellectual

imperatively obligatory on a pupil

or a disciple to attentively hear the exposition

shloka, or a half or a quarter part thereof,

of each

made by

the

preceptor (while studying the science of medicine).

For explanations of truths and principles quoted from

other branches

of (science

or philosophy)

incidentally discussed in the present work, is

referred to expositions

made by

sciences or philosophies;, since

with

all

branches of science,

within so short a compass

it

the

and

student

the masters (of those is

impossible to deal

etc. in a single

book (and

.

Authoritative verses on the subject

:

— By the study of a single

Shastra,

a

man

can

never catch the true import of this (Science of Medicine). Therefore a physician

should study as

branches of 'science or philosophy)

as

many

possible.

allied

The

IV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

who

physician lips

from the

studies the Science of Medicine

of his preceptor, and practises medicine after having

acquired experience in his

art

by constant

the true physician, while any other art,

35

man

practice,

is

dabbling in tne

should be looked upon as an impostor.

The

Shalya-Tantras (surgical

works)

written

or

propagated by Aupadhenava, Aurabhra, Sushruta and Paushkalavata, are the

bases of the works

or

Tantras

>

written

by others ^Karavirya, Gopura-rakshita,

Thus ends

the

fourth

chapter of the Sutrasthanam

Samhitd which deals with General Explanations.

in

etc,

I.

the Sushruta

CHAPTER Now we

the Chapter which treats of

shall discuss

Preliminary measures

V.

connection with the curative

in

(Agropaharaniyam-

remedies of a disease).*

adhyaryam). The

entire course of medical

with a

tion

disease

treatment in connec-

be grouped

ma}'

under

three

subheads, as the Preliminary measures (Purva-karma) the

1

(Pradhana-karma

*

;

and the

These measures

karma).

or

therapeutical

Principal

*

them.

with Several

authorities

(Paschat-

be discussed under

head of each disease as we deal

appliances

surgical

After- measures

will

the

have occasion to

shall

As the

present treatise principall)'

hold

acts

of purgatives, etc. should be

that

such as fasting, administration the preliminary measures ;

within

included

application of absorbent (Pachana) or healing medicinal agents, within

second

the

or

principal

measures

;

and the administration of

within the third or the after-measure

restoratives

down

contrary, lay

;

that measures

adopted

for

group.

the

Others,

absorption,

the

tonics or

on the

lubrication

by the application of oily substances) or elimination of the humours by sweating should be grouped under subhead Purva-karma), the administration of active purgatives,

(pacification

deranged the

first

emeticsr

bodily

(

under the second (Pradhana-karma) and the giving of rice to the patient under the (Paschat-karma) last ; while according

etc.,

meal, etc.

to others the active medicinal agents

humours first

in the

characteristic

measure

;

employed

to

cope with the deranged

incubative stage of a bodily disease

till the appearance of its symptoms, should be denominated as the Preliminary

measures employed for the subjugation of a disease in

its

patent or

developed stage as the Pradhana-karma, and measures employed to guard against the recrudescence of a disease and for the restoration of fully

health in a

patient

is

the sequel treatment or the Paschat-karma.

Chap4 V.

SUTRASTHANAM.

l

^ *

we

treats of surgical acts or operations,

discourse

shall

on them and their accessories at the outset. acts or operations

Surgical

kinds such as

different

(Bhedya), Scraping or

Searching Secreting

(

divided

are

into

Incising (Chhedya),

Lekhya\

Puncturing

probing (Eshya),

eight

Excising

(Vedhya),

Extracting

(Abarya),

(Visravya) and Suturing (Seevya).

fluids

A

surgeon (Vaidya) called upon to perform any (of the eight preceding kinds) of operations, must

first

himself

equip

with such accessories as surgical appliances and instruments,

alkali,

leeches,

fire,

probe

or director (Shalaka),

gourd (Alavu), Jamvavoushtha

shaped rod made of slate with shape of a Jamboline

tow(Patta),

cotton,

clarified

Kashaya

shall

thread, leaves,

lint,

butter,

lard, milk, in

secure

the

services

oil,

water), decoc-

medicated plasters, paste (Kalka),

,

cold water, hot water, and cauldrons,

he

kind of pencil

(a

top-end cut into the

its

(powdered wheat soaked

Tarpanam tions

honey,

fruit),

horns,

etc.,

fan,

and moreover

of devoted

and strong-

nerved attendants.

Then under the auspices

and having propitiated the

tions, etc.,

the physicians, with

and gems,

and

etc.,

uttered

commence light

of blissful astral coinbina-

food

gifts

of curd, sun-dried

and having made benediction,

his

work.

Brahmanas and

offerings

etc.,

The

(before the act),

the

patient

and

rice, cordials

to the gods

surgeon

should

should be given

made

to

sit

with

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA

38

turned towards the

his face

fastened (so

carefully

movement during Then the surgeon,

as

east.

f

V

Chap.

His limbs should be

to guard

least

their

against

the continuance of the operation). sitting

with his face towards the

west, and carefully avoiding the vital

(Marmas),

parts

Veins, nerves (Snayus), joints, bones and arteries of the

patient,should insert the knife into the affected part along

the proper direction

till

the suppurated

be reached and swiftly draw suppuration, the

made

be

to

An

length.

it

part opened (length of incision) should

measure two or three incision

(Vrana)

which

finger's is

— An

incision

which

is

deemed the

wide,

patient,

best of

well-matured as

is

kind*.

its

and

of the

etc.

time,

is

the

Courage, light handedness, non-shak-

command

self

best.

extended, well

regards

self

non-sweating, sharp instruments,

ing,

in

the sub-

divided, does not involve any vital part,

and

widths

wide, extended,

Authoritative verses on :

extended

out. In case of

equally and evenly divided, should be

ject

would

part

are

confidence

what should be possessed by

a surgeon engaged in opening a boil or an abscess. >

Two

or three

incisions should be

made

if

a

single

opening does not seem large enough for the purpose. Certain or an abscess

suppurated is

the

commentators interpret the couplet as follows

which

is

wide, extended,

in all its parts

fittest

well

defined

and does not involve any

thing for a surgeon's knife

— Tr.

in

vital

its

part

:

A

boil

shape, equally of the

body

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. V.]

ject

:

—The

wherever

a

knife

a boil, so

in

as to ensure

freely

used

cavity

would appear

a complete

flowing out of

sinus, or

the pus accumulated in Lateral

should be

(lancet)

fissure,

on the sub-

verse

Authoritative

39

a

it.

(tirjak) incisions

should be

made

in regions

of the eye-brows, temple, forehead, cheeks, eyelids, lower lip,

gums, armpits,

loins, belly

and the groins.

>

An

incision

should be

made

made

in the region of

the hand

to resemble the disc of the

those about the

or

root

moon, while

anus and the penis should be

made

semi-circular (half-moon) in shape.

Authoritative verse on the subject —An incision in any of the abovesaid regions not :

made

as directed,

may

give rise to extreme pain,

pro-

longed granulation (healing) and condylomatous growths in

and about the

of the or

ulcer,

local veins,

instrumental

or

In

nerves.

parturition,

stone in the bladder, in affecting

owing to an inadvertent cutting

fistula

in

a

case

ascites,

in ano,

and

of in in

artificial

piles,

in

diseases

the cavity of the mouth, the patient operated

on should be kept on an empty stomach (before

Then sprays of

cold

the^act).

water should be dashed over

the face and the eyes of the patient to relieve the pain

and the sense of exhaustion incidental to the operation.

The to

sides of the incision should be firmly pressed (so as

ensure

a

good outflow of the accumulated pus) and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4o the

margins of

the

fingers

wound

the

that they

(so

should

may have

[Chap. v.

rubbed with

be a

level

Then

and be of uniform structure throughout.

wound should be washed with an (of

etc.

Nimba, Triphala,

I

made thoroughly dry with a lint plug

Varti

(

!

disinfectant

(lit

etc.

Ajagandha,

wound.

the

of

i

:

and

which should be wiped and

Then

a piece of clean linen.

clarified

— purifying

butter,

|

paste

Kalka

i

and soaked

medicines

such

in

as

should be inserted deep into the cavity After

a

that,

substances should

cinal

the

astringent decoction

plastered over with the

of sesamum, honey

surface

poultice

made

be applied over

of

offi-

and the

it

whole should be bound up with thick layers of tow (Kavalikas— such as the leaves and bark of the Indian figtree

etc.)

which are

cooling in their effect

should be

;

neither

and

too

nor too

irritant

finally scraps of clean

wound round them. The

limb, [or the affected

part] should be subsequently fumigated with the

of

(anodyne)

pain-killing

linen

fumes

substances and also with

those of drugs

which are supposed to ward

malignant

(from the bedside of the patient.)*

Then as

it

spirits

should be fumigated with

Guggulu,

Vacha,

white

and the leaves of the Nimva butter.

*

Even

The

residue

of the

the drugs,

soaked

clarified

known

Saindhava

mustard, tree,

off all

in

butter

clarified

[dripped

the bedsheets, etc. of the patient should be fumigated as above.

This foreshadows the germ theory of the modern

days— Tr.

]

Chap. v.

down

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

and collected

described

from the fumigating compound

rubbed

be

should

above],

4I

over

the

of the patient, region of the heart and other vital parts

and the

floor

chamber should be washed and

of the

sprinkled over with drops

of water

previously kept in

a (new) pitcher for the purpose.

The

from the influences of baneful

spirits,

performed follows

:

by

reciting

influences

of

its

should then be

Mantra which

runs

as

against the malignant

thy person

conjured demonesses, and

of Rakshas and

the god

Brahma be

graciously pleased to approve

May

the Gods and deities and mini-

performance. of grace

sters

of protection

— "I am about to practise the prophylactic incan-

tation for guarding

may

the

rites

disperse

and

confound the

hosts

of

wrathful Nagas (celestial serpents), Pishachas, Gandhar-

vas

and

Pitris

that

might

be maliciously disposed

to strike thee in thy sickly confinement.

which

stir

May

the

abroad in the night and roam about

spirits,

in

sky and on earth, defend thy person

in recognition

thy fervent devotion to them.

May

the

Brahma-begotten sages such

Sanaka,

and canonised kings

as,

(Rajarshis) in

the of

concourse of

etc.),

the saintly

heaven and the sacred

mounts, streams and oceans of the earth protect thee

from

evil.

wind-god

May

the

fire-god

protect thy

breath

guard thy tongue ;

;

the

and the Moon-god,

and the spirit of the clouds Parjanya, Vidyut lightning) preserve the healthy coursings

of-

those vital winds in

thy organism which are respectively known as Vyana,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMH1TA

42

Apana; Udana and Samana. deity of

all

physical energies, keep

May Manu

immaculate. at

the nape

intellect

;

of

the

;

as

thy

r

of

desire

of

faculty

of

Yaruna, thy faculty

mind

shadow

the Night, thy

Oshadhis, thy hair

imprisoned

facult)

in

;

;

the

;

the Water,

Infinite

thy body

Vaishvanara, thy head

;

Stars,

the Sun-

;

thy complexion thy vigour

;

;

;

the

Ether, the space which

Vasundhara, thy body

moral courage

Vishnu, thy

;

;

cogni-

the Quarters of the Heaven, thy ears

;

the Moon-god, thy

is

thy bodily strength

the Ocean, thy region of umbilicus

god, thy eyes

V

the presiding

Indra,

well

as

Gandharvas, thy ;

Chap.

defend the two side tendons

thy neck,

Indra, thy fortitude tion

May

[

;

;

Purushottama (the foremost of beings), thy energy of action (dynamical action of purposes);

Dhruva (immutable

and

Brahma, thy

being), thy evebrows.

these divinities, which perpetually reside

ensure thy

safe

enjoy a long

life

such

as,

May

in

Brahma,

etc.,

the Sun, the

Parvata, the fire-god,

May

confer blessings on

Moon, the twin

Brahma keep thee from

and happy year on

earth.

phenomena rain,

and

as,

the

gods

thy head.

May

witness the return of

of

thou

the wind, and the other celestial

thou be spared to

cal

may

Narada and

sages

helpmates of Indra, bring thee good. phylaxis devised by

May

thy body,

continuance in being and

through their grace.

self;

May

such

germination

evil.

many

Mav a lone

abnormal physi-

drought, deluge, excessive

excessive

the pro-

(or

downpour wholesale

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap, v.]

which invariably as

community,

abate and cease. misery.

The

vermin

of such

extinction

We

portend

well

as

as) rats,

and

evil

long

all

a

kings,

pain and

close the prayer with a "Svaha" (obeisance\

an occult power

ailments which are due to the malignant

up

she-devils.

through the protective

phylactic prayer

(lit

the recitation of the shall see his

May

read by me.

of the patient with

above Vedic Mantra, the surgeon

patient taken

to

his

own chamber, and

prescribe the proper course of medicine

the

thou acquire a

energy of the pro-

:— incantation now

Then having protected the body

ing to

among

thou be relieved of

May

influences of conjured life

mortality in

feuds

bloody

flies

mosquitoes,

present Vedic mantra exercises

in relieving

,, 43

and

The

exigencies of each case.

diet accord-

old bandage

should be loosened on the third day of the operation,

when

the

wound

or

the ulcer should be

a fresh bandage should be

wound round

washed, and

as before.

The

bandage should not be loosened on the day following the lancing of a rise to

in

the

boil,

as

such

a

measure might give

a sort of excruciating pain and formation of knots

wound and

(healing). On

retard

the

process of granulation

the third day, the surgeon (Vaidya) should

prescribe the proper medicated plaster,

diet,

fully considering the strength of the patient,

of the disease,

A wound

etc.

after

the nature

and the then prevailing season of the year.

should not be tried to be healed up, as long as

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA

44

the least morbid matter, or pus remains in it

would lead

to the formation of fresh

healthy

surrounding

and

tissues,

Chap. V.

[

inside, as

its

cavities

the

in

to

ultimately

a

recrudescence of the disease.

The authoritative Subject

:

verses

on the

— Accordingly a wound or an

ulcer should

be made to heal up after the perfect purification of both

and

inside

about.

Even

patient

should studiously avoid

the

after

viands,

indigestive

been

has

exterior

its

of

healing

fatiguing

all

fully

of the

brought

wound

the

sexual connections, exercises

physical

and

indulgence in emotions of grief or fright, or in ecstasies of joy, until the cicatrix has acquired enough toughness.

The

and bandages should be untied and

dressings

changed every third day

in

winter, in spring and in the

season of Hemanta, and on each alternate day in

and

in the

summer

But a physician (surgeon) should

rains.

not be guided by these rules

in cases

where there would

be reasons to apprehend imminent danger, and in such cases

the

wound

or

the ulcer, like a house in flames,

should be checked as speedily as possible. Clarified

butter

boiled

a

wound,

applied tepid to operation, is

is

sure to alleviate

with

Yashtimadhu,

incidental

to

a

and

surgical

the excruciating pain that

usually experienced in such an affected part. Thus ends

which

the

fifth

chapter of the Sutrasthanam

treats of Preliminary measures.

in

the Sushruta

Samhita

CHAPTER Now we

VI.

Chapter which treats of

shall discuss the

the characteristic features of the differelit seasons of the

and

year

their

on

influence

and

health

drugs

(Ritucharyardhya'yam). The Eternal Time self-l/egotten,

is

without origin, middle, or end,

and the lord of

all attributes.

non contrariety of the natural

or

endued

substances as

sweet,

with

of drugs or

attributes

characteristic

are brought about

etc.,

Contrariety

such

tastes,

by time

;

and time

the principal factor that controls the births or deaths

is

of beings.

Etymology of the term Kala (time): — The Kala fact of

its

or

time

Eternal

is

subdivisions

(Kala)

called from the

so

not suffering even one of

or

particles

the

own

its

to

derives

its

its

destroying

epithet from all

itself

fundamental quality

;

or

of

beings and laying their dead remains in

Some

heaps in succession. to

the.

though

perish,

perpetually moving, and in constant motion in it

minutest

assert that the

the fact that time blends

(

kalanam )

name

all

is

due

beings with

misery or happiness according to their respective acts, or to

its

The eternal

leading

all

beings to destruction

Sun-god, by

time which

is

his

peculiar

(

kala).

motions,

measured by years

I

divides

Samvatsaras)

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

46 into

such

Nimeshas

(lit

:

Chap. VI.

but smaller subdivisions')

'increasingly progressive as,

[

—time taken

in closing the eyelids

1

,

Kashthas, Kalas, Muhurtas, days and nights, fortnights,

months, seasons,

Time taken

solstices,

years and Yugas.

in articulating

(such as A. etc.),

is

any of the short vowels

called an Akshi-Nimesha.

Akshi-Nimeshas make one Kashtha.

Fifteen

Thirty Kashthas

make one Muhurta. Thirty Muhurtas make one day and night. Fifteen days and nights make one fortnight.

A

nights

make one month.

fortnight

etc. are

Magna,

is

either dark or

bright.

consisting of

The twelve months such

as,

divided into six seasons such as, Winter,

two months.

The two months known (Magha and Phalgunai Spring consists

Madhava

of

The

Ashadha).

two months Bhaclra'.

as

constitute

two

months

(Chaitra and Vaishaka

two months known

as Shuchi

.

the season of winter.

Summer

marked by

Jaistha is

and

marked by

Nabhas and Xabhasya (Shravana and

Hemanta

Sahas and Sahasya six

is

and Shukra

The two months known

season of Autumn.

Madhu and

called

rains or the rainy season

called

and Tapasya

Tapas

as

(Ashvina and Kartika) constitute what

These

fort-

Summer, Rains, Autumn and Hemanta, each

Spring,

called

Two

<

is

Isha and Urja is

called

the

marked by two months

Agrahayana and Pousha).

seasons are respectively characterised by cold,

heat, rains, etc.

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. VI.]

The two Ayanams

moon changing

The

one another

and Capricorn)

Solstice

Capricorn or

Tropic of

in

strength

this

of the

part

possessed of acid,

sap)

and

(Dakshinayanami

when is

spring and

summer mark

Rasas (Serum or

and sweet

Summer

Solstice

grow

tastes,

Dakshinayanam) and

the

in

gains

is

all

strength and energy more and more.

gain in

the

<

is

Winter

the

in

strong and become dominant when the sun

the Tropic of Capricorn

sun

the

moon

the year.

saline

as the

autumn and Hemanta

rains,

succession

in

heavens

in the

their respective courses

measurers of time.

over the

by the sun and the

are ushered in

(passing over the tropics of Cancer

follow

47

over

beings

Winter,

passing of the sun over

'Uttarayanam

.

The sun grows

stronger in heat and light, and saps rasas) of bitter, pun-

gent and sour tastes increase

in intensity,

and

all

animals

gradually begin to lose strength and energy.

Authoritative verses on ject :— The moon to

dity his

the earth which

daily

with

imparts the

the

course,

sun

while

the sub-

moisture and humi-

soaked up by the sun

is

the

wind

in

in

conjunction

and the moon, contributes towards the

preservation of animal

life.

The

successive change of

the two solstices marks a year.

Five such complete years count as a Yuga. The subdivisions of eternal

time from the- minutest Ximesha to

a complete Yuga, are constantly revolving like a wheel,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

48 and

this constant or perpetual

wheel

or

time

of

cycle

revolution

[Chap. VI.

is

Kala-Chakra

the

called

by

certain

authorities.

The

six

seasons such as, the Rains,

etc.,

have been

again adverted to in this chapter for the purpose of fully aggravation and

describing the accumulation, excitation pacification

of the

bodily humours, such as wind, etc.

According to some, the rainy season consists of two

months known

as

Bhadra and Ashvina

;

Autumn

consists

of the

two months of Kartika and Margashirshya

manta

consists of the

two months

spring consists of the

Chaitra of

;

;

He-

Poushaand Magna

of

two months

of Phalguna

summer, of Vaishakha and Jaistha

and

;

;

and

PraYrit,

Ashadha and Shravana. Oshadhis

Medical

and

plants

during the rains and are enfeebled

Water

becomes

muddy

or

cereals their

in

turbid

sprout

properties.

and the earth

is

covered over with fresh deposits of washed off or silted

mud.

The sky becomes

the wind, charged

the

appetite

food of beings

with

overcast

clouds,

and

with an excess of humidity, dulls

and organisms of beings.

Hence the

which principally consists of tender

and new-grown vegetables of feeble potency, considerwater partaken of as drink ably vitiated by the turbid during the season, proves acid in

and germinates excessive

bile in

its

digestive reaction,

the

human

In autumn the sky becomes cloudless, the mire

system. is

dried

Chap. VI.

up,

SUTRASTHAWAM.

]

and the

rains,

is

bile originated

liquefied

by the

rise to bilious diseases

,

49

and accumulated during the the

rays of

and gives

sun

*

Plants and vegetables (Oshadhis) that grow or sprout

during the rainy season, are matured

and ripen

and potency

in their virtues

The water becomes

Hemanta.

in this season.

The

sun's

rays

course of time

in

the season of

in

cool and heavy

clear,

become

and mild

feeble

;

t

and the winds moistened with the

human

a

sj^stem

and snow, make

frost

numb and

little

water and vegetables partaken

Hemanta

of in

divested of their properties of acid reaction assimilated

in

the

human

to an accumulation of

phlegm

their heaviness, sliminess,

but

system, in

the

and ushers

they give

rise

body owing to

and cooling and

in diseases

are

after being

oily character.

In spring, the phlegm thus accumulated in the liquefied

Hence

heavy.

body

is

due to a deranged state

of that bodily humour, f

The

said

plants and

their sap, moisture

vegetables,

in

their turn,

and nutritive element

and become dry and extremely

light.

In

manner water becomes drought-making state of parchedness in the virtue,

*

and considerably

organism

loses its

in

summer, the same

[produces a

— Ruksha]

natural

in

This should be regarded as the excited, aggravated or agitated This

7

is

called the excited or agitated state of

its

coolness and

of bile (Pitta) in the parlance of Ayurveda. t

lose

phlegm

(Kafa).

state

THE SUSHRUTA

S

The

nutritive properties.

moisture of the

human

SAMHITA'.

sun's rays dry

summer, give

rise

system owing to their

is

by the

agitated

rains

drought-making

and cold winds

of the rainy season (Bf&Ynt)

'^part

up the natural

Subsequently wind thus accumulated in the

properties.

summer,

in the

in

expansive and

or

dryness,

lightness,

wind

Chap. VI.

and accordingly water

system,

and vegetables largely partaken of to an accumulation of

[

the

in

when the ground

is

flooded with water and thus gives rise to diseases which are incidental to a deranged state of the bodily wind.*

The fundamental bodily humours such bile,

etc.

augmented and accumulated during the

Hemanta and summer,

should be

they become aggravated

as

as,

autumn, spring, or

in

rains,

soon

checked as

(manifest

themselves) in

of the

the forepart

wind,

rainy season

1

(Pravrit

.

owe

Diseases which of bile,

phlegm

their origin to a

deranged state

and wind, are respectively amelio-

Hemanta, summer, and autumn by natural

rated in

causes, [such as the variations of atmospheric or earthly

temperature, the

accumulation,

alleviation of the

Likewise the *

different

This

is

Thus

rainfall, etc.].

the

excitation

far

we have

and

discussed

pacification

or

deranged bodily humours.

which

features,

seasons of

called the excited state

the

of.

specifically

year are

wind (Vayu).

mark

observed

to

Chap. VI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

complete day and

characterise the different parts of a

peculiar to spring time

night, [or in other words] .traits

exhibit themselves in the

by

morning

those of the rainy season

autumn

and the hours

;

And

Upmsnta

the noon

;

summer

the characteristics of

all

51

;

marked

is

the evening by

;

the midnight by those

dawn by

before

of

those of

similarly, like the seasons of the year,

the diffeiefty'pkiufof the day and night arc

b"

rnurkett

,

(

of heat,

variations

etc.

cold,

[or

in

deranged bodily humours such as

other words] the

wind,

bile,

etc.

and spontaneously accumulate, aggravate, or

naturally

subside during the different parts of the in

:

the different seasons of the

year

day

as they

[represented

do

by

those parts of the day and night as stated above].

Water and vegetables

retain

their natural properties

when

the seasons are natural, and do not

trary

features,

and they

appetite, vitality,

system.

then tend

strength,

to

and power

exhibit con-

increase the

of the

Contrary or unnatural seasons

are

human

but the

consequences of sin committed by a whole community

and

A

portend

the

workings

season, exhibiting

affects

unnatural

of or

a

malign destiny. contrary features,

or reverses the natural properties of water

vegetables

peculiar to

it,

which, drunk or partaken

cause dreadful epidemics in the country.

guard

lies in

The

and of,

best safe-

not using such defiled water and vegetables

when an epidemic

breaks out in the country.

THESUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

52

Sometimes a town or a

up by a

spell or incantation.

flowers

poisonous

of

fever,

or and

epidemic

or

or a

demoness conjured

Sometimes the pollens of etc.,

all

wafted

a village,

the

catarrh,

constitutional

or

nw^l*?ri>;es

fellS::! bodily humours agitateoASL^ rTTowns villages

through

known

are

have

to

astral

malignant

houses, wives*,

beds,

seats,

been

depopulated or

influences, carriages,

gems and precious stones assuming

to

a

mances of

rites of pacification

of prophylactic

gems and

to

the gods, celebration

practice of penances, sell-control initiation;

preceptors,

obedience

sacrificial fire,

of sacrificial

the

palms to

cere-

gods,

and charity, kindness, to

like rules of

beneficial to the affected

Marriages with

a counti v.

the

one's

elders

and

and devotion to the gods and the Bramhanas,

and observance of such

as well to

locality, perfor-

drugs), recitations of mantras,

monies, obeisance with clasped

spiritual

such cases

and atonement, (wearing

libations of clarified butter cast into offerings

animals,

inauspicious features.

healthy or unaffected

migration

through

riding

Prophylactic measures:— In

*

by

and produce a

asthma,

cough, of

irrespective

depopulated by a

grasses,

invade a town

winds, sort

or

is

city

by a monster

curse, anger, sin, or

[Chap. vi.

girls

have ushered

in

conduct

may

prove

have

been

known

community.

of prohibited

description

an epidemic which devastated a whole town or

Chap. VI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

53

The characteristic features of the seasons which cjo not exhibit unnatural traits (Metrical winds

from

The

Hemanta.

blow

north

the

quarters

in

the

covered

with

over

The sun

aspect.

lambs and

Crows,

rhinoceroses,

become

excited and sprightly in this

buffaloes,

or

of

layers

in

hid

is

are frozen

thin

or

flakes,

of

sky are enveloped

and lakes and pools

frost,

season

the

in

of the

smoke and assume a dusky

texts) -Cold

lie ice.

elephants

part of the year

and the Lodhra, Priyangu, and Punnaga

;

trees begin to

blossom.

Winter exhibits the same features as above, only in a greater

the

degree of intensity

sky are

showers of

and the quarters of

by strong gales of wind and

rain.

In spring, are

agitated

;

when

the summits of the

besmeared red with the moist

brides

of the

perfumed

in

Siddhas and

mount Malaya of the

foot-prints

Vidyadharas, and are

the

contact with the sweet-scented sandal

forests, the lively

south-wind

is

roused up from his

and winnows gladness to damsels burning with

lair

desires,

and kindles up the flame of love and appeases the

amorous anger of the beloved fancies to

cleared

themes of

love.

up and look

with the

full-blown

pairs

The

joyful.

flowers

by turning

quarters of the sky are

The woods of

their

the

are

Kinshuka,

decked lotus,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

54

mango and Ashoka

Vakula,

Cuckoo

the notes of

the

through the

skies.

the

and the

seasons,

trees.

The bee hums and

heard

are

The south wind forests are

[Chap. VI.

reverberate

to

fans

king of

this

hung with the festoons

of tender and sprouting leaves in his honour.

The

sun's rays

become stronger and more intense

in

summer.

Unhealthy winds blow from the south-east.

The

is

earth

heated

;

the rivers run narrow and shallow of the

sky glare with a

blazing light, the birds Chakravakas

with their mates

in their

beds

roam about water with

;

;

the

in

quarters

quest of cool ponds and reservoirs of

herds of deer are tormented and overwhelmed

thirst

;

the intense

trees, plants

heat,

and creepers are scorched by

and withered leaves drop

the trees which alone serve to

make

the

off

from

identification

of their parents possible. In the forepart of the rainy season of detached

(Pravrit

clouds, spangled with lightning

before the gales of the west-wind,

and envelop the

skies.

and driven

come thundering over

The Earth

is

robed

corn, enlivened

with luxurious growth of

packs

I,

in

green

here and

by the dark crimson of the cochineal insects (Indragopa), and Kadamva, Nipa, Kutaja, and the

there

Ketaki trees begin to flower.

During the rainy season, the banks, tumbling

Ponds and lakes

down

the

trees

rivers

overflow their

which grow on them.

are decked with the full-blown

Kumud

Chap. VI.

SUTRASTHAXAM.

]

and Nilotpala

All

vegetation.

The

earth

covered with profuse

becomes impossible, and the sun

are

planets

is

between dry lands and

distinction

of water

reservoirs

and the

flowers.

55

dark clouds that

in

enveloped

shower torrents of rain but do not

roar.

In autumn the sun's rays assume a mellow golden tint.

Masses of white clouds are seen to

blue of heaven. lotus

retain

still

their

covered

are

plains

and

the wings of

by

The high grounds become

lands

and

plants

the dark deep

Ponds are decked with the

flowers, agitated

swans

sail

muddy

full

blown

the

diving

dry, while the

low-

The

level

character.

with shrubs and undergrowths,

trees

such

The bodily humours such

Vana,

as,

Vandhuka, Kasha and Asana, flower

in

Saptahva,

abundance.

as wind, etc. aie disturbed

and aggravated by the contrariety, excess ations

in

Hence

it

the

of

the

vari-

seasons.

prudent to check the deranged phlegm

is

in spring, to

features

characteristic

or

conquer the deranged

wind

to subdue the deranged bodily

they develop

themselves

in

bile in

any

autumn, and

in the rains, before

patent or manifest

bodily ailment. Thus ends the

sixth

chapter of

the

Sutrasthanam

in

the

Sushruta

Samhita" which treats of the characteristic features of the seasons and their influence on health and drugs.

CHAPTER Now we

VII.

Chapter which treats of

shall discuss the

Surgical Appliances, their Uses and

Construction.

(Yantra-Vidhimadhya'yam). number one hundred and one

Surgical instruments in

much

which the hand

of

all,

as

(all

principal

them

of

handled without

it

the most important, inas-

depend on the hand

and

auxiliary)

is

as

none

of

and further

;

operations pre-eminently require

Any

foreign

lodgment the

in

the

its

surgical

instruments

(from

seat or place

are

called a

be sur-

all

finds

Shalyam

embedded

it is

may be

a

painful to ;

and

the means of extracting

where

(Surgical Appliances

is

their

co-operation.

human system and becomes alike,

•

them can

extraneous substance, which

body and the mind

its

for

because

gical

or

*

it

.

divided into six different

groups or types, such as the Svastika, the Sandansha, the Tala, the

Nadi Yantras, and the Shalakas,

besides

those that are called the minor or accessory appliances

(Upa^yantras).

The Svastika instruments

(forceps) in their turn, are

divided into twenty-four sub-classes

instruments *

According number.

a large

(tongs

I

into

lo certain authorities

two

;

hundred

;

the

is

here

the

Sandansha

Tala

Yantras

indefinitely used

fof

Chap. VII.

two

into

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

1

Nadi Yantras

the

;

and the Shalakas (bougies

5-

tubular

into

twenty

into twenty-eight

;

;

while

the Upa-yantras admit of being divided into twenty-

of

These instruments are

different types.

five

which

iron

similar

or

may

be

substituted

substance

suitable

where

all

made

any other

for

would

iron

be

unavailable.

The mouths

made

are usually

of these appliances

to

resemble those of birds and beasts, and hence they should

be

made

animal

mouths of some

to resemble the

in

shape, or otherwise, according to the advice

of old and experienced physicians ing

to

the

directions

(Medical books to the

particular

as

laid

-

surgeons;, or accord-

down

the

in

of recognised authority

Shastras

or according

,

of the case, or after the shape and

exigencies

structure of other appliances used on similar occasions.

—Appliances should be

Metrical texts: neither too or

edges

should

and

should

be

nor too small, and

large

be

made with

steadiness,

and

made a

sharp

and

special eye

their

mouths

keen. as to

made

They strength

should be provided with

they

convenient handles.

to

Appliances of the Svastika class should be

made

and

their

resemble those of

lions,

measure

eighteen

fingers

mouths should be made tigers,

wolves,

Erv^rukas

a

hyenas, species

of

to

in

bears,

deer,

length

cats,

;

jackals,

crows,

deer,

cormorants,

THE SUSHKUTA SAMHITA.

-S

Kururas a species of bird

of

species

(a

owls,

falcons,

vultures,

bird

inward

in

ances

of

The

birds.

welded

or halves of a Svastika should be

in size,

lentil

pulse

Avabhanjanas,

and

beasts

like

Bhringarajas

herons,

kites,

by means of a

together

species of sparrow

(a

Anjalikarnas,

,

Xandimukhas. and such

two blades

Hasas

;,

Chap. VII.

[

bolt

Masura

a

resembling

and the handles should be turned

the shape of a mace, or an Ankusha. this

or foreign matter

any thorn

be

should

type

which

used

in

Appli-

extracting

may have

entered

into the bones.

thev

soldered together with

are

They should be made

like

to

and should be used

length,

from

substance

two

are divided into

Sandanshas tongs

or

classes

as

without a bolt.

measure sixteen

fingers in

withdraw any thorn-

to

below the

skin,

veins or

flesh,

nerves.

The Tala Yantras which measure twelve in

length,

may

Tala

single

resemble the

be divided into

and

the

double

scales of fish

in

two

Yantras

mouth of are

used

The

shape, while

according to certain authorities, are the entire

classes

Tala.

made

extracting

splinters

the

former

the latter,

to

resemble

a fish of the Bhetuli species. in

fingers

as

These

from inside

the nose, ears and other external channels or passages ot the

body.

The Nadi Yantras

tubular instruments like syringe, s

Chap. VII.

enemas,

of

them

of

and

constructed various

for

one end,

in

purposes.

while

others

These instruments are used

for the

are

are open at both.

running

aperture

are

.length)

shapes

59

or

passage

entire

their

variety

Some

with a

etc.

through a

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

at

open

purpose of extracting any shalyam

has pricked

that

into the external canals or passages of the body, or for

of affection as in piles,

inspecting the seat

sucking fblood,

from any affected part

etc.

of a

human system

introduced.

We

into

which

in

in

such

Niruddha

Guda as

diseases

tumours and

as

as

ulcers,

be

fistula

intended to be

is

of

those

injecting anything

(

the to

into

used

in

connection

in

ano,

piles,

etc.

or

Mutradvriddhi (Hydrocele)

in

Prakasha

stricture

well

it

(Srota) or outlet

shall describe, later on, the types of

Nadi Yantras which are to with

length and

Nadi Yantra should be made to

commensurate with those of the passage of the

or simply as

The

accessories to other surgical appliances.

circumference

,

or for

etc.,

Phimosis rectum)

),

Niruddha

in

and

in

ascites,

be used for

the

the

the bowels,

urethra,

vagina and the uterus, or are used in

purpose

connection

of

the

with

medicated inhalation, or with those that are known as the

Alavu Yantras (gourd used

The

Shalaka-Yantras

for cupping).

bougies

are

shapes and serve a variety of purposes.

of

various

The lengths

and girths of these instruments should be determined

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

6o

the

to

according

shalaka

Four probes or directors the

used for in a

it

such

a

Chalanam

or

,

limb,

body

from the

for

affected part.

with

A

hook. of

withdrawing in

part of the

a

a

matter

foreign

lentil

seed in

size.

down

Shalyam

a

The

.

little,

and

Six types of directors

from an affected

human organism and their top-ends are fitted The three sorts of directors of loose cotton.

applying alkaline medicines,

and their mouths resemble the

Of

Karma) three

are

are

cavities

.

of

mouthed

cauterisation

like the

like little

kind of director used

in

(Agni-

Jamboline

while the other three are faced like a mace

A

shaped

the six sorts of directors used

connection with the process of

(Ankiisha

are

serpent and a

any outer canal of the body Srotas

stone mortars (Khala.)

m

it

of the

two

other

the

or probes are used in cleansing the pus

ladles,

extracting

couple of directors are used for the pur-

they resemble a

in

another

to

The mouths

top-ends of these directors are bent

used

shalyam

with a view to

of

hood of

respectively headed like the

with caps

a

and of a Sharapunkha

while

Pers

Tephrosia Purpurea,

imbedded

pus

connection

one place

purpose

Gandupada earthworm

pose

Eshana

searching or in

are

pairs,

of these directors respectively resemble those

two types

fish

two

in

has pricked into, or

Shalyam from the

of a

individual case.

and thereby withdrawing

cutting

from the part transfer

or

part

suppurated

uplifting,

of

purposes

each

of

necessity

[Chap. VII.

or

a

fruit,

spear

removing nasal

Chap. VII.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

tumours,

mouthed

is

like the half of the kernel 'found

with a

in the inside of a Jujube-stpne, its

middle,

The ends

medicated

Anjanams wrought

used of

into

and

pulse in

tht!

type of

the

of

the

in

dip

is

applying

the

are

eyelids

Matara

like the

lobes

while

cleansing the urethra,

the

to

collyria

blunted,

used in

probe

two small round

are

little

end having a keen or sharp edge.

or

lip

6l

of

sort

made round

probe

like the

end

stem of a Malati flower.

The Upa-yantras or minor surgical

accessories — include the Venika (braided hair

,

such

substances

silk thread,

as

rope,

the bark and the

inner-skin of trees, creepers, linen, Ashthila stones large ,

oval shaped pebbles, a

the soles of

the lire,

mane

hammer, the palms of the hands,

feet, fingers,

tongue, the teeth, the nails, hair,

of horses, branches of trees, a magnet, alkali,

and medicine, and such

as

acts

spitting, straining

(kunthanam), exhilaration and intimidation.

Metrical texts —These :

body of

applied to the entire

thereof such

as,

to

according

the

accessories should be

a patient, or to

any part

arteries, the viscera, or the joints,

the necessities

of

each

case

to

be

determined by the surgeon.

The Functions of Surgical Instruments — are striking out Nirghatanam-lit — with:

drawing

a

injection

or

:

Shalyam filling,

by

moving

binding,

it

up-lifting,

and

fro),

cutting

and

to

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

62

[Chap. VII.

thereby withdrawing a Shalyam, resetting by means of

a twirling motion, removing of a

one place to purifying of to

the

pressure

another,

a passage,

surface, all

uplifting,

round a

from

expanding, pressing,

twisting,

drawing

Shalyam

off,

attracting, bringing

lowering

down, applying

part, or an organ, agitating, sucking,

searching, cutting or cleaving, straightening, washing or flushing, stuffing the

twenty- four in

nose and cleansing.

all.

Metrical texts :— The exercise his

They number

intelligent surgeon shall

judgment and determine the nature of the

surgical operation required in

each individual case, for

surely the shalyas requiring a surgeon's aid are infinitely

varied in their character.

An

appliance Yantra) which

inferior

metal and hence) not substantially made, or too or does not admit of being

short or too long,

handled

too thick, or. made of

is

and

is

Shalyam, or

incapable

of

taking

in

easily

the entire

curved, loosely fitted, or soft-bolted, or

is

up with cords,

loosely

tied

surgical

operations).

'should

not be used in

These are the twelve defects of a

surgical instrument.

Metrical texts

:

— The

use

of an

instrument

devoid of the abovesaid defects and measuring eighteen fingers in length,

is

commended

in

Shalyas which are manifest and eye, should be

extracted

surgical

operations.

visible to the

naked

with the instruments of the

Chap. vii.

SUTRASTHANAM,

]

63

Sinha-mukha (lion-mouthed) type, while those that can not be seen, should be removed with the help of the

Kanka-mukhas

(

heron-mouthed

according to the directions laid

medical

or

surgical

The Kanka-mukhas

instruments,

)

down

etc.,

in the Shastras

works of recognised authority). are the best of

all

other types of

instruments, inasmuch as they can be inserted and taken

out without the least difficulty, are capable

of drawing-

out a'Shalyam with the greatest ease, and are applicable to

all

parts of the

human body be they an

artery or a

bone-joint.) Thus ends Samhita which appliances.

the seventh

chapter

of the Sutrasthanam

treats of the shape, construction

of the

Sushruta

and dimensions of surgical

CHAPTER Now we

VIII.

Chapter which treats

shall discuss the

of

instruments used in connection with a surgical operation.

(Shastrarvacharaniyamadhya^am). These instruments are twenty

number such

in

as,

the Mandalagram, the Karapatram, the Vriddhipatram, the

the

Nakhashastram,

the

Arddhadharam, the Suchi, the Kushapatram, the

Mudrika", the Utpalapatram,

Atemukham, the Sharanmukham,

the

Antarmukham,

the Trikurchakam, the Kuthanka, the Vrihimukham, the Ar4, the Vetasapatrakam, the Vadisha,the Dantashanku,

and the Eshani.* The

Mandalagram

measures

six

fingers

in

and

length

is

The Karapatram is the same as provided with a round or circular face. The term Vriddhipatram signifies a razor. A Vriddhithe modern saw. patram measures seven fingers The Nakhasastram five fingers.

in

length,

is

the

blade of the instrument measuring a

the

handle alone measuring

the

same

the

as

modern

nail-clipper,

The UtpalaThe Arddhadharam (lancet)

finger

in breadth.

patram resembles a lotus leaf in shape. measures eight fingers' breadth' in length, being one finger broad at the The Suchi. is the same as the middle, and two fingers at the blade.

The Kushapatram is so called from its resemblance to An Atemukham resembles the bill of a bird of The blade of an Atemukham measures two fingers

modern needle.

the

blade of a Kusha-grass.

the

Ate species.

handle measuring five fingers length, length of seven fingers. The Shararimukham the

resemblance of like

its

and thus

(scissors) is so-called

blades to the bills of a Sharari bird

a modern black-smith's clipper, the measure of

twelve fingers.

The Antarmukham

is

provided

with

three separate blades.

The

entire

length

equal to the width of a Vrihiseed,

its

is

The Trikurchakam

being provid-

(trocar)

intervening space between

the couple of blades attached to a handle measuring five fingers is

from the

and looks somewhat

semicircular in shape and

ed with a toothed edge like that of a hand-saw. is

its

in

giving an entire

in

length.

entire length being eight fingers.

Chap. VIII.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Of the abovesaid instruments bcused

the Karapatram should

65

Mandalagram and

the

and scraping.

in incising

The Vriddhipatram, the Nakhasastram, the Mudrika, should be

the Utpalapatram, and the Arddhadhdram, in

emploj'ed

Chhedanam

incising

and

)

excising

and the Kushapatram, the Shuchi, the (Bhedanam) Atemukham, the Shararimukham, the Trikurchakam and ;

Antarmukham should be made use

the

of in exudating

The Kutharika, the Vrihimu-

or secreting (Visravanam.i

kham, the Ara, the Vetasapatram and the Suchi should be used

in

The Vadisha and the

puncturing.

in extracting solid bodies.

Danta-Shanku should be used

The Eshani

probing or search-

in

probe or director;

i

ing the course or direction of the pus

a suppurated

(in

and the Suchi (needle; should be used

part),

Thus we

have

in suturing.

the eight different func-

explained

instruments

of the

tions

(needle)

with

connection

in

surgical

operations.

The kutharika

(small, blunt axe) measures seven

handle, the blade

is

half a finger in width

cow.

The Vrihimukham

its

is

top

like

ten

entire length,

the

the girth of a

Durva

its

sesamum and has

(knife) resembles the

ing four

one finger fingers

fishing hook.

six

in

length.

and

is

9

entire length

its

is

Gandupada (earth-worm).

seed of

a

The Vetasapatram

The blade

keenly edged,

The

and measures

wide as the

is

and

small thorn-

cut into

is

four fingers

the handle measur-

shaped

(pincers for extracting

resembles the Vrihimukham in shape. like that of a

is

(grass) stem.

The Vadisha

The Danta-shanku

in

the awl of a cobbler

blade

in the

blunted like the tooth of'a

fingers

leaf of a Vetasa plant. in width,

and a half

ringers

is

and the edge

The Ara resembles

projections. fingers in

in length,

measures

that of a Vrihi seed,

like

and

like

teeth)

face of an Eshani

a

modern

somewhat (probe)

is

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

66

Now

we

other instruments

hold

caught

and the handle.

and the

of their

the

should be

of a

case of a

tion

would

mukham

an

should

in

or

a

specially in the

blood, the Trikurchakam

secreting or exudating

necessary.

be

man, a timid

old

woman and

child, a

when any

be

The instruments

caught hold of at the roots

prince of the royal

should be used

blade

time of using them, while

king,

a

delicate person,

the

be handled with the

slightly turned up.

blades at the

case

should be

between

part

Mandalagram should

secreting

Vriddhipatram and

In acts of scraping the Vriddhipatram

palm of the hand for

a

at

of handling

(Bhedanam

for excising

of

mode

the

instruments. — The

abovesaid

the

with

deal

shall

Chap. YIII.

[

The

handle

of a

operaVrihi-

kept concealed within the palm

hand and the blade should be caught hold of with the thumb and the index finger (Pradeshini). of the

The Kuthanka should be

first

supported on

hand and then struck with the thumb and

The

the

third

of the

right.

Eshani,

should be caught hold of at their roots.

rest

of

the

the

Ara,

instruments should

surgical

finger

and

Karapatram

be

left

the

The

grappled

according to requirements.

The abovesaid instruments which

their

very

ready described

names

The

measure eight fingers

are

shaped

imply, as

like

things

have been

al-

Nakashastram and the Eshani in

length.

The Suchi

(needle)

Chap. vill.

shall

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

The top-ends

be described later on.

and the Danta-Shankhu bent

down

and or

thorns,

sharp

average height.) in

length.

made

made

index

the

rest

equal to

of the

resemble a

closely

length

that

of the

a

man

of

measures ten fingers

instruments are

mostly

to measure six fingers in length.

instrument

with handles of easy

a Surgi-

in

—Instruments that are

:

end

that are not jagged and tops, should be

Curvature, cutting

deemed

edgedness,

in

well

with

;

formed points or

Kuntha— lit

sharpness

over- thickness,

of

^-incapable

the

edge,

should be used.

rough (dentated) edge

may

set

rough-

traits

Those possessed of contrary

But a Karapatram

of

over-lengthi-

over-thinness,

and over-shortness are the defective

surgical instrument.

edges

as the best of their kind.

bluntness

hair, unequal

fitted

and are made of good and

grip

pure iron, well shaped, sharp, and are set

ness,

little

The

(of

finger

Commendable features cal

to

Eshani

an

of

A Shararimukham

The

made

an earth-worm.

of

should be

top phalanges of

a

are

newly sprouted leaves of

the

resembles the mouth

of the Vadisha

pincers';

are

faces

The top-end

barley plant,

of a Mudrika

Dental

their

67

in

a

features

with a very

be used for the purpose of

sawing the bones.

A

surgical instrument

meant %r

should be set with an edge as thin

excision

1

Bhedanam

as that of a

)

Musura

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

68 'lentil

pulse

seed

while an

,

[

Chap. VIII.

instrument used in scraping

should be set with an edge half as thin as that of

An

the former.

instrument used either in connection

with the measures of secretion or cutting by uplifting

(Vyadhanam) should be

human

hair,

set

with an edge as fine as the

while an instrument of incision should have

an edge half as thin as that of the former.

Surgical instruments should

of the three substances such

Instruments used

in cutting

into

alkali,

the

human

whereas those that

use of in cutting, cleaving, and lopping off the

Instruments

water. vein

or

(Shira)

in

used

upon

a species of stone-slab

and

colour, in a

in

cutting

should be tempered with

it

oil.

from an affected part), should be tempered with

flesh

a

one

an arrow, a bone, or any

body, should be tempered with

made

water, and

as, alkali,

matter (Shalyami pricked

foreign

are

be tempered with

oil,

opening

open

Vyadhanam)

a nerve (Snayu)

and should be whetted

resembling a

Masha

their set- edge should be protected

sheath

made

of Shalmali

pulse in

by putting

wood.

Authoritative verses on the subject :— An instrument, well-ground, well-shaped, fitted with

a

convenient handle and capable of (laterally)

cutting a hair laid

down

in

in

two and made according to measures

the Shastras, should be

surgical operation.

alone used in a

Chap. VIII.

The ments

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

Inferior or substitutive instruAnu-Shastras

(the

fire, alkali,

— The skin of bamboos,

nails,

the leaves of trees

known

as

and Shakapatra, the tender sprouts

Shephalika

Goji,

:

Kuruvindas (a sort of crystal)

crystals, bits of glass,

leeches,

69

of corn, hair, and the lingers, should be included within

the category of the minor instruments of surgery and

(which for

be used

may

in certain instances in substitution

the principal and usual ones.

Metrical texts :— The strips of

bamboo

known

as

articles

skin, crystals, bits of glass,

of the knife, or too or

it,

cured.

and the rock

young

intelli-

Bhedanami opera-

in incising or excising

where the patient would be found

tions,

such as

Kuruvinda, should be used by an

gent physician

with

four

have a dread

to

to be surgically operated

upon

where the proper instrument cannot be pro-

The

nails of fingers should be

used

in

operations

of incising, excising or extracting in (substitution for the

instruments enjoined to be used for the purpose),

such a course would appear feasible.

applying

alkalis, leeches

cavity

of the

secreting

or

phlegm;,

may

Shakapatra,

and cauterisation

In Diseases

with later on.

evacuating

processes of

will be dealt

r affecting the e3 elids or

for

mouth, operations

be

The

when

(the

performed

Shephalika or Gojis.

a probe or director, searching

may

the purposes of

accumulated with In

the

the the

pus

or

leaves

of

absence of

be done with the help

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

70 of a

An

finger, or

duty

a

skilful

pure, strong in

the art

successful

practice

a

to

get

or with

hair,

physician

intelligent

perative

by

with

his

should

and sharp iron

steel

of using surgical in

his

should be

it

his

A

im-

made

and

blacksmith, i.

sprout.

instruments

of

physician, skilled is

instruments,

professional practice,

of surgery

corn

deem

surgical

and experienced

a

Chap. VIII.

[

always

and hence the

commenced

at the very

outset of medical studies.

Thus ends the eighth chapter of the Sutrasthanam Samhita which

treats of Surgical|Instruments.

in

the

Sushruta

CHAPTER Now we

IX.

the Chapter which treats of

shall discuss

practical instructions in surgical operations

(Yogya-

Sutra). The preceptor should practice of surgery even

if

the

disciple attends

see his

he has already thoroughly

mastered the several branches of the science of Medicine, or has perused

it

In

in its entirety.

with surgical operations of incision, of

oil, etc.

all

acts connected

and

etc.

injection

the pupil should be fully instructed as regards

the channels

along or into which the operations or

applications are

to

be

A

made (Karma-patha\

pupil,

otherwise well read, but uninitiated into the practice

medicine or surgery)

is

not competent to take

the medical or Surgical treatment of a disease of

making

making gourd art of

,

specific

cuts in the

The

body of

a Pushpaphala

(a

cuts either in the

or

upward

The

in

the

body

of a

bladder of a dead animal, or full

of slime or water.

in

making

bv making

water-bag, or in

full

the

The

of a

side

The

downward

art of

excisions should be nracticallv demonstrated

openings

art

kind of

Alavu, watermelon, cucumber, or Ervaruka.

making

hand

forms of incision should be taught by

direction should be similarly taught.

pouch

.

in

(of

the

leather

art of scraping should

be instructed on a piece of skin on which the hair has been allowed to remain.

The

art

of venesection

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

72 (

[Chap. IX.

Vedhya) should be taught on the vein of a dead animal,

or with the help of a lotus stem.

The

and

worm (Ghuna) eaten

taught on

stuffing should be

of probing

art

wood, or on the reed of a bamboo, or on the mouth of a dried

be a

taught by

of

from

teeth

or

secreting"

bee's

or hide.

should

Jack

fruit,

the jaws of a

as

well as by extract-

The

dead animal.

act

should be taught on the

evacuating

Shalmali plank covered over with a

surface of a

of

of extracting

art

withdrawing seeds from the kernel of

Vimbi, Vilva or

ing

The

Alavu (gourd).

coat

wax, and suturing on pieces of cloth, skin Similarly the art

of bandaging

or

ligaturing

should be practically learned by tying bandages round the specific limbs and of stuffed linen.

members of

The

art of tying

should be

(severed ear-lobe) soft

of a

lotus

lily.

The

art

made

up a Karna-sandhi

practically demonstrated

severed muscle or on

on a

a full-sized doll

flesh,

or with the stem

of cauterising, or applying

alkaline preparations ^caustics) should be demonstrated

on a piece of syringes

and

soft

flesh

;

and

lastly the art of inserting

enemas into the region of the

injecting

bladder or into an ulcerated channel, should be taught (by

asking the pupil) to insert a tube

fissure of a pitcher,

full

of water,

or

into

into

a lateral

the

mouth

of a gourd (Alavu).

Authoritative verses on the subject :— An

intelligent

physician

who

has

tried his

IX.

Chap.

prentice as,

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

hand

gourds,

in surgery ion

etc.,

73

such articles of experiment

or has learnt the

art

with the help of

things as stated above), or has been instructed in the art

of cauterisation

or

blistering (application of alkali)

by

experimenting on things which are most akin, or similar

are

to

the parts or

members

usually applied to,

mind

of the

human body

the}'

will never lose his presence of

in his professional practice.

>

Thus ends Samhita which

10

the ninth

chapter

of

the

Sutrasthanam

in

treats of Instructions in Surgical operations.

the

Sushruta

HAPTER

C

Now we the

he

Chapter which treats of

shall discuss the

essential

of

qualifications

enters

formally

X.

a

physician

before

(Vishikha ~ /

his

profession

nupraveshaniya-madhya'yam). A physician

haying thoroughly studied the Science of

medicine, and fully pondered on and yerified the truths

he has assimilated, both by obseryation and practice, and haying attained to that stage of lucid knowledge, which (

would enable him

to

make

)

a clear

exposition

science (wheneyer necessary), should open

commence

career

practising)

He

the king" of his country.

He

medical

with the permission

of

should be cleanly in his

habits and well shayed, and should not to grow.

his

of the

allow

his

nails

wear white garments, put on a

should

pair of shoes, carry a stick and an umbrella in his hands,

and walk about with friend of

all

and friendly ing the to be in

A

full

a mild

and benignant look

created beings, ready to help in his talk

all,

as

a

and frank

and demeanour, and neyer allow-

control of his reason or intellectual powers

any way disturbed or

physician,

happy augury,

having met

interfered with.

with

a

messenger

of

or having been encouraged on his journey

by the notes of auspicious the house of his patient.

birds or sights, should go

to

[Then, having entered the

X.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

7c;

sick room], the physician should view the

touch

patient, 1

with his

it

about his complaint

.

and enquire

hands,

Several authorities hold that these

three, (inspection, touch

the

own

and questioning/ largely form

means of our ascertaining the nature of a

But that

not

is

of his

body

inasmuch as the

correct,

disease,

five

sense-

organs of hearing, sight, etc. and oral enquiry materially contribute to a better diagnosis. >

Diseases,

which are to be diagnosed with the help of

the organ of hearing, will be fully treated, later on, in the Chapter

on Vrana-Srava (secretions from an ulcer),

The wind (Vayu), making the blood

ebullient, forces

it

up

with a distinctly audible report and thus affects the sense of hearing.

But

be dealt with later on

this will

The heat and

abovesaid chapter.

in

the

coldness of the body,

or the gloss, roughness, hardness, or softness of the skin

of the affected part

as in

swelling of the body,

and indications of

etc. are

(from

the urethra) in

'

from or

by the sense of

vitality,

strength, complexion,

perceived by the sense of sight.

discharges

the

are perceptible

Fullness or emaciation of the body (cachexia),

touch. state

cedematous

or in an

fever,

the

inflamed mucous

Prameha

organ of taste.*

etc.,

The

sweet, or any other taste of the

the

fact

flies, etc.

being or

membrane

of

should be tested with

characteristic smell emitted

The

of their

Secretions or

discharges

not being

should

swarmed with

be hosts

inferred

of ants

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

76

by an

ulcer

in

Chap. X.

(Arishta) should be

critical stage

its

[

determined with the help of the organ of smell.

While such

time or season (of the

facts as the

first

appearance) of the disease, the caste which the patient belongs

and things

to,

measures which tend

or

of the

about a manifest amelioration

bring or

prove

as

well

comfortable as

tion of pain, state

of

stool,

urine

the

the strength

and

and

(Satmyam)

patient

the

of

or

their

as

disease

and

patient,

appetite,

flatus,

the

of

maturity

disease,

of the disease, the aggrava-

cause

digestion

the

to

to

his

of

emission

the

and

stoppage,

time,

regards

the

should

be specifically ascertained by directly interrogating the patient (on those subjects).

Though the abovesaid

five

organs of sense, like the three fundamental vital humours, help still

us to

the

make

perceived

these

by

out of account

left

of a

correct diagnosis

locally

objects

should not be

the

disease,

senses

in ascertaining its

specific nature.

Authoritative verse on ject — A disease wrongly observed :

described, or wrongly

diagnosed,

is

the subor

sure to

incorrectly

mislead

a

physician.

Having made these observations the physician try to cure diseases

measures

in cases

that

where

are

curable,

palliation

is

will

adopt palliative

the

only remedy

that can be offered, and give up a case which

is

beyond

Chap.

all

X.

SUTRASTH/YNAM

]

.

77

medical treatment, and mostly those which are of more

than a year's standing. Diseases affecting a Brahmana well versed in the Vedas, or a king, or a infant, or

an old man, or a timid person, or a

conceals his disease, or a

temperament, or a

man

over his senses, or a

cumstances of him,

are

life

or without

apt to run

appearing in a

The

in the

knowledge of the science of medicine, or a

to possess a

irascible

man

an

or

man who pretends

royal service, or a cunning man, or a

man who

woman,

physician,

common who

into

man

man who in

of an excessively

has no

extremely indigent

any one

to

take

cir-

care

of

an incurable type though

form at the outset.

or curable

practises his art

with a regard to

these facts, acquires piety, wealth, fame and for objects in

control

all

wished

life.

Authoritative verse on the subject — A physician should abjure the company of :

women, nor should he speak joke

with

them.

A

anything but cooked

Thus ends Samhita which

the

tenth

physician

rice

in

private is

to

them

or

forbidden to take

from the hands of a woman.

Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushrula a physician.

treats of the essential qualifications of

CHAPTER Now we pharmacy

shall discuss the

XI.

Chapter which treats of the

of alkalis or potential cauteries

(

Kshara -

parka-vidhi-madhya'yam). In cases that require incising, excising and scraping, alkalis or alkaline preparations are of greater

importance

than surgical instruments and appliances iboth principal

and secondary or the virtues

substitutive', as

of subduing

humours such

as wind, bile

The etymological alkalis

is

the

they are possessed of

three

deranged bodily

and phlegm).

signification

of the

term

Kshara

based on their property of corroding (the skin

or the flesh of an affected part of the body), or

peculiar quality in destroying the skin

such an effect

is

desired \

and

on their

flesh

where

Since a variety of substances

enter into the composition of Kshara alkalis

,

they are

endued with the virtue of subduing the three deranged bodily humours.

Owing

to their white colour,

be included within

should

substances tSaumya

the

Ksharas

category of cooling

.

But since many drugs or substances of a hot or

'Agneyaj enter into their composition, Ksharas

nature (alkalis

fiery

)

burning,

are

endued

with the properties of blistering,

suppurating
etc.,

without

Chap,

SUTRASTHANAM,

XL]

involving any

79

contradiction to their generic

nature, and hence

(Saumya)

the)- are included within the

list

of

those substances which are both hot and cooling (Saumya

and Agneya taste,

of

a

their

and

virtues.

and

They

on aaimal

They

tissues.

act

are

as

the intestines.

antitoxic,

In

diseases.

Kshara

as the Pratisaraniya (for

Pania (alkaline potions used

mode

external

such

in

skin in

In

Charma-kila,

cases of

of

the

external

applications

in

of

,

such

and the should

bad

Tilkalaka,

external

abscesses

worms and poisoning which

mouth, such as Upajihva,

Danta-Vaidarbha, and

1

ano, tumour,

as well as in the seven forms of diseases

cavity

of

diseases as Kitima,

Mashaka and

Vyanga,

and hcemorrhoids.

application)

Alkaline preparations

.

(Dushta Vrana\ sinus,

Nacchya,

effect

of administration

Dadru, Kilas, Mandala, Fistula ulcer

of destroying skin

be grouped under two distinct

may

heads according to their

be externally

and

to reduce fat

potency of a man.

virile

(caustics,

anthelmintic

have the

alkalis)

large doses,

destroying the

virtue

action

mucous accumu-

They tend

phlegm and they have the

and

styptic

destructive

and possess the property of curing lations in

in

digestive,

irritant,

exercise

paralysing agents.

pungent

improve unhealthy

liquefacient,

granulation,

are

They

heat-making potency,

absorbent,

corrosive,

sores

in

affect the

Upakusha,

the three types of Rohini, alkalis

act

like

substitutive

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

g

surgical

should be prescribed

of alkalis,

Gulma

of

(abdominal

stone in the intestines

of stool and urine,

or eliminating

Alkalis

any

potions will

man

person, or in a bility,

work

will

positively

similar mischief in a

syncope and Timira (darkness of

same way by

should be

filtering

weak

from vertigo, insensi-

suffering

patient

preparations of Alkalis

the

prove

of bilious temperament, to an infant, or to an

man, and they

old

subduing

up with fever or haemoptysis,

injurious to a patient laid

to a

for

in the

from the system.

sort of poison

alkaline

or

calculi,

worms

and hcemorrhoids, as well as

of

abdomen

urinary

internal abscesses,

bladder,

cases

in

loss

Ascites,

glands;,

appetite, indigestion, flatulent distension of the

with suppression

other

Alkaline potions or any

instruments.

internal use

[Chap. XI.

These

vision).

made

one and

in

and we reserve the

;

full

description of this process for another occasion. Alkalis

three

external

for

different

potencies

strong (extremely to

prepare

application

such

;

an

alkali,

by

auspicious

age,

physician

should

astral

first

soil

purity

his

autumn

combinations.

Then

hill,

day

he should select a tree of middle

recommended

on pharmacy and not anywise

wishing

in

grown Ashita-mushka (Ghanta paruL and growing on

in

middling and

a fast on a

having ascended the brow of a full

prepared

mild,

A

irritant-.

body and mind, and observe marked

the

are

affected.

in

the

works

Then having

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XI.

the

invoked

formally

which bears no

white

flowers)

on the day following,

fell it

reads as

:

—" O

the

of

spirit

tree,

— reciting the Mantra which potency,

fiery

1

physician should

the

never decrease or vanish. Stay here,

may

O

virtues,

potency

thy

thou

O

blissful one,

work, and after the performance thereof

my

thou shalt

aforesaid

thou possessed of mighty

thou endued with

execute

8

be at liberty to ascend to the heavenly

regions."

Then having performed the thousands

wood

should cut the small

and

pieces

tected from

and red

white

of

Homa

abovesaid

them

put

the physician

flowers,

the

of

ceremony with

a

in

tree

place

Then having placed

the wind.

into pro-

pieces

of

unslaked limestone over them, the physician should

burn them to ashes with the lighted faggots of dried

sesamum burnt

itself

stored.

roots

leaves,

Arka,

Snuhi,

Kadali,

fire

has

fairly

wood

should be separately collected

Similarly

and

the

fruits

of

wood Kutaja,

Vibhitaka,

as

well

as

Putika,

Aragvadha,

Indra-Vriksha,

Saptachchhada,

the

Palasha, Ashva-

Tilvaka,

Apamarga, Patala, Naktamala,

Chitraka,

Ashvamaraka,

the

ashes of the limestone and the

Paribhadra,

karna,

after

the

out,

Ghanta-parula

and

Then

plants.

Vrisha,

Asphota,

Agnimantha,

Gunja,

and the four species of Koshataki, should be burnt

down

to ashes, ii

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

82

Then

[

Chap. XI.

Drona measure of the ashes thus prepared* should be dissolved and stirred up in six Drona measures of

a

water

pure

twenty-one times

ladle.

fire

gradual

stirring,

and

be the

the

filtered

dregs thrown

and a

measure saturated

or

a

through

half

alkaline

water

as

fire.

Following the

Kata-Sharkara,

ashes

Sankhanabhi,

equal proportions, the

in

set

in

an

of

clean

be

taken

bv

it

*

Twu

continuous

paKts of the

ashes of Kutaja,

Sic.

out

be again kept boilsubstances

known

the burnt limestone

of

(fresh

water oysters) red

hot

and then immersed

and

pressed

of alkaline

iron

basin

as

water,

and

the

steady

in

water previously

above

described.

Then having immersed eight Pala measures substances known as the Shankhanabhi etc., abovesaid alkaline

linen,

Kudava

the (abovesaid

of

this,

be

should

It

burnt

should

Kudaba measure

apart

would appear

should

previously obtained, Kshirapakas

and

with a

when bv

fire

After this a

of the caldron, and the rest should

ing over the

the

piece

Palas)

water caldron

it

irritating.

away. (12

filtered

large

water

and

red

slimy,

a

agitating

down from

saturated

be

alkaline

in

and boiled by gently

transparent,

then

The

succession.

should be taken

It

.

in

and

urine,

above) should be kept

filtered as

over a

cow's

or

physician stirring,

burnt ashes of Ghanla-parula and

of the in

the

should boil care being

one pail

of the

Chap. XI.

SUTR AST H A' N A M

]

make

taken not to a

Then

consistency.

should be taken

after

called the if

Kshara

without

or

name

caldron

its

contents

thus prepared

alkali

of middling

the

its

covering

carefully

is

potency, which, addition

subsequent

throw-over) of the ashes of Katasharkara, the

the

the oven, and

The

(alkali

thin nor of tod thick

basin

pitcher, it.

filling

prepared

the

down from

poured into an iron

mouth

of too

it

8 aT,

.

etc.,

flit

:

goes by

of mild alkali OVtridu Kshara). Similarly, alkali

prepared with the addition of the powders of the drugs

known

as Danti, Dravanti, Chitraka, Langulaki, Putika-

Pravala

Talpatri, Vidha,

Suvarchika,

Kanaka-Kshiri,

Hingu, Vacha, and Visha, or with as man}' of them as are available, each

weighing four

Kshara (extremely

tolas,

the strong

called

is

These alkaline pre-

irritating alkali).

parations of different potencies, should be severally used in cases

where

indicated.

An

would be

their administrations

alkaline preparation,

clearlv

any way weakened,

should be strengthened by adding to

alkaline water

it

(water saturated with an alkali) as before described.

Authoritative verses ject

;

— The

based on

its

commendable

whiteness, on

too strong, on

its

gloss

its

and

features in

On

the morbid

the other hand,

its

an

alkali

are

being neither too mild nor

sliminess,

the place of application, and on

(Abhisyandi

on the sub-

fluid,

its

on

its

sticking to

power of secreting

and on

its

rapid

defective traits consist in

effect.

its

being

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

g4

[

Chap. XI.

too mild, of excessive whiteness, excessive strength irritability,

of over-sliminess,

thickness,

insufficient

component

ingredients.

A

patient

laid

excessive

and

boiling,

up with

a disease

stickiness

insufficiency

amenable

to

or

or

of

an

application of alkali ^potential cautery or caustic) should

be kept

in a spacious

chamber, and should not be ex-

posed to draughts and to the hot rays of the sun,

[Then the physician appliances etc, as

having secured] the necessary

already laid

down

in

the Chapter V,

should view the part of the patient's body to which the alkali

is

to

be then* rubbed or overt

The

be applied.

affected

part

scarified! with an alkali,

with a piece of linen.

The

should

and covered

alkaline prepara-

tion should be applied with a rod or director*

and kept

undisturbed for a period needed to articulate a hundred

long letter sounds).

Metrical texts

The

:

perfect

burning

tering should be inferred from the black colour

skin of the affected part.

Madhuka and

included within the Amla-varga (group

(blis-

of the

the substances of acid drugs)

pasted with clarified butter, should be applied to allay the incidental burning (sensation). * In a case brought about by t

It

should

plaster

composed

ascendency of the deranged bile. where the skin would appear the action of the deranged vital winds (Yayu)-

be scraped with

hard and benumbed owing in

A

(Pitta)

the

alkali

£ In a case of deranged phlegm (Kafa) the affected part by itching and swelling.

being marked

XI.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

g^

sesamum and Madhukam

of the shreds of Amla-Kanjika,

taken in equal parts, and pasted together,

should be

applied to the part burnt with an alkali

the event

in

;

of the latter having failed to produce the desired

owing to the disease being deeply

seated.

Madhukam

and the Kalka paste of sesamum mixed with butter would cause such an

Xow

clarified

incidental; ulcer to heal.

you may ask the question how can an acid

substance, which

is

and heat-making

fiery in its virtue

in

potency, tend to subdue the effects of an alkali which

its is

effect

possessed of similar virtues and properties, instead

of augmenting them, as can naturally be apprehended

Well

my

child,

stating, that

by

composition

the question can be fairly

substances of

of an

pungent (Katu

alkali

taste

is

tion

(Anurasa).

with

the

is

of

its

this

one

sharp or irritating property

one

the

the

into

acid

one.

The

the principal taste of an alkali,

Xow

acid

answered

tastes enter

except

while the saline (Lavana) forms flavour

all

?

minor or accessorv

saline taste

renounces

and

is

its

in

conjunc-

extremely

thus transformed into

sweetness or of soothing virtue.

Hence

it

that an acid taste tends to allay the burning incidental

to

an application

same way

An

of alkali

caustic)

(potential

as water tends to put out

in

the

fire.

operation of perfect cauterisation with an alkaline

application brings about an amelioration of the disease, or

the disease

is

entirely

subdued,

accompanied by

THE SUSHRUTA

86

lightness of the

the

is

part]

local

hand], excessive

may have

other

the

an

with

part]

a fatal

to

rise

gives

[On

the

of

symptoms

and

termination,

attended by such symptoms as burning, suppuration, secretion

redness,

A

[of

burning [of

also

and numbness.

burning

alkaline preparation is

malady and

the

itching

pain,

insufficient

attended by

generally of

aggravation

while an

;

Chap. XI.

[

and absence of secretion from

limbs

the affected part

SAMHITA'.

and from the seat of

in

comes

and fatigue

of languor

feeling

affection.

upon

the

patient accompanied with thirst, swooning and an aching

An

sensation.

ulcer

by an

incidental to a burn

alkali

should be treated with a special eye to the nature of the disease

and the deranged bodily humour

specifically

involved in the case.

A

weak

person, an infant, an aged

person, a

timid disposition, a patient suffering from

with

dropsy

or

discharges,

from

anasarca or from

woman

in

lungs,

or

emaciated or

haemoptysis,

her menses,

chronic

a person subjected

abnormal

virile

with

impotency,

or

a

or

thirst,

whose

to

a person urethral

inflammation fits

of faint-

person testes

from

retroversion

uterus or prolapsus

of the

or

suffering

have become

deranged either upwards or downwards, or a suffering

of

abdominal

from an attack of high fever or

suffering

ing

a

woman,

a pregnant

of the

general

man

introversion

vagina, should be

woman of

the

deemed

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XL]

unfit

for

over

their

application nerves,

cartilages,

sutures, arteries,

of Srotas

over with

joints,

other vulnerable parts

bones or

or tender

gristles

umbilicus, genitals,

throat,

channels),

(external

a thin layer

More-

alkalis.

not to be sanctioned over

is.

the veins,

regions

with

cauterised

being

87

of flesh, inside

parts covered

the

of the body, nor

nails

and

diseases

in

of the eyes, excepting those which affect the eyelids. Alkalis

to

fail

patient suffering from

from bone-ache, or

oedema of the limbs, or

laid

joints or the heart, or

who is

has

lost

all

effect in a

produce any beneficial

in a

relish

suffering

up with a disease affecting the person of impaired appetite

for

food,

even when their use

otherwise indicated.

Authoritative verse on the subject —An Alkali administered by an ignorant phy:

sician

to be

is

dreaded more than poison,

with a weapon, thunder-bolts, or in the

hand of an

intelligent

enough to speedily subdue its

use

is

all

death

physician

serious

blows

fire,

itself it

;

is

diseases in

while

potent

which

indicated.

Thus ends Samhita which

the eleventh Chapter of the treats of the

Pharmacy

Sutrasthanam

of Alkalis.

in

the

Sushruta

CHAPTER Now we

Agn A

i

-

fire

Kar m a- V id h (cautery)

which ordinarily

to medicinal or fire

surgical

(cauterisation

The

than an Alkali as

A

.

far as its

burnt with

disease

knows no recrudescence the

baffle

skill

use

their

in

and

;

of a surgeon

and never prove themselves amenable

or a physician,

to

treats of

m ad hyayam)

concerned.

cured for good and

diseases

i

better

is

is

healing property fire, is

Chapter which

and the rules to be observed

cauteries (

shall discuss the

XII.

remedies,

are found

to yield

.

following drugs, articles and substances should

be understood as accessories to an act of cauterisation, viz.,

Pippali, the excreta of goats, the

Godanta\ Shara, a

rod, the surgical

as the Jamvavaustha, articles

honey, treacle,

oil,

or

made

any other

in

a

which

disease

similarly

the

Jamvavaustha, copper or is

surgical as

silver

seated in

is

well

instrument

known

of copper or silver,

Out of

and the rod should be

in cauterising the affected part

restricted

only to the

instsument as

the

known

appliances

skin as

made

;

the of

should be used in a disease which

the flesh.

be 'boiled and

cow

of a

oily substance.

these, Pippali, the Godanta, Shara

(made red hot and) used

tooth

Honey,

employed

in

treacle

and

cauterising

oil

the

should disease

Chap. XII.

which

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

affects

any of the

veins,

89 bones or bone-

nerves,

joints.

Cauterisation

year except

admissible

is

in

all

seasons of the

summer and autumn; but no such

distinction

should be observed in cases of impending danger, it

when

should be practised with the help of such appliances

of a contrary

1

nature,

cooling)

[as

wet

sheets, cooling

drinks and cooling plasters, etc.]

In

all

diseases

and

of the

in all seasons

patient should be fed on

year,

the

a diet of slimy (mucilaginous)

food before actually applying the cautery

;

while the

empty stomach before the where the complaint would be a case of Mudagarbha

patient should be kept on an act

ffalse

presentation), fistula in

ano,

haemorrhoids or a

disease affecting the cavity of the mouth.

According to certain cauterisation

may be

authorities

the processes

of

grouped under two heads according

as the skin or the flesh

is

cauterised.

The

present work

does not lay any injunction against the cauterisation of

any nerve,

A

bone or bone

vein,

burning of the skin

is

accompanied by a peculiar

The

bursting or cracking sound.

tracted and emits a fetid smell.

where the a

flesh

is

burnt,

(the

dove color of (blackish

and a

little

swelling,

joint (as stated before).

skin

becomes con-

Similarly, affected

in

part)

a case

assumes

brown), marked by pain

and the incidental ulcer becomes

dry and contracted. In the case where a nerve or a vein 12

THE SUSHRUTA

90 is

the

burnt,

SAMHITA'.

presents a

ulcer

[Chap. XII.

raised (elevated)

black aspect with the stoppage of

all

secretions

;

and

while

an ulcer incidental to the cauterisation of any of the

bone

has

joints

a parched red hue and becomes hard

and rough.

The

regions of the eye-brows, forehead

be cauterised

bones, should

head as well as In

diseases

in a

case of

affecting

the

diseases

in

and templethe

affecting

Adhimantha (Ophthalmia). eye should be

eyelids the

covered over with a moist piece of Alaktaka

pad of red pigment principally used

in

(a

thin

dyeing the

feet

and the roots of the eyelashes should be duly

of ladies)

Cauterisation

cauterised.

is

specifically

enjoined to

be resorted to incases of glandular inflammation, tumour, fistula in ano, scrofula, elephantiasis,

Charmakila, warts,

Tilakalaka, hernia, sinus hcemorrhage, and on the occaa vein or a bone joint, as well

sion of cutting

the event

of the

as

in

wind (Vayu) being extremety

vital

agitated and lodged in the local skin, flesh, vein, nerves

and

the

pain

in

bone-joints

and

and giving

to

rise

excruciating

about the ulcer which in consequence

presents a hard, raised and inert surface.

The modes

of cauterisation

and

vary according to the

number

four

seat of the

disease,

Ring, the

Dot, the Lateral or Slanting

Rubbing modes.

in

all,

lines,

viz.,

the

and the

'»*,

xii.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

91

Authoritative verse on the subject: — A

considered the seat

physician, after having carefully

of the disease and judiciously ascertained the patient's strength and

the

of

parts

the

situations patient's)

of the

Marmas

body,

should

the

resort

cauterisation with an eye to the nature of the

and the then prevailing season of the

vital

to

malady

year.

»

The

part, after being properly cauterised, should

rubbed with an unguent composed of honey and butter.

A man

be

clarified

temperament or with a quantity

of bilious

of bad blood lying stagnant and locked up in

any part

of his body, or of lax bowels, a person with any foreign

substance (such as a thorn his body), a

weak

or a splinter

or an old

man, an

still

lodged in

of timid disposition, or a person afflicted with

number

of ulcers, as well

any of the diseases

as

a

patient

which

in

man

a large

suffering

diaphoretic

are forbidden, should be regarded as a

a

or

infant,

from

measures

subject unfit for

cauterisation.

Now we

describe

shall

the

characteristic

sym-

ptoms of the several kinds of burns other than those caused

upon etc.].

or

(for

surgical

and hard

fatty

Hot

fuels,

or boiling

entering into

Fire

purposes).

oil

[such as

oil

feeds

both

and logs of wood

has the property of permeating

the minutest

nerves and veins, and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

g2 hence,

it is

capable of burning the skin,

ingly an ulcer incidental characterised

Burns

t

by extreme

may

such

a burning

1

(scald

pain, etc.

A

seat

its

and extreme burning and markblister,

called the

is

Plushtam, from the root "plusha" to burn.

blisters,

viz.,

burn characterised by the

ed by the absence of any vesicle or

characterised

is

is

Dur-Dagdham, the Samyag-Dagdham

and the Ati-Dagdham.

which

Accord-

be grouped under four distinct heads

the Plushtam, the

discolouring of

to

etc.

Chap. XII.

by the eruption of large

and assumes a red

A

burn,

vesicles or

and is characterised by

colour,

excessive burning and a kind of drawing pain, and which

suppurates and takes a long time to heal,

Dur-Dagdham (bad burn

or scald).

A

is

called the

burn, which

and assumes the colour of a

is

not

Tala

deep

(superficial)

fruit,

and does not present a raised or elevated aspect

and develops the preceding symptoms,

Samyag-Dagdham the

flesh

(fully

burnt one).

A

is

called

the

burn in which

hangs down, and where the veins, nerves and

bones are destroyed, accompanied with ing,

ripe

thirst,

fainting

and such

which leads to a permanent

like

fever, burn-

disturbances,

disfiguration

of the

and

body,

retarding the healing of the incidental ulcer which leaves

a discoloured cicatrix even after healing,

Ati-Dagdham (over burnt try to heal

one).

A

is

called the

physician should

any of these four types of burns with the

measures already laid

down

before.

Chap.

XII.

SUTRASTHAN'AM

]

93

Authoritative verses on the subject. —The hot

by

blood of

and the

fire,

excite or causes

it

a-

man

is

heated

blood thus

to raise the bile.

and made

agitated

And

tends

to

and

bile

since fire

(Pittam) are similar in their taste, essence, effect, potency

and natal etc.),

factors, the effects of

are naturally aggravated

contact with

Blisters

fire.

Pittam (burning sensation

and augmented through a or

crop up in

vesicles

and mark the seat of burning, and

rapid' succession

fever, thirst, etc., supervene.

Now ment

I

shall

to be adopted for

warm

applied to a burn

in

should be

plasters

the Plushtam type, and a course

and drink should be likewise prescribed

The blood becomes

the patient. is

of

treat-

Hot and

the cure of burns.

dry fomentations, as well as

of hot food

of medical

describe the course

thin

for

when the body

diaphorised by means of warm fomentations, and water, virtue

of

its

natural

exercise

properties,

Hence warm fomentations

thicken the blood. cations

cooling

curative

virtues

in

tends to or appli-

the case

of

a

burn of the foregoing type, and water or cold applications produce the contrary effect.*

Both warm and cold measures are to be adopted in the case

of a

* By arresting the

burn of the Dur-Daghdha type, the radiation

favouring the elevation of

burning sensation.

of

the local

the incarcerated

heat

temperature and the

and thereby

increase

of the

THE SUSHRUTA SAMH1TA.

94

Chap. XII

[

1

medicinal remedies consisting of cold

unguents of

clarified butter.*

and

applications

•

A plaster composed of Tugakshiri,

Plaksha, Chandana,

and Amritam Guduchi), pasted together with

Gairika,

clarified butter,

should be applied over a burn of the

Samyag-Dagdha

the flesh

or

type,

aquatic or amphibious animals

over the

plastered

present

domestic or

of

and

should be pasted

affected part.

A

burn

the

of

marked by excessive burning, should

type,

be medicinally treated

in the

same manner

as a case of

bilious abscess (Pitta- vidradhi).

In the case of a burn of the Ati-Dagdha (over-burnt ) the

type,

and

flesh

loose

or

the

dangling integuments

should be removed, and cold applications should

Then

be made over the ulcer. should

be

dusted

a plaster

or

the

affected

over with pulverised of

composed

Tinduki and

clarified butter

applied over

its

the

other aquatic plants, and

part rice,

skin

pulverised

pasted together,

The

surface.!

Shali

of

should be

affected part should

covered over with the leaves of Guduchi, or of

*

(skin)

be

lotus, or

measures and remedial

all

Cold applications and cooling measures should be resorted

in

the

case of a deep and excessive burn, while the contrary should be held as

the

correct

•f-

remedy

in the case of a slight

Several authorities

and

superficial one.

prescribe Tinduki

powdered together and mixed with a decoction of Tinduki bark.

to

clarified

bark

and human cranium

butter, while

others

prescribe

Chap. XII.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

agents,

indicated in

should

be

of a bilious erysipelas,

the case to

resorted

95

the

in

instance

present

as well.

A

Manjisth3,

Sarjarasa,

of

composed

plaster

wax, Madhukam,

bee's

Murva

Chandanam and

(red)

pasted together and boiled with clarified butter should

be regarded as beneficial to burns of

types to

all

promote rapid healing. In the case of a burn from boiling or such

and

substances should be externally applied

like

measures which

all

butter

oil, clarified

promote

of

dryness

Ruksha) should be adopted without the

part

the least

hesitation.

Now we manifest are

shall describe the

a

in

symptoms which become nostrils

[whose

person

smoke. — The

choked with

and larynx] becomes

respiration

laboured and hurried and the abdomen

distended

is

accompanied by constant sneezing and coughing. red and seem

eyes look

breathes out

smoke and

than that of affected thirst

the

;

and

treatment

The

fails

sense

sense of

if

The

burning.

down

hear

me

to

be

patient

catch any other smell

to

of hearing

taste

is

becomes

considerably inert

a burning sensation supervene

patient drops

Now

it.

as

The

;

;

fever,

and the

utterly unconscious.

discourse

adopted

on the course of medical in

the

case

of

one

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

96

over-powered with smoke. clarified

butter mixed

with

saturated

the

of

juice

an

in

Chap. XII.

the shape of

in

with sugarcane

dissolved

sugar- candy

— Emetics

[

grapes,

adequate

or

milk

or

juice

lumps of of

quantity

water, or any acid potion slightly sweetened, should be

administered

the

to

The

patient.

contents of

the

stomach are speedily discharged by vomiting the disten;

abdomen

sion of the

the breath (its

removed

is

mitigated, and the

is

;

the smell of

is

cough,

thirst,

abated, and the patient

consciousness.

to

restored

etc.

in

accompanying fever with

concomitants) of sneezing, languor,

laboured breathing

smoke

Gargles having

is

a sweet,

taste restore the

sense-

his mind. perception of the patient, and gladden

Medi-

saline, acid

or

pungent (katu)

cated snuffs in adequate quantities should be tered his

by

a well-read physician to such a patient,

head,

their light,

eyes

adminis-

whereby

and neck would be able to resume

And

normal functions.

emollient and not acid

a course of diet, in

its

which

reaction, should

is

be

prescribed.

Cooling prescribed or

measures

made

or

in the

applications

should

be

event of any part of the body

being scorched by excessive heat, or by being exposed to a draught of hot and

parched wind.

Similarly,

and emollient measures or applications should be sorted to where or shrivelled

hot re-

any part of the body has become frozen

by snow

or cold winds.

A

person struck

Chap. XII.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

by lightning should be regarded

as

97 beyond the pale

of medicine.*

*

Additional texts

derably extensive

unguents

up

etc.

;

:— Where

the scorching would be found to be consi-

otherwise such measures as lubrication

with medicated

should be adopted in a case where the patient

is

picked

alive.

Thus ends the

twelfth

Chapter of the Sutrasthanam

in the

Sushruta

Samhita' which treats of Cauteries and the rules to be observed in their use.

13

CHAPTER Now we

discuss

shall

of leeches and of

XIII.

the

Chapter which treats

how and which to

vacharran iyam ad hyary am) Leeches

should

be

applied

use

(Jalaukar-

.

where

would be found to be old or imbecile,

the

patient

or a

woman,

or an infant, or a person of an extremely timid disposition,

and as such

or a person

of a delicate constitution,

not

be surgically operated upon,

to

fit

mode

of bleeding

The

devised.

(Vayu\

is

this

the gentlest that can be possibly

blood vitiated by the deranged wind

bile (Pittam),

respectively

since

is

and phlegm (Kapham) should be

sucked through a horn, by leeches and a

gourd appliance (Alavu-Yantra) or with whichsoever of

them

of such

is

available at the time, irrespective of the cause

vitiation,

whenever such bleeding or sucking

would be found to be imperatively necessary.

Authoritative verses on the subject — A cowhorn is described in the Shastras as of a :

hot or heat making potency, and as possessed of a slightly cooling (Snigdha) or

perty.

Accordingly

it

soothing (Madhura) pro-

should be used in sucking the

blood vitiated through the action of the deranged bodily wind. Leeches, which are born in water, are possessed of

Madhura 'sweet

or soothing) properties, and hence they

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XIII.]

gg

should be used in sucking the blood vitiated through a

deranged condition of the (Alavu)

is

pungent,

bile

The gourd

(Pittam\

and

parching

irritating

potency and should be therefore used

its

in

in

sucking

the blood vitiated through the action of the deranged

phlegm (Kapham).

Mode

of application :— The

which the blood

mouth

or the

thin piece

two

aperture at

it

or

three

muslin tied round

its

( Ayu)

or

whereas

edges should be

and sucked with the mouth through the or top- end, or with a gourd appliance

its tip

term

Jalauka

(leeches)

mean

to

interpreted

gically

first scarified

and then the

places,

equipped with a lighted lamp placed

The

from

open end, of the horn, covered with a

of

placed over

to be sucked should be

is

or slightly cut in

part

whose longevity the

is in,

derivative

Jalauka (leeches)

is

in its inside.

be etymolo-

may

whose

creatures

life

or depends upon, water,

the

of

meaning

term

based upon the fact of their dwelling

("Oka"— dwelling place)

in

water (Jalam). Leeches

may

be divided into twelve distinct species of which six are

venomous, and species

are

six

non-venomous.

named

Krishna,

The

six

Karvura,

Indrayudha, Samudrika" and Gochandana. of the first-named species (Krishna) are

venomous Alagarda,

The

leeches

marked by thick

heads, and of a colour resembling powdered lampblack.

The

leeches

of the

Karvura type have extended or

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

IOO

bodies

elongated

indented and

like

thick

at

[Chap. XIII.

the

Varmifishes,

the

waist.

and

The

are

Alagarda

leeches are hairy, thick and round at the sides, and black at the

are

The

mouth.

marked on the

coloured

The

lines.

ish yellow, dotted

leeches of the surface

Indrayudha species

with up-pointed rainbow

skins of the Samudrikas are black-

over with white spots of a variety

Leeches which are provided with narrow

of shapes.

mouths and

are

bottom

the

like

marked by scrotal

of

sac

a

are

bull

the

at

line

bifurcating

called

Gochandanas.

A

person bitten by any of the abovesaid venomous

leeches has an irresistble inclination to scratch the

of the bite

which

is

marked by a considerable

seat

swelling.

Fever, with burning, retching, drowsiness and delirium

supervenes and ultimately the patient loses

The

ness.

remedy

potions

the administration

consists in

an anti-toxic medicine

known

and unguents,

as

A

etc.

Venomous

as

Mahagada, bite

of

snuffs,

by an Indrayudha

leeches, as well as cures

usually proves

fatal.

for their bites,

have thus been described.

The non-venomous

conscious-

all

species include Kapilas, Pingalas,

Shankhamukhis, Musikas, Pundarimukhis and Saravikas.

The Kapilas at

the

are

sides,

coloured like Manah-Shila

and

their

glossy hue like that of a

have

a

reddish

colour,

backs

Mudga are

are

tinged

pulse.

round

(

The in

realgar

with

)

a

Pingalas

shape

and

XIII.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

io i

capable of speedy locomotion.

The Shankhamukhis

marked by

hue

a

are

liver,

red

blackish

with

provided

of the

that

like

are

elongated mouths,

sharp

and are capable of sucking blood with the greatest

The Musikas

swiftness.

blind moles, and emit a

The Pundarimukhas

are coloured like the fetid

The

to the full-blown lotus

width

lotus

in

leaves

Mudga

pulse

of the resemblance

fact

Saravikas have cold bodies

ions like

their bodies.

the

are coloured like

and are so called from the their ^mouths

smell from

common

lilies

of

fPundarikas).

marked with impress-

and measure eighteen

fingers'

length, and they should be employed

in

sucking blood from the affected parts of lower animals.

This exhausts the

The

of

list

countries,

non-venomous

leeches.

such as Turkesthan

Deccan (Pandya), the

(Yavana), the

tract of land traversed

by the Ghaut

mountains (Sahya), and Pautana (modern Mathura), are the natural habitats of these leeches.

The

leeches,

found in the aforesaid countries, are specifically non-

venomous,

strong,

greedy

large-bodied,

and

ready

suckers.

The venomous

leeches have their origin

composed urine and

fecal

matter of toads

in

the de-

and venom-

ous fishes in pools of stagnant and turbid water. origin of the non- venomous species

decomposed vegetable matter, the several aquatic plants

is

ascribed

to

The such

as the petrified stems of

known

as

Padma, Utpalam,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

I0 2

Chap. XIII.

Kumuda, Pundarika, and the common zoophytes

Nalina,

which

[

live in clear waters. r

ject.

the sub-

verse on

Authoritative

—The non-venomous leeches swim about

scented waters, live on non-poisonous weeds,

lie

in

sweet

on the

leaves of flowering water plants instead of on the dank

and oozy beds of part of a

and suck blood from the affected

human organism without causing any discomfort.

Leeches

wet

pools,

should be caught hold of with a piece of

leather, or

by some

new

to a large-sized

similar article,

and then put

pitcher filled with

in

water and

the

ooze or slime of a pool. Pulverised zoophytes and powder

meat and aquatic bulbs should be thrown

of dried

the

their

for

pitcher

and blades of grass and

food,

leaves of water-plants should be put into to

lie

The water and the

upon.

into

it

edibles

for

them

should

be

changed every second or third day, and the pitchers should be changed each week, transferred

to

new

a

(the leeches

pitcher at

the

should be

end of every

consecutive seven days).

The authoritative verse on the subject

:

— Leeches that are venomous,

thick

middle, elongated, of slow locomotion,

do

not

readily

take

to

the

about

the

look fatigued,

part

they

are

applied to, and capable of sucking only a small quantity of blood, should be looked

the proper or the

upon

commendable

as

type.

not belonging to

Chap.

XIII.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

Then having ing from a

seated or laid

disease

down

the patient

'suffer-

which requires the application of

leeches, the seat of bleeding,

if

not previously ulcerated,

should be roughened b3 dusting T

sition of loose

I03

it

over with a compo-

earth and pulverised cowdung.

Then

the leeches should be taken out of their receptacles

and sprinkled over with water saturated with mustard

Then

seed and pasted turmeric.

should be kept in a basin

full

for

a

moment they

of water, and after they

have regained their natural vivacity and freshness, they should be applied to the affected part.

Their bodies

should be covered with a piece of thin and wet linen, or with

a

should

be

piece

sprinkled over

or slight

blood,

The

of white cotton.

with

affected

incisions should be

made

part

milk

drops of into

it

or

in the

event of their refusing to stick to the desired spot.

Other fresh leeches should be applied even when the preceding measures should prove ineffectual. leeches have taken to the affected part

may

That the be inferred

from the mouths of the leeches assuming the shape of a

of

horse-shoe, and

their

the seat

should

necks after

the

covered

and arched

position

they had become attached to

of the disease.

be

raised

While sucking,

the leeches

with a piece of wet linen and

should be constantly sprinkled over with cold water.

A seat

sensation of itching and of a drawing pain at the

of the

application

would give

rise

to the pre-

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

I04

[Chap. XIII.

sumption that fresh blood was being sucked, and the leeches should be forthwith removed.*

Leeches refusing to

fall

off

even after the production

of the desired effect, or sticking to the affected part out

of their fondness for the smell of blood,

be

should

sprinkled with the dust of powdered Saindhava (rock salt.)

After falling

the

off,

and

over with rice powder

and common

oil

Then they should be caught by the

thumb and the

forefinger

of the

dusted

mouths should be

their

lubricated with a composition of

be

should

leeches

with the

tail-end

hand and

left

salt.

their

backs should be gently rubbed with the same fingers of the right hand from

tail

to

upward

mouth with

the

view to make them vomit or eject the

full

a

of

quantity

blood they had sucked from the seat of the disease.

The

process should

the

fullest

as

above,

food

be to

The

entire

quantity

"made emit

to

the

lying

in

of

quest

the contrary should be dull

disgorge entire

that,

blood sucked

of

move about

briskly

their

Leeches

disgorging.

water, while

draw

oft"

and

inert.

Leeches

again.

quantity

These

of

the

not

sucked

the vitiated blood from a diseased part, attacking

vital fluid (red

or sucked.

of

leeches, though a blissful dispensation of Nature in themselves,

instinctively

healthy

would

from

should

made

the

placed in

if

inferred

*

symptoms

vomited

had

be continued until they manifest

blood)

when

the

the former has been completely tapped

'^

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap, xili.]

blood an

stand

in

incurable

which

disease peculiar

known

is

as

then be put into a laid

ulcer

to

their

genus,

The

new

and treated

pitcher,

to an

and

should

leeches

as before

sucked blood.

fully emitted the

incidental

with

attacked*

being

Indramada.

down, after they had

An

of

danger

I0 5

leeches

of

application

should be rubbed with honey or washed with sprays of cold water, or bound up with an astringent (kashaya)

sweet and cooling plaster, according to the quantity of blood removed from the part.*

verse on the sub-

Authoritative ject

:

—The physician who mode

the habitat, cation

of leeches, can

In case of

rubbed with

full

clarified

in

butter

should

be

(clarified

applied

honey

in

and

any bleeding

at all

with appli-

the

as

ulcer

a

in.

piece

be (lit:

of cotton,

over

the part.

of insufficient

bleeding,

a compress

a case

should

Shatadhautam

as the

butter), or

indicated.

is

washed with a copious quantity

excessive bleeding (Ati-Voga) should set the absence of

their use

known

technically

ulcer should be rubbed with it

which

and proper bleeding (Voga)

hundred times washed) Ghritam in the same substance,

while

conversant

aspire to cure the diseases

well

soaked

The

fully

of catching, preservation

which yield to them or *

is

of

cold

water

if

marked by sweet and cooling

Similarly in a case

(Mithya-Voga) a sour,

plaster should be applied over the ulcer.

Thus ends

the thirteenth Chapter of the

Samhita which

M

treats of

Sutrasthanam

Leeches and of how and which to

in

use.

the

SushruU

CHAPTER Now we blood

shall discuss the

Chapter which treats of

(Shonita-Varnaniya- mad hya'yam).

The food

human

a

of

five

admits of being

classified

tastes or

two [cooling

of

is

consists

of

eightfold

expansive,

dry,

of

food

fully

is

usually

has six

It

different

or heat-making] potencies,

properties,

mild,

slimy,

other active

variety

is

under four different heads

drinks and edibles, etc.].

[as,

which

being,

fundamental material principles,

composed of the

or

XIV.

or

sharp,

[viz.

hot,

etc.]

and of a

efficacious

cool,

virtues.

The

with the help of the internal

digested

heat and ultimately assimilated in the system, giving rise

to

lymph chyle (Rasa) which

attenuated in

or

its

is

extremely thin

consistency and which forms the

essence of the assimilated food.*

The lymph

chyle (Rasa;, though running through the

whole organism, has it

flows through the

off

from the

latter

extremities of the vessels,

ten

are

and four have a *

It is free

from

its

primary seat

in the heart,

twenty- four vessels which branch (heart) to the

body.

Of

up-coursing,

remotest parts and

the aforesaid twenty-four ten

are

lateral direction.

all sorts

whence

of impurities such as

permeates the minutest vessels and capillaries.

down-coursing,

The Rasa fecal matter,

or

etc.,

the and

Chap. XIV.

lymph

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

chyle, thus flowing out of the heart,

maintains,

soothes,

and

lie

constantly

irrigates by transudation the

body, and further contributes to

owing to the dynamical

life

107

its

growth, and supports of causes which

effects

beyond the ken of human understanding. The nature

and course of

this

lymph

chyle,

which runs through

the whole system, can be inferred from the growth, attenuation, or other modified conditions of the body.

Now

may

it

be asked, whether the Rasa, which

permeates the entire body and limbs, and which by through different chambers (visceras) of the

flowing

body

thus in constant contact with the excreta and

is

other morbid humours,

of a

is

heat-making (Agneya) potency

The

question

the Rasa or

cooling

is

class of

a

Saumya

Saumya

(Ragam)

fluid,

it

a

fluid,

and possessed (lit

:

—

must be included within the

(cooling) substances.

obtains

in its passage

a)

stating that, since

of lubricating, vitalising, moistening, and nutritive supporting) properties,

or

r

?

may be answered by

lymph chyle

(Saumj

its

The Rasa, though

characteristic

through the spleen and

pigment liver.

Authoritative verses on the subject:— The

Rasa or

the

lymph

chyle,

coloured

through the effect of the healthy normal dyeing heat of the body, is

obtains

the

name

of blood.

transformed into the catamenial flow

commences

at the age of

in

The Rasa

women which

twelve and ceases at

fifty.

TH E SUSHRUTA

108

SAMHITA'.

[Chap. xiv.

Rasa

Catamenial blood, though originating from

which

is

(Agneya)

of a cooling potency;,

impregnated

making

its

character

ovum

(Garbha)

in

in its properties

;

is

is

fiery or

and

the

heat-making

fecundated or

both cooling and heat-

on accoimt of

partaking of

its

the nature of both the menstrual blood (ovum) and

semen which are respectively possessed of the two

Hence

preceding virtues.

several authorities

blood to be identical with the vital principle of a living

life

hold

the

blood or with the

organism, and being such, to be

the product of the five fundamental material principles

(Panchabhautikam).

Metrical texts:— In a raw

as,

and

or

fleshy

smell, fluidity,

which

mobility,

blood the properties such

respectively

redness,

fundamental principles (of earth, water, sky) are to be found

elements

in its

lightness

characterise fire,

air,

thus representing those

the

and

specific

composition.

The chyle produces blood. From blood is formed From flesh originates fat which gives rise to flesh. bones.

From bones

originate

marrow, which,

in

its

turn, germinates semen.

The Rasa which assimilated food all

is

originated

from the digested or

and drink pre-eminently strengthens

the fundamental principles of the body.

The Purusha

or self-conscious personality

is

Chyle-

SUTRASTHANAM

Chap.

XIV.

born

in its origin,

]

and hence an

intelligent person should

preserve his bodily Rasa

carefully

109

dymph

by

chyle)

adopting a proper regimen of diet and conduct.

The term Rasa

derived from the root

is

and the substance

go,

is

"Ras", to

so called from the

fact

of

its

continually flowing through and permeating every vital

animated organism.

principle of an

The Rasa

successively transformed into each of the

is

remaining fundamental principles of the body, and

six

continues in the shape of each for the period of three

thousand and

fifteen kalas

modern computation

days according to our

five

Thus the Rasa

.

is

converted into

semen, or into the menstrual blood ovum) the course of a month.*

in

*

The

of the

successive

distinct order.

fundamental or root principles

the

of

development

body follows a

The

of the

essence

matter under the heat of digestion goes towards

and

is

ultimately transformed into

it,

its

produced

is

excreted and effete

Subsequently

enters into the bodily principle of Rasa,

it

by the native heat of the other words,

of the

organic is

of

transformed

resolved into

or

assimilated

its

subtile

resolved

its

bile,

is

becomes matured

three factors, or

into

transformed into

blood

;

is

thick

factors,

or

fundamental

is

merged

and there

three

its

essence

subtile

into

its

heat

organic principle flesh.

the

of

excreted

condensed portion

metamorphosed into

its

phlegm, the

is

of

The

in

thick

matured into

metamorphosed

by the viz.,

thus

chyle

nascent stage.

transformed into and assimilated in

into

into the

essence

is

is

thus newly generated,

principle

again

is

and

matter

whereas

body,

The blood,

blood.

latter,

excreted

its

or condensed portion

Rasa

in its

of chyle,

residue being

The

etc.

immature Rasa, or the Rasa

called the

assimilated food-

formation

the

passed out of the organism in the shape of stool,

it

women,

in

fundamental the

latter

portion

is

transformed blood,

and

flesh,

thus

of flesh, newly formed, is merged into the fundamental organic principle and there, by the native heat of the latter, it is resolved into three

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

II0

verse on

Authoritative putation: — In

the present work, as well as in other

consist of eighteen thousand

in

and ninety Kalas.

Rasa courses through the whole body

said

downward

a

factors,

excreted

its

viz,

portion

towards

goes

be deposited

to

fire,

or (in

formation

of such

like rivulets of water.

direction

excreta as are found

in

waves of sound,

flames of

direction) like

upward

(an

calculated to

is

invisible currents of zigzag shape, like the

or

XIV.

com-

its

works of recognised authority, a month

The

[Chap.

the

the corners

in

of

the

eyes and

inside the integuments of the prepuce, or about the region of the glans penis, its

thick

of

flesh

or

condensed portion

and

is

essence

subtile

its

transformed into the organic principle is

metamorphosed

there, viz,

by the

of

is

portion

drops of perspiration, principle

of the

native heat

excreted

its

is

fat.

'.of

that

subtile

its

resolved

portion

assimilated

is

mustaches,

its its

etc,

principle that

it

is

in ;

its

state,

metamorphosed

enters

formation

of gelatinous

metamorphosed

into

semen.

enters into the organic principle its

native heat

portion

is

is

the

into

organic

its excreted portion matter deposited in the its

assimilated into the organic principle of marrow, and

is

into

viz,

corners of the eyes, and the oily secretions of the skin, is

assimilated into the

is is

into

of hairs,

and there matured under the native heat of

resolved into three factors,

contributes towards the

organic

resolved

is

principle,

subtile portion

nascent

its

factors,

the organic principle

into

condensed portion

or

thick

The marrow, of that name

principle,

the

in

excreted portion goes towards the formation

organic principle of bone, and

marrow.

three

metamorphosed into bone.

is

Again the bone, in its nascent stage, enters of bone, and there, by the inherent heat of that three factors, viz,

into

fat,

name, and

the pores of the skin in

discharged through

condensed portion

its

and

fat,

latter,

The

into

thus newly generated, enters into the organic principle

The semen of that

again,

name and

in

condensed portion its

its

there

subtile portion

nascent stage,

matured under

resolved into two factors, viz. thick and thin.

The

thick

assimilated into the organic principle of semen, the thin one being

metamorphosed into (albumen). Semen, like gold a thousand times purified, Hence certain authorities hold albumen (protoplasmic casts off no dregs. matter) to be the eighth or the culminating principle of the body.

Chap. XIV.

Now

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

be asked, since the Rasa

may

it

semen

transformed into is

the

effect

The answer

(Vajikaranam.)

own

of their

the

upon

specific

is

naturally

what

of a month,

in .the course

which

of administering medicine

use

stimulating

i x i

of

organs

has a

generation

that such medicines out

is,

potencies and virtue help the

speedy conversion of Rasa into semen and

its

profuse

emission [on the desired occasion] like purgatives aiding

the drastic evacuation of the bowels.

Again is

not found

bud

in

an infant

is

that

it,

But what does not

Since perfume in a flower-

?

is

perfume

in

its

lies

development. latent

in

lies

child,

seed organs, a potential

and

so

semen

state

appears with

in

or

a

may not.

As the

the growth

catamenial

male

the growth

or

a

blood female

of beards

mustaches, or with the enlargement of uterus

or

in its early stage

of growth but becomes patent only with its

it

can not be evoked

exist in a thing

a flower-bud

in

any perfume

the subsequent course of

of

semen

imperceptible to the organ of smell you

is

as well ask whether there

in

how

be asked,

may

it

and

the breasts,

and vaginal canal and the appearance of pubic

hair.

The same serves only

Rasa, originated from the assimilated food, to

maintain the vitality

in

the old

and

spontaneously decayed subjects owing to an exhausted state of the inner vitalising principle, natural to old age.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

H2

The abovesaid

[Chap. XIV.

principles (of Rasa, blood etc.) are called

the root principles (Dhatus), inasmuch as they maintain the

its

against

speedy dissolution).

weakness

or

human

the

of

integrity

the

of

and guard

organism

And

abovesaid

since the strength

bodih*

principles

absolutely depends upon the richness or poverty of blood,

we

on the

shall discourse

The

blood,

latter condition of the blood.

by the deranged bodily wind

vitiated

(Vayu), becomes thin, frothy, transparent, quick- coursing,

and and

expansive, is

divested of

assumes a vermilion or its

slimy character

;

black hue,

whereas vitiated

through a deranged condition of the bile (Pittam),

it

assumes a blue, yellow, green, or brown colour, emits a fishy smell,

by

flies

becomes thin

and

ants.

in its

Similarly,

consistency and blood,

vitiated

is

shun

by the

deranged phlegm (Kapham), becomes cold, glossy and thick,

assumes a colour like that of the washings of

Gairika or that of a flesh tendon, takes time in secreting

miming down, and is marked by an increase of its slimy character. The blood, vitiated through a concertor in

ed derangement of the three bodily humours,

by

features

peculiar to

smell.

the joint action of any

humours, of them.

is

the

Similarly,

blood,

two of the

characterised

marked

each of them, and assumes a

colour like that of Kanjika (sour gruel), fetid

is

by

features

and emits a

vitiated

through

(beforesaid) bodily

peculiar

to each

do

XIV.

.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

The blood

in its

healthy and natural state

ed of a vivid red colour (Cochineal)

insect,

H3

and

is

like

is

that of an

neither too

possess-

Indragopa nor

thin

too

transparent.*

Cases where blood-letting hibited

:

—A

pro-

is

person afflicted with an cedematous

swelling extending

all

unfit for bleeding.

An

over the body should be deemed

intumescence occurring

and enfeebled patient owing to

in

a

weak

an excessive use of

acid food or in a person suffering from jaundice or laid

up with haemorrhoids or abdominal dropsy, as well as in

an enceinte, or

in a

person suffering from Pulmonary

consumption (Shosha), should not be bled. Blood-letting, with the help of a surgical instrument,

be grouped under two distinct heads, according

may as

(Prachchhanam) or venesection

scarification

Vyadhanam)

is

resorted to for the purpose.

case the knife or the instrument

driven straight straight,

such a

In

(Shastram) should be

and speedily so as to make the

incision

narrow, unextended, and of equal and slight

depth throughout,

(so

as

to

reach only the

layer of the flesh and blood), and not to

way

(Sira-

surface

injure

in

any

the local veins, nerves, joints, and other vital parts.

Bleeding performed on a cloudy day or done with a *

Additional texts

the principles

known

:— Later on we as the

shall

have occasion

life-blood (essential

Sk. Jiva-Shonila) and of the process of blood-letting.

15

to

speak of

conditions of vitality

—

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

U4

incision, or

wrong

or

exposure to cold and wind,

full

with an

or on a patient little

XIV

on a patient not previously diaphorised,

or performed

with

with

Chap.

[

empty stomach,

attended

is

no outflow of blood owing to the thickened

condition of the blood.

Authoritative verse ject

:

on the sub-

— Blood-letting surgically performed on a fatigued

or

exhausted subject, or on a person

or

anyway poisoned

or intoxicated,

a

in

swoon,

on a person

or

from extreme constipation of the bowels accom-

suffering

panied by suppression of the flatus (Vayu) and urine, or

on a person of timid disposition, or on one overcome with is

sleep,

The rise

and

On

marked by the absence of any outflow of blood. vitiated blood, failing to find out an outlet, gives

to itching, swelling, redness, burning,

pain

the part

in

(to

which

confined\

the contrary, blood-letting performed on the body

of a person excessively diaphorised or

an

suppuration

is

it

or

ignorant

inexperienced

injudiciously deep incision,

is

surgeon,

heated, or

by

or with

an

attended with haemorrhage,

which may be followed by such dreadful or

Shirobhitapa sight (Timria

principles

paralysis thirst,

of

',

results as

violent headache, blindness or loss of

Adhimantham the body

(ophthalmia^, loss of vital

(Dhatu-Kshaya), convulsions,

(Ekanga Vikara), Hemiplegia (Pakshaghata),

a burning sensation,

jaundice and even death.

hic-cough,

cough,

asthma,

Chap.

XIV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

on the sub-

Authoritative verses ject

:

— Therefore blood-Jetting

on a patient not

properly

should be performed

an extremly hot or cold season,

in

who

on one

neither

II5

the

(before

diaphorised

much heated

too

is

The

act).

im-

or

patient

should be given gruel (Yavagu) before the operation.

A

flow would

of red

spontaneous cessation

indicate

that there has been a free discharge of blood. »

An

act of complete

and successful blood-letting

is

followed by a feeling of lightness and alleviation of pain in

the

affected

part,

by an abatement

of the disease,

and a general sense of cheerfulness.

A

person, accustomed to blood letting, enjoys a kind

of immunity from

all

of skin diseases, sarcomata,

types

oedema, and diseases brought about

aneurism,

by a

vitiated condition of the blood such as, Ovarian tumour,

Carbuncle, Erysipelas, etc.

A

plaster

Tagara,

composed of

Agaradhuma,

Patha,

Shitashiva,

Ela,

Bhadradaru, Vidanga,

Chitraka, Trikatus, Ankura, Haridra, Arka,

mala,

or

or

three,

four,

or

are available, pasted together

saturated

the

mouth

fully

come

with

common

of the incision. out.

orrhage, the

By

as

many

and soaked

salt,

Kustha,

in

and Nakta-

them

as

mustard

oil

of

should be rubbed over this

means the blood

will

In a case of excessive flow or hsem-

mouth

of the incision should be gently rubbed

with a composition consisting of the powders of Lodhra,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

n6

[

Chap. XIV.

Priyangu,

Madhuka,

Rasarjana,

Shalmali flowers, Shankha, Shukti, Masha,

Yava and Godhuma, and

As an

the fingers.

Gairika,

Pattanga,

Sarjarasa,

firmly pressed with the tips of

mouth

alternative, the

of the incision

should be gently rubbed with the powdered barks of S3la,

Arimeda,

Arjuna,

Sarja,

Mesha-shringi,

Dhanvana, or the edges of the wound should be dusted with the burnt ashes of a rolled

with the

wound

cord

the form of a cord), and

in

up

silk

tips of the

fingers

;

or

firmly

pressed

the

of

should be lightly touched with the powders of

Laksha and Samudra-phena, and

its

should be

edges

similarly pressed together as above.

Then

the

should be firmly tied up

piece

of

mentioned

in

silk

or

of ulcers

connection with the bandaging

The

(Vrana).

a

(with

wound

with a paste of the substances

plastered over

linen)

lightly

piece of silk

(a

mouth

the

and

should

patient

be

kept

in

a

cool

with a wet sheet and constantly

room, covered over

soothed with sprays of cold water.

A

medicinal plaster

of a cooling virtue and a course of cooling diet should be for

prescribed

with

fire

at

opened first

or

incision

him.

an

The wound should be

alkali,

a point a in

case

or

the vein

little

cauterised

should be again

below the seat of the

where the

abovesaid measures

should have failed to check the flow of blood. patient should be

made

to drink a decoction

The

compound

of

drugs of the Kakolyadi group, sweetened with sugar or

honey

;

and

his

ordinary drink should consist of the

[Chap. XIV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

common

blood of the Ena or

A

or buffalo.

in or saturated

and

cribed,

composed

with

clarified

be subdued

should the

of

soaked

should be pres-

butter,

humours respectively involved

sheep, hare,

of boiled rice,

complications

the nature

to

according

deer, or of a

diet

the

Uy

deranged

bodily

therein.

Authoritative verses on the subject: — Excessive appetite

blood-letting

is

followed by impaired

and an agitated condition of the

owing to the

loss

of the

vital

Vayu

fundamental principles of the

body, and, accordingly, to recoup the health of the the patient

which

is

a

fair

making matter, and

is

amount of emollient and blood-

marked by

four measures

known

are

bleeding

by contracting or

(thickening

Pachanam

be prescribed

should

diet

and not excessively heat-making, and

light

which contains a

The

of

course

indicated for ;

as

congealing

part),

the

of setting

wound) and the Dahanam

no acid

or

taste.

the stoppage of

Sandhanam

the

the affected

(process

tittle

(process

Skandanam

the

local

blood),

up suppuration

in

the the

(process of cauterisation).

Drugs of astringent tastes

are

possessed

of the

property of bringing about an adhesion (contraction) of the wound. ice etc,

alkaline

Cooling measures such

as,

tend to thicken the local blood

applications of ;

preparations produce suppuration

alkalis in

and

such a

1 1

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

8

wound

Chap. XIV.

[

or ulcer, whereas cauterisation has

the property

of contracting a vein.

Remedies and appliances possessed of the virtue of bringing about an adhesion of such a

wound should be

used where applications for thickening or congealing the local blood would

fail

whereas the suppurating

;

measures should be adopted

event

the

in

of

the

former (Sandhanam) proving ineffectual. With any of the three of these preceding measures a physician should try to check the outflow of blood incidental to an operation

and

of bleeding,

the

lastly

process of cauterisation

should be resorted to in the event of the

ones having proved unavailing, as

it

is

preceding

pre-eminenth

r

the best means of checking the bleeding.

The in

the

residue

least

affected part

but prevent

its

perfect

ing should not be

of the vitiated blood continuing

not aggravate the disease

may

In such

healing.

again

resorted

to,

a case bleed-

but the derang-

ed residue should be subdued b} means of pacifying or r

absorbing remedies.

Blood maintains

is

the

origin of the body.

Blood

vitality.

is

life.

It is

Hence

blood that it

should be

preserved with the greatest care.

The Vayu

of

a

person

who

has been bled, and

which has been aggravated by constant cold applications

Chap.

may

XIV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

rise

give

characterised by

to

a

a

swelling of

piercing

pain,

ug the

incised* part

which

should be

*

treated with an unguent of tepid clarified butter.

Thus ends

the fourteenth Chapter of

Samhit£ which

treats of Blood.

the Sutrasthanam in

the

Sushruta

CHAPTER Now we of

treats

humoral

describe

shall

XV. the

which

Chapter

development and non-development of the constituents of the .

and

body

excrements

(Dosha- Dha'tu-IYIala- Kshaya- VriddhiVijnaniya-madhya'yam). the

Since

human body

(Doshas), excretions ples (Dhatus

is

constituted of humours,

Mala ', and the fundamental hear

of blood, marrow, etc.,

me

princi-

discourse

on the features which are peculiar to each of them.

The Va'yu. — The body Praspandanani

,

imparting of motion to the

the earning of the sensations of

the respective sense organs (Udvahananr, the passing

down

of food

to

its

proper receptacles (Puranam), the

matter separation of excretions from the assimilated food

Viveka\ and the retention and evacuation of urine and etc.

semen, functions

(Dharanam

of the

should be

kinds*

five

of

ascribed to the

Vayu

nerve

force

which support the body.

The

Pittam. — Pigmentations

colouring

of food

and metabolism of

(Paktikrit), the vitalisation

and nutrition of the

(Ragakrit), the digestion tissues

or

protaplasmic cells (Ojakrit), the origination and preser*

They

are called rrana,

Udana, Samana, Vyana and Apana.

SUTRASTHANAiM.

XV.]

Chap.

I2

vation of eye-sight (Teja-Krit), the germination

o'f

,

heat

and maintenance of the temperature of the body (UshmaKrit), and the origination of the faculty of intellection (Medha-Krit) should be regarded as the functions of the

kinds*

five

of the

preservation

which contribute to the

of Pittam,

body through

its

thermogenetic

potency (Agni- Karma).

The Shleshma'.— The kindsf of Shleshma joints

is

to

the

five

the interior of the

lubricate

(Sandhi-Samshleshanam), to contribute to the

gloss of the

the formation

to aid in

body (Snehanam),

of healthy granules in sores (Ropanam), of the

size

of

function

body (Puranam

to

,

add to the

to

build

fresh

tissues

(Vrimhanam), to impart a pleasant or soothing sensation the

to

body

Valakrit krit),

,

(Tarpanam),

it

with

its

strength

or

the

Rasa

watery element.

lymph

soothing effect upon the are

They

t

its

thereby contributing to the welfare of the body

The

Ojakrit),

increase

and to give firmness to the limbs Sthairya-

by supplying

*

to

named

as

Ranjaka.

entire

chyle

exercises

organism and

Pachaka,

a

tends

Sadhaka (Medhakrit and

Alochaka and Bhrajaka.

They

are

known

as

Shleshmaka,

Kledaka,

Vodhaka,

Tarpaka,

Avalamvaka.

A7 B.~ The .

Vayu, Pittam, and Shleshma, (Kaphham), though ordinarily and phlegm, differ in their meaning from their

translated as wind, bile

We reserve the treatment of these subjects for English synonyms. a separate place in another part of the book when we shall have

usual

occasion to deal with the essentials of Ayurvedic Physiology

16

— Tr.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

122 to

contribute

The

blood,

the

to

in its

formation

increased

the

increases

turn,

[Chap. XV.

and muscles and maintains

The

flesh contributes

of the

limbs

matter

in

vitality in the organism.

towards the stoutness or rotundity

The

system.

glossiness (formation

fat

gives

of fatty

the

to

rise

albuminous matter) of

of oily or

the body and primarily ness and growth

glow

formation of

and occasions the formation

the

blood.

healthful

of the complexion, leads to the increased flesh

of

contributes towards

The

of the bones.

the firm-

bones,

their

in

support the body, and contribute to the formation

turn,

of marrow.

The marrow

contributes towards the for-

mation and increase of semen, and

strength, rise to

bones, and

of the

cavities

amorous

feelings

internal

and

hilarity.

The semen

makes

a

gives

man amor-

towards the female sex, increases his

ously disposed

and amativeness,

principle in the

the

in

forms the chief source of

valour and courageousness,

strength

fills

is

the

male organism, and

sole

impregnating

possessed of the

is

virtue of being quickly emitted.

The

excreta or the

fecal matters of a

man

are in-

dispensably necessary for the preservation of the body.

They

contain the wind and digestion

being primarily

connected with the movements of the bodily Vayu and the feeling of hunger). the bladder, and

is

The

urine

fills

the

receptacle

of

possessed of the property of washing

or draining off the waste or refuse matter of the organism

whereas perspiration tends to moisten the

skin.

;

XV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

The Artavam (menstrual same properties

as

its arterial

possible.

serves to

make

woman

and

,

it

supplying

in their

breast-milk

one of the

impregnation

matter (Garbha)

in

of

maintains the

mammae

of

life

tends to

turn

its

of the

expansion

her

i'pf

child

a

(by

with the necessary and nutritive element

These Vayu,

of food).

is

patent the features characteristic

an

about

bring

namesake, and

or impregnated

foetus

The

pregnancy.

endued with the

is

blood)

woman which makes

essential factors in a

The

133

should be duly preserved

etc.

normal condition.

Now we

attend the loss

the

describe

shall

waste

or

which

symptoms

of any

the

of

foregoing

principles of the body.*

The by a

loss of the bodily

state of languor,

Vayu

(

nerve-force

)

shortness of speech,

is

followed

uneasiness

absence of hilarity, and loss of consciousness.

or

loss of fPittam)

is

marked by a dulness of complexion,

diminution of the bodily heat and an of internal

(Kapham)

fire is

The

(digestive

The

heat).

impaired state loss of

phlegm

marked by dryness, a sensation of internal

burning, a feeling of emptiness in the stomach and other *

Such a

loss or

perceptible

pacifying

(Samshamanam) measures,

urgings of the body, exercise,

or

to

or to

amorous

unsuitable food, or

to,

or

cathartic to

excesses, or

to

(Samshodhanam) and

a repression

a course of violent

grief, etc,

them should be

deterioration of any of

ascribed to the use of excessive cleansing or

the

or

of the

overfatiguing

use of

natural

physical

unwholesome and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

I24 cavities or

chambers of the body, looseness of the

(a feeling as ness,

[Chap. XV.

if

the joints

were

all

broken), thirst,

joints

weak-

and insomnia. In such cases the medical treatment

should consist of remedial agents which are capable contributing to the growth

of directly

of the

humour

formation

so lost or deteriorated.

the lose of

Similarly

or

lymph chyle

is

marked by

about the region of the heart, Angina Pectoris,

pain

with

emptiness

The

or

the

of

palpitation

gone-feeling in

loss of blood

The

and asks and

The

and a craving

lips,

is

inert, in its

flabby,

in

thighs,

for

a

acid

cool

food place

breasts, armpits,*

The

arteries

seem

and the body seems to be dry and

accompanied by an aching or

members.

thirst.

marked by emaciation

neck, and the calves of the legs.

and

of

and the veins become loose

loss of flesh

of the buttocks, cheeks,

loose

and

the viscus,

patient longs to be

for cool things,

flabby.

sensation

attended with such symptoms as

is

roughness of the skin, or drink.

a

heart,

The

loss of fat

is

gnawing

pain

followed by such

the spleen, a sense of symptoms. as the enlargement of and a peculiar dryness of the emptiness in the joints, skin

and a craving

for cold

and emollient meat. The

marked by an aching pain the bones and bone-joints, a wasting of teeth and

degeneration of the bones in

is

of the body. gums, and a general dryness *

The

armpits look thin, narrow and contracted*

Similarly,

Chap. XV.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

the loss or waste of

mation of a

marrow

lesser quantity of

bones and breaking pain

in

characterised

by the

which have

waste of semen

loss or

for-

in the

semen, aching pain

in the bone-joints

become marrowless. The ed by pain

is

I2 5

mark-

is

the penis and the testes, and by incapacity

for sexual intercourse. In such cases the emission of semen

but rarely happens, and

is

then perceptibly deficient

in its

quantity, the emitted matter consisting of a small quantity

The medical treat-

of sehien marked with shreds of blood.

ment under the preceding circumstances should of remedies of such medicinal

virtues as

of the bodily principle (thus wasted or

The of

fecal

at

the

matter sides

is

attended with a sensation

and

the region of

and the upward coursing of or

about

the

Similarly,

urine it

as

accompanied

flatus,

is

region

the loss,

of

the

(the

with

the

rumbling

sound

intestines.

absence or scanty formation) of

come out

foregoing

the formation of urine.

in thin

instances,

in

the bladder, causing

and scanty the

jets.

Here,

remedial

agents

directly contribute to

Similarly the waste, absence or

scanty formation of perspiration as

wind

and the

liver

should consist of drugs which

symptoms

the heart,

incarcerated)

a

marked by an aching pain

dribble or to in

lost).

absence, suppression or scanty forma-

loss

of pain

found to

are

and immediately contribute to the formation

directly

tion

consist

is

followed by such

numbness about the pores of the

hair,

and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

I2 6

dryness of the epidermis

The

(skin).

perceptibly affected, and perspiration

The medical treatment the

application

diaphoretics,

[

sense of touch

is

is

entirely stopped.

such a case

in

Chap. XV.

in

consists

medicated unguents, lubrications,

of

and adoption of measures

(that

tend to

produce a copious perspiration). the

In flow,

time

case

of loss

the menses or

painful.

are

or

waste

do not appear

scanty.

of the

the

at

The vagina seems

The medical treatment

in

catamenial

appointed stuffed

and

such cases consists

in

the adoption of alterative or cleansing measures, and in

the administration of drugs of a

heat-making (Agneya)

potency or virtue.

The

loss or

waste of breast-milk

is

characterised by

mammas, and suppression or of the fluid. The medical treatment

a shrunken condition of the

scanty secretion in

such cases

generate

lies in

the administration of drugs which

Kapham.

The atrophy

or wasting of the foetus

(during the period

absence of any

of

gestation)

movement

in

is

in

the

womb

marked by the

the uterus

and the non-

distended condition of the sides or walls of the abdomen.

The treatment

consists

in

the

Vastis (enemas of medicated milk uterus) in the eighth

application of Kshira into the region of the

month of gestation, and

prescribing

courses of emollient fare for the patient mother)* * Several editions read invigorating diets, egg, etc.

Chap. XV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Now we

describe the

shall

^7

symptoms which mark

the excess (excessive accumulation in the body) of any

fundamental humours, principles and excrements

of the

of the body.

The

secretion, are

humours, principles and

these

of

quantities

abnormally increased through the use of

substances that primarily contribute to their formation in the

organism.*

An

excess

symptoms

of

Vayu

in the

as roughness of the skin,

body, darkness of complexion little

body

tremor or

(lit

t :

is

marked by such

emaciation of the

blackness of hue), a

trembling of the limbs, longing for

heat, or for hot things, insomnia, thickness or increased

consistency of the fecal matter and decrease of bodily strength.

(Similarly,

characterised

is

an abnormal) increase of Pittam sallow

a

by

or

complexion

a

yellowish colour of the skin, a general burning sensation the body as well

in

contacts and

insomnia, a craving for cold

as

cooling

diminution of strength,

things,

weakness of the sense organs,

fits

of fainting

and

yellowness of the conjunctivae, stool and urine.

An

excess

of

Kaphani as

by such symptoms, numbness of the

the

in

the

whiteness,

body, heaviness

*

Several Editions read

t

Several Editions read roughness of speech.

it

as

body

an additional

text.

is

marked

coldness

of the

limbs,

and a

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

I2 8

of drowsiness

sense

Chap.

[

XV.

and languor, somnolence, and a

feeling of looseness of the bone-joints. Similarly, an increased

(Rasa) in the as,

body

is

germination of lymph chyle

manifest by such

characteristics

nausea, water-brash, and an increased flow of salivary

secretion.

A

plethora of blood in the system gives a

reddish glow to the complexion and eyes,

and imparts

flesh

is

the white

An

fullness to the veins.

marked by the rotundity and

buttocks and the

lips,

of the

increase of

fullness

of the

as well as of the penis, arms,

and

the thighs, and an increased heaviness of the whole body.

An

body imparts an

excess of fat in the

skin.

The

abdomen

sides of the

and the body emits a assailed with

are

tion of bone (abnormal ossification

symptoms

as

increased in bulk,

and the person

fetid smell,

cough and dyspnoea.

oily gloss to the

An is

excessive forma-

attended with such

the cutting of additional teeth and the

abnormal development of any of the bone- structures. excessive formation of

of the eyes and to the

An

excess of

marrow gives

rise to a

semen

heaviness

in the

body

and gives

marked by an

is

rise to

An abnormal

tion of fecal matter

abdomen and

An

is

known

increase in the forma-

attended with

colic pains in the loins

excessive formation of urine

ex-

the formation

of gravels (concretions) in the bladder which are

Shukrashmari.

An

members of the body.

cessive flow of that fluid

as

is

is

distension of the

and the

intestines.

manifest by constant

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XV.

129

and distension of the bladder,

urging for micturition

attended by a kind of gnawing or aching pain. »

Similarly, an

increased

of perspiration

secretion

is

attended with an itching of the skin which emits a bad

An

odour.

excess in the quantity of catamenial blood*

gives rise to an aching of the limbs and an excessive flow.

So also an excess in the quantity of the breast-milk attended with frequent secretions of that inflaihmation and pain in

growth

anasarca,

by

or

uterus

the

of

dropsy,

and with excessive

tends to abnormally

abdomen, and

swell .the region of the

An

mammas.

the

of the fsetus in the

fluid,

is

is

accompanied

lower

extremities

(phlegmasia dolens;.

These abnormal excesses of the aforesaid humours

and

body should be checked or

principles, etc. of the

with

remedied measures as

corrective

would

natures, so as not to

than that

in

be

idealising)

indicated

or

pacifying

their respective

by

reduce them to a smaller quantity

which they

found

are

in

the normal and

healthy state of a body.

Metrical text

:

— An

increased

bodily principle gives rise to a similar of one

quantity

immediately

woman

to a considerable extent,

weakness.

17

It

to

increase

succeeding

order of enumeration as stated above * An abnormal flow tends

quantity of a

;

it

in in

the the

aud hence an

stimulate the voluptuous sensation of a

and

is

followed by a sense

of reactionary

emits a fetid smell and originates ovarian tumours.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

130 increase in

any of the fundamental

Chap. XV.

[

of the

principles

body should be checked and reduced

to

its

normal

t

quantity.

Now we

the characteristic features

describe

strength-giving principles of the body, as well

of the

the

as

shall

symptoms of

quintessence

mark

that all

fundamental

the

The

their loss or waste.

of

principles

lymph chyle and ending with the Ojas, which is identical with what

the body, starting with

semen,

is

called

vitality

with protoplasmic albumen has been adopted

work*

in the present

This Ojas

muscles), exercises vitality,

the

intellectual)

to

voice and (operative")

organs,

in

principle

the flesh (and the

unbounded control over

external

sense

strength-giving

integrity

improves the

helps both

or

(albumen)

serves to impart a firm

(

This view of oneness of

termed "vital power."

is

all

complexion,

acts of

and

and the internal

duly performing

their

natural functions.

Authoritative verses on the subject:

— Ojas (albumen

the

to *

The

class

of

Sanskrit

term

being of a white colour belongs

Somatmakam "Ojas"'

has a

(cooling)

substances.

variety of meanings.

Primarily

means protoplasmic matter as found in cells (Vindus). Secondarily it means albumen as we shall describe later on in the chapters on Several authorities hold a contrary etiology and therapeutics of Prameha. it

view stating that vitality

and

(albumen) forms only one of the two are by no means identical.

Ojas

that the

essentials

of

XV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

It is cooling, oleaginous,

and firm

13

(Sthira), contributes to

the formation and growth *of flesh, maintains or holds

from

it

and

firm,

one

to

place

It is further soft

its

and a

limbs and

is

members

is

as

the most

The whole body

permeated with Ojas, natural

its

organism.

possessed of the most

(seat) of vitality.

diminution in

loss or

integrity

*

another within the

and should be regarded

important element

its

mobile or capable of moving about

and shiny, and

efficacious virtue

with

is

:

quantity leads

to the gradual emaciation (and ultimate dissolution) of

organism.

A

blow, a persistent wasting disease, anger,

grief,

cares and anxieties, fatigue and hunger, are the causes to

which should be ascribed the wasting or disappearance of this strength-giving principle (albumen)

The bodily albumen, through the agency said causes, different

is

of the body. of the above-

wasted through the channels carrying the

fundamental principles of the body. Albumen

is

transformed into strength which radiates from the heart.

A deranged or vitiated albumen (Ojas) is firstly

by

its

dislodgment from

(Visransha), secondly,

native virtues

in

by

its

characterised

proper seat or locality

a change or modification of

contact

with

or disordered organs (Vyapad)

its

the deranged humours

and

thiidly,

by wasting

away (Kshaya\ * taste.

Several editions read Rasam, meaning

it

to

be possessed of a sweet

[Chap. XV.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

I32

The

such

to

rise

gives

of the preceding properties (dislodgment)

first

numbness of the

bone-joints,

humours from

the deranged tacles

as looseness

symptoms

respective

and suppression of the (bodily and

To

functions.

the of

dislodgment

limbs, their

of

recep-

intellectual)

the second of the foregoing properties,

(change or modification of

its

virtue through

natural

contact with the deranged bodily humours ascribed such symptoms, as

etc.)

should be

numbness and heaviness of

dropsy due to the action of the deranged

the limbs,

bodily Yayu, discoloured or changed complexion, feeling

of malaise, drowsiness and somnolence.

perty of the deranged albumen,

on

fits

third pro-

loss or wasting), brings

of flesh,

of fainting, loss

The

stupor, delirium

and

ultimately death.

Authoritative verses on the subject:— A deranged state of albumen is marked the

by from

its

natural

three

proper virtues

abovesaid properties seat (Visransha)

(Visransha)

by

by

is

.

The

characterised

first

by

an inert state of the body, a dislodgment of the

dislodgment

by a change of

contamination (Vyapad

through

by wasting (Kshaya

;

of

of

these

its

and

properties

looseness of the joints,

by

a

sense

of fatigue,

deranged humours from their

and by a suppression of the bodily and Numbness and heaviness of functions.

natural seats, intellectual

the limbs, malaise, a discoloured complexion, drowsiness,

Chap.

xv.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

^3

somnolence and dropsical swelling brought about by a deranged state ot the bodily Vayu, should be the

Vyapad

the natural virtues of albumen

through

natural

considered as of

^change

The

contamination).

marked

such

by

of

consequences

loss or

waste of Ojah (albumen) as

symptoms

of

fits

emaciation of the body, bewilderment and

is

fainting,

distraction

mind, delirium and loss of consciousness and

of the

ultimately death.

The medical treatment flowing

out

cases of dislodgment or

in

external secretion

albumen from

of

1

natural seat (Visransha), as well as in the

becoming contaminated by the

should consist in improving

the body, elixirs

vitiated

event of

its

it

of

principles

quantity by

and remedies possessed of rejuvenating properties,

tending to increase the quantity of such fluid in

its

A

the body.

owing to an

patient

who

excessive

has

lost all

waste

or

loss

f

albumen

')

consciousness of

albumen)

should be given up by a physician (as incurable).

The the

or

oilv

the

of

internal

heat

the

within

found

components of the other fundamental principles

(Dhatu)

the

matter

albuminous

and

succeeding

head

substances.

of

as

body

regularly

ones)

should

fiery

or

metabolised

by

metamorphosed be

grouped

thermogenetic

the into

under

(Agneya)

This fatty matter (Vas£) predominates

the female organism and produces

its

in

peculiar softness,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

134

[Chap. XV.

beauty and pleasing shape, causes the growth of scanty but soft hair on

its

surface.

Jt strengthens the eyesight

and increases the energy of the body, improves

power of

digestion

plexion.

Fat

astringent,

is

glow and com-

its

deranged by such acts

bitter,

(indigestible

and heightens

food

cold,

as,

remains

an abuse of

Vistambhi

or

parchifying

which

its

stuffed

the

in

stomach' substances, a voluntary repression of the natural urging for evacutions of the body,

b)'

excessive sexual in-

and fatiguing physical exercise, or by the

dulgence,

draining action of any particular disease.

An

instance of dislodgment of fat from

or locality

is

its

proper seat

attended by such symptoms as roughness

of the skin, loss of the natural healthful glow of the body

and a breaking or an aching pain

in

the limbs.

Anaemia

or a gradual emaciation of the body, impaired digestive

function

and a slanting or downward course of the

deranged humours, mark the case where the bodily

undergone a change

in its natural properties

foul contamination.

A

fat is

has

fat

through any

case of loss or waste of the bodily

marked by such symptoms

function, dulness of sight,

as,

impaired digestive

decay of strength and aggra-

vation of the bodily Vayu, and always ends in death.

The medical treatment

in the latter case (loss of fat)

should consist in the administration of oilv or emollient drinks,

Pradeha

use of medicated (piasters

of

unguents oleaginous

or

lubrications,

substances)

and

Chap. XV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

*35

Parisheka (washes) and a diet comprising

and well-cooked

articles of food.

Metrical texts a

of

wasting

fundamental

person

the

of

an)'

—A

:

constituent

suffering from

naturally craves for drink

suffering

loss of

from

humours

excrements of the

or

principles

as well as one

cooling

light,

or

body,

Ojah (albumen)

and food that tend to con-

tribute directly to the formation of the matter (or bodily principle) so lost or wasted.

food

or

from a

drink longed

loss or

a

curative

for

be looked

virtue

that

in

bodily and intellectual of the

a

person

as

upon

possessed

case.

particular

bodily

functions

Vayu

should be regarded as past

Such a

and extremely

to the loss of the vital fluid

all

cure.

Etiology of Obesity :— Obesity flesh (Karsha) should

lymph

of

through a deranged

nerve-force)

weak and enfeebled owing

tion of the

suffering fluids or

consciousness and divested of his

person devoid of

state

by

waste of any of the abovesaid

should

principles,

Conversely, the particular

be ascribed to changes

chyle.

The lymph chyle

the assimilated food of a person,

who

is

in

or loss

of

the condi-

derived from

habituated to a

course of diet which tends to promote the quantity of the bodily belly even

Kapham when

digested, or

who

or

is in

the habit of pampering his

a previous meal has not been thoroughly is

addicted to a habit of sleeping in the

day, or leading a sedentary

life,

or

is

averse to taking

1

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

36

any

sort of physical exercise, continues in

and

state

is

[

Chap. XV.

an immature

transformed into a serum of sweet taste which

moves about within the body, engendering the formation

A

of fat which produces excessive stoutness.

person

with obesity develops such symptoms as short-

afflicted

ness of breath, thirst, ravenous appetite, excessive sleepi-

odours

ness, perspiration, fetid

sound

in the throat

the softness of

kind of work. nished

Capacity

semen by phlegm

of

body such

as,

rest

unfitted

lymph

and

of

for

fatty

the

is

to

every dimi-

deposits

owing

;

root-principles

chyle, albumen,

considerably arrested

is

etc.,

Owing

for sexual intercourse

and the growth of the of the

is

fatty person

heaviness

such a one), owing to the obstruction of the

(in

passage

a

dulness or of speech.

indistinctness

fat,

wheezing

during sleep or sudden suspension of

breath, inert feeling in the limbs,

of the body, and

the body,

in

to

the

semen, deposit

matter within the channels of the internal

of fatty

passages of the body, thus seriously affecting his bodily

An

strength.

be

likely to

such

as,

fever,

obese or excessively corpulent person

afflicted

with any of the following diseases

urethral discharges, eruptions, boils, carbuncles,

fistula

in

ano, or with any of the diseases which

are caused

by a deranged

and such

attacks are

in death.

into

is

Any

state

of the bodily

invariably

V&yu

;

found to terminate

disease in such a person

is

apt to develop

one of a violent and dangerous type owing to the

obstruction of the internal channels with deposits of

fat.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XV.]

Hence

conditions which foster the growth

things or

all

137

of abnormal fat should be carefully avoided.

Accordingly medicated compositions, consisting of such

and

drugs

substances

as

Guggulu,

Shilajatu,

Go-Mutram, Triphala, Loharaja, Rasanjanam, Madhu, Uddalaka

Mudga, Koradusha, Shyamaka and

Yava,

which are agents

anti-fat

the

possessing

internal channels, as

solutions

their properties, or of remedial

in

well

technically

of

efficacy

cleansing

the

enematas of liquefacient

as

known

as

Lekhana

Vastis

and

physical exercise should be prescribed.

Etiology of

Karshyam

a gradual emaciation of the

:— Loss

of flesh

body should be ascribed

or to

the partaking of food in the composition of which, matter

which aggravates the bodily Yayu largely or excessively enters, to over-fatiguing physical exercise, sexual excesses,

over study,

fright, grief

or anxiety, to the

keeping

up of late hours, to unsatisfied hunger, insufficient food,

and to astringent food which tends to dry up the lymph chyle.

The

chyle, thus parched up,

organism, but

fails

element owing to

to impart to

its

it

moves about

in the

the necessary nutritive

being insufficiently charged with

it,

thus causing the body to grow extremely emaciated.

A body

patient suffering from extreme emaciation fails

to bear the inclemencies of weather

variations of terrestrial heat, all

of the

and the

and becomes apathetic to

movements and does but imperfectly perform the 18

1

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

38

functions of vitality, and

The

thirst or hunger.

also incapable

is

[Chap. XV.

of enduring

bodily strength suffers a gradual

diminution, and diseases, incidental to a deranged state

of the bodily Vayu, make their appearance, and the patient has to diseases

meet

his

doom from any

as asthma, cough,

Shosha

of the following

(phthisis), enlarged

spleen or liver, abdominal dropsy, dyspepsia, abdominal

glands and haemoptysis.

Any

disease appearing in such

a patient develops into one of a violent t3'pe owing to the loss or diminished condition of the bodily strength or protoplasm (Prana). Contrarily, conditions

or

A

obesity should be avoided.

factors

which

produce

case

of patent

obesity

should be checked with a medicated compound, consisting of

such drugs

as,

Payasya, Ashvagandha, Vidari,

Vidarigandha, Shatavari, Vala, Ativala, Nagavala and such other drugs of sweet taste. Diets consisting of thickened milk,

clarified

butter,

Yasthika, wheat, barley, case

;

and sleep

in

curd, etc.,

meat, boiled Shali

should be prescribed in the

the day, sexual indulgence, physical

exercise, etc., should be prohibited. tive substances

On

rice,

Enematas of

nutri-

can be likewise given with advantage.

the other hand, the

lymph chyle of

a

man, who

partakes of food belonging to both the abovesaid classes, courses through his organism and strengthens the rootprinciples of his body, thus giving a middling or ful

rotundity to his limbs owing to

its

health-

properties

being

Chap. XV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

A man

equipoised. of

possessed of such a body

He

kinds of work and movement.

all

l

can

is

^

capable

fairly

stand

the inclemencies of weather and the keenness of hunger

and

thirst,

and

will gain in strength

and energy.

Care

should be always taken to have such a well equipped

body of moderate

size.

Authoritative verses on the sub-

— Excessively

ject*: persons

are

regards

A

condemnable.

alike

is

plumpness,

the

A

best.

principles of the body, such as the

the water (the

as a well- kindled

the body vary in

since

the

body, in

its

gradual transformations as age),

and changes

impossible to

its

lay

humours,

principles

(of

that

Hence

it is

fire

lymph

may

be

the

chyle, in

will evaporate

over

different

Since

it.

individuals

turn, undergoes

youth

moment,

it is

and

and

;

such old

absolutely

exact quantity

excrements

found

etc., just

and the fundamental

infancy,

state each

down

deranged

etc.)

size

temperament, constitution,

Tand

frame

lean

lymph chyle

contained in a basin placed

principles of)

mean

humours dry up the fundamental

or aggravated bodily

same way

is

The enraged

should have the preference to a stout one.

in the

lean

body which

too lean, but strikes the

neither too stout nor as

and excessively

corpulent

of the

fundamental

blood, semen,

albumen,

human

organism.

the

necessary for a physician to

state of equilibrium (their continuance in

ascertain

their

normal state and

THE SUSHfcUTA

I4

SAMHITA'.

quantity) at any particular time

pronounced only

would

be

naturally

visible.

draw

functions

in

a

where

and which should be signs of perfect

health

experienced physician

would

cases

An

;

Chap. XV.

contrary inference from the improper

of the

organs

in

A

an individual.

person

with an uniformly healthy digestion, and whose bodily

humours are

in

a state of equilibrium,

fundamental

the state

vital

in

in

whom normal

their

and quantity, accompanied by the normal processes organic function, and intellection,

of secretion,

to be a healthy person

An of

course

fluids

and

intelligent

health

in

a

is

said

.

physician should preserve

healthy

individual,

the state

he should

while

increase or decrease the quantity of the bodily humours, vital fluids, or

excrements

in

a

sick

according

patient

to the exigencies of the case until his health

is

perfectly

restored. Thus ends

the fifteenth Chapter of'the Sutrasthanam

Samhita which

treats of the

in

the

Sushruta

Development and Non-development of the

humoral constituents of the body.

CHAPTER Now we

shall discuss the

XVI.

Chapter which treats of the

(Kama-

piercing and bandaging of the lobules of ears

Vyadha-Vandha-Vidhimadhyaym). The

lobules of the ears of an infant are usually pierced for protecting

through

malignant stars and

it

(from the

and

spirits)

for

of

influences

evil

the purposes of

ornamentation as well. The piercing should be performed

on a day of bright fortnight marked by the auspicious lunar and astral combinations, and in the

sixth

seventh month of the year reckoned from

its

(Bhadra).

The

child should be placed on the

the

beginning lap

of

and benedictions should be pronounced over

nurse,

Then having soothed playthings, left

or

the

it

and lured

with

should draw

physician

hand the lobules of

it

its

ears with a

its it.

toys and

down with

his

view to detect,

with the help of the reflected sun-light, (the closed up) apertures that

are

Then he should

localities.

with a needle held or with

naturally

a

be found to be too thick. should be

male

first

pierce

in his right

thick needle

found to exist

them

in

those

straight through

hand, or with an awl (Ara),

where the appendages would

The

lobule of the

pierced and then the

child, while the contrary

left in

right

ear

the case of a

should be the procedure in

the case of a female. Plugs of cotton-lint should be then inserted into the holes of the pricked ear-lobules, which

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

I4 2

[

Chap. XVI.

should be lubricated or rubbed with any unboiled

A

oil.

copious bleeding attended with pain would indicate

that the needle has passed through a

the natural

(and closed

fissure

up)

other than

place

whereas the absence of any serious

described above after-effect

;

would

give rise to the presumption that the piercing has been

done through the right spot.

be

of the local veins

by an ignorant, bungling surgeon,

incidentally injured

may

Any

attended

symptoms which

with

described under the heads

be

will

of Kalika, Marmarika,

and

Lohitika.

Kaiikaf

marked by

is

in the affected part

to

fever

(Lohitika)

;

while

symptoms such tendons

ness of the

Apatanak

fever

in

(the

the last

characteristic

named type

Manya-Stambha (numb-

as,

forming the nape of the neck),

type of tetanus), Shirograha (headache) and

(a

Karna-shula (ear-ache) exhibit should be

gives rise

formations about the

accompanied by

region,

inflammatory)

Marmarika

and swelling.

pain and knotty (nodular)

affected

and a burning pain

themselves,

medicinal remedies laid

duly treated with

down under

their

respective

and they

heads.

The

lint

should

be speedily taken out from a pierced hole which

marked by extreme pain and of

its

being

needle, or

made with

owing

to

inordinately large

its

lint,

a

swelling, etc.,

on account

blunt, crooked

or stunted

being "plugged with a deep or to

is

its

and

being disturbed by the

aggravated bodily humours (Doshas), or to

its

being made

Chap.

XVI.]

at a

wrong

Eranda

SUTRASTHANAM.

j^

An unguent composed

place.

roots, Manjistha,

Yava, Tila,

of

Madhuka,

honey and

butter pasted together, should be thickly

clarified

plastered over

the affected part until the ulcers are perfectly healed after

;

which the lobules of the ears should be again the directions laid

pierced through according to

down

before.

The

should be

lint

thicker one should successive

be inserted

occasion,

with (unboiled

r removed, each third da)

oil)

as

stead

Nimba

of the accompanying

and a

on each

be rubbed

For the expansion of

before.

lead) should be inserted into

or

Apamarga, or rods of

them

after the

subsidence

symptoms and deranged bodily

the locality).

^in

Metrical Text :— The may

its

and the part should

the fissures, (sticks of

humours

in

,

fissures

thus expanded

ultimately bifurcate the lobules of the ears owing to

the effects of the deranged bodily humours (Dosha), of a blow.

Now

hear

me

discourse on the

mode

or

of

adhesioning them (with suitable bandages).

These unions or adhesions admit of being divided

into

fifteen different

kinds,

sandhanaka, the Utpala-Bhedyaka

viz.,

briefly

the Nemi-

the Valluraka, the

Asangima, the Ganda-karna, the Aharyaya, the Nirvedhima, the Vyayojima, the Kapata-sandhika, theArdhakapala-sandhika, the Samkshipta, the Hina-karna, the

Vallikama, the Yasthi-karna, and the Kakaushthaka.

I

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

44

Out

these, the

of

the bifurcated lobes of the thick, extended,

the

Nemi-

as the

should be used in cases where each of

sandhanaka,

as

known

process,

[Chap. XVI.

would be found to be

ears

and equal in

The

size.

should be

Utpala-Bhedyaka,

process,

used

known

in

cases

where the severed lobes of the ears would be found to be round,

extended, and

Valluraka should be resorted

process,

the severed lobes of the

and equal

short, circular

to in cases

where

would be found to be

ears

The

in size.

Asangima, should be adopted

as the

The

equal in dimensions.

process,

known

cases

where

in

the anterior surface of one of these severed appendages

would have a more elongated shape than the

The

process,

known

as

the

Granda-Karna, consists

regions of the

cheeks and

in

adhering

severed lobes of the ears which its

anterior side than the other

is

process being

known

as the

to one of the

more elongated on

(Plastic-operations).

the case of extremely short lobes, cut off from both the cheeks

it

the

flesh

In

should be

and adhered to them, the

Aharyaya. The lobes of the

ears

which have been completely severed from

are

called

Pithopamas.

in

one of the

patch of healthy flesh from

slicing off a

other.

The

process

their roots

known such

as

the

cases

by

piercing the two Putrikas Tragus and Anti-tragus

of

Nirvedhima should be resorted

to

in

the ears.

The made

process

use

known

of in

cases

as

the

Vyayojima should be

where one of the bifurcated

Chap. XVI.

other

process

as

regards

known

as

its

of the

,

thickness

Kapata-Sandhika

ing about an adhesion,

one

145

should be found to be dissimilar to

ear

of the

lobes

the

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

consists

on the posterior

so called from the fact of

two

the

knoWn

leaves

as the

of a

its

bring-

between

side,

is

The adhesion

elongated on the anterior side of the ear. is

in

and another, which

lobes

bifurcated

The

thinness.

or

resembling the closing of

The

door (Kapatam).

process

consists in bring-

Ardha-Kapata-Sandhika

ing

about an adhesion on the anterior side between

the

shorter

lobe

one of the two parts of a bifurcated

with the part, elongated on the posterior

ear-

side, like

a half- closed door.

The ten successfully

of

aforesaid processes

adhesion

brought about and their

easily pictured

may

be

shapes can be

from the meanings of their respective

names.

The remaining

five sorts

such as the

are seldom attended with success

impracticable

has

its

(Asadhayas).

Samkhiptam

and hence

The

process

are

etc.,

called

Samkhiptam

scope in the case where the auricle (Shashkuli)

has been withered up and one of the bifurcated lobes is

the other being reduced and shortened.

raised,

of

process

Hina-karna should be

adopted

in

The cases

where the supporting rim of the lobe (pinna) has been entirely

swept away and

are sunk 19

its

and devoid of

exterior sides

flesh.

and the cheeks

Similarly

the adhesive

1

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

46

known

process cases

the

as

The adhesion known in cases

as the

thin

short,

Yasthi

indicated

is

in

and unequal.

Kama

indicated

is

where the thin and severed ear-lobes are run and made of knotty or nodular

across with veins

The

Vallikarna

where the lobes are

Chap. XVI.

t

flesh.

case in which the ear-lobe, being permeated with

a

little

in

a narrow tip

of

quantity or

fleshless

is

blood,

furnishes

end,

and

ends

the occasion for

Kakusthakapali.

The five abovesaid inflammation,

if

followed by swelling,

suppuration and redness of the affected

and found to be secreting a

part

or

adhesions,

studded

over

sort

of slimy pus

with pustular eruptions,

apprehended as not to be attended with

may

be

success.

Authoritative verses on the subject

:

—The

exact middle point of the external ear

should be pierced (with a knife should be pulled

both the

parts

down and of

a

1

)

and the severed parts

elongated in the case where

bifurcated

found to have been entirely

lost

ear-lobe

or eaten away.

the case where the posterior one of the parts

would be found

to be longer or

two

case

In

bifurcated

more elongated, the

adhesion should be effected on the anterior side the contrary should be the

would be

;

whereas

where the anterior

one would appear to be more elongated.

Only the

remaining one of the two bifurcated parts of an ear-lobe

would be

pierced, cut in

two and adhesioned on the

top,

Chap. XVI.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

where the other part would be found to

in the case

A

be gone.

surgeon well-versed in the knowledge of should

surgery ''ShSstras

slice

a patch

off

of living

from the cheek of a person devoid of ear-lobes

flesh

in a

I47

manner

so as

have one of

to

former seat (cheek).

to

its

the

artificial

scarified

ear-lobe

a

(with

is

Then

the

to be made,

knife),

ends attached

its

should be slightly

and the

living

flesh,

blood'and sliced off as previously directed, adhesioned to

it

where

part,

(so as to resemble

a

full

of

should be

natural

ear-lobe

in shape).

A

surgeon, wishing to

effect

any

other than those described before, should articles

enumerated

in

the

of adhesion

sort

first

chapter on

collect the

Preliminary

Measures to Surgical Operations, together with water,

Dh^nydmla 'fermented

(transparent surface-part

Then the

earthen vessel.

of

rice boilings),

and

wine)

hair of the

milk,

Suramanda

patient,

whether

male or female, should be gathered and tied up knot, and the patient should be (so

his

as

to

his

keep up

digestion)

;

after

strength

which

his

should be asked to hold him firm.

by

incising,

affected

in

a

given a light food

without friends

hampering

and relations

Then having

tained the particular nature of adhesion in the case,

of

powders

to

ascer-

be effected

the surgeon should examine the local blood excising,

lobes

as

whether the same

scarifying

found is

or

necessary,

puncturing

and

pure or vitiated.

the

determine

Then having

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

I4 8

[Chap. XVI.

washed the blood with Dhanyamla and tepid water, if found vitiated

through the action of the deranged

(V£yu), or with milk and cold

water

event of

the

in

the same being contaminated by the deranged Pittam,

Suramanda and warm water

or with

vitiated

being

the

Kapham, hesion

(raised),

action shall

surgeon

not to leave the

the

of

bring

scarifying the

by again

ear, so as

the

by

the case of

in

Of

course

should be effected with the blood being

of the

parts

the

adhesion in

still left

the

Then having anointed

had been scraped.

them with honey and

the ad-

adhesioned parts elevated

unequal and short.

parts that

disordered

about

affected

its

clarified

they should be

butter,

covered with cotton and linen, and tied with strings of thread,

too loose nor too tight, and dusted

neither

over with powders

should be given the

patient,

regimen laid

of

as

baked

regards

who may down in the

Then

clay.

the diet and

be as well

directions

nursing of

treated with

the

chapter on Dvi-vraniyam.

Authoritative verses on the subject

:

—The patient should be

the bandage and

avoid physical

careful

not to disturb

exercise,

sexual intercourse, exposure to, or basking of

fire,

fatiguing

talk,

consecutive days

unboiled

should ,

oil

be

;

the

and sleep by day. ulcer

should be

and cotton soaked placed over

each third day,

till

it,

healing.

in the

which

is

over-eating,

the

in,

glare

For three

anointed with

same substance to

be

altered,

SUTRASTHANAM.

xvi.]

Chap,

The

should not be tried to be

ulcer

incidental

I4 9

healed up as long as the local blood (blood

is

not fully

is

ulcer)

purified

from the

haemorrhage

or

;

so

of

seat

the local blood continues feeble.

with

ed

the

continuing in

its

the

of

least

pain, burning, redness

and suppuration

blood incarcerated in a

little

an ulcer

Kapha

in

the event of

quantity of Pitta-deranged

Adhesioned even with

its inside.

quantity of is

will

little

fouled blood in

its

itching and numbness.

marked by

blood

be again attended with

It

being closed with a

or

adhesion-

ulcer,

Vayu-vitiated

break open afresh.

its

affection

spontaneously burst or

will

inside,

An

the

there

as

long

the

in

cavity

An

ulcer

adhesioned with the continuance of an active haemorrhage from

its

inside

An

yellow swelling. the local blood,

is

marked by a brown

or blackish

adhesioned at a time when

ulcer,

though otherwise good or pure, has

been thinned or weakened through excessive bleeding, is

followed by a corresponding emaciation

of the

The

adhesioned part.

adhesioned should be

lobule

gradually

(thinness)

of the ear thus

pulled

down

and

elongated after the complete healing of the local ulcer

and the subsidence of after

the

cicatrix

has

its

concomitant symptoms, and

assumed

skin of the surrounding part.

part

may

be characterised

the

colour

again

fall

off.

An

the

Otherwise the adhesioned

by

pain,

swelling,

mmation, burning and suppuration, or the

may

of

adhesioned

infla-

adhesion

ear-lobe,

un-

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

i5o

Chap. XVI.

[

accompanied by any of the distressing or unfavourable

symptoms, should be gradually elongated by rubbing it

with an unguent composed of the milk,

marrow

and

fat,

of any such animals and birds as the Godha, the

Pratudas, the Vishkiras, the Anupas, or the Audakas as

would be

and

available,

clarified butter

and the

oil ex-

pressed out of the seeds of white mustard, boiled with

decoction

the

AtivaU,

or

Kvatha

Anant£,

of

Arka,

Val2,

Alarka,

V.idari-

Apamarga, Ashvagandh4,

gandha, Kshira-Shukla, Jalashuka and the drugs forming the group

be

known

previously

the

as

Madhura, which should

prepared and carefully

stowed

in

a

covered receptacle.

Metrical texts :— Then

the above medicinal

unguent should be applied or rubbed over the lobe of the affected ear, whereby able

all

symptoms would be

firm and steady growth.

of Yava, Ashvagandh£,

the disturbing cr unfavoursubsided, thus favouring

Similarly a plaster

its

composed

Yashtyahva, and Tila, pasted

together might be rubbed over the affected ear-lobe with Oil prepared and boiled with the essence of

advantage. Shatavari,

and Ashvagandh£, or Payasya, Eranda, Jivana

and milk increases the growth of an of an ear, which refuses to

fomented be

grow

ear-lobe.

The

in size in spite of

lobe

being

and lubricated as above indicated, should

scarified

with slight

anterior side (that

is

longitudinal incisions

on

its

on the side nearest to the cheeks)

Chap. XVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

I51

and not on the posterior one, as such a procedure might be attended with dreadful

An

ear-lobe should not be tried to be elongated just

after the adhesion of its

the centre

cause

results.

them

the adhesion,

of to

two severed

fall off

parts,

still

inasmuch

being raw, might

Thus an ear-lobe under

again.

the circumstance should be gradually elongated,

when hair

as

only

would be found to be marked by the growth of on its surface, and the hole or the perforation has it

assumed a

circular

look,

and the adhesion has become

firmly effected, well- dried, painless, even

and

level in its

entire length.

The modes two severed a

skilled

about an adhesion of the

of bringing

parts of an

e; a

-lobe are

innumerable;

and

and experienced surgeon should determine

the shape and nature

of each

according to the exi-

gencies of a particular case.*

*

which

Additional

Text

:— O

affect the lobule of

The deranged

Sushruta, again

I

shall

deal

with

diseases

an ear under the circumstance described above

bodily Vayu, Pittam and

Kapham,

either jointly or severally,

give rise to several types of diseases which affect the lobule of an ear.

The

deranged Vayu produces numbness and an erysipelatous swelling and ulcer about the affected ear-lobe, while an in the erysipelatous ulcer locality

accompanied by swelling, burning, suppuration,

ascribed to the action of the

deranged Pittam.

swelling of the ear-lobe accompanied locality

in these

mark

by constant itching

the action of the deranged

Kapham.

means

of

diaphoresis,

plasters) or blood-letting as the case

lubrication,

may

be.

in

the

affected

The medical treatment

cases consists in effecting a subsidence of the

humour by

should be

etc.,

Heaviness, numbness and

particular

Parishekas

deranged

(medicated

These measures should be

moderately applied and a nutritive and invigorating food should be pres-

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

I5 2

Rhinoplasties operations with the

deal

The

cribed for the patient.

as alone entitled to take in

who

physician

humours

of the deranged bodily

an

of affixing

process

is

:

[Chap.

-Now

well familiar with

shall

I

artificial

xvi.

nose.

the actions

as described above, should be looked

hand a

which

case,

falls

upon

under the head of one

of the preceding types.

Now

I shall

enumerate the names of the several diseases which

affect

a severed lobe of the ear and describe the symptoms which each of them develops in succession.

are

known

as

Utpataka, Utputuka, Shyava,

Bhrisam-kandujata, Avamantha, Sakanduka,

Akundaka, Granthika, Jam-

vala,

They

and Dahavana.

Sravi

Now

hear

me

discourse

on the nature of

medicinal treatment to be adopted in each of them.

Remedies

:

—A

oil

composed of the drugs known as Apamarga, and Lakucha bark pasted togather, or a medicated

plaster

Sarjarasa, Patala bark

prepared and boiled with the preceding substances should

in a case of the

prove amenable to a medicinal plaster Putika, the fat and she-buffalo

or

marrow

of a

consisting

Godha and

sow, pasted togather

;

or

posed of the abovesaid substanees duly cinal plaster

of the drugs

composed

Ananta, Tanduliyakam, or an

oil

the milk

known

Shampaka, Shigru, and bile of a she-deer,

medicated unguent comoil. Similarly, a medi-

a

to

Lioiled

of

with

as

Gauri, Sugandha. Shyama,

prepared and boiled with

the

extract

of

w ould prove beneficial in a case of the Shyava type of In a case of the Yrisham-Sakundakam type, the affected

the preceding drugs,

the desease. part should

be applied

Utpataka type, wherea a case of the Utputuka type would

r

be rubbed or lubricated

with an unguent or

medicated

oil

Kshoudram, and composed of the same drugs and substances

prepared with the boiled extract of Patha, Rasanjanam,

warm Kanjikam.

or a plaster

should be applied over the diseased locality. In a case of ulceration, the ulcerated ear-lobe should be rubbed with the oil

prepared and boiled with the drugs

kakoli, or with those

known

as

Madhukam and

Kshira-

which form the group known as the Jivak&di-Yarga

;

while in a case where Vringhanam measures are to be adopted, lard prepared from the fat of a Godha, boar, or snake might be used with advantage.

Avamanthaka type the diseased ear-lobe should be washed and covered with a plaster composed of the drugs known as Prapaundarikam, Madhukam, Samanga and Dhavam, or rubbed with oil prepared and In the

boiled with the same drugs.

Similarly, a case of

Kandu-Juta (accompanied

with itching) would yield to a plaster composed of the drugs known as Sahadeva, Vishvadeva, and Saindhava salt pasted with goat's milk, or to the

medicated

oil

boiled and prepared with

the

same drugs and substances.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XVI.]

Chap.

the

First

leaf of a

creeper,

to fully

cover the whole

off part,

should be gathered

equal

flesh,

long and broad

of the ;

of the

cheek and,

swiftly

adhered to the severed nose.

headed

physician

after

should

enough

and a patch of

it

scarifying

steadily

living

leaf,

should

the

region

down upward) from

(from

^

severed or clipped

dimension to the preceding

in

be sliced off

T

with a knife,

Then the

tie

cool-

up with a

it

bandage decent to look at and perfectly suited to the

end

for

which

has been

it

The physician should make severed

the

parts

the adhesion of

that

the nostrils to facilitate

into

and to prevent the adhesioned

respiration,

with the

dusted

from

flesh

After that, the adhesioned part should

hanging down.

be

sure

has been fully effected and then

two small pipes

insert

employed (Sadhu Vandha).

powders of

madhukam and Rasanjana

Pattanga, Yashtitogether

pulverised

and

;

In a case of the Granthika type (accompanied by the formation of knotty or glandular formations should growths in its inside) the knotty growths be first removed, and che affected locality should be bled with a surgical

dusted with

instrument and case

of Jamvala

type,

powdered

blood-letting

Saindhava

Likewise,

salt.

should be resorted to

by

in

a

scarifying

the seat of the disease, which should be then washed with a spray of milk. The ulcer = u Ad be healed after the perfect purification of its internal cJ

morbid

of

ts

.

A

case

inal plaster

vield to a

and Mad'

..aiii,

or of

of the

composed

Madhukam

Sravi (secreting) of the drugs

would

type

known

as

readily

Madhuparni,

pasted with honey, or to the medicinal oil case of the

with the same drugs and substances. rrprepared and boiled

A

of (burning) type should be treated with a plaster composed

Jahyamana known

the drugs

nixed with

as the five

Madhukam pasted together and with a pasted compound of the drugs which

Kalkas and

clarified butter, or

form the group of the Jivakadi Varga with a quantity of

added

to

20

it.

clarified

butter

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

154

[Chap. XVI.

enveloped in Karp^sa cotton and

the nose should be

several times sprinkled over with the refined oil of pure

sesamum.

Clarified

should be given

butter

patient for drink, and he should be anointed with treated

to

the

oil

and

with purgatives after the complete digestion

of the meals he has taken, as advised

(in

the books

Adhesion should be deemed complete

medicine).

of

after

the incidental ulcer had been perfectly healed up, while

the nose should be again scarified and bandaged in the of a semi

case

or

partial adhesion.

The adhesioned

nose should be tried to be elongated where fall

short of

its

natural and previous length, or

be surgically restored to the abnormal growth of

mode

it

should

natural size in the case of

newly formed

its

would

flesh.

The

bringing about the adhesion of severed lips

of

identical

its

it

with what has been described

in

is

connection

with a severed nose with the exception of the insertion of

The

pipes.

physician,

who

is

well

conversant

with these matters, can be alone entrusted with the medical treatment of a King. Thus ends

the sixteenth chapter of the Sutra-Sthana n

Samhila which

treats of the Piercing

and Bandaging of

in the

Sushruta

-lobes.

t

Jiva».

opted, 1

with

nd n,

d id

as

the :es.

CHAPTER the

Now we

shall discuss the

mode of

distinguishing

XVII.

Chapter which deals with

between suppurating and non-

A'ma-pakkaishaniya-

suppurating swellings.

madhyayam. Diseases

and

(abscess)

such

as,

Alaji

(inflammation

Granthi

cornea) etc. are ushered in

These diseases

A

and outward shape.

in its

(surface)

the

It restricts itself to

and

is

characterised

action of the (swelling)

is

differ in their

of

to

symptoms

may

a

called

and

the

Shotha

flesh

several

of

appear at

(swelling). its

locality

concerted

or

The Shothas

deranged bodily humours.

admit

peculiar

round, elevated, even, or

is

skin

by

edge of the

symptoms

swelling which

any part of the body, and uneven

of the

Vidradhi,

by a preliminary swelling

which subsequently develops each of them.

(Aneurism),

being divided into six different

types according as they are caused by the action of the

deranged Vayu, Pittam, to the

concerted

or blood,

Kapham

action

of the

ma^k the welling.

describe

shall

respective

A

actions

the of

are

due

three fundamental

humours of the body, or are of traumatic

Now we

or

origin.

symptoms

which

the humours in a

swelling due to the action of the deranged

£yu assumes a reddish or blackish hue and

is

shifting

f

1

its clirf acter.

It

feels

rough and

soft to

the touch,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

156 and

is

marked by a

[

Chap. XVII.

the

sort of aching pain (peculiar to

deranged Vayu) which vanishes at intervals.

A

due to

swelling,

the action of

Pittam,

assumes

fluctuates

under pressure, and

a

mulation of blood in

yellowish

its

one part of the bod} burning,

sucking

hue.

T

It

swiftly

to another,

A

pain.

It

deranged

is

and

soft

marked by an accu-

is

body.

the

shifts

from

accompanied by a

swelling,

about

brought

through the deranged condition of the Kapham, assumes

The

a grey or whitish colour. cold,

becomes glossy and

and the swelling very slowly changes at

site, if it shifts

A

skin

all,

accompanied by pain and

swelling engendered

of the three bodily

its

original itching.

through the concerted action

humours successively manifests the

symptoms and assumes the colours respectively peculiar The symptoms which mark a swelling to each of them. due to the action of the vitiated blood are identical with those which are exhibited in a

swelling

of the

Pittaja

type with the exception of the blackness of the part (and an increase

of

heat).

A

swelling

external blow traumatic) manifests to'.the Pittaja

A

due to an

symptoms

peculiar

and blood-origined types.

swelling,

which does not yield to internal and

external remedies on account of an excessive accumula tion of the

deranged local humours, or through

insufficient or contrary effects

shows

sign of suppuration.

*'

of the remedial arne t

can

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XVII.]

Now tively

hear

me

mark

I5 y

which respec-

describe the symptoms,

an unsuppurated, suppurating

The unsuppurated

purated swelling.

or

sup-

or immature stage

continues as long as the skin of the swelling retains its

its

of

marked by

natural hue,

slight elevation

surface.

The suppurating seems as

to

stage gives rise

sensation of

a

The

the affected locality.

in

pricking pain

or

pain and heat in

little

and coldness, hardness and a

inside, its

a

being pricked with needles,

if it is

wandered over by a host of

knife, or pierced

or

ants,

swelling or

bitten

cut with a

with a spear, or thrashed with a club,

or pressed with the hand, or scraped round with fingers,

or burnt with a

of a

sort

fire

of sucking,

a fixed or shifting

by a

scorpion,

The

;

the swelling of

patient, as

does not find comfort in of

the local skin

and the swelling goes on increasing leather bag

patient complains in

burning pain

character.

The hue

or position.

The

or an alkali.

and

fever, thirst, a

like

if

stung

any place is

changed

an inflated

burning sensation and

aversion to food etc. gradually supervene.

The suppurated

stage

is

marked by an amelioration

of the local pain and a yellowishness of the skin over the swelling,

which cracks and seems too

pu§ to folds in the integument.

The

big,

thus giving

swelling exhibits

the nation under pressure and shows perceptible signs large

caution.

Moreover,

it

yields

to

pressure

and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

l$% reaches

The pus

its

former height

when

the pressure

or the suppurated matter changes

Chap. XVII,

is

its

removed.

pressure

water

like

distressing

inclination

a

for

characterised

desire

for

subside

sort

and

food,

scratching the

by a

leather

the patient

;

feels a

affected

The

bag.

part

of aching pain.

constant

which

is

Sometimes,

of traumatic swelling or in those brought

cases

as in

bloated

a

in

symptoms gradually

again evinces

about by a deranged condition suppurating process

is

the affected part

characteristic

restricted

fact

the deeper tissues

to

and hence

symptoms — a

Kapham, the

of the

fail

exhibit

to

its

which often misleads

a physician (surgeon) as regards the

true

state

whether suppurated or not) of the accompanying ing.

or

place,

from one part of the swelling to another under

shifts

of

[

(lit

:

—

swell-

But the knowledge that a process of suppuration,

occurring in the deeper tissues of an affected part,

is

accompanied by alleviation of the pain and swelling which becomes as compact as a stone and cold to the touch,

and the

local

skin resuming

would unquestionably ward

off all

its

natural

colour,

apprehensions for

error of judgment.

Authoritative verses on the subject :— A

physician (surgeon)

who

is

fully

conversant

with the symptoms which are respectively exhibited

by (an inflammatory) swelling in its unsuppurated, sup* of the purating and suppurated stages, is alone worthy epithet

;

the rest are but impostors.

Since there can

Chap. xvil.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

159

be no pain without the intervention of the deranged

V£yu

and no suppuration can

;

action

of the

deranged Pittam

action of the deranged

suppurated swelling simultaneous action

Kapham

without the

in

set

nor pus, without the

;

evident that a

it is

;

marked by the combined and of the three deranged humours of is

the body.

According to

certain

the

authorities,

deranged

Pittam gets the preponderance over the local Vayu and

Kapham, and transforms the blood

own preponderant The

incision or

its

energy.

opening of a swelling

matory or unsuppurated is

pus out of

into

(lit.

joint,

excessive haemorrhage.

The

extremely painful.

Many

to manifest themselves

in

its

inflam-

immature, unripe) stage

attended with the destruction of the

ment, bone, vein, or

in

and

is

local flesh, liga-

usually followed

incidental

by

wound becomes

distressing

symptoms begin

succession

and

formed inside the wound which

may

cavities

lapse

are

a

into

case of Kshata-Vidradhi (a type of ulcerated abscess).

On

the other hand, a fully suppurated swelling,

unopened

for a

left

long time out of fear or ignorance by the

attending physician,

is

attended with symptoms which are

fraught with dreadful consequences. pus, unable to find an outlet,

is

infiltrated

the deeper tissues of the affected large cavities or sinuses in their

The accumulated

part,

inside,

and attacks and

forms

thus converting

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

160 the

disease

one

into

of

a

difficult

[Chap. XVII.

or incurable

type.

Authoritative verses on the subject

:

—The physician (surgeon) who opens an

unsup-

purated or unripe swelling out of ignorance, as well as the

man who

neglects a fully

suppurated one, should

be looked upon as the vilest Chandala for his wrong

The

or incorrect diagnosis.

patient should be provided

with a meal before the surgical operation, or strong

wine should be given him,

if

he

found to be addicted

is

to the habit of taking any.

The

under the circumstance

be to keep up the strength

will

effect

of a good meal

of the patient and to guard against his swooning during

make

the operation, while the effect of wine will be to

him unconscious of the

pain.

The

rule as

regards the

feeding and anaesthetising (wine giving) of the patient

be

should

strictly

vital principle of a

of his

man

body which of

essence material

food,

adhered

is

is

since

to,

invigorated

the

internal

by the strength

the product of lymph- chyle, the

and the quintessence of the

principles.

A

swelling,

five

no matter whether

limited or extensive, spontaneously runs on to suppuration, if

not medicinally treated, or

left

to

base of such a swelling goes on extending.

nature. It

The

becomes

unequally suppurated and reaches an unequal elevation, thus affecting the deeper tissues of the part and swiftly

running into one of an incurable type.

A

swelling,

which

does not yield to the application of medicated plasters

Chap. XVII.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

1

and

or to corrective or blood-letting measures, speedily

uniformly suppurates, and restricted base

a

blazing

and a

fire

fed

consumes a withered the absence

healthy

of

flesh,

any

marked by a small and

is

conical

circular or

by

()I

As

elevation.

of favourable wind soon

gusts

forest, so

the incarcerated pus,

outlet, attacks

in

and eats away the

veins and nerves of an organism.

Surgical acts in connection with an abscess (Shotha)

may tion 2.

3.

be divided into seven kinds such as

Avashechanam

Upanaham

incision)

morbid

matter 6.

(poulticing)

of

by

swelling

4.

Patanam

(purification

an incised

Ropanam

(restoring

the

(bleeding or application of

Shodhanam

5.

medicines)

ham

of

(Vimlapanam)

i.

boil

(healing) and

of the natural

colour

of

mutila-

massage, leeches)

(opening the

or

internal

with corrective 7.

Vaikritapa-

of the

skin

to

the cicatrix).

Thus

ends

ihe

seventeenth

Chapter

Sushrula Samhild which treats of how

and non-suppurating swellings.

21

of

the

to distinguish

Sutrasthanam

in

the

between suppurating

CHAPTER Now we

XVIII.

on the Chapter which treats

shall discourse

of dressings and bandages of ulcers

(Vranaflcpana-

Vandha-Vidhi-madhyayam). A

and most important remedy

general

We

(inflammatory) swelling.

A

of disease.

inasmuch as

and

purification

down

local (so as

since a plaster,

healing and curative

its

of an

external

or

hair

in

with

its

a

direction

A by

contrary

should

It

down with

of

ducts),

follicles

the thus

part,

never

would firmly and naturally

of the

vehicles

to

the local hair),

applied as directed above,

orifices

own

and keeps the

ulcer

(Pratiloma).

to run

through the

(Sudoriferous

the

contributes to

materially

stick to the surface of the affected

percolate

discuss

presently

medicinal plaster should be applied

upward

that of the

be applied

it

healing

A

joints steady.

from

cases of

all

bandage plays a more important part (than

a medicinal plaster) as regards efficacy,

shall

in

of plasters to be used in each specific form

nature

the

be regarded as the

medicinal plaster should

hair

of

and the

perspiration

permeating the

organism

native potency and virtue.

medicinal plaster should be removed or replaced

a

except

fresh in

one

cases

as

soon

as

it

has

where the purpose of

become its

dry,

application

Chap, xviii.

SUTRASTHANTAM.

]

Io ^

would be found to be the drawing of pus to a head (Pidayitavya Vrana).'

A

dried

abortive,

A

medicinal plaster will

and may act as

definite

useless

prove

or

a caustic or corrosive agent.

medicinal plaster admits

being grouped under

of

any of the three subheads of Pralepa, Pradeha and

Alepana (according

to

thickness or consistency) etc.

its

Medicinal plasters :— A of the

made

is

or

class

Pralepa

is

medicinal plaster

and

thin

applied

cold,

and

be endued with an absorbing (Vishoshi)

to

non-absorbing

Avishoshi*)

according to

property

the nature of the effect desired.

On

the

Pradeha or cold,

A

other hand,

class

and

is

medicinal plaster of thick

either

applied

or

thin,

the

warm

acts as a non-absorbent. r

medicinal plaster of the Alepana class stands

midway between Of

a

a

these,

a Pralepa and a Pradeha.

plaster

possessed of the efficacy

of the

Pralepana

of pacifying

or

class

restoring

is

the

deranged blood and Pittam to their normal condition.

A

plaster of the

Pradeha

class

pacifies

the

deranged

Vayu and Kapham and tends to bring about the union, purification, *

As

and healing

(of

an

in the case of a Pidayitavya ulcer,

withdrawing or gathering of pus

to a definite

ulcer),

described

head

is

causing the

before,

desired.

where the

THE SUSHRUTA

164

SAMHITA'.

Hence

subsidence of pain and swelling.

used in

all

[

it

types of swelling whether

Chap. XVIII.

should be

ulcerated

or

otherwise.

A ulcer

(Alepanam) applied over an

medicinal plaster is

by the changed epithet of Kalka or

called

Niruddha-Alepanam (arrestive or astringent plaster). The function of such an Alepanam consists in arresting a local haemorrhage, in softening the ulcer, in

sloughing or putrifying flesh from the formation

of pus

in

its

its

withdrawing

cavity, in checking

and

inside,

in

the morbid matter or deranged humours its

correcting

(that

retard

union and healing).

Metrical Texts Alepanam

class

— A medicinal

:

would prove

plaster of the in

beneficial

a

swelling

marked by the absence of suppuration, inasmuch subdues the characteristic symptoms

deranged bodily humours (peculiar to the

to

the deranged

action

flesh

lies

state

of

the

of the

burning sensation

principally

burning

Kapham) and the

disorder

and the blood of

removing

the

it

deranged Pittam), itching (incidental

pain (which marks the Its

viz,

of each

as

in

all

of the

bodily

aching

Vayu).

cleansing the skin, the

morbiferous diatheses, in

sensation,

and

in

alleviating

the piercing pain and itching.

A

physician

(surgeon)

should use an Alepana in

(ulcerous) diseases appearing about

any other

vital part

the anus,

or

about

(Mannas) of the body, with a view

SUTRASTHANAM.

XVIII.]

Chap.

to bring about

of the

dition

purification of the (local deranged

the

In diseases

humours).

caused by a

Vayu, Pittam or

butter,

con-

deranged

medicinal

Kapham,

mixed with a quantity

plasters should be respectively

of clarified

j^

measuring a

and an

sixth, quarter,

eighth part of their respective quantities.

has been said that the thickness

It

nam

"should

not be

made

to

newly-flayed skin of a buffalo. should

medicinal

a

Alepa-

that

of the

exceed

Under no be

plaster

of an

condition, at

applied

night,

inasmuch as such a measure would arrest the escape or radiation its

own

of

heat from the swelling in

inherent

virtue

of

humidity, and thus bring on an

aggravation.

Metrical Texts :— In

which are

diseases,

amenable to the application of medicinal plasters of the

Pradeha type,

as

well

as

in

swellings

resulting

from the vitiated condition of blood and the Pittam, or in those

to

which are of

the effect

extrinsic

of a poison

be applied cold, by day.

applied on the

increase the local heat

A

A

are

plaster should

one,

previous

day

due

as

before,

not

be

nor over

this

would

and aggravate the pain and the

burning sensation on account of thickness.

or

or blow, the plaster should

applied without removing the

the one

origin,

its

greater or increased

medicinal plaster, previously used, should

not be moistened and applied again

j

it

should be held

1

THE SUSHRUTA

66

as absolutely ineffective

SAMHITA'.

owing to

[

Chap. XVIII.

virtue having been

its

previously used or soaked in.*

Articles of bandaging :— Now we enumerate the names of

articles

in

are as follows

bandaging

Kshauma

ulcers.

(cloth

Avika

plant),

Dukulum

(loom-silk),

which grow the

made

bark or

made

of the

^Chinese fibres

of

Kausheya

in the provinces of

Chinapatta

inner

woven with the

(blankets

kind of cloth

(a

They

which :

— of Atasi

fibres

wool),

Patrorna

the

(silk),

of

Naga

trees,

Paundra and Magadha), Antarvalkala

cloth),

of a

are required

sheeps'

fibres

shall

tree),

Charma

(the

the

iskin'),

Alavu Shakala 'the skin of a gourd), the Lata-Vidala (half

thrashed

Shyama

creepers),

the cream of milk, Tula-phalam (cotton iron.

These accessories should be used

tion of the exigencies of each case

season of the year in which

This portion of the

commentary \

entitled the

it

considera-

in

occurs.!

In a swelling or ulcer caused

should consist of thin linen.

by the deranged ;

his

Yayu and Kapham, in summer

whereas

Similarly, a bandage, tied round

contrary rule should be observed,

any

in

Bhanumati.

or hollow part of the body, should consist of a piece of thick

at

and

and the time or the

the bandage should consist of a piece of thick cloth it

cord,

seeds)

been omitted by Chakrapani

has

text

or

string

when

the seat of the

any deep

cloth.

The

bandage would be

flexible part of the body.

Similarly, in the case of a snake-bite, a ligature

should

be firmly

tied

above the punctured wound with a string or twisted cord of cotton, while a fractured bone should be set right by twisting bunches of half-thrashed

shyama creeper (Latavidala) round the

seat of fracture.

A

local

hemorrhage

Chap, xviii.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Bandages

:

— The

fourteen

bandage are named as the Kosha the

Dima

(a cord or chaplet

Anuvellita road), the

the

a

Yamaka

the China

different

the Svastika

1,

the

(ring),

forms of

sheath or scabbard),

the Pratoli

twist),

Mandala

(a

167

(

cross),

the

a winding street or

Sthagika (a betel-box),

(double or twin), the Khatta (a bedstead),

(a

streamer),

Vivandha

the

(noose),

the

Vitana (canopy) the Gophana (cow-horn), the Panchangi

Their shapes can be easil) r inferred from

(five limbed).

the meanings of their names.

Applications :— Out

the

of these,

the sheath-shaped bandage should

thumb and the phalanges of the

Kosha

or

be tied round the

fingers

;

the

Dama

or

chaplet-shaped bandage, round the narrow or unbent parts of the

body

;

the Svastika or cross shaped, round

the joints, round the articulations or the as

Marmas known

Kurchakas (Navicular ligaments) round the

the

eye-brows, round the ears and round the region of the

breast.

Similarly, the bandage,

vellita, should be used

would be found and legs\

A

when

known

as the

Anu-

the seat of the affection

to be situated at

the extremities (hands

bandage of the Protoli

round the neck or the penis

;

class should

the

Mandalam

be tied 'ring-

should be arrested by binding the part with milk-cream, while the affected part in a case of Ardita (facial paralysis) as well as a broken tooth should be

bound with

strings of iron, gold or silver.

with Ela (cardamom

skins), while

bandaging ulcers on the head

dried

(scalp).

Warts,

etc.

gourd-skins

should be bandaged should

be

used

in

1

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

68

round the

shaped),

Sthagika

;

Yamakam, round

the

contiguous ulcers

Khatta

the

;

over and around the cheeks, parts

of the

parts

region of the chin

Gophana ;

the

;

and the

the confluent

(bedstead-shaped),

and the

cheek-bones,

between the ears and the eye-brows

over the skull, the

body

round the glans-penis

(betel-box),

tips of the fingers

or

circular

[Chap. XVIII.

;

the

(horn-shaped),

Vitanam

round the

and the Panchangi, round the part

lying above the clavicles.

In short, a bandage of any

shape should

particular

be tied round the part of the body to which

Now we

be found to be most suited.

it

would

shall deal

the Yantranas (fastenings of bandages) which

with

admit of

being divided into three different classes according as

they are fastened above, below, or obliquely an

round

ulcer.

Kavalika' (Tow) :— Any (such as the leaves or virtues)

bark

the

soft stuffing

cated tow).

of medicinal

of trees

The tow

is

called the

or

the

Kavalika (medi-

Kavalika

placed thickly (on the seat of affection) physician

(surgeon ) having pressed

hand should* place a piece of

straight,

;

over

the

diseased

pattern of bandage would

lie

surface

should

be

and then the with his

it

soft,

Carefully examining whether the applied

distributed

tow

between the medicine applied over an ulcer

and the bandaging linen

*

or

left

untwisted,

remedy had been uniformly and whether the contemplated

actually suited to the case.

Chap. XVIII.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

169

and unfolded or unshrivelled linen over firmly tie up the bandage

manner

a

in

and then

it,

as

so or

leave any knot over the seat of the ulcer,

not to

to

cause

any discomfort to the patient.

Introduction of lint :— A saturated

with honey,

cinal paste should

clarified

Visheshika dint)

and a medi-

butter,

be inserted into the

should be taken not to introduce the

lint

dry, or oily (oversoaked in a lubricating

or

cinal

mucus

in

the ulcer,

whereas,

would bring about the breaking

of

oily

medilint

an excessive formation of slimy

to

rise

extremely

inasmuch as an over-lubricated

preparation),

would give

Care

ulcer.

its

friction

the edges of

parched

and the

the ulcer,

substitute

consequent

like

one mis-

placed or wrongly inserted.

A

bandage should be of

ways

Gadha,

Sama

the

shape

according to

A

tight

tied

in

and

and

any of the three Shithila

seat

of

bandage Gadha- Vandha) should be

fastenings

the tied

ulcer.*

round

the buttocks, round the sides, round the arm-pits, round

the inguinal regions,

A

round the breast or round the

Sama

pattern should be

fastened round the ears, round the

extremities (hands

head.

*

bandage of the

Additional

text

:

— A bandage, tightly

tied

round an ulcerated or

body without causing any pain or discomfort to the called a G&dha-Vandha, while the one which is loosely bound is

affected part of the patienl,

is

called Shithila, the one neither too tight nor too loose being called a

Vandha.

22

Sama-

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

170 and the

round the

legs), lips,

[Chap. XVIII.

round

round the throat,

face,

round the penis, round the scrotum, round the

back, round the belly and the chest.

A

loose bandaging

(Shithila-Vandha) should be the rule in the region of the eyes and locations of important joints or unions.

An

ulcer,

brought about or characterised by the

symptoms of the deranged Pittam and occurring place where a tight bandaging fastened with one of the

19

indicated,

Sama-Vandha

a Shithila bandage where one of the

be indicated

;

whereas

in the event of a loose

indicated.

The same

it

at a

should be

class,

and with

Sama type would

should not be bandaged at

all

bandage (Shithila-Vandha) being rule

should

be observed in the

case of an ulcer caused through a diseased

nated state of the blood. Similarly,

in

or

contami-

the case of an ulcer

produced through a deranged condition of the Kapha m, a loose bandaging, otherwise enjoined

should be substituted

A

tight

for

to

one of the

be adopted,

same

pattern.

bandage should give place to a lighter one

under the same circumstances, and such a procedure should be deemed as holding good even in the case of

an ulcer

caused by the action

of

the

deranged

Vayu. In

summer and autumn,

the bandage of an

ulcer,

due to the vitiated blood or Pittam, should be changed twice a day

;

while the one tied round an ulcer of the

deranged Vayu or Kapham, should be changed on each

Chap. XVIII.

third

day

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

in spring

and Hemanta.

marked by the action of bandaged twice a day. discretion,

Similarly, an

ulcer,

deranged Vayu, should be

tfie

"

i;i

Thou

own

shalt exercise thy

and vary or adopt the preceding

rules

of

bandaging according to the exigencies of each case."

A

medicated

lint

augment the

rather tends to

have any efficacy but

to

fails

local

pain

and swelling

where a bandage, enjoined to be loosely bound, or bound up with moderate and uniform steadiness (Sama-Vandha), is

replaced by a tight

Vandha

}.

A

loose

bandage, injudiciously used in a

where a tight

case

deep fastened one (Gadha-

or

or

a

moderately firm

bandage

should have been used, would cause the medicine to fall

off

friction

from the

and

Similarly, ;

a

lint

and give

rise

laceration

of the

moderately

firm

Sama-Vandha; fastened

in a case

effect.

A

proper

bandage

subsidence of pain, and the

of the

edges

and

softening

light or loose

to

fail

would

ulcer.

bandage

steady

where a

bandage should have been used, would

any

the consequent

to

produce

lead

to

the

edges of

of the

the ulcer, thus bringing about a purification of the local

blood.

Evils left

of

non- bandaging :— An

ulcer,

uncovered and untied with a suitable bandage,

soon assailed by gnats and

sweat and cold wind,

etc.

being irritated by deposits

flies.

It

moistened

is

and stands of

many

in

is

by

danger of

foreign

matters

I

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

72

such

the

as,

of

particles

bone,

[

Chap. XVIII.

etc.

weeds,

dust,

Moreover, a constant exposure to heat or cold brings on varied

the

pains,

malignant

ulcer

and

type,

develops

into

one

of

a

the applied medicinal plasters

are dried, encrusted and speedily

Metrical Texts

:

fall off.

—A smashed, lacerated,

frac-

tured, dislocated, displaced bone, or a vein or a ligament

similarly jeopardised,

may

be soon healed or set right

The

with the help of a surgical bandage. enabled by such a means to

move about with rest or

ease.

movement

:

is

down, or stand up or

lie

And an

increased facility

of

leads to speedy healing.

Cases where bandaging ed

patient

is

—Ulcers should not be bandaged

prohibitat all that are

due to the deranged condition of blood or Pittam, or to the

of a

effects

blow

or of

any imbibed poison,

and characterised by a sucking, burning as those

or suppuration, as well

to burns, or to the applications

which are incidental of actual

or

potential

marked by a sloughing

or phagedenic character.

Metrical Texts :— An

ulcer due to a scald in a

cauteries

a carbuncle

leper or

well as

a fleshy

venomous

in

a

diabetic patient (Pidaka) as

condylomata due to a

rat, or

be bandaged at *

pain, redness,

all.

any other poisonous

The same

bite

ulcer should not

rule should be

Different reading ."—Pricking, burning pain.

from a

observed

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap, xviii.]

in

l73

the case of a dreadful suppuration about the anus, or

in that of

familiar

An

a sloughing ulcer.

with

observe the shape

should

of ulcers,

under treatment, and

of the one

prognosticate the result from

physician,

intelligent

the specific features

seat

its

and

or locality

the nature of the deranged bodily humours involved in

the case.

is

first

The season

of the year in which

an ulcer

seen to appear also determines the nature of

the prognosis.

Bandages may be

tied

up either from above, below,

Now

from the sides of a diseased locality.

or

fully describe the process of

seat of the ulcer and

unshrivelled

bandaging an ulcer.*

tow should be thickly

the Kavalika or

linen

after that

a

shall

I

First

laid over

of soft

piece

should be placed upon

it,

the

and

and the

bandage should be loosely or tightly tied up according to the directions laid

The

lint

and the

down

before.*

(inserted)

medicine should not be

over-lubricated and must not be inordinately oily in

much

as such a lint or medicine

would give

formation of excessive and abnormal the ulcer.

On

the other hand,

would

up

friction

set

portion

have included

it

mucous

the in lint

and laceration of the edges of improperly inserted

Gayadasa, Brahmadeva, etc. hold this be an interpolation. Both Uallana and Chakrapani within their commentaries with nearly the same remark.

Several authorities such as of the

to

an extremely dry

the ulcer, like the one wrongly or *

slimy

rise

as-

text to

j

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

74

into

its

and

xvm.

numbness, excessive exudation

cavity, causing

unevenness

[Chap.

of

A

surface.

its

properly

lint,

saturated with a medicinal plaster and

rightly

into the cavity of an ulcer, leads to

speedy healing.

All

secreting

measures

in

its

with an ulcer

connection

should be continued or stopped according to tion,

condi-

its

whereby the nature and shape of the bandage

should be determined as well. to

inserted

the deranged condition

An

ulcer,

of blood

or

due either the

Pittam,

should be dressed and bandaged once a day which

be extended to a number of times ulcer brought about

The pus

in

the

by pressing the base or the bottom of an gently moving the hand along ;

of an

by the deranged Kapham and Vayu.

or the local morbid matter should

(down, upward

case

may

and

all

it

in a

bandages

be secreted

ulcer

and by

contrary direction

around

joints

and

Gudasandhis) should be duly tied up.

The

rules laid

down under

the head of adhesioning

the parts of a bifurcated ear-lobe would hold good in a case of severed lips as well.

The measures amply

dis-

cussed in the present

Chapter should be extended by

means

analogy and judgment to apply

of inference,

mutatis mutandis to the bandaging of a fractured or dislocated bone.

An

ulcer, properly

of not being affected

other

movement

bandaged, has a greater chance

by lying down,

of the

sitting up,

or

any

patient, nor by the joltings

Chap. XViii.

of a

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

conveyance he

may

ulcer affecting a vein or ficial)

the

or

flesh

without bandaging internal

chambers

it.

or

ride

or

I75

be carried

in.

An

a ligament or the skin (super-

the bones cannot be healed

An

ulcer

situated in

(cavities) of the

any of the

body, or occurring

at

any junction of the limbs or organs,

its

seat in

etc. or

having

a bone and whether of a deep, superficial,

malignant, or corrosive character, cannot be brought to a successful termination without the help of a bandage. Thus ends

the eighteenth Chapter of the SutrasthSnam in

Samhita which

treats of the dressing

and bandaging of

ulcers.

*.he

Sushruta

CHAPTER Now we

XIX.

Chapter which treats of

shall discuss the

or nursing of a patient with an ulcer

the

management

etc.

(Vranito-pasaniya-madhyaryam). First of all a suitable

chamber should be sought and

selected for a patient, suffering from an ulcer.

It

should

be roomy and spacious and situated in a commendable

site.

Metrical Text :— Diseases, mental or traumatic a person

who

in their

which are physical, can never attack

origin,

dwells in a clean

and spacious chamber,

protected from excessive heat, and strong gusts of wind.

The bed

should

comfortable, with

towards the

be

spread

clean,

and

ample

the head of the beadstead turned

east,

and provided with some kind of a

weapon.

Metrical Texts :— In

a

and well-

spacious

spread bed, an ulcer-patient can toss about and his limbs with the

the

greatest

comfort.

The reason

head being turned towards the east

patient

may

easily

make

and)

celestial

sky.

Thus the patient

spirits,

who

is

obeisance to the inhabit that

shall lie

in

move for

that the

(demons

quarter of the

comfortable posture,

attended upon by his sweet-talking friends and relations.

Chap. XIX.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Metrical Text :— The pleasant and interesting topics,

should

patient

not

of the ulcer, increases to itching

and

as

it

redness

and gives

exudations,

its

ulcer-

rise

and heaviness of the limbs.

patient must carefully protect

moving any sitting

An

the day time,

in

aggravate the pain, swelling

tends to

The

and by solacing him

speedy recovery.

sleep

relations

of his ulcer with

pain

,

with the prospect of a

and

friends

of a patient shall alleviate the

77

1

of his

limbs,

down, or turning on

such

the ulcer

as

when

standing up,

his 'sides, or while

or

moving

about, or speaking in a loud voice.

Metrical he

feels

Text

himself

strong

a standing or sitting

and day-sleep.*

:

— An

ulcer-patient,

even

and capable, should as

posture,

well

as

if

avoid

locomotion,

These acts done to excess, or a long

confinement to bed would aggravate the bodily Vayu, thus causing pain in the ulcer.

He

should studiously avoid the

and even conversation with,

of,

company and touch

women

with

whom

he

can legitimately have intercourse.

Metrical Text

:

— The sight

of a

woman

etc

might lead to the secretion and emission of semen and

*

Different reading

garrulousness.

23

:

— Riding

in

a

carriage

or

on horseback,

and

1

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

78

to

rise

give

all

Chap. XIX.

[

symptoms, which are

the distressing

consequent upon an act of actual coitus under the circumstance.

Prohibited harvested

newly Kalaya,

by an

diet :—A

Dhanyam, Masha

Kulattha, and

ulcer-patient.

shika, acid, saline or its

diet

The

pot-herbs

water,

meat, dried pot-herbs,

dried

(a

sesamum, Masha pulse and

curd, milk

rice,

are amphi-

close to water,

lard,

composition prepared with

P^yasa (a sweetened

rice),

milk and sugar boiled together),

and whey should be regarded as unwholesome.

Texts :— Vegetables

Metrical which

avoided

as Haritaka-

meat of animals which

Krishara

preparation of

Sesamum,

be

known

of

pungent substances, treacle and

bious in their habits or which live

cold

pulse,

Nishpaba should

modifications, cakes,

goat's flesh, mutton,

consisting

and

articles

belong to the groups commencing from

the

one technically known as the Nava-Dhanya-Varga,

and ending with the one known

as the

Takra-Varga,

should be understood as possessed of the property of increasing the pus in an ulcer

deranged bodily humours.

and of aggravating the

If in

the

habit of taking

wine, an ulcer-patient will do well to avoid the use of spirituous liquors, such as Mairaya, Sidhu, Sura and *

and

its varieties.*

An

Arishta,

ulcer

may

Asava,

develop

The species of wine which are made of the expressed juice of grapes are antacids in their virtues, as well as those mentioned under the head

of Haemoptysis,

may be

given to an ulcer-patient.

Chap. XIX.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

into one of a

wine which

179

malignant type through the use of a acid

is

in

heat-making

in its its

or

taste,

is

sharp,

or

potency,

dry and

followed

is

by

almost instantaneous intoxication.

An

ulcer- patient

should avoid

all

things that retard

the progress of a rapid cure, such as wind, dust,

exposure to heat and

sounds and

sights,

unpleasant

over-eating,

cold,

envy, humiliation,

smoke,

fear, anger,

grief,

scheming, keeping of late hours, sitting or lying in an

uneven posture,

leaping or a standing posture,

cise,

on the affected

locomotion, ex-

substances,

indigestible

and

:

—The

the above

digested owing to

in

the body and give rise to swelling,

ulcer-patient

rites

unto

not fully

and other violently

and pared

in

secretion,

the ulcer.

should always be clad in

and white garments, have

to the

mentioned,

The undigested food

causes.

burning pain and suppuration

clipped

is

by

and aggravates the bodily humours, which move

disturbs

An

flea-bites

food, partaken of

a weakened and emaciated ulcer-patient,

about

in-

locality.

Metrical Texts

multifarious

exer-

of unwholesome,

posure to cold winds, ingestion

compatible or

physical

garrulousness,

fasting,

off,

his

and

hair

live

in

and

nails

clean closely

humble devotion

Bralimans, to the gods and the preceptors.

of benediction

him.

The

and divine peace should be done

Wherefore

?

Because the monsters and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

!8o

demons

of mighty

who

prowess,

are

gods Pashupati, Kuvera and

of the

about in quest of prey, and

visit

[Chap. xix.

the attendants

roam

Kumara,

the bedside of an

ulcer-patient out of their fondness for

flesh

and blood,

being attracted thereto by the smell of the secreted and

morbid matter

the

in

These

ulcer.

evil

to take

of a patient in a

is

fatally,

away the life doomed to terminate

case their advent ficial

is

spirits

come

case

which

while in a successful

due to the desire of extorting

oblations from him.

Authoritative verse on ject —These :

honour-seeking

evil

sub-

the

spirits

should be

worshipped and propitiated with the whole

and

sacri-

of burning incense

offerings

sacrifices,

made

be

should

etc.

sticks,

to

heart

edibles

;

and

them with the

greatest humility.

The

evil

spirits,

above, spare the

worshipped and

life

of a self-controlled patient

Hence he

of compassion ).

propitiated

shall

as

(out

be kept in a chamber

furnished with flowers, garlands, weapons, fried paddy,

and lamps kept continuously burning. relations

him

should regale

topics to drive

away the

His friends and

with fond and loving

feeling of sleepiness

with the

prospect of a speedy cure.

Metrical cheered

with

Texts the

:

—A

patient,

suggested prospects

constantly of a

speedy

SUTRASTHANAM.

XIX.]

Chap.

and beguiled with

recovery,

I

8I

and congenial

pleasant

discourses, soon gets rid of his complaint.

Morning and evening, the physicians and the Br2h-

mans should perform the as laid

down

of benediction, over him,

rites

in the Rik, Yajuh,

Saman and

the Atharva

Vedas.

Metrical Texts the

room

:

— For ten

consecutive

days,

of the patient should be diligently fumigated,

morning and evening, with the fumes Arishta-leaves,

clarified-butter

kind of incense

stick.

Drugs such

and

salt

as Chhatra, Atichhatra,

of

mustard,

made

into

Languli,

a

Jatila,

Bramhacharini, Lakshmi, Guh£, Atiguha, Shata-vi^aya, Sahasra-viryaya and

white mustard seeds

should be

placed on the head of the patient.

Texts :— The

Metrical fanned

may during

with

be

not the

scratched

or

chowries

blowing in

any

fanning.

The

pressed.

watched, while asleep. night, fly

tected as

where

way The

patient so

that

thrashed or ulcer

should

should the

be

ulcer

lacerated

not

be

patient should be carefully

Demons, that get abroad

in the

from the presence of an ulcer-patient proabove,

as herds of deer

lions are found.

Regimen ulcer-patient

of diet

living

fly

from the

forest

•

and conduct :—

An

on a diet consisting of old and

r

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

g2

boiled

Shali

treated

with

not

rice,

extremely

and

clarified-biitter,

[

liquefied,

and

with

the

taken

cooked meat of animals of the Jangala gets rid of his disease.

the pot-herbs

known

Chap. XIX.

soon

species,

A

diet consisting of boiled rice,

as

the Tanduliyakam, Jivanti,

Sunishannaka, Vdstuka, immature

Mulaka, Vartaku,

Patola and Karavella, fried with Saindhava (rock-salt)

and

clarified-butter,

and seasoned with the expressed

Dhadima and Amalakam,

Juice of

or

of

Mudga soup

treated as above, should be prescribed

for

the patient.

Barley

powder, Vilepi, Kulm^sha and boiled water,

should

be likewise given to

and drink.

Fatigue

the ulcer to

swell, while

increases the

local

or

the

physical

the

redness.

while a coitus

exercise

causes

keeping of late hours

A

sleep during the

under the circumstance would give affected part,

food

for

patient

may

rise to

bring

day

pain in

the

on the death

of the patient.

An

ulcer-patient,

not given to sleep in the day,

and U^ing in a room protected from gusts of wind, and strictly following the instructions of his physician, (surgeon)

and

is

will

healed in the course of a very short time

enjoy a long

life

through the observance of

the abovesaid regimen of diet and conduct.

This

is

the

dictum of Dhanvantari. Thus ends

the nineteenth Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the

Samhita which

treats of the nursing or

management of an

Sushruta

ulcer-patient.

CHAPTER Now we

the

shall discuss

XX.

Chapter which treats of

the salutary and non- salutary

of regimen,

effects

(H ita'h itiya- madhyayam)

etc.

.

According to certain eminent medical authorities, an article or

which

a substance

ments of the bodily Vayu ous in a to or

Pittaja

name an

may

affection

article

;

beneficial

is

derange-

prove positively

hence

it

is

substance which

or

in

impossible

is

absolutely

universally wholesome irrespective of the

and type of a

disease,

humours involved But we pothesis,

(substances)

by or

are,

nature

and of the deranged bodily

therein).

cannot

since

injuri-

subscribe

nature

or

to

the foregoing hy-

combination,

become endued

things

with properties,

which prove absolutely beneficial or unconditionally harmful or exert a mixed virtue

(both beneficial and

injurious) according to the difference in

the nature and

type of the disease in which they are employed. Things or

articles

such as,

boiled-rice, etc.

beneficial

may

owing to

suitableness to the

clarified- butter,

be

denominated

their

congeniality

human

as absolutely to,

or natural

organism.

Similarly, substances such as

may

milk and

water,

fire,

alkali

and poison,

be designated as unconditionally harmful

in virtue

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

184

of their burning,

upon the organic bodies

effect

which ous

lit

suppurating

is

as

innocuous by nature,

Vayu,

boiling)

A

in general.

may

and

XX.

fatal

substance,

prove equally

injuri-

any active poison through an injudicious or

incompatible combination

which proves

article,

:

[Chap.

may

whereas a substance or an

;

beneficial in a

prove otherwise

within the food stuffs of

in a disorder of

which

Articles or substances

all

bers of the group Varga) ;

derangement of the

may

human

known

the Pittam.

be safely included

beings are the

as

the red

mem-

Shali,

the

Mukundaka, the Panduka,

Shastika, the Kanguka, the

the Ashanaka,

the Pitaka, the Pramodaka, the Kalaka,

the Pushpaka, the Karddamaka, the

Shakunahrita, the

Sugandhaka, the Kalama, the Nivara, the Kodrava the Uddalaka, the Shyamaka, the etc., as

Godhuma and

the Venu,

well as the flesh of the Ena, the Harina (copper

Kuranga, the Mriga, the Mriga-

coloured deer), the matrika, the

the

Shvadanstra,

the

Karala,

Krakara,

Tittiri,

the

Kapinjala, the Varttira, and the Varttika, and such

like

the

Kapota

beasts and birds.

the articles of the

the

(pigeon),

The

human

Vana-Mudga,

Lava,

varieties

of pulse

known

food are

the

the

as

and the Satina.

species of pot-herbs, which

to give a greater relish to

the

Mudga,

Makushtha, the Kalaya, the

Masura, the Mangalya, the Chanaka, the the Adhaki

which form

Similarly,

may his

Harenu, the the different

be safely used by a

food, are

named

man

as the

Chap,

SUTRASTHANAM.

xx.] the

Chilli,

Vastuka, the Sunishannaka the Jivanti, the

Tanduliyaka, and

the

etc.

Mandukaparni,

known

the salt

butter,

!8 5

the

as

Saindhava,

Clarified-

and

the

pomegranate and the Amalakam,

luscious juice of the

should be generally deemed the most wholesome articles of food. Similarly,

the practise of self-control, residence in a

room protected from the strong

gusts of wind, sleeping

only at night, tepid water, and moderate physical exercise should be regarded as absolutely conducive to a better preservation of health.

We

have already enumerated the names of sub-

stances which

are

beneficial

absolutely

human

tionally injurious to

health.

or

uncondi-

Things which are

both wholesome and injurious are those, which, example,

may

prove

beneficial

the bodily. Vayu though tion.

The

Valli

Amla-phala, the oil,

fruit,

salt,

otherwise the

for

in

a distemper of

in

a

Pittaj a affec-

Karaka, the

Karira,

the

the Kulattha, the Pinyaka, curd,

Virohi, cakes, the dried pot-herbs, goat's flesh, mutton,

wine, the Jamboline

fruit,

the Chilichima

of the Godha, and the Varaha

fish,

(wild boar")

the

flesh

being eaten

simultaneously with milk, furnish an example of articles

which

may

act

as

deadly poisons through incompatible

combinations.

Metrical Texts :— An

intelligent

physician,

considering the nature of the disease, the strength and 24

1

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

86

temperament of the tion

as

features

well

as

patient,

and the

[

Chap. XX.

state of his

diges-

the seat of the affection, the physical

of the country and the then prevailing season

of the year, should prescribe a diet

which he thinks

the most proper and suitable to the requirements of

the case.

Since the

conditions infinitely vary in the

different types of diseases

do not obtain

in

one and the same type,* physicians

generally prescribe a

diet of their

determined with regard to preference

to

and even the same conditions

its

own

selection,

one

general effect on health, in

one that has been

laid

down

in

books

of medicine.

If

asked to prescribe either milk or poison to a

healthy person, a physician would naturally prescribe the former, and thereby, prove the absolute wholesomeness of milk and unconditional harmfulness

Thus

is

verified,

Sushruta, the correctness

tum, that things such as

water,

etc.,

are

of poison. of the

dic-

absolutely

and unconditionally wholesome or otherwise, by virtue of their respective natural properties.

Things which are unwholesome through combination :— Now I shall enumerate the names of substances which become positively

unwholesome through incompatible combinations. *

The

propriety and improprietyof a particular diet should be

mined with a

full

regard

of a particular malady.

to

the antecedent

The deter-

and attending circumstances

SUTRASTHANAM.

XX.]

Chap.

i$j

any domestic (Gramya) or aquatic (Anupa) beast or bird, as well as the flesh of those which live in of

flesh

marshy ground (Audaka), should not be eaten with boiled

rice

menced or

prepared from

sprouting,

of

The

Masha-pulse.

Rohini and the in

flesh of

with

or

which

paddy lard,

honey, milk, treacle

known

pot-herbs,,

the

as

should not be partaken

Jdtu-shaka,

with milk and honey

combination

com-

has

a heron, eaten simultaneously

;

nor the

with Kulm£sha

and the spirituous liquor known as V^runi. Maricha

and Pippalis should not be eaten in combination with the pot-herbs known as the Kakamachi.

(black pepper)

The

pot-herbs

known

Nadima and

as the

Siddhi should

not be simultaneously eaten with curd, and the a cock.

drinking

Honey warm

should not be taken immediately

nor

water,

be simultaneouly eaten.

in

treacle

boar's

flesh

and

fish

and

and Mulakam, treacle and the

honey and

(wine),

bile

after

should

Similarly,

modifications

K£kam£chi,

flesh

of

Krishara and

combination.

Souviraka and sesamum paste, of sugarcane juice,

and

meat

Sura

Payasa should not be taken

or

flesh

of a

honey

wild boar,

should not be taken

in

combination.

Similarly,

Jamboline

milk

fruit

and Mulakam,

and the

flesh of

mango

fruit

and

Godh3, Porcupine and

hog should not be eaten together. All

fish,

specially

those of the Chilichimi species, should not be taken with

1

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

88

[Chap. XX.

milk, nor the fruit of a plantain tree should be

neously eaten with Tdla

known or

simulta-

The

milk or whey.

fruit,

fruit

Lakucha should not be taken with milk, curd

as

meat soup, nor with honey and

immediately before or

clarified-butter,

nor

after the drinking of milk.

ncompatible preparations of food:—

I

Now

we

stances,

enumerate

shall

names

the

of

sub-

which become unwholesome through incom-

patible preparations. Flesh of pigeon fried with mustard

should not be

oil

Myura (peacock, L3va, with castor plants, in a

should not

vessel

be

of Indian

substance

spring

and

been

and

Godha,

autumn. in a

boiled

of castor

twigs

kept

Clarified-butter,

metal

bell

ten consecutive

for

Honey

combination with an

heated by

Kakamachi, boiled

had

of a Kapinjala,

of the

fire

eaten.

should not be used in or

flesh

be rejected as unwholesome.

should

days,

Tittira,

and on a

oil

The

eaten.

article

nor in the seasons of

fire,

The pot-herbs

known

bowl

fish

or ginger

prepared,

should be

which

in

previously boiled

or

as

the

rejected as positively injurious. Similarly,

the pot-herbs

known

as

the

Upodika

should not be eaten by boiling them with the levigated paste

of sesamum.

The

flesh

of a

heron

prepared

with hog's lard should not be taken with the pulp of the cocoanut

on a

fruit.

The

flesh of a

Bhasa

spit over a charcoal fire, should not

bird, roasted

be eaten.

Chap. XX.

SUTRASTHAXAM

]

189

Objectionable proportions :— Now we enumerate the names of substances which become

shall

unwholesome by being mixed

Two

portions.

substances,

taken after

;

substances

oil}"

or

clarified butter)

mixed

in

as

(such

and

honey

objectionable

any

and

oil

the

of

in equal proportions,

pro-

oily

should not be

nor should rain water be drunk immediately

having taken honey and clarified-butter.

Incompatible tastes, potencies and Chemical actions :— Now we shall describe the substances enumerated in couples, and possessed of different

which

tastes,

other through

their

chemical actions or sweet

and

prove

respective

saline

tastes

patible to each other

inherent properties.

things should be

and

should be

Sweet and acrid

and

acid

potencies and

tastes are

bitter, or

deemed incompatible

to each other in

Acid and

action.

as

and

chemical

and astringent

action.

things,

Acid

and

are incompatible

to each other, both as regards their respective potencies,

regards

Acid and acrid things are incompatible

flavour

bitter, or acid

incom-

sweet and astringent

saline things are incompatible to each other

as regards

tastes,

above three respects.

respect of their tastes, and chemical

their flavours.

and

deemed incom-

in respect of their

patible to each other in all the

Similarly, sweet

potencies

tastes,

Sweet

(Vipaka).

each

to

incompatible

flavours,

and digestive or chemical transformations.

•

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

joo

[

XX.

Chap.

and pungent things are incompatible to each other as regards their respective flavour (Rasa) and

Saline

digestive (chemical) transformation.

in respect of all

other

each

transformation, or

astringent

compatible spective

bitter

saline

or

things

each other

to

incompatible

and

the three abovesaid relations and cate-

Pungent and

gories.

to

are

things

astringent

and

saline

Similarly,

are

tastes

bitter

in

of

whereas substances

and

bitter

to

incompatible

respect of flavour and

potencies, flavours

as

pungent

regards

and

are

in-

their

re-

tastes

astringent

another

one

digestive

and digestive (chemical)

action or transformation.

Degrees

incompatibility —Sub-

of

:

stances that are incompatible with, or antagonistic to, the or intensity, as system through a difference of degree well as things which bring about an extreme dryness of the their

in organism, or those which are extremely oily

composition

or

are

characterised

by

extreme

cold or warmth, should be categorically rejected.

Authoritative verses on the subject :—Things or substances which are incompatible to

one another

in their respective tastes, potencies

reactionary transformation lutely

should be denied

unwholesome, while the

dered as possessed

of

mixed

rest

and

as abso-

should be consi-

virtues

(wholesome

or

XX.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

injurious

under

certain

I9I described

as

circumstances"

before.

By

taking substances which are incompatible to one

another as regards their transformation,

becomes

a

tastes, potencies

and

greedy

and digestive person

intemperate

with disease and weakness of the

afflicted

sense-organs, and ultimately meets with his

doom.

Anything, which being taken enrages or agitates the bodily humours without effete matter) to

causing the

food

be evacuated out of the bowels, or

possessed of a taste contrary

necessary

assimilated

for the

to, or

other than

what

is is

purposes of vitalization, should be

looked upon as the primary source of

all

dis-

bodily

tempers. Diseases, brought about

by a food or drink composed

of incompatible substances, are amenable to purgatives,

emetics,

or

pacifying

deranged humours) medicines

when found

;

the use of of

the

diet,

even

corrective

and such a

unavoidable, should be preceded by the use

of drugs or substances potent

enough to neutralise

its

baneful effect.*

A

meat, in the composition of which

substances of

incompatible virtues and potencies largely enter,

develop any distressing or harmful symptoms

who *

are habitually

addicted to

it,

or

who

This couplet occurs also in the Charaka Samhita'.

fails

to

in subjects

takes

it

in

1

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

92

t

Chap. xx.

small quantities, as well as in persons of youthful

and strong appetite, or invigorated

by the use of

who have become

those

in

oily

vigor

and albuminous food and

healthful physical exercise.*

The

winds :— Now

effects of the

we

describe the effects of the winds on the body, (as

blow from the

dfferent quarters of the heaven)

The East wind :— The East wind, and sweet in it

its

shall

they

.

which

is

cool

potency, is heavy and charged with

salt;

aggravates blood and Pittam and gives rise to an acid

digestive reaction.

It specially

in a patient suffering

aggravates the disease

from a wound or an

ulcer, or

from

the effect of any poison, and affects persons of Shleshmala It

temperament.

is

highly

to

efficacious

fatigued

persons, as well as to those of a Vatala (nervous) tem-

perament, or disease ulcers

;

if

who

though

are afflicted with

it

the

like a thing of

It

is

:

—The South

same soothing sweet

an astringent after-taste

eyes,

Kaphaja

there be any.

sweet (produces

reaction.

sort of

increases the slimy secretion in their

The South wind organism

any

taste)

and

wind

is

effect is

light,

on the

followed by

(Anurasa) being antacid in

the best of winds, gives vigour to the

increases the strength,

and soothes the blood and

the Pittam without aggravating the bodily Vayu. *

its

Different Reading

— In a child or in a man of voracious appetite.

Chap. XX.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

The West wind :— The non-slimy, dry, rough to absorbs the albumen absorbs

or

parched

condition

dries

193

West wind

is

pure,

the perception, and keen.

or oily principle of the body.

up

fat

in

the

and Kapham, produces

body when exposed

to

It

It

a it,

and speedily diminishes the strength of a person.

The North wind crisp, mild, of a

one.

It

sweet taste terminating

does not in any

deranged bodily humours. increases the strength

the different orfices etc.).

It

:— The North wind

way

in

is

cold,

an astringent

enrage or agitate the

In healthy

subjects

and the running secretions from

of the

body (such

as

the nostrils

proves extremely salutary to patients suffering

from consumption, cachexia and the

effects of poison.

Tims ends the twentieth Chapter of the SutrasthSnam

in

the Sushruta

samhita which treats of salutary and nonsalutary effects of the regimen.

2

5

it

CHAPTER Now we

shall discuss the

ulcers

Chapter which investigates

humours, as exciting causes of

of bodily

nature

the

XXI.

(Vrana-prashna-madhyayam).

The Vayu, Pittam and Shleshma should be considered as the primary

human

stitution of vital

and the most essential organism.

factors in the con-

These fundamental and

humours, occupying respectively the lower, middle,

and upper parts of the body, maintain

human body

is

humours

the

in

supported by

same way

the as

its

fundamental

three

a

house

dwelling

propped up by three supporting poles or stays

which (

the body

fact,

Tristhunam) by certain

dition

of these

about

its

dissolution

A

authorities.

or

death,

while

may

bring

on their

con-

tinuance in a normal state depends the vitality

These three humours,

organism. fourth,

the

principle

from

;

deranged con-

fundamental humours

three

is

three-supported one

called the

is

The

integrity.

in

of the

combination with a

of blood, determine

the

origin,

preservation, and dissolution of animated organism and

permeate

moment

it

with their respective

till

the

of death.

Authoritative ject :— There Pittam,

properties

verse on

can be no organism

the subwithout

Viyu, and which are blood, Kapham necessary to

Chap,

SUTRASTHANAM.

xxi.]

maintain

constantly

its

I95

The terms Vata

integrity.

(Vayu), Pittam and Shleshma (Kapham) are tively '

move

derived from the roots 'Va, to

Tapa,' to burn or to

with the

respec-

or

and "Shlisha," to embrace,

heat,

added.*

suffix 'Ta' thereto

Scats of the bodily humours we

smell,

Now

:—

shall describe the locations of the foregoing vital hu-

The Vayu may be

mours.

in the regions of the

pelvis

The Pittam has

(Guda).

briefly described

its

(Shroni

as

located

and the rectum

I,

between

seat in the region

the stomach (Amashaya) and the intestines (Pakvashaya)

which the

is

above the pelvis and the rectum and below

umbilicus, while

the

Kapham

is

ensconced within

the cavity of the stomach Amashaya.

Now we vital

the

shall divide the

humours

Vayu

will

into

five

locations

parts

:

— The

of each

of

the

localities of

five

be described under the head of Vata-

Vyadhis nervous diseases), while those of Pittam are the liver

and the spleen, the

heart, the pupils

the skin and the intestines (Pakvashaya;. is

located in the

region

of the

breast,

of the

eyes,

The Kapham

the

throat, the

head, the joints and the stomach (Amashaya).

The

fore-

going regions are the seats of the vital humours in their

normal

*

state.

From

attributes

this

should be inferred that motion and

of the

vital

Vayu,

heal

smell

arc

the

natural

and burning are those of Pittam, and

union and integration are those of Kapham.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

196

Metrical Texts:— The Pittam and

animated

[Chap. XXI.

humours (Vgyu,

vital

maintain the integrity of the

Kapham

by

organism

creating,

same way

diffusing strength in the

and the winds maintain the

and

assimilating

as the

moon, the

of the

integrity

sun,

terrestrial

globe.*

The Pittam the Pittam

is

:— Now

identical with the

other than

something

that

be asked whether

may

it

elemental

Since such

digestion (boiling

symptoms, ,

and

as

is

as

sensation,

of

characteristics

can never exhibit themselves in the

human body

out the intervention of Pittam. Pittam therefore

internal

it

the same

a burning

other

all

is

The question may be

?

answered by stating that the Pittam fire.

or

fire,

fire

with-

is

called

fire.t

Consequently, an enfeebled action of Pittam

re-

is

medied by the administration of drugs and substances which are akin to the elemental

fire

in

their attributes,

while an abnormal or excessive action

Pittam kindled

is

fire is

subdued by moisture.

The moon laves the earth and imparls to own ambrosial Light. The sun draws

'

with her of his

+

There

is

no other

(heat making factor) in the organism than Pittam.

fire

over

of

secretion)

subdued by cooling measures as an over-

own

its

it

the

off the

vitalising

principle

moisture in virtue

and the Vayu distributes the heat and moisture

attractive force,

surface.

The

analog}'

is

based

on

Pittam, and does not extend to

former attributes

permeate

its

the

healing (and

liquid

in its entirety,

secretion it

is

metabolic) {bile).

Bui

actions since

designated the Internal

of

the fire.

Chap. XXI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

The Pd'Chakargni

:— By

located in the region between

of the etc.)

97

the ordination of fate

unfathomable natural caused, the Pittam,

or necessity

and the

!

intestines

(Am^shaya

the

(Pakvashaya), helps

digestion

such as drink and edibles

kinds of food

four

the stomach

partaken of by a living subject, and purges off the

residue or impure morbiferous matter

the

in

shape of

urine and excreta after the completion

of the

Even thus

temperature

in

of

its

its

keeps up the

it

located,

other distant locations

native

Hence

attribute.

heat-giving

called the

skin, etc.)

Pachakagni

fire

(digestive

in

process.

virtue

Pittam

this

or

in

heat)

is

an

animated organism.

The Ranjaka'gni Pittam, which has

its

consists in imparting

to the lymph-chyle (lit

:

— dyeing

fire

seats in the

and

is

and the spleen,

pigment Ragakrit) i

hence known as Ranjakagni

/

denominated

or

operating heat or

is

to

bring

liver

the

or pigment bile.)

/

is

of

function

characteristic

its

The Sa dhaka gni heart

:— The

as

:

—The Pittam seated

the Sadhakagni

inasmuch

fire

about the

fruition

or

in

the

performing

as

action

its

realisation

of

one's desires.

The

A'lOChakargni

:

—The

located in the pupils of the eyes,

kagni

(the

Pittam or

fire

is

Pittam, called the

of sight) as

its

which

is

Alocha-

office

is

to

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

198

catch the image

of

[Chap. XXI.

any external object presented

to

the eyes.

The Bhrarjakargni its

seat in the skin,

or

ing

is

:—The

called the

Pittam, which has

Bhrajakagni

inasmuch as

(illuminat-

it

absorbs the

substances used in the shape of unguents,

lubrications,

etc.

and

heat)

irradiating

irradiates the

glow of one's natural complexion.

Metrical texts and warm

(in

its

a keen, sharp

is

normal

state),

emits a

It

deranged condition).

kind of fleshy smell and is

Pittam

liquid, of a blue colour (in its

or yellowish

which

:~-The

possessed of a pungent taste

is

transformed into an acid one

when deranged

or

vitiated.

Seats of Shleshma' shall describe the locations

(Amashaya), which

same position

is

the

as regards

of

(Kapham) :—Now we

seat of

its

The stomach

Kapham.

Kapham,

location to

as the sun holds in relation to that of the

the stomach (Amashaya)

since

pancreas (Pittashaya\, and (cooling; contrary to the

is

is

occupies the

that of Pittam

moon.

situated

endowed with

And

above the a property

primary virtue (heating; of

Pit-

tam, and, since the heat emitted by the receptacle of Pit-

tam

is

naturally radiated in an

upward

direction, the four

kinds of food, brought in to the stomach (Amashaya), are boiled and transformed into a soft placid mass like

rice

boiled

in

a

bowl

full

(chyme),

of water placed

over a

Chap. XXI.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

I

burning oven.

stomach,

is

by coming

The

thus brought

food,

I99

down

into the

and digested

easily moistened, disintegrated

into contact with the oily secretions of the

stomach (Amdshaya).

Metrical Texts :— The Kapham

is

originated

through the sweet, slimy, watery, exudating character of the

food brought into the stomach

and hence the

(Amashaya)

Kapham becomes endued with

;

similar

attributes.

The Kledakam principally

located

in

other distant

localities

humid essence

in virtue

:— The Kapham, even though

the

stomach, permeates

with of

its

The Avalamvaka

its

inherent attributes.

the region of the chest, protects the joints

perform

its

natural

four

watery or

peculiar

:— The Kapham,

the neck and the sternum,

its

located in

of the arms,

and enables the heart to

functions

with the help

of the

lymph-ch}ie derived from the assimilated food and

own

intrinsic potency.

The Vodhakam the throat and the

its

:— The Kapham,

at the root of the palate,

situated

lends

its

in

aid to

perception of tastes by maintaining the moist

or

humid character of the tongue.

The Tarpakam the

:— The Kapham,

head, cools and bathes

situated

in

the different sense organs

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

2 oo

with

own humid

its

humid

the

joints,

keeps

articulation

their

Chap. XXI.

its

natural

attributes.

The Shlmeshakam in

virtue of

in

essence,

[

them

and

:— The Kapham, united,

firmly their

opposes

situated

protects

separation

and

disunion.

Metrical Texts :—The heavy, is

a

oily,

slimy and

cool.

Kapham

In

reaction

one

in its reactionary

when deranged

in the

liver

helps

its

is

white, state,

it

followed b3T

transformation (chemical

or vitiated.

Seats Of blood :— The it

normal

its

possessed of a sweet taste, which saline

is

seats

ot

blood are

and the spleen, as stated before, whence other receptacles

to

serve

their

proper

functions.

Metrical Texts :—The glossy, a

little

warm, and

is

blood

red,

oily

It is

heavy, and

emits a fleshy smell and resembles the Pittam in

reactionary process, or in

which derange the Pittam,

or

possessed of an attribute

similar to something of a sweet taste. it

is

other

words, those

vitiate the

its

factors,

blood as well.

These are the locations of the deranged humours,

which are respectively accumulated of the aforesaid causes.

such symptoms

men,

or of

in

them on account

The deranged humours

as, fullness

exhibit

and stuffedness of the abdo-

any of the viscera (due to the action of the

Chap. xxi.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

deranged Vayu to

the

;

2QI

yellowness of the affected part (due

action of the deranged Pittam

,

and diminution

of the bodily heat, heaviness of the limbs, and a sense of languor [due to the action of the

and a natural repugnance

for

diseased Kapham),

causes

which

(factors)

lead to their respective aggravations or accumulations.

The medical treatment should be commenced as the

symptoms, peculiar to

become

their accumulation,

soon

would

manifest.

Humours and Xow we

shall

their aggravations :—

enumerate the causes which agitate and

(aggravate) the deranged is

as

The bodily Vayu

humours.

aggravated by such factors (conduct, practices and etc.)

diet,

as,

wrestling

strength, violent

with

wrestler of superior

a

gymnastic exercises, sexual excesses,

excessive study, a headlong plunge into water or a leap

from an inordinate height, running, a violent pressing blow, leaping over a ditch, a bounding

gait,

keeping of late hours, carrying of

loads, excessive

riding,

of a

walking a long

food into the

heavy

distance

composition

astringent, bitter, light or

and of

dusha,

pot-herbs,

the

partaking

which

parchifying articles,

stances of cool potency, largely enter. of dried

swimming,

pungent, or

sub-

Diets consisting

Vallura, Varaka, Uddalaka, Kara-

Shyamaka, Xivara, Mudga,

Masura,

Adhaki,

Harenu, Kalaya, and Xishpava tend to aggravate the bodily Vayu. 26

THE SUSHRUTA

202

or

unequal

Fasting,

voluntary suppression

mucous

the

or

forced

a

coryza,

secretions

the factors, which

Metrical Text :—The in

the rains,

during

the

fluent

a

in

eructation

down

be set

may

bodily

a cold, cloudy or

in

tears, or of

defecation,

as the aggravating causes of the bodily

aggravated

over-eating,

and

from the nose as of

Chap. XXI.

[

meals,

irregular

of urine, semen,

stoppage

are

sneezing

SAMHITA'.

Vayu.

Vayu

is

windy day,

naturally in winter,

and

and evening

morning

of digestion. especially at the close

Symptoms The Pittam

is

aggravated Pittam:

of

aggravated by anger,

fatigue,

fear,

grief,

of the assimilated fasting, acid transformation (reaction) food,

deficient gastric

or

of pungent,

indulgence, partaking of a food consisting acid or saline, keen, heat

acidity.

reactionary

sesamum Atashi, flesh its

oil,

the

of a

or of

Godha

Similarly,

spissated

if

or

is

milk),

followed by

a

aggravated by the use of

is

paste.

known

as

Kulattha, Sarshapa,

Haritaka,

a goat or mutton

the

fish,

may

lead to

taken injudiciously.

the use of curd, whey,

Amla-phala (sour oil)

It

sesamum

pot-herbs

aggravation,

or light substances, as

whose digestion

those

of

as

well

making

sexual

unnatural

digestion,

different

Sauviraka, fruits), or

and excessive exposure

by the same consequences.

Kurchika, kinds

of

(in-

wine,

Katvara icurd mixed with

to

the sun,

may

be followed

Chap. XXI.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

Metrical Texts :— In the Pittam in

addition

to

all

these,

spontaneously and abnormally aggravated

is

in

summer,

203

at

autumn,

during the process

of

partaking of hot or

warm

noon, at

digestion,

mid-night well

as

and

by the

as

substances.

Symptoms of the deranged Kapham — The deranged Kapham aggravated by is

:

sleep in the

day time, or by the following of lazy or

The partaking

sedentary habits. of substances

of

composed

food,

which are heavy, slimy,

acid

sweet,

or saline in their taste, or of one consisting of substances

which increase the mucous secretions from the of the

body,

vating

factors.

called

the

may

be likewise set

The

of food

use

Hayanaka, the

down

as

Yavaka, the

various

lead to

its

Naishadha,

Godhuma,

aggravation.

preparations of cane-sugar

things which produce the

same

result.

The

flesh

beasts and birds that are aquatic in their habits in if

or

swampy

lands, as well as lard,

used as food. of

The

are

the Payasha (sweetened rice

Curd, milk, the Krishara, porridge-, the

may

aggra-

which

grains,

the Itcata, the Masha, the Mahamasha, the the Tilam, or of rice cakes

fissures

use

of

Kasheruka, Shringataka,

effect,

lotus stems

Madhura-phala,

phala as well as eating before digestion

of

or live

have the same

bulbs and

are

or

the

Valli-

par-

taking of food consisting of both wholesome

and un-

wholesome substances may aggravate

humour.

this bodily

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

2Q4

[Chap. XXI.

Metrical Texts :—The Kapham and spontaneously evening, in

aggravated

Hemanta, and

after a meal.

Likewise,

specially

it is

the

in

in

is

naturally

morning and

Spring,

and

just

aggravated by the use of

cold food or drink, etc.

Symptoms

the

of

aggravated

blood: — [Owing to a natural similarity between blood and the Pittam, and through a natural their attributes],

causes,

which tend

between

affinity

to

aggravate the

deranged Pittam, tend to aggravate or agitate the blood as

well.

Moreover, frequent meals or repeated use of of which

food, into the composition

heavy substances largely

cool,

enter, are followed

turbed or aggravated condition of the blood.

fire,

dis-

Sleep

in

over- fatiguing labour, an external blow, ingestion

of indigestible or before

by a

exposure to the glare of the sun

the day time, anger, or

and

liquid

the

well be set

incompatible substances, digestion of a

full

down

causes

as

and eating

previous meal,

may

as

which tend to aggravate

blood.

Metrical Texts:— As

the

bodily humours are

never aggravated independently of the aggravation

blood,

their

goes together with a disturbed or agitated

The aggravated condition of the pain and moves the wind Vayu

condition of the blood.

humours gives in

the

thirst,

bowels

rise to ;

it

further occasions

burning sensations, aversion

to

acid

eructations,

food,

vomiting

XXI.

Chap

SUTRASTHANAM.

1

and nausea.

of these

Any

symptoms should be

ed as the second occasion which

mours — Now

we

:

and

overflow

any ferment

is

or

ferment

new

of

the

describe

the limits

manner

same

the

in

localities

night,

aid.

hu-

expansion

The deranged

aggravated by the above mentioned causes,

humours,

expand

shall

regard-

medical

deranged

deranged humours.

the

'Prasarairr of

calls for

the

of

Expansion

205

and

rise

and unseen

as,

and

enzyme

of their respective cakes, soaked in

kept

the

through

attributes.

over

standing

acquisition

The V£vu,

which

possessed of locomotion or extreme mobility, should

be looked upon as or over-flowing. in

is

reality

is

of

possessed

the

of

their

expansion

The Vayu, though an inanimate

only

the

quality

of

thing,

"Rajas"

energy), and the quality of the

(creative or cohesive

Rajas

cause

the

essential

or motive principle in the

universe.

As

a

vast

and mighty expanse of water, which

has been divided into two barrier,

will

sweep away the

to form one sheet of water

;

sometimes singly, sometimes or

all

latter

example, the Vayu,

blood

are

singly

the

dam

or

and unite again

so the deranged humours, in

combination with two

of their species, or in unison with blood,

and over-run the organism

the

expanses by a

in all

Pittam,

directions.

the

expand

As

for

Kapham and

expanded, whereas the bi-hu-

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

2 o6

[

Chap. XXI.

moural expansions involve the simultaneous overflow

two deranged humours,

of the

humour and

blood,

Kapham, Vayu

Kapham and

as the

Vayu and

blood.

Kapham and

Pittam,

Kapham and

classified as the expansion,

Pittam

and Kapham,

Kapham and numbering

blood, the

fifteen in

blood,

blood, (5)

(4)

irritated

the expansion of

(2)

(3)

the expansion of

the expansion of Vayu,

the

expansion

different

of Pittam,

types of expansion

all.

Metrical Texts:— The abnormally

expansions,

two of the deranged

the Vayu, Pittam and blood,

the Vayu,

Vayu and

and blood, and

The tri-humoural

and enraged humours, may be (i)

any deranged

Pittam,

and blood, Pittam

which involve the blood and any

of

of

or

deranged

aggravated,

or

the

humours, whether per-

meating the whole or half of the system or restricted to

any

particular part or

member

of the body, give rise

to disease in the place of their incarceration,

clouds pouring

down

in

the

quarter of the

like

rain

sky where

they are formed. The deranged humours, not excessivety slightly; aggravated, lie inoperative coating the internal

passages (Margas) of the body and thus bring about a fresh disease,

if

subsequently agitated by any disturbing

causes.

The deranged and aggravated Vayu, having moved into

any

specific seat of Pittam, should

treated as a case of Pittaja aggravation.

be medicinally Similarly, the

SUTRASTHAW'AM.

[Chap. XXI.

20 j

deranged and aggravated Pittam, or Kapham, changing their

respective places with. each other, should be medi-

humour

cinally treated as the

found. to

The Vayu, from

deviate

whose location

in

is

it

thus aggravated and expanded, tends its

right

passage and gives

rise to

swelling or distention of the abdomen, accompanied

a

by

The Pittam, under

a rumbling sound in the intestines.

the similar condition, gives rise to heat,

and a

sort

of

sucking, burning pain in the affected part, together with a sensation of radiation or evaporation of heat from

The Kapham, under

surface.

the circumstance, would

usher in a complete aversion to

food, inertness

and impaired digestion.

limbs, vomiting

its

of the

The preceding

symptoms, caused by the aggravation and expansion of the bodily for

humours, should be the third occasion

medical treatment

St h aria- Sam sh ray am :— Now

we

shall

enumerate the names of the peculiar diseases, which are originated

by the deranged and expanded

incarcerated

the

in

different

These humours, confined

Gulma

abdominal

(Vidradhi),

the

of

the

abdomen, give

body. rise

to

glands) tumours, internal abscesses

abdominal

in the bowels,

in

parts

humours,

dropsy,

constipation

impaired

Anaha

,

digestion

cholera

Visu-

chikaand dysentery. Lodged

in

the

Prameha morbid (

bladder,

these humours usher

urethral discharges),

Ashman

in

(stone in

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

2o8

[

Chap. XXI,

the bladder), Mutrakrichchhra (stricture of the urethra;

and

the

affecting

renal

and

(phymosis

known

the

urine),

in syphilis,

local

Xirudha-prakasha

inflammatory

in

Similarly, lodged

the region of the anus,

deranged and expanded humours beget

and

haemorrhoids

Confined

they give

rise to

tumours,

etc.

in

the

about the

that

scrotum,

hydrocele and other types of scrotal the

to

above

region

the

humours originate diseases peculiar to while

locality,

of

region

these

fistula in ano,

growths

polypus

Restricted

clavicles, these

that

diseases

the Shuka-dosha, etc.

as

locality.

and diseases

Restricted to the

etc.

secretion,

they tend to bring

penis

of

retention,

Mutraghata

erysipelas,

affections

cutaneous

Kushtha and other minor diseases supervene, when they restrict

themselves to the flesh and the skin (lymph-

chyle)

and

blood.

humours tend (scrofula),

only

Affecting

,

Galaganda

(inflammation of the eye at the edge

Lodged elephantisis,

in

etc.

rive o

to

(goitre)

these

(a

kind of

and

Alaji

of the cornea

lower extremities, they

Vata-Rakta

Kantaka, rise

the

fat,

Granthi (Aneurism), Apachi

to originate

Arvuda (tumour

the

.*

bring on

leprosy,

Vata-

Permeating the whole organism, they such diseases as

fever,

Sarvangaroga,

etc.

which invade the entire system. *

Additional text:— Reaching

down and

confined in the bone-systems of

cte. the body, they produce Vidradhi (abscesses), Anushayi.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap. XXI.]

209

The aggravated and expanded humours, thus ensconced

in the

the premonitory dealt

fully

different

with under

manifestation

diseases which will be

of

symptoms

the

as

The

respective heads.

their

of these premonitory

be considered

firmly exhibit

parts of the body,

fourth

symptoms should

occasion

medical

for

treatment.

Disease- Its shall deal

with the

of a disease. The swelling,

full

Development

:— Now

we

development or manifestation

full

manifestation of a disease, such as a

tumour, aneurism (Granthi), Vidradhi (abscess)

and erysipelas (Visarpa)

etc.,

fever or dysentery, signifies

the complete development of the characteristic

symp-

toms, which should be regarded as the fifth occasion for

medical treatment.

The

sixth occasion for the calling in

should be considered to have (abscess, tumour, etc.) teristic

symptoms

arisen

of medical aid

when

a

swelling

would burst and exhibit the charac-

of

an

lingering or continuance

open

of a

ulcer.

fever or

A

persistent

dysenterv,

etc.,

should be considered as marking, or forming one of

its

particular stages,

and which

incurable type,

neglected or not sufficiently cared for

if

may

run

into

one of an

at the outset.

Authoritative verse on the subject:— The

physician,

27

who

fully

knows about the accumula-

THE S.USHRUTA SAMHITA.

2I0

[

Chap. xxi.

(Sanchaya), disturbance or aggravation fPrakopa;,

tion

expansion

Prasaram), and differentiating traits of the

(

deranged humours (Bheda), and the

the

confined in

well conversant with

which they are respectively

localities in

specific

is

of their

course

expansion

(Sth3na-

samshrayam), and with the symptoms which they respecwith the incidental tively exhibit in connection (Vyakti),

alone worthy of that epithet.

is

or subdued in

The deranged humours, checked accumulating stage,

fail

to exhibit

strength and intensity

left

if

quent development, but, in

disease

in

their

any further or subse-

unremedied, they gain

the course

of their

further

development. The humours, deranged either singly, or couples, or in a triple combination as regards one or

in

two

of their virtues, push on, follow and blend with humours

deranged as regards their qualities and com-

similarly

binative numbers.

The medical treatment (three) of the in

in a case,

where two or

all

deranged humours are involved, consists

conquering the strongest one in the combination, but

so as not to enrage or aggravate the minor or the weaker

humours

in

the

group

and specially so

in a

case

of

'

Sannipata.

*

blood

The combination

may

likewise be

combination,

of any two of the bodily interpreted

to

signify

a

humours with

the

vitiat?d

Sannipatika (trihunmural)

Chap. XXI.

A

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

concourse of deranged humours, affecting and ap-

pearing in a particular part of the body, or

an ulcer (Vrana)

"Vri"

211

to cover

covering a leaving a

and

particular

cicatrix

which is

"is

is

called a boil

derived from the root

so called from the

part

of the

body

fact

or

which remains the whole

of

from

its its

life-time

of the patient. Thus ends Samhita which rise to

the twenty-first chapter uf the Sutrasthanam in treats of investigation into the nature of

an ulcer.

the

the

Sushrula

humours giving

CHAPTER Now we of

treats different

XXII. the

discuss

shall

from

secretions

which

chapter, or

boils

ulcers

of

(Vranasra'va-Vi jnariiaya-

types.

madhya'yam). A the

eight

body such the

an ulcer has

boil or

A skin,

one of

or principles

of the

the

flesh,

the

the joints, the viscera and the

parts of the body).

mentioned

in

generally

the bone, the skin,

as,

may

type

seat

following components

ligaments,

(vital

its

A

boil

up or appear

crop

in

veins,

Mannas

an ulcer of any

or

any one of the above

localities.

boil or

an

readily

which

ulcer,

to

yields

is

medical

remaining types, as well as those, suppurate and burst, are ulcer usually assumes a

spheroidal

rectangular,

confined

treatment,

while the

which spontaneously

hard to cure.

shape which or

only to the

boil or

an

either diffused,

is

triangular

A

;

while

those,

which are irregular or indefinite in shape, (or have forms other than the preceding ones

utmost

who, from the of an

looked upon

Any Yrana (burst or incised who observes a strict regimen, and

difficulty.

abscess) in a patient,

ment

should be

which can be cured only with

as belonging to types

the

,

outset,

is

placed under the medical treat-

experienced physician (surgeon), will

speedily healed

;

while an ulcer,

affecting a

person

be of

Chap. XXII.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

and treated by a quack or an ignorant

habits

irregular

21 3

physician, will develop into

one of a malignant type,

which can be healed only with the greatest on account of

it

difficulty,

becoming aggravated by the deranged

bodily humours involved therein.

Symptoms of Dushta-Vranas :— Malignant ulcers (Dushta Yranas) are known by the following indications

:

—They

mouthed. Thev

either too

are

narrow or too wide-

extremely hard or soft to the

feel either

touch and present either a raised pressed aspect. or

ligaments, etc., and are

and

flesh

filled

by extremes unusual of

fea-

veins,

with putrid and sloughing

Indefinite

fetid pus.

and

irregular

in

shape,

found to exude a sort of dirty, fetid pus,

are

they

characterised

checkered with networks

are

they

are

Exhibiting strange and

of temperature.

or a de-

are of either a black or red, yellow

They

white colour, and

tures,

elevated

which runs into oblique or

fissures

upward

and

course.

cavities,

They have

following a

an

cadaverous

look and smell and are characterised by extreme pain

and burning sensation, attended with swelling, redness, itching

and suppuration.

ulcers,

which largely secrete

unhealed

These ing

as,

for

Pustules crop up round vitiated blood,

and

these linger

an inordinate length of time.

ulcers

may

be divided into six classes [accord-

they are severally

bodily humours

caused by the

deranged

(Vayu, Pittam and Kapham), or are

SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

'THE

214 due to

their

concerted action (Sannip£ta), or to the

of a blow

effects

Chap. XXII.

t

(traumatic)

to

or

vitiated blood.],

<

and should be medically treated according to the nature of their respective exciting factors.

Secretions from ulcers :— Now we describe the characteristic secretions from

Secretions from a

ulcers.

well

as

as

types of

all

contused or lacerated skin,

from an ulcer confined only to

it),

spontaneously bursting or surgically opened,

and watery

by a raw

ised

An

in

their consistency. (fleshy)

of blood

flows

incidental

in

ulcer,

moreover

is

and slimy

An

hue.

a sort

in

its

of cold

mucous,

though

copious quantity

suppurating stage,

secretes a

character

and thick

character-

while the

detached,

confined

ulcer,

thin

cut,

copious secretion, like water flowing

which

A

of a vein recently its

are

exudes a slimy, thick and

clarified- butter.

out

are

They

whether

and a yellowish colour.

smell

ulcer, affecting the flesh,

white secretion like

shall

out

thin,

of a hydrant,

pendent (ropy),

and has a brown

or frosty

only to a ligament, secretes secretion, like

expectorated

sometimes marked with streaks of

blood.

A

bone, injured, fractured,

idiopathic causes loses its

its

internal

or

suddenly cracked by

(derangement of the bodily humours),

marrow and appears

as

if

washed

(loses

natural gloss). It assumes the colour of an oyster shell,

whereas the secretions from an

ulcer,

which

is

seated in

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap. XXII.j

a

bone,

cold and

are

marked by

215

and

streaks of blood

the bonelumps of marrow. An ulcer, 'situated in any of not exude any secretion under pressure, joints, does

but secretes a sort of slimy, pendent, frothy and bloodstreaked pus,

expanded,

when

raised

the affected limb or part

is

flexed,

lowered, as in running (moving

or

about), sitting or standing erect, or at defecation.

An

ulcer, seated in the

abdominal cavity (Koshtha),

exudes a secretion, which

urine, fecal

pus or blood, and a thin or watery (serous)

matter, fluid.

mixed with

is

The

secretions from an ulcer, affecting

not be part of the body, need

separately

vital

any

described, as

such a part naturally involves the organic principles of skin, flesh, etc.

necessarily

and hence an

;

ulcer,

exude a secretion, which

invading is

it,

must

peculiar to etc.

of the aforesaid bodily principles (skin, flesh,

)

any that

has become affected.

The deranged V#yu makes ulcer, seated in

such

as,

secretions

from an

any of the seven abovesaid

principles

the

the skin, flesh, veins, ligaments, bones, joints

and the abdomen, respectively coarse, and rough to the touch, brown, grey, frosty, or white like the cream of curd,

and coloured

that of

meat

or

like the

washings of an

paddy husks.

alkali, like

Similarly, the action of

the deranged Pittam should be inferred from

the secre-

Gomedha

(a species

tions assuming

of

bluish

the colours of a

yellow

1

agate

,

or

that

of

the

urine

of

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

[Chap. XXII

a cow, or that of water saturated with the

burnt ashes

2,6

of

couch-shells

known

of the wine

Madhvika

the

as

water

of Kashaya

that

or

or

or that

that

of

oil,

according as the skin,

flesh, etc. are respective!}' affected.

The

deranged blood,

of the

nature sa.id

the

of

action

locations,

of ulcers in the seven above-

secretions is

changing the

in

identical with

Pittam with the exception,

of the

that

the

that

deranged are

secretions

characterised by an extremely fishy smell.

an

In of a

epidermic (confined only to the epidermis

part)

butter-like

the

a

or

manifests

They have

of rice

action

the

of

by imparting of

a

colour

iron)

hue or a

lard-like

or that of water tinged

paste,

with sesamum, or a colour

that of the

like

internal

water of a cocoanut, or a colour like that of

juice or

as

hog's lard, according a

itself

Kasisha (sulphate

secretions.

colour like that

the

ulcer

superficial

Kapham

deranged

to

or

bone

or a

joint

the

through the combined action of

humours of the

body

become coloured

like

soakings

of

On

attacked.

is

water

seeds,

or

the

ligament,

other hand,

the three deranged

all

(Sannipata),

the

sesamum

a vein, a

flesh,

those tinged

secretions

with

the

the internal sap

or

water of a cocoanut, or the juice of the Ervaruka or the transparent surface layer of rice gruel, or the washings of the of the

Aruka

fruit, or

the water tinged with the

Priyangu, or like the liver or the

Mudga

fruits

pulse.

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XXII.]

217

Authoritative verses on the subject

:

— An

domen and husks

an

secreting

in colour, as well as

of blood (spleen or

a

situated

ulcer,

secretion

incurable.

like

liver

exudation resembling paddy

one located

notch

of the

deemed

be

seat in

a

the

the region

in

with the

clavicle

and exuding

)

and exuding

its

(Amashaya), or

(articulation

infraclavicular

the viscera

in

should

water,

an ulcer having

Similarly,

Trika,

cavity of the ab-

— Raktashayam)

alkaline

cavity of the stomach of the

the

in

watery

thin,

secretion, coloured like the washings of Kalaya pulse,

should be regarded

A

(incurable).

as

belonging to the same

physician should only take

in

type

hand the

treatment of an ulcer-patient after having examined the abovesaid nature of the discharges.

Pain and describe

the

all

different

the

in

experienced

character :— Now we

its

kinds of

several

which

pain,

types of Vrana

shall

are

(ulcers)

described before.

Vartaja pain

:

— Pains

of

pricking,

piercing,

thrashing, cutting, expanding, gnawing, churning, shooting,

tingling,

uprooting,

burning,

uplifting,

breaking,

bursting,

aching

quivering,

of

pinching, different

types, shifting, stuffing, benumbing, indurating, contracting,

and pains of a spasmodic character are usually

felt in

ulcers.

A

pain,

which comes on or vanishes

without any apparent cause, or 28

is

varied

and

shifting

2

THE SUStiRUTA

i8

in

of the

:

same

strewn

and a burning sensa-

with

or

(the

a

incidental to the solution

is

of the

one

of

as

if

of the a

affected

pain

The

locality)

the

like

one

application of alkaline water (caustic in

experienced :

the ulcer.

— The

an ulcer due to

blood are

pain and other specific the

condition

vitiated

with those developed by

identical

of the Pittaja type.

Kaphaja pain

:

— An

ulcer, characterised

numbness, heaviness, coldness, itching and a in

At

had been

it

glowing charcoal.

and

rise,

Raktaja pain features

of

bits

temperature

steady

deranged Pittam.

body seems

time the

over

shows

of the

the resultant

as

A

whole body, should be looked

tion running through the

upon

is felt in

sort of sucking pain.

feeling of inhaling heat or vapour,

heat

the effects

—A sensation of burning

accompanied by a

ulcer

the

to

ascribed

Chap. XXII.

I

deranged Vayu.

Pittaja pain the

be

character, should

its

SAMHITA'.

the

and which seems

affected part,

as

slight

by pain

has been

if it

plastered over with a paste, and which proves insensible to

touch,

should be ascribed to the action

of

the

deranged Kapham.

San ni parti ka pain scribed

under

humoural

the

types

head of

of

ulcer,

-.—The each

symptoms, of the

de-

preceding

simultaneously

exhibit

Chap. XXII.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

themselves action of

the one brought about by the

in

the deranged

all

humours

the

assumed

colours

:

— Now

by

concerted

(Sannipatikam).

t

Colours of Vranas cribe

2 \g

we

the

de-

shall

several

types

of ulcers.

An

Yavu,

rough and black, red, or ash- coloured,

is

is

due to the action of the deranged

ulcer,

of the colour of a bone, or a pigeon.

by the action of the is

coloured

deranged

and

of the

action glossy.

ulcer,

blood

or

caused Pittam,

either blue, yellow, greenish-brown, black,

reddish-tawny or flame-coloured. the

An

or

An

deranged ulcer,

An

Kapham

ulcer is

due

white,

to

grey

due to the combined action

of the three deranged bodily humours,

may assume any

colour peculiar to them.

Authoritative verses on the subject

:

— Not only

(inflammatory)

in

the

swellings

cases

of

of Vrana,

whatsoever

physician should carefully observe the local pain,

but

in

type,

all

the

nature of the

and the colour of the epidermis.

Thus ends the twenty-second Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushruta Samhita which treats of secretion from different types of ulcers.

CHAPTER Now we with

the

shall

Prognosis

XXIII.

the

discuss

of an

chapter

ulcer

which

deals

(KritySfkritya-

Vidhi-madhya'yam). A

an ulcer appearing

boil or

in

a

young, muscular (in frame), strong, or

who

patient

is

possessed of an

is

indomitable courage and fortitude, proves readily amenable to healing measures

more

so

and applications

when one appears

in

a

how much

;

in

patient

whom

all

these four conditions simultaneously obtain.

An

ulcer

in

owing to the of the

body

;

a

fresh

young patient and vigorous

is

healed

speedily

vitalizing

whereas the one, which appears

principles in a

person

of strong and muscular build, finds a speedy and successful

termination owing to the

instrument to cut deep

inability

into the hard

of the

incising

and tough muscles

of the affected part and to reach down, or in any

destroy the underlying veins and nerves, etc.

and vigorous patient can

amount b3

T

a

easily endure a

of burning pain, etc.

strict

regimen of

and does not

diet.

A man

A

way

strong

considerable feel distressed

of stupendous

endurance and fortitude can sustain the fatigue and

worry of even

the

most painful

surgical

operation.

Accordingly, a boil or an ulcer, appearing in a patient of the above said description,

is

easily

and speedily healed

;

Chap. XXIII.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

whereas the one, which

22

an

affects either

or timid person or one of small strength

1

emaciated,

old,

and endurance,

takes time to heal.

which appear

or ulcers,

Boils

in

the regions of the

buttocks (Sphik), or about the anus, and the of lips,

or

in

on the back, forehead, cheek, or

or

generation,

the

the

of

region

the testes or the

the

seated in

external

abdomen, or

mouth, or about the nape the clavicles,

the

of

can be easily healed. eyes,

or

ribs,

or

on

or

neck,

above

Those, that are

the gums, the nostrils or the

in

or the umbilicus, or

body, hips,

ears,

the cavity of the

in

exterior angle of the eye, or in the

abdomen

organs of

cavity

of the

ears,

about any suture of the

arm-pits, chest, breasts,

joints, as well as those, that secrete frothy

sides,

or the

blood or pus

with a gurgling sound, or contain any foreign matter em-

bedded

in their inside, are

healed only with the greatest

difficulty.

Similarly,

an abscess or an

ulcer appearing in the

nether region of the body and pointing upward, the

or

one appearing on the extremity of scalp (Romanta)

or about

the

vulnerable

end of a

parts

of

finger-nail,

the body, as

affecting either of the thigh bones

or

well

or

as

well

the

one

should be

Likewise an

an ulcer affecting a bone of

Shronikanda- Acetabulum),

as

(femurs),

looked upon as equally hard to cure. abscess

any of the

in

as

the

pelvis

a

fistula

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

222 in

[Chap. XXIII.

ano opening inward should be regarded as hard

to cure.

ject :— An or

meha

,

ulcer (Vrana) appearing in a leper (Kushthi

a

person

or

from Shosha

in

from

suffering (lit

from the effects of

or

sub-

verse on the

Authoritative

:

Madhu-

diabetes

pulmonary-consumption) as

poison,

well

the one

as

appearing in a pre-existing ulcer, should be looked upon as curable only with the greatest difficulty.

Ya'pya Ulcers affecting viz.

the

Avapathika or

(phimosis),

the

or

anus),

(glandular

(

—An ulcer

any

Niruddha-Prakash

in

mucous

and in

or

I,

characterised

its

Granthi the

by well

as

interior,

as

abdomen

of the

the cavity

of

(constriction

abdominal-dropsy

parasites

one appearing

affecting the

,

diseases,

following

or

and

incidental to,

Sanniruddha-guda Jathara

of

of the

paraphimosis

inflammation),

germination the

of

seat

:

linings of the intestines, or

or _,

brought

about by the corrosive secretions of a nasal catarrh

and infested with

parasites,

should be

considered as only admitting of a

palliative

treatment.

(Pratishyaya),

Similarly palliation

is

the only remedy

an ulcer which appears

in a patient

the

in

suffering

case

from any

morbid secretion from the urethra (Prameha) or

any form of cutaneous

affections,

ol

from

marked by worms

in

its inside.

Likewise a case of gravel

Sharkara

,

or

urinary

Chap. XXIII.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Shikata

calculi

)

which the urine

in

223 found to be

is

charged with concretions, or leaves a deposit of sandy sediment, can not be radically cured by medicine alone.

A

Upakusha, Kantha-

case of Vata-kundalika, Asthila,

Danta-sharkara\

saluka,

Yisarpa, Asthi-

Danta-veshta,

kshata, Uru-kshata, or Vrana-Granthi,

may

not perfectly

yield to medicine alone. In an inflammation of the

gums

resulting from the use of poisonous twigs as brushes for teeth

that

Nishkoshana) a temporary amelioration

can

be

from

expected

good and

a

all

is

efficient

treatment.

Metrical texts disease

at

observing a

its

a

regimen) even

speedily develop into one

patient neglecting a

a curable

A

which only admits of a

an

last

incurable

Just as a prop or a pillar edifice,

by a

An

is

in-

with a disease,

palliative treatment, lives so long

will die almost simultaneously

applied

pallia-

named type

one.

patient laid up

as the course of the medical treatment

tumbling

malady may

which admits only of

under the circumstances speedily finds

a fatal termination.

a

otherwise not

(or

while a disease of the

soon transformed into curable disease

—In

preliminary stage,

strict

tive measures,

:

can

with

is

its

continued, and discontinuance.

prevent the collapse of

so palliative measures, judiciously

skilful

inevitable in a disease

physician,

may

which knows no

keep

off

the

radical cure.

Incurable diseases :— Now we

shall

de-

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

224

scribe the types of diseases

An

curable.

ulcer

which are usually held as

(Vraria) cropping

tumour, painful and containing pus

which

characterised

is

by

[Chap. XXIII.

a fleshy

like

up in

with

edges raised like those of the genital of a mare,

condylomatous (papillomatous raised like the horn

of a

cow, or

moderately raised or elevated at

its

which

is

A

soft

and

one which

the base,

its

should

incurable type.

ulcer

)

and

its inside,

a copious secretion,

be understood as belonging to the

in-

is

and secretes

an exudation of vitiated blood, or a thin slimy secretion, should be likewise

regarded as incurable.

An

ulcer

with an embossed or heaved up centre, and one dipped or fissured at its extremity should

remedy.

An

be

ulcer

all

ulcer covered over with shreds of ligaments,

and looking as should

be regarded as past

if

given

studded with loose shreds of hemp,

up

as

incurable.

Similarly,

an

due to the deranged condition of any of the funda-

mental humours, and secreting an exudation composed of

coagulated blood,

marrow and

fat,

brain-matter

should be deemed incurable.

Likewise, an ulcer, in a

which (

is

located

Koshtha

weak and emaciated person,

within the cavity of the

abdomen,

and which assumes either a black or yellow-

ish colour,

and exudes a secretion composed of

pus, blood

and

fecal matter,

which

finds

through the upward and downward (

the

mouth and the anus) making

its

urine,

outlet both

fissures of the

a rumbling,

body

gurgling

Chap, xxiii.

SUTRASTMANAM.

]

225

simultaneously secretes pus and blood

sound, or which

through both the channels, should be regarded as belong-

An

ing to the incurable class. patient,

is

situated either on

and which

throat,

network

a

by

which

A

heard

in

these

the head

narrow-mouthed and

is

of

and

capillaries,

fleshy or papillomatous eruptions, as incurable.

an emaciated

in

ulcer

distinctly

audible

is

or in

traversed

studded

should be

the

with

regarded

sound or report

is

which are found to be charged

ulcers

with wind.

An

in

ulcer

an emaciated patient, which secretes

blood and pus, and painful respiration

case

is

attended with indigestion, cough,

and non-relish

for food,

as

well as a

of fractured skull, attended with cough, dyspnoea,

secretion of brain-matter,

and symptoms peculiar to the

concerted action of the three deranged humours of the

body, should be given

up as past

all

remedy.

Authoritative verses on the subject — A traumatic ulcer, which exudes a secretion :

of

fat,

marrow

or

brain- matter,

to medical treatment, whereas a

may

prove amenable

humoural ulcer under

the circumstance will prove incurable.

An than a its

ulcer vital

appearing

at

any part of the body other

one (Marma), and which

successive

found to invade

elements though without affecting any

vein, bone, joint, etc. should be

29

is

regarded as incurable.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

22 6

[Chap.

xxm.

Just as a tree, that has

grown old and that has spread

roots deep into the

can not be uprooted, so a disease

soil,

can not be eradicated that has gained

in strength

its

and

maturity with the process of time, and that has gradually

invaded the different essential principles of the body.

A

been neglected at the outset,

disease, which, having

on to one of a lingering or persistent type

has run

by

the

invading

successive

and has thereby gained baffles

just

in

and

strength

(of tested

medicines,

elements of the body,

and

intensity,

marked

efficacy),

combinations tend to nullify

as malignant astral

potent incantations.

Symptoms ulcers

:

—An

cleansed

of

not belonging to

ulcer,

above said types,

healthy any of the

prove easily amenable to the

may

curative efficacies of medicines. In other words, an ulcer

of recent origin

is

easily uprooted like a

of recent growth.

An

ulcer,

which

is

tender sapling

unaffected by any

of the three deranged bodily humours, and which assumes

a dark

brown hue along

its

by the absence of any secretions,

and which

elevation throughout

cleansed (asepsised

is

its

or

edges,

and

is

characterised or

pain,

pustular

of an

even or of an equal

eruptions

length, should be regarded

healthy),

and divested of

as all

morbid matter or principle (Shuddha-Vrana).

Symptoms ulcer,

which

is

of

Healing

Ulcers:—An

dove-coloured (yellowish dusky), and

is

Chap. XXIII.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

not lardaceous at the absence

its

further characterised

by

muco-purulent secretion along

its

base,

of any

and

227

is

margin, and which has become hard and surrounded shreds

by

of

dead

healthy granulation,

skin,

and presents symptoms of

should be looked

upon

as

in

course of healing.

Symptoms of Healed with

its

Ulcers:— An

ulcer,

edges firmly adhered and characterised by the

absence of any pain and swelling and

not appearing

knotty or glandular to the touch and that has cicatrix

of the

same hue with the surrounding

left

a

skin,

should be considered as perfectly healed. Causes, such as mental excitements, as excessive grief

and ecstacies of joy, anger or

fright, as well as

an exter-

nal blow, or excessive physical exercise, or an abnormal

excitation

impaired

of

any of the deranged humours, or an

digestion,

recently adhered

may

tend to

and healed.

reopen

an

ulcer

Accordingly such acts

and conditions should be avoided by an ulcer-patient. Thus ends the twenty-third Chapter of the Sutrasthanam Sushruta Samhita, which treats of the prognosis of ulcers.

in

the

CHAPTER XXIV. Now we

on the Chapter, which deals

shall discourse

with the classification

according to their

of diseases

(Vya'dhi-Samuddheshiyamadhya'yam). nature

specific

Diseases

may be grouped under two broad

divisions, such

as

and Medical, that

Surgical,

is

sub-

those

that yield to the administration of purgatives, emetics, oils,

diaphoretics,

The

use

unguents,

and unguents. of medicated

or administration

etc.,

not prohibited

is

while a case,

which

in a

a

Only

and symptoms of been briefly

its

dealt

fully

all

down

within

includes

been

laid

general

outline

diseases in

will

of

and

disease,

surgical

exclusively medicinal in

is

character, does not admit of the adoption of

remedy.

oils

its

any

surgical

the

nature

be found to have

the present work.

This work

subject matters

which have

scope

with in other books (having only a

general bearing upon

all

the several branches of the

science of medicine). It

either

both,

has been stated before that anything that the is

body

called

or the disease.

living

This

afflicts

personality— self, or pain

or

affliction

Chap.

XXIV.

may

be

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

in

either physical*

character (Adhyat-

its

mikam), or due to any disturbance environments of

God

acts

of

pain

may

man

a

(

2 29

This

etc.

ultimately transformed

the seven kinds of diseases such

as,

physical

or

Adhibhautikam),

(Adhidaivikam)

be

the

in

three- fold

into

of

any

the Adi-vala-pravritta,

Sanghata-

Dosha-vala-pravritta,

Janma-vala-pravritta,

the

to

Daiva-vala-pravritta

vala-pravritta, Kala-vala-pravritta,

and Svabhava-vala-pravritta.

A'di-vala-pravritta Adi-vala-pravritta in the

semen

is

or the

ascribed

ovum

:

—The

disease

termed

any inherent defect

to

which forms

of one's parent,

" " primary factors of being

one of the original and

and

includes leprosy (Kushtham), hemorrhoids, phthisis etc.

This type

may

be

divided

according as the disease

is

into

two

sub divisions,

generated by the deranged

paternal or maternal factor at the time of incubation.

Janma-vala-pravritta :—The or

the Janma-vala-pravritta

such causes as an of the

improper

type

usually

conduct

on

mother during the period of

embraces such defects blindness,

or

Congenital

the

part

gestation, etc.,

maladies

deafness, dumbness,

follows

as

and

(congenital)

nasal-voice,

and such

monstrous aberrations of nature as congenital cretinism, * to

Certain commentators interpret the term '•Xtman'' in

mean body

only,

and accordingly designate

manifest in the body as Adhyatmikam,

all

"Adhyatmikam"

phenomena

that

may

be

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

230

and the births of in its

dwarfs

turn, admits of

the disease

[Chap. XXIV.

and pigmies.

two

This

type,

sub-divisions, according

as

due to the action of the deranged lymph-

is

chyle (Rasa-krita), or to an

ungratified

mother during

to

gestation, or

her

desire of the

of

gratification

conduct during pregnancy

any improper longing or (Dauhridyam).

Dosha-vala-pravritta :— The pravritta

(idiopathic)

due

is

type

to

Dosha-vala-

the

action

of

any of the fundamental bodily humours deranged by an improper

diet, or resulting

such as (Rajas and Tamas,

of the mind,

type

may

from the dynamical energies This

etc).

be classified under two sub-heads, according

as the disease

is

found to have

(stomach), or in the these again

Pakvashaya

be

may

origin in the

its

(intestines),

further divided

sub-divisions such as the physical

Amashaya

and each of

two main

into

The

and the mental.

three preceding kinds of diseases include

within their

category disorders which are called mental or psychical

(Adhyatmikam).

Samghai:a-vaIa-Pravritta :—The

Trau-

matic type (Samghatha-vala-pravritta) includes diseases that

are

caused by an external blow or

to wrestling

They

wound,

or

due

with an antagonist of superior strength. be

may

according

are

as

to

sub-divided

the the

into

disease

is

bite

from

due

any

minor to

an

fierce

divisions,

external

beast

or

XXIV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

1

These types belong to the Adhi-

reptile, etc.

poisonous

bhautikam

type,

i.

231

(brought about

e.

by

physical

causes).

Ka'Ia-vala-pravritta:— The (Kda-vala-pravritta)

Periodical type

includes diseases that are brought

about by the variation of atmospheric heat or humidity with the change of the seasons, and admits of being

grouped under two different sub-heads, according as the seasons,

which usher these changes

in,

exhibit

natural

or contrary features.

Daiva-vala-pravritta :— The

Providential

fDaiva-vala-pravritta^ type includes diseases that are the

embodiments of

curses, divine

wrath or displeasure, or

are brought about through the mystic potencies of charms

and

spells,

type

may

as

as described

is

the Atharva-Veda.

This

be divided into two minor divisions according

the disease

man

in

struck

is

by

due to such acts of God as when lightning,

etc.,

or

to the

a

malignant

demons and monsters, and these may be grouped under two main sub-heads, according as

influences of further

the disease assumes a contagious character (epidemic), or is

purely

accidental,

and

restricts

itself

to

isolated

cases (sporadic).

Svabha va-vala-pravritta:— The Natural ,

or

the

includes

Spontaneous such

(Svabhava-vala-pravritta)

natural

organic

phenomena

type as,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

232

[Chap.

XXIV.

*

death,

decrepitude,

These phenomena

hunger,

thirst,

either

Kalakrita

are

Akalakrita (untimely).

They

etc.

sleep,

are called Kalakrita

they occur at the proper time

in

who

persons

or

(timely)

when

strictly

when they

observe the rules of health, and Akalakrita,

appear at the improper time (morbid or premature)

These diseases belong

as the effects of unhealthy living. r

have

Thus we

Adhi-daivikam typet.

to the Providential or

classified diseases into their several types.

The deranged and

should be looked upon as the primary

Kapham

sources of teristic

bodily humours such as, Vayu, Pittam

all

diseases,

inasmuch

symptoms charac-

them may be detected

of each of

of whatsoever type,

a disease

as

in the case of

abates

(which usually

with their corresponding subsidence), and also because the of

have

Shastras

ascribed to

maladies that

all

As the

the

human

fatherhood

the

frame.

three qualities of Sattva.. Rajas and

are inherent

in,

and inseparable from,

menal appearances *

assail

them

According

to

in

the pheno-

the universe which are, in reality,

authorities

certain

all

Tamasi

"Death" may

also

mean death

of tissues. + Several authorities

hunger etc, within indications in

appear

of

the

the

the

on the other hand include such diseases as

Adhyatmika

want mental

of

class

certain

plane

vital

principles

(Adhyatmika) only

in

as

the

%

The

Sattva

longings

:— Illuminating or psychic principle. Rajas Tamas -.—Principle of Nescience or

Action and Co-hesion.

the

body and

water, food, etc

ciple of

thirst,

inasmuch as they are but

:

for

— Prin-

Illusion.

Chap. XXIV.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

but modifications of their

fundamental of,

own

qualities,

humours

bodity

333

underlie

and run through, the course of

the

so

three

at the

root

known forms

all

of

bodily distemper.

The deranged bodily humours (Dosha'

(Mala) of the body, together with the locations

contact

Dhathu) and excrements

with the different elements,

their

in

and pathological

effects,

difference

of

rise

to

give

the different forms of disease.*

The nomenclature

upon where

of a disease depends

the affection of the several elementary principles of the

bod3 by the deranged bodily humours r

accordingly styled as

it is

the blood or the flesh, or

lies,

and which

is

seated in the lymph- chyle, or in

it is

in fat, bone, or in the

Rasaja Distempers

semen.

'.—Distempers such as '

aversion

aching

to,

in

and

loss

of relish

for

food,

indigestion,

the limbs, fever, nausea and a sense of reple-

tion even without food, heaviness of the limbs, diseases affecting

the heart, jaundice,

ternal passage of the

constriction

of the hair,

in-

body (Margo-parodha), emaciation

of the body 'cachexia), bad taste in feelings in the limbs,

of any

the mouth,

premature whiteness and

and symptoms

weak

falling off

indicative of senile

decay,

should be regarded as having their seat in the deranged

lymph- chyle (Rasa). *

This answers the question,

bring about a disease

due

to the

"how

can

of the Adhi-vala-type

the deranged bodily

— a disease which

derangement of the innate and primary

30

factors of

is

humours

specifically

life.'"

THE SUSHRUTA

234

Raktaja Diseases

:— Maladies such

tha (cutaneous affections in general

Pidaka

las),

Tilakalaka (specks), Indralupta scess

1

,

Arsha

limbs,

Mashaka,

Nilika,

Vyanga

(stains),

(tans),

Vidradhi (ab-

glands), Vata-shonita

(piles),

Kush-

as

Visarpa (e^sipe-

enlarged-spleen,

Gulma abdominal

of leprosy),

the

Nachhya

alopecia),

,

eruptions,

(pustular

[Chap. XXIV.

SAMHITA'.

(a

kind

Arvuda (tumours), aching of

menorrhagia, haemoptysis,

as

etc.

well

as

suppuration in the regions of the anus and the penis

deemed

should be

as

having

their

blood Raktaja' contaminated by the

in

origin

the

deranged bodily

humours.

IYSarisaj aArvuda,

Arsha,

Diseases :— Similarly

Adhi-mansa,

Upa-jihva,

Upakusha,

Adhi-jihva,

Gala-sunthika, Alaji, Mansha-sanghata (condylomatous

Astha-prakopa,

growth),

(scrofula), etc.

their

Gala-ganda,

Ganda-mala

should be regarded as diseases having

seat in the flesh, vitiated

by the deranged bodily

humours. #

IVIedaja- Distempers :— Diseases, such

as

Granthi, Vriddhi, Gala-ganda, Arvuda, and Ostha-prakopa are due to the action of the deranged (diabetes), obesitv

fat

origin

in

etc.

the

should

humour-

of the bod}'.

Asthija- Disease :— Adhyasthi, Asthi-toda,

Madhu-meha

and abnormal diaphoresis,

be regarded as having their

deranged

fat.

Asthi-shula

and Ku-nakha,

Adhi-danta, etc.

are

the

Chap.

XXIV.

diseases

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

2

^

which should be regarded as the outcome of

the deranged bodily humours affecting the bones.

Majjadoshaja Diseases :— The

vanishing

of sight, epilepsy, vertigo, conjunctivitis and the appear-

ance

of

a

broad-based

about

ulcer

sthanam and a sense of heaviness

the

Parva-

and

the thighs

in

knee-joints should be regarded as having their seat

in

the deranged marrow.

Shukra-doshaja :— Diseases

such

as,

im-

potency, entire aversion to sexual intercourse, Shukra-

shmari 'seminal concretions), Spermatorrhoea, and other seminal affections, should be regarded as

having their

seat in the deranged semen.

Cutaneous

affections, constipation or looseness of the

bowels, and diseases impeding or arresting the proper functions of the

about

sense-organs or in any

their aberrations,

tively located in

way

bringing

should be regarded as respec-

the receptacle

of the fasces and

the

sense organs.

Thus we have diseases, will

briefly-

enumerated the

the specific nature

names of

and symptoms of which

be fully discussed later on under their respective

heads.

Authoritative verse ject

:

on the Sub-

— The deranged and aggravated

humours, freely

coursing through the body, give rise to a disease

at the

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

236

which

in

place

Chap. xxiv.

[

owing to an

they are incarcerated

obstruction in their natural passage.

Now

may

it

be again asked, whether the relation

of a disease, such as fever, etc. with the deranged bodily

humours

human falling

constant and inseparable, or otherwise.

is

beings ill

would

be

in

it

separate existence,

is

etc.

as

of

;

but

case of their

in

the

existence,

with

being simultaneously present

thev

found to be

are

deranged

in realitv.

bodily

And

as, fever, etc.)

humours have a separate

another

falls

the

to

On

ground.

other hand, the assumption of their separate

such

with

and are not prima facie intimately co-related

one

invalidates

them-

manifest

separately

accordingly the theory, that diseases (such

and

relation

but natural that their charac-

symptoms should

selves instead fever,

perpetual^

the event of the said connection

in

being constant and unseparable

terstic

of

danger

All

the

the

existence

incontestable conclusion, that diseases

as, fever, etc. are

fathered

by the deranged humours

of the body.

Hence

it

may

be safely asserted that no disease can

occur without the direct mediation the

deranged bodily humours.

(relation)

which

exists

constant nor separable. lightning,

storm,

independently

or

intervention

Yet the

the

connection

between the two

is

neither

As the physical phenomena of

thunder and rain can

of

of

sky (cloud)

;

not happen

and

yet

they

Chap. xxiv.

SUTKASTHANAM.

]

237

sometimes do or do not occur with the presence of a cloud

again

as

bubbles,,

modifications

of

the

;

up on

its

surface

though

in

reality

but the

underlying water, do not swell

at

all

times,

so the

connection

between a disease and the bodily humours

is

neither

universally separable or inseparable.

Authoritative verse on the subject quality

the

:

— We

shall describe the

of diseases

number

of

nature,

will

and

with their complications and give their

different

types.

[omitted to be mentioned in the chapter (aetiology)]

intensity

on

be found fully dealt with

Diseases

Nidanam in the sup-

plementary part of the present work (Uttara-tantram). Thus ends the twenty-fourth Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushruta Samhila which treats of the classification of diseases according to their specific nature.

CHAPTER XXV. Now we

on the Chapter which deals

shall discourse

with the eight different forms

of surgical

operations

Texts :—Bhagandara,

Metrical Granthi,

Arvuda,

Tilakalaka,

Jatumani,

Shlaishmika

Charma-Kila,

Mansa-Samghata, Gala-Sunthika, Valmika,

Vrana-Vartma,

Adhrusha,

Shataponaka,

the lodgment of a foreign

body

and a sloughing of ligaments, which

Bhedyain

incision

:

(

Upadansha,

as well as ailments

Mansakandha, Adhimansaka,

diseases in

Arsha,

ma-

-

(Ashtavidha-Shastra- Karmanya dhya'yam).

in the flesh

due to

a bone,

or

flesh or veins

are

the

Chhedyam should be made.

-Excision

resorted to in the following diseases,

viz.,

be

should

(Bhedyam)

Vidradhis, the

three types of Granthi other than the Sannipatika

one,

Visarpa due either to the deranged Vayu, Pittam or

Kapham, in

Vriddhi, Vidarika, Prameha-pidaka,

general,

diseases

Avamanthaka,

Kumbhika,

types of Vrinda,

minor

affecting

cutaneous

the

or

mammary

Anushayi,

Pushkarika, Alaji, pustular

swellings organs,

Nadi, the two

Kshudra-roga

diseases),

the

(all

three

types of Puppata, Talu-puppata, and Danta-puppata

;

Tundukeri, Gil^yu, and the diseases which are caused

by suppuration

in the local flesh or

any

soft part of

the

[Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XXV.

body ^such

as tistula in ano),

as

well

239 stone in the

as

bladder and diseases due to a derangement of fat.*

Lekhyam — The

surgical

:

operation

Lekhya; should be resorted to

scarification

known

as

in the follow-

ing diseases, viz, the four types of Rohini, Kilasa, Upajidiseases

hva,

having their seat

in

the deranged

fat,

Danta-Vaidarbha, Granthi, Vrana-Vartma, Adhi-Jihva, Arshah, Mandala, Mansa-kandi, and Mansonnati.

Vyadhanam —The

Surgical operation

as

Vyadhanam

should be

in

connection with a vein, or a case of

:

(aspiration:

Diseases, in

connection

director should be

with

'

7

ai'13

Mutra-Vriddhi

or

(abdominal dropsy),

with are

used,

made

use

of

Dakodaram (hydrocele).

which the probe or the Nadis

extraneous or foreign

'sinus)

and

body lodged

and those which follow abnormal

inside,

known

in

ulcers their

(lateral

or

oblique directions. 1

:— The

A'haryam

process

known

as

Aharanam

1

(extraction or drawing out

)

should be adopted in the

three types of Sharkar3,t in drawing out

any morbid

matter from between the teeth or from the cavity of the ears, or in extracting seat of *

lodgment

in

the

any foreign matter from

its

body, or a stone from the

(goitre), Vriddhi (scrotal tumour) Apachi and Arvuda (tumour) are the fat-origined diseases contemplated

Granthi (gland), Galaganda

(scrofula)

as instances.

t

Such as urinary

Sharkara.

calculi, calcareous deposits

on the teeth, and Pada-

THE SUSHRUTA

240

SAMHITA'.

bladder, or in drawing out feces from

Chap.

[

XX v.

the constricted

anus, or a foetus from the uterus, (as in

the case

of a

false presentation or difficult labour).

Srarvyam :— Secreting be

should

(Sravyam)

diseases, viz, the five

or

evacuating

measures

the

following

in

adopted

types

of Vidradhi excepting

Sannipatika one, Kustha of whatsoever type,

ment

of the

Vdyu with

bodily

pain

in

of the

Shleepada

affected

any

particu-

Visarpa

affecting the ear-lobes,

blood

(elephantiasis\

^tumours), to

body,

diseases

derange-

the

region, inflammatory swellings restricted to lar part

the

^erysipelas),

poisoning,

Arvuda

Granthi (glands due

any of the deranged Vayu, Pittam, or Kapham) the

three types

of

Upadansha

Stana-roga (in-

(syphilis),

flammation of the mammas), Vidarika, Shaushira, Gala|

Krimi-dantaka

Shaluka, Kantaka,

worm-eaten

teeth),

Danta-veshta (inflammation of the gums), Upakusha, Shita"da,

Danta-puppata, diseases of the

through the action of the

originated

lips

deranged blood,

Pittam or

Kapham, and a variety of other diseases passing under the denomination of Kshudra-Roga (minor ailments).

Sccvyam resorted

the

to

action

in

of

:

—Suturing

the case of the

deranged

fSeevya an

1

should

be

open ulcer due to

fat

after

its

vitiated

contents (morbid matter) had been fully scraped out, as well as in the case of an uncomplicated (curable^ Sadya-

Vrana (wound

or

instant ulcer) at

any of the

joints

xxv.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

which are connected with the acts

24

movement

or

r

or loco-

motion.

Conditions of Suturing :—An cidental to the application of

ulcer

in-

any

al-

(cautery), or

fire

kaline preparation (caustic), or treated with any poison-

ous drug or substance,

bedded Shalyam

whose

or from

the

inside

(foreign matter) has not

em-

been removed,

sewed up without being thoroughly

should not be

cleansed and purified asepsised inasmuch as any foreign matter, whether a hair, nail or a particle of dust or bone, lying

embedded

in its cavity,

suppuration, accompanied

Hence such

secretion.

cleansed (and

all

might

by extreme pain and excessive be thoroughly

should

ulcers

indigenous morbid matter

or

foreign

up an abnormal

set

should be extracted therefrom) before being sewed up.

Mode

of Suturing" :— Then

the ulcer up into

its

taka tree or

Guduchi, or

hair

hemp

or

Sevani

following kinds,

with strips

animal sinews,

of

Atasi,

leather,

into

known

and Riju-Granthi,

of the

or

as

etc.

the

the ulcer fingers

3i

should be gently during

suturing.

or as

suited

pressed

A

the

or

horseofficinal

Gophana, Tunna-

the

shape and position of the ulcerated part. of

Murva

plaited

of

any

viz.

Ashman-

of the fibres of the

plants,

shapes (of suturing)

should be

it

proper position,

sutured with strings of any of the of thin cotton thread,

having pressed

the

to

The margin close

with

round needle

to

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

242

[Chap.

the length of two fingers' width should be used

in

XXV. sew-

ing up an ulcer occurring about any joint or in a part of

the body where the flesh of a triangular

width

fingers'

an

body

ulcer appearing at

A

semi-circular

in

a case where

or

recommended

is

any

fleshy

in the case of

of the body.

part

bow-shaped needle should be used

the

seat of the ulcer

would be found

to be on the scrotum, or on the skin of the

about any of the

needle

and measuring three

tri-hedral),

in length,

A

thin and scanty.

is

Marmas

abdomen, or

vital parts).

Needles of these three shapes should be so constructed as to be fitted with sharp

of being

points capable

handled with the greatest ease, having a girth equal that of the stem of a Malati flower.

The needle should not be pricked into or too

remote from the

fissure, or

the

a part too near,

mouth

of an ulcer,

as there might be the danger of the suture being broken off (at

the

instance ulcer,

least

and of genesis

thus

properly

over with cotton

compound

movement

or

pressure

of

in

pain

sutured,

the

first

the second.

An

should

and dusted over with

consisting of

the

powders

in

be a

covered pulverised

of Priyangu,

Anjanam, Yasthyahva and Rodhra, or with the ashes of a burnt piece of of the Shallaki

Kshauma

fruit.

cloth, or with the

Then the

powders

ulcer should be properly

bandaged, and measures and rules regarding the regimen of diet, and conduct previously laid

down

in the

chapter

Chap.

xxv.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

on the nursing of an ulcer-patient

243

Ch. XIX.

(

)

should

be adopted and observed.

The

eight kinds of surgical operations have thus been

briefly described.

They

will

be dealt with later on in

the Chikitsitam.

Defective Surgical Operations:— These eight forms of operations of four

an

those arising from an

as

over performance, or from the slanting

or

or oblique deviation (of the

or from

be attended with dangers

kinds such

different

insufficient

may

of

act

knife

on

self- in jury

the

or

the

instrument), of

part

the

physician.

A physician the

(

surgeon ) making a wrong operation on

of his

body

patient

either

through the want of necessary out of greed,

fear,

mistake,

through

skill

or

nervousness or haste,

or

knowledge, or or

in

conse-

quence of being spurned or abused, should be condemned as the direct cause of

man v new and unforeseen maladies.

A

instinct of self-preservation,

patient, with

any

do well to keep aloof from such

who makes cautery,

a

wrong

or

and should shun

his presence just as

what

is

surgical

necessary

,

of the

he would

fatal poison.

the other hand, a surgical

excess, (or a

from one

injudicious application

shun a conflagration or a cup of

On

a phvsician, or

would

operation,

carried

to

instrument inserted deeper than is

attended

with

the

danger of

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

244

cutting or destroying

any

of the

vital part

a vein,

an ignorant surgeon brings

surgical in

about,

or

bone, joint,

ligament,

"A

body.

XXV.

Chap.

L

by

operation

most

the

cases,

instantaneous death of the patient, or consigns him to the pangs of a life-long death.

The symptoms which generally manifest themselves connection with the injudicious hurting of any of the

in

five vital parts

or

principles

of the

body (such

the

as

joints, bones, veins, ligaments, etc.) are vertigo, delirium,

loss of state),

bodily

functions,

incapacity

semi-insensibility

of supporting

oneself,

(

comatose of

cessation

mental functions, heat, fainting, looseness of the limbs, difficult respiration,

excruciating pain or pain peculiar to

the deranged Vayu, secretion of blood or a thin watery secretion like the

washings of meat from the injured

part, or the organ, with

the senses.

A

coma

vein* tShira) any

or inoperativeness

way

of

all

severed or injured

is

attended with a copious flow (haemorrhage) of deep red blood, resembling the hue of the cochineal

the ulcer all

its

;

and the deranged

local

essential characteristics,

Vayu

insect,

from

readily exhibits

and ushers

in

diseases

which have been enumerated under that head

in

the

chapter on the description of blood.) Similarly, an injured ligament gives rise to a crooked-

ness or bending *

of,

as well as to a

Other than the one situated

the body.

in

gone feeling

any of the abovesaid

vital

in

the

parts

of

J

xxv.

Chap.

SUTRAS'! HA' NAM.

]

injured limb or organ,

attended with pain and loss of

and the incidental

function,

2 ,.

long time

takes a

ulcer

to heal.

An abnormal

increase in the local swelling, together

with an excruciating pain,

loss of

strength, breaking

the joints, and in-operativeness

pain

in

part,

mark the wounding

joint.

Similarly, in the

of a

case

of the affected

flexible or

immovable

where a bone

is

injured in the course of a surgical operation, the

tormented

is

and

night,

with

indescribable

no comfort

finds

hurt or patient

and

day

pain,

any position what-

in

soever.

Pain and swelling specifically mark the affected

locality,

and

the

list

A

thirst

and inertness of the limbs add to

of his sufferings.

case of

arterial

any injured Sira-Marma

combination or plexus

symptoms which

characterise

vein, as previously described.

(an?esthesia\

(

venal or

vital

exhibits

same

the

the hurting of a single

Loss of actual perception

and a yellowish colour of the skin mark

the case where

the injury

is

confined to

the vital

principle of the flesh.

A

patient,

hurry to

end

who his

is

discreet,

who

can

is

not in a

special

earthly sojourn, would do well

shun the presence of a not

and

even

bungling,

keep

course of a surgical operation,

unskilful

himself

unhurt

to

surgeon, in

the

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

24 6

The

evils,

XXV.

LChap.

which attend the oblique insertion of a

surgical instrument,

have been described before

accordingly care should be taken not to leave any

occurence of those

for the

evils

and

;

room

connection with a

in

surgical operation.

The and

patient,

who may

mistrust his

relations, should repose

physician, and put his

own

the least apprehension

own

parents, sons

an implicit faith

life

into his

of danger

;

in his

hands without

hence a physician

should protect his patient as his

own

surgical case

single incision,

may

to a

yield

require two, three, four or effect a cure.

begotten child.

live in

or

By doing good

to

humanity with

good and the wise

A

may

more than that number

fessional skill, a physician achieves glory,

plaudits of the

own

to

his pro-

and acquires the

in this life,

and

shall

Paradise in the next.

Thus ends

the twenty-fifth Chapter of the Sulraslhanam in the Sushruta

Samhita which

tieats of the eight

forms of Surgical operations.

CHAPTER Now we

shall discourse

XXVI.

on the Chapter which treats

of the exploration of splinters lost or deep-seated in the

(Pranashta-Shalya-Vijna niya /

,

organism

madhyayam). Definition

:

— The

term

is

Shalyam

derived

from the root "Shala" or Shvala" (to go swiftly) joined to the

Unadi

may be

"Yat." Shalyas

affix

two kinds according

divided into

they are extrinsic

as

Agantuka)

or idiopathic (Sharira) in their origin.

A Shalyam

usually serves to act

as an

impeding or

obstructing agent to the entire organism, and, hence, the science which deals with is

its

nature and

characteristics

An

idiopathic

hair, nail,

embolised

called the Shalya-Shastram (Surgery).

(Sharira) Shalyam

blood (Dhatus)*,

humours of the

may

etc.,

be either a

excrements (Mala), or deranged

body

(Dosha),

Shahyam should be regarded

body and

is

originated

as

while

an

one which

afflicts

of iron

and

and

bits

bone, stems of grass, scrapings of bamboo, etc.

specifically *

But an Agantuka

denotes an

the

from a source other than any

of the preceding ones, including particles

of horns,

extrinsic

article

(extrinsic)

of iron,

Shalyam

inasmuch

as

it

Embolism and Thrombosis have been included within Shalyam by

the Ayurvedic Pathologists.

'

|THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA'.

24 8

purpose of killing and

pre-eminently serves the

most

irresistible of

sharpness can

be imparted to the point of an

made

and since

of iron

from a distance, iron

it

article

can be easily discharged metal exclusively

the

is

the

is

any amount of

Since

metals.

all

Chap xxvi.

I

chosen

in the construction of darts or arrows.

Classification of Shafts :— Arrows (Shara) may

be divided into two classes according as they are

feathered or unfeathered

and

;

or are

made

barbs

of trees, leaves,

constructed in the shape fruits,

their

to resemble the

are

usually or

flowers,

mouths of

and

birds

wild and ferocious animals.

Flights Of arrows: — The tions of an arrow (Shalyam) different kinds, such as the

may

direc-

or

flights

be divided

into five

upward, the downward, the

backward (coming from the back), the oblique and the Either through

straight.

its

diminished

momentum,

through any external resistance, an arrow

down and

penetrate

the skin,

into

internal channel of the body, or into cavity, causing a

of

its

wound

may

arteries,

or

drop

or

any bone or

any its

or an ulcer (Vrana) at the spot

penetration.

Symptoms — Now hear me describe the symp:

toms which are exhibited

wound *

An

(Shalya*-Vrana).

in

connection with an

These

arrow or an iron barb, from "Shala"

symptoms to kill.

arrow-

may

be

Chap.

XXVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

249

grouped under two sub-heads, such as the the

The

general.

follows

:

— The

ulcer,

swelling and presents

which a

raised

The

as

and

marked by pain

is

a water bubble, assumes a dark soft to the touch.

are

characteristics

general

and

specific

bloated aspect like

or

brown hue and appears

seat of the ulcer

seen

is

be

to

studded over with pustular eruptions and a constant bleeding sets in from

its inside.

which mark a Shalyam lodged

The

in the skin, are the hard-

ness and extended character of the

the darkness (discolouring of ")

local

the swelling increases in

ulcer refuses to be

by a

terised

healed and cannot bear the least

and

sucking

with

fibres

of

The

According

unquenchable

$2

together with

where the

ligament. *

An

arrow-lodged vein.

case

exception

according to

Similarly, the

aching and swelling of a vein mark a case

distension,

a

charac-

where the arrow

(Shalyam) has penetrated into a muscle.

its

is

the

pain (thirst

others), manifest themselves in a case

of

in the

sort of sucking pain.*

of swelling

of an

lodged

and the incidental

size

the preceding symptoms,

All

is

Suppuration sets in and the ulcer

pressure.

and

swelling

its skin.

In a case where the arrow Shalyam) flesh,

symptoms,

specific

shaft

upheaval and swelling

intense pain

characterise

(Shalyam) has lodged

in

internal passages or channels (Srota)

to certain authorities thirst.

the patient

is

a of

tormented with a sort

THE SUSHRUT.A

250

become

the body are choked up and

the shaft

SAMHITA'.

lodged in any one

is

[

Chap,

when

inoperative,

A

of them.

xxvi,

flow of red

and frothy blood with a gurgling sound, accompanied

by

when

arrow

the

where the of

appearance

sets in

lodged in an artery (Dhamani).

is

pain and swelling of diverse kinds

Similarly,

case

and aching of the limbs,

nausea,

thirst,

shaft

goose

embedded

is

flesh

on

the

mark a

The

a bone.

in

skin,

a

stuffed

and

sensation inside the cavity of the affected bone, a violent piercing shaft

has

bone.

A

as

mark

bone-ache,

a case where the

found a lodgment inside the cavity of a the same

pierced joint exhibits

described

connection

in

with

an

arrow-lodged

bone, with the exception that the patient of

flexing

case

and expanding the

where the

shaft

affected

(Shalyam) has

symptoms

is

incapable In a

joint.

lodged

the

in

abdomen Koshtha), the bowels becoms constipated the abdomen becomes distended with a rumbling in the in»

;

testines

and the suppression of

ingested food matter, as

found to ooze out of the

Symptoms,

similar

to

themselves

when

vital

(Marmas">

parts

symptoms ficial

well

flatus

and urine

urine and

as

fissure or

mouth

;

feces

of the

and are

ulcer.

those above described, manifest

the arrow of

is

the

lodged in any of the body.

The preceding

are but faintly exhibited in a case of super-

penetration.

An

ulcer incidental to the penetration

of an

arrow

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XXVI.]

251

(Shalyam), along the direction of the local hair, in* the throat, in

the

any internal channel of the body, or

skin, or

not in any

affected

way

may

it

break open and become painful afresh

(Shalyam) embedded

by applying a

:

— The exact position

in the skin

plaster

oil,

heat to

its

The

part (limb)

of a

over the injured limb

should be duly lubricated

and diaphorised (by fomenting or applying surface)

part which would be

(Samrambha)

before

the plaster

is

applied.

after

marked by such

common

is

that

an alterna-

x\s

application.

clay and sandal paste.

(Shalyam)

in

The

pain, redness, or swelling

the affected part should be plastered with

butter,

shaft

clay, Masha-pulse,

shaft (Shalyam) should be considered as lodged

shaft

the

if

should be ascertained

composed of

Godhuma and cow-dung

part.

tive,

;

exercise.

Localisation

with

by the action of the deranged

speedily and spontaneously heal

may

blow or physical

or

and

humours become deranged and aggravated by a

bodily

Yava,

a vein,

a muscle, or into a cavity of the bone,

bodily humours,

but

in

clarified

The embedded

then exactly located at the spot

where, owing to the heat of the affected part, the clarified butter,

or

earth,

or

sandal

paste

would be

found to have melted, or dried up. Similarly, the *

So

locality,

mode

as not to obstruct the

of localising a shaft

coursing

of the

blood

or

(Shalyam), serum

in

the

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

252

embedded

in the flesh is as follows

:

[Chap. XXVI.

— First, the

patient

should be duly lubricated and diaphorised with mediagents suited to the requirements of his

cinal

case.

Then, the part or the limb having been thus reduced with depletive measures, the shaft would be found to

have been dislodged from

its

seat

and to be moving

about (within the deeper tissues of the affected giving rise to pain, redness and swelling.

exact location

the

part),

In such a case

of the shaft should be fixed at the

and swelling,

spot where the pain

would occur.

etc.

The same measures should be adopted in the shaft (Shalyam) which lies embedded in the

case of a cavity of

abdomen (Kostha),

or in a bone, or joint, or muscle

In

Shalyam lodged

the

artery, in a

the

case

of a

any external channel

in

in a vein, in

(Srota) of the body, or

ligament, the patient should be

made

to

carriage with a broken or lopped off wheel

up and down swelling,

that

etc.

part

in

it

ride

in

a

and dragged

The

on an undulating road

pain and

would occur

at

where the shaft (Shalyam"

is

incidental to the jolting,

of his body,

an

embedded. In

the

case

of

a

shaft

Shalyam)

bone, the affected bone should diaphorised with it

and heat

be

in

lodged

lubricated

a

and

respectively,

after

which

should be firmly pressed and bound up.

The

seat of

oil

the pain or swelling, caused

mark the exact

locality

by such a procedure, would

of

the

embedded Shalyam.

Chap.

XXVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

253

Similarly, in the case of a shaft (Shalyam) lodged joint,

the same

in

a

lubricating, diaphorising, compressing,

and expanding measures should be adopted, and the painful swelling caused thereby

No

locality.

definite

method can be exact

regards ascertaining the in

lodged

any of the

would indicate

of a

of ulcers,

such

as,

the body

the

skin,

as

Shalyam (Marma),

inasmuch as they are co-existing with (the eight locations

exact

down

laid

location

vital parts of

its

the

different flesh,

the

bone, etc.)*

General rule :— A at

occurring

swelling,

painful

any part of the body and incidental to such physical natural

or

endeavours of the patient, as riding on an

elephant or on horse-back, climbing a steep ing of a

bow, gymnastic

walking, leaping,

of

swimming, high-jumping,

Pranayama

bend-

exercises, running, wrestling,

coughing, singing, expectorating, practising

hill,

yawning, laughing,

eructating,

(regulating the breath prelimi-

nary to the practice of Yoga), or an emission of semen, urine or flatus,

or

defecation,

the exact location of the

Authoritative ject

:

— The

part

would

embedded

clearly

shaft (Shalyam).

Verses on the Sub-

of the

body, which

is

marked by

pain and swelling, or which seems heavy and *

indicate

is

marked

Accordingly measures enjoined to be adopted in connection with a (Shalyam) lodged in any one of them should be applied mutatis mutandis to cases in which these Marmas would be found to be similarly

shaft

affected.

2

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

54

anaesthesia, or the part

by complete

[Chap.

XXVI.

which the patient

repeatedly handles, or constantly presses with his

own

hand, or which exudes any sort of secretion, and

marked by

a

withdraws from, or constantly

involuntarily (an

against

which he

or

of excruciating pain,

sort

imaginary

regarded as clearly

guards

should be

contact),

painful

is

of the exact location of

indicative

embedded Shalyam.

the

A

physician, having tested with a probe

of the incidental ulcer or the locality,

and found

of

interior

to be characterised

it

symptoms and

treatment,

and

swelling, after a

after

having been

healthy look and the softness of

little

pain

or

unfavour-

course

of proper

satisfied as

its

cavity

the affected

by

and absence of any aching discomfort able

the

to

its

margin, and after

having ascertained that any remnant of the embedded

arrow can not be perceived with the end of the director

by moving

it

to

any embedded

and

fro,

should pronounce

foreign matter (Shalyam),

be further confirmed by the

full

flexion

free

it

from

which would

and expansion

of the affected limb or organ.

A

particle of soft

lodged bits

in

bone, horn

or

iron,

in

the body, assumes an arched shape

of wood,

grass-stems,

or

chips

;

r an} wise

whereas

of bamboo-bark,

under the same circumstances, putrify the blood and the local flesh, of

1

odgment.

if

not speedily extracted from their seats

Bits of gold, silver, copper, brass, zinc, or

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap.

xxvi.

lead,

anyhow

]

inserted into a

255

human organism,

are soon

melted by the heat of the Pittam and are assimilated

and transformed into the fundamental principles of the Metals or substances of kindred softness, and

body.

which are

melted and become amal-

natural])' cold, are

gamated, under such circumstances, with the elements of the organism.

A

hair,

or

a particle

wood, stone, bamboo scraping, in the

lodged

body

as

a

or clay,

of hard

bone,

which remains

Shalyam, does not melt, nor

undergo any change or deterioration.

The

physician,

who

is

fully

five different courses or flightsof

conversant with the

an arrow

Shalyam),

whether feathered or unfeathered, and has minutely observed

ment in

the

in

and studied the symptoms due to

its

lodg-

any of the eight different seats of ulcers (Vrana)

human organism such

as,

the skin,

etc.),

is

alone

worthy of attending on kings and nobles. Thus ends

the

twenty-sixth

Chapter of the

SutrastMnam

Sushruta Samhit£ which treats of exploration of splinters.

in

the

CHAPTER XXVII. Now we

modes of

deals with the

on the

discourse

shall

extracting splinters

pa n iya- mad hy aryam)

We

loose

A

Shalyas.

or firmly fixed to

shall presently

(Shalya'-

.

There are two kinds of either

which

Chapter

speak of the

its

is

Shalya

seat within the body.

modes

different

fifteen

of extracting a loose Shalyam, which are as follows, viz.

Extraction by natural expulsive functions

of the

:

body

Svabhaba), by suppuration or putrefication (Pachanam),

by excising (Bhedanam), by bursting pressing Pidanam), by rubbing ing with the

(Virechanam) by

the

time

r

by the

emetics (Yamanam), by an

the

Pramarjanam \ b3 blow-

mouth of medicinal powders

ed part (Nirdhmapanam),

with

Daranam), by

fingers

washing

administration

exhibition

of

Prakshalanam

(Pratimarsha),

of defecation

into the affect-

by

,

purgatives

by

straining

(Pravahanam),

of

by

friction

as

at

sucking

(Achushanam), by applying a magnet (Ayaskanta) and

by exhilarating Harsham). I

An embedded from the eyes, eructation,

etc,

matter

is

usually

expelled

by inducing lachrymation, sneezing,

coughing,

the emission of

A

foreign

micturition,

defalcation,

and

flatus.

Shalyam, or any other foreign matter which has

SUTRASTH/VNAM.

Chap. XXVII.-,

penetrated

the

into

deeper tissues of

extracted by setting up

The

locality.

causing

The should

seat

be

the

in

suppuration

should be affected

fixture of the

weight of the secreted pus and blood

to drop

it

flesh,

would loosen the

putrid flesh

Shalyam, the

2 57

or

down. the

by an

opened

of a

locality

incision

fixed

Shalyam event of

the

in

not being ejected even after the establishment of

its

the local suppuration.

even

after

the

pressed with

If

the

incision,

the

its

surface.

A

particle

endued with

should

pressure,

of

should be

part

medicines,

come out

to

fails

affected

or

fingers,

the virtue of exerting

over

the Shalyam

any

be

applied

fine

matter,

the eye, should be removed

accidentally dropped into

with sprays of cold water, or by blowing into the mouth, or by rubbing

A

residue

any food

of

with

it

with hair or the fingers.

it

food or mucous, a remnant

of digested

matter (Ah^rashesha)

misdirected

into

the nostrils, or any small splinter loosely pricking thereto (

Anu-shalyam), should be expelled by breathing hard,

or or

by coughing upward through the

by blowing through

acting as an

the

stomach

the

obstructing

of the throat,

or

33

Shalyam should

fingers

against the

while such a morsel brought

A

nose.

(Am^shaya),

rubbing (Pratimarsha) the

nostrils

down

in

the

be

cavity

ejected

against

region

(Utk^sha),

morsel of food,

the

of

by

lining

of the epiglottis,

into

the intestines,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHTTA.

258

evacuated

be

should

by

[Chap. XXVII.

administering

purgatives

(Virechanam).

The pus

or

any other morbid matter found within

removed by washing

the cavity of an ulcer should be

while

it,

or

incarcerated

Any in

scybala

urine, or obstructed foetus, should be borne

retained

down and

obstructed

or

flatus,

means of

expelled by

straining.

deranged Vayu or watery secretion incarcerated as well

the body,

of

any part

as poisoned blood

sucked

or vitiated breast-milk, should be

with the

off

mouth, or with a horn.

A a

loose,

unbarbed arrow, lodged

broad mouth and lying

A

driven

shaft of grief,

into

wound with

a

Anuloma

withdrawn by applying a

should be end.

an

in

in

direction,

magnet to

the

heart

its

by any

of the multifarious emotional causes, should be removed

by

exhilaration

A

shaft

and merry-making.

be withdrawn from

ways known

Anuloma a

way

A spot

is

as

the

two

Anuloma and Pratiloma.

The

than

place

in

either

withdrawing a Shalyam through that

of

its

penetration, while the

called the Pratiloma.

Shalyam lodged of

may

of the

its

consists in

other

contrary

whether large or small,

(Shalyam),

its

in

penetration

extracted through the

a

place lying

(Arvacheenam)

way by which

it

to

the

should

be

close

has

entered

Chap. XXVii.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

On

(Pratiloma).

piercing deep

the other hand, a

into

coming out by the other be drawn out through

side a

or

shaft

of the

any part

259 Shalyam, not

but

body,

(Par^cheenam), should other

way

than that of

its

penetration (Anuloma).

A

deep into any part of the body

shaft, piercing

to reach

the other side

so

as

or

part,

to

the diminution

but not cutting out of

its

in

remaining protruded

clean through

original

the

wounded limb

of the

owing

it

momentum),

heaved up

flesh,

and

should

be extracted through a channel other than that by

which

has originally penetrated (Anuloma), and by

it

stirring

or

striking

it

with the hand

or

a

hammer.

The heaved up flesh should be opened with an incision, when found possible of being so opened, and the embedded Shalyam should be drawn out by striking it with the hand as laid down before.

A

Shalyam, lodged

in

any

soft part of the

chest, arm-pits, inguinal regions or

ribs,

stirring or

abdomen,

should not be

cut open or struck with hammer," but should be tried to

be removed with

the hands through the

way

of

its

penetration Pratiloma), in failure whereof the Shalyam

should be extracted with surgical or

any other

appliances

(Shastra)

surgical instruments (Yantras).

Authoritative Verse on the Subject — A patient, fainting away (during the course :

of such

a

surgical

operation),

should be enlivened by

THR SU3HRUTA SAMHITA.

2 6o

dashing cold water over his face.

with

many

ing diet his

a hopeful

such

vital parts

should be given him, and

etc.

should be protected.

Then having

wound

should be solaced

and cheering word, and a nourish-

milk,

as,

He

extracted the Shalyam,

or ulcer, the blood having

surface in the event of

its

be so treated

the

incidental

been wiped

be fomented with heat or by applying butter to

[Chap. XXVII.

it

of,

warm

should

clarified

being found

devoid of pain and unattended

i.e.,

Cauterisation should be

further bleeding).

fit

to

with

resorted

to

where the condition of the wound would indicate such a measure.

After that,

wound should be

the

plastered

(Pradeha, with honey and clarified butter, and bandaged

with a piece of clean linen diet

and directions as to the

;

and nursing of the patient should be given

(as

previously laid down).

A

Shalyam, lodged

should be extracted shaft (Shalyam),

vein or a

ligament

the

of a

in a

with

in

lodged

help

the

(Snayu),

probe.

The

body and lying buried

under the incidental swelling, should be extracted by firmly tying blades

A

of Kusha grass around

shaft (Shalyam,), lodged in a spot situated

close to the heart,

by which

it

should be

has entered

;

body.

anywhere

withdrawn by the way

and the patient should be

enlivened with sprays of cold operation.

its

water,

etc.

during the

Chap.

XXVII.

A

in

Shalyam, lodged

and that

and

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

any other part of the body

difficult to extract,

is

2 6l

and that produces pain

removed by cutting

local inflammation, should be

which

In the case of a shaft (Shalyam)

the part open.

has pierced into the cavity of a bone, the surgeon should

bone with

firmly press the affected

out the embedded shaft with it

with a surgical

man

strong

all

instrument,

should be asked to

the patient, and

his

his

and

legs,

pull

might by gripping failure

in

whereof a hold of

catch

firmly

Shalyam should be pulled out

the

with the help of a gripping surgical instrument as before.

As an

bottom of the shaft should

alternative, the

be tied to the string of a bow, strung and

down

;

and the Shalyam should be ejected with the

means of

a

full

As an

twang.

the

should be harnessed

in

Panch^ngi-vandhanam

(lit.

known

fashion

bound

a horse

alternative,

in

as

so

tied

to

the

whipped as to

the

embedded

ment by the

bridle.

raise

shaft

jerk

its

its

head

first,

head.

tied

to

the

preceding case.

bent

its

As an

of lodg-

seat

alternative,

end of the shaft as

The bough should be then

thus pulling out the shaft (Shalyam, with force.

be

thus pulling out

high and tough bough of a tree should be lowered

and

down

Then the horse should

Shalyam) from of

the

the five parts of the

body), and the end of the Shalyam should be bent

and

bent

fully

its

a

down

in

the

let loose,

rebounding

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

262

A

shaft (Shalyam), lodged in a

truded

[

cbap. XXVII.

bone and lying pro-

the heaved up local flesh (situated in a place

in

other than the inguinal regions, abdomen, or arm-pits,

should be stirred by striking

etc.),

an Asthila a round stone,

—a

it

on the head with

hammer

short

should be taken out by the

The

way

of

its

penetration.

feather of a barbed shaft, lying

bone situated

a

part

of

the

embedded

is

not

calculated

special discomfort, should be

any

a

in

organism where the

matter

of such a foreign

existence to create

at

according

hammer, and

to certain authorities), or with a stone or

by putting pressure on the heaved up

first

crushed

or protruded

flesh,

and the shaft then should be gently pulled out

of

seat of lodgment.

its

In

the

case of a bit

of shellac

being accidentally

pricked into the pharynx, a metal tube inserted

into

through

its

inside.

down

The

to the

shellac,

obstructing shellac

thus melted by the

heat of the inserted rod, would naturally stick it,

first

and then a heated metallic

the passage,

rod should be reached

should be

fast

to

which should be then condensed by an injection of

cold water poured

down through

the aforesaid tube

;

the rod should be withdrawn thus carrying

after

that

away

the melted shellac at

its

end.

According to certain authorities, any other obstructing

foreign

matter accidentally

introduced into the

pharynx should be withdrawn with the help of

a

rod,

Chap. XXVII.

soaked

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

263

melted wax or shellac, and then inserted into

in

that passage,

all

other procedure being the same as

in

the preceding instance. In the case of a bone of

fish

throat,

bundle of

should be

Then

quantity

some kind and the

of emetic

string

should be pulled

obstructing bone

end of a

soft

or

the

the

or

down

stomach.

in his of

any

into his

After that

should be given to the patient,

bundle of hair would be

come out with

his

fill

string

of water,

other liquid substance, should be poured entirely

in

of thread,

string

other end of the

a copious

throat, so as to

fast

gullet of the patient, the

the

into

holding the

physician

hand.

inserted

to a

hair, tied

the bone

as

(such

having accidentally stuck

etc.)

a

Shalyam

felt

to

out

as

soon as the

have struck below the

Shalyam, which would naturally

As an

pull.

twig, as

is

alternative,

the top

generally used in cleansing

the teeth, should be bruised into the

shape of a brush, and the thorn or the Shalyam should be removed with its

help.

The

incidental

making the patient butter

lick

wound should be a

compound

treated

of

by

clarified

and honey, or of the powders of the TriphaU,

saturated with honey and sugar.

The body

of the patient should be pressed or rubbed,

or he should be whirled round

ly

by the

ankles, or general-

measures, calculated to induce vomiting, should be

adopted

in

a

case

where he would be found to have

THE SUSHRUTA

264

SAMHITA'.

swallowed a stomachful of water

As an

ing).

[

Chap. XXVII.

(as in a case of

drown-

alternative, he should be buried under

the

ashes up to his chin.

Strong wine should be given

the patient,

to

or

he

should be slapped on the shoulders, so as to cause him to suddenly start in a case

where a morsel

be found to have obstructed and stuck

A

of food

would

fast in his gullet.

tight gripe about the throat of a person with a creeper,

rope or the arm of an antagonist, tends to enrage the local

(Kapham), which

loss of

The remedy

consciousness.

cases consists in lubricating and diaphorising

of the

patient with

strong

errhines

and heat, and

which

is

the

in

such

in

the

body

administering

and the

juice

or

possessed of the virtue

of

(Shiro-Virechanam),

of meat

extract

oil

of

cavity

foaming at the

producing salivation,

passage (Srota)

mouth and

the

obstructs

subduing the deranged Vayu.

Authoritative Verses on the Subject: — An

intelligent

Shalyam with due regard adaptability

of the

should

physician to

its

shafts

his

own

(Shalyas)

a

shape, location and the

types of surgical instru-

different

A

ments to the case under treatment. exercise

remove

discretion

in

physician should

extracting feathered

from their seats of lodgment, as well

as those that are difficult of extraction.

A physician

is

at

liberty

and wisdom, and to devise

to exercise

his

own

his

original

own

skill

means

for

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap.

XXVII.

the

extraction

surgical

]

Shalyam with the help

of a

when

instruments

would prove abortive. the bod}'' and

left in

265

its

A

of

abovesaid measures

the

Shalyam, not removed from

place

of lodgment,

brings

swelling, suppuration, mortification of the affected

and a

sort

of excruciating pain,

lead to death. to extract a

Hence

and

may

its

part,

no pain

seat of lodgment.

Thus ends the twenty-seventh Chapter of

the

Sutraslhanain

Sushruta Samhita, which treats of extraction of Shalyam.

34

on

ultimately

a physician should spare

Shalyam from

any

in

the

CHAPTER Now we

XXVIII.

on the Chapter, which deals

shall discourse

with the favourable or unfavourable prognosis of an ulcer. (

Viparitarviparita

madhyaryam

-Vrana- Vijnarniya-

).

Metrical Text :— Certain

fatal or

unfavourable

symptoms (Arishtas)* unmistakably presage the death of an ulcer-patient, as a flower, smoke and cloud respectively herald a

the ignorant

and

fruit, fire

In most cases,

rain.

cannot interpret aright these

toms owing to

fatal

symp-

their extremely subtile nature, or out of

ignorance or stupidity, or because such

are

symptoms

very closely followed by the death of the patient.

These

death in

of

of

blessings

serve

indications

fatal

a

patient,

animal

low desires or

men who

or death

;

* in the

organism of a

those

Arishtas.

man

at

Yoga and

precursors off

are

free

from

and

are

also

other religious

into the

time

.

humours

when they have passed beyond

and when the body serves

phenomena, awaiting

its

of

mystery of concocting

are developed by the deranged bodily

a

the

by

be averted with the help

(Rasayanam

The symptoms which

medical cure, for

may

are initiated

life-giving elixirs

who

propensities,

accustomed to practise the penances

sure

warded

unless

Brahmanas,

holy

as

as a

all

mere passive back-ground

impending dissolution, are called

Chap. XXVIII.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Man)'' such

but

bring

indications

on death

in

267

do not prove instantly

fatal

course of time, just as diseases,

supposed by some to be due to the influence of malignant planets, take time before they become patent out of their incubative stages. patient

is

An

attempt to cure a doomed

only repaid by failure and the ridicule of the

world, and hence an intelligent it

worth

and study these

his while to carefully observe

A

fatal indications.

contrariety

of the natural

colour, taste, (sensation, sound, touch, etc.)

indicates a near

An

and

fatal

make

physician should

smell,

of an

ulcer

termination of the disease.

ulcer emits a pungent, sharp, or fishy smell under

the respective influences of the deranged V£yu,

An

and Kapham. the vitiated

ulcer,

(Loha-gandhi),

while

concerted action

deranged by the action of

emits a smell

blood,

one,

of the

like

originated

deranged

that of iron

through

On

the

humours, emits a

smell characterised by the distinctive features of them.

Pittam

of each

the other hand, an ulcer, due to the joint

action (of the deranged Va3r u and 'Pittam), emits a smell like that

of fried

the deranged that

of linseed

paddy

;

one,

due to the action of

Vayu and Kapham, emits oil

;

a

smell like

whereas one, brought

about by

the action of the deranged Pittam and

Kapham, smells like sesamum oil. All those odours, marked by a somewhat fishy character, should be deemed the natural odours of ulcers, and any other smell should be held as a contrary or unnatural one.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

268

An or

ulcer

fragrant

flower,

emitting aloe

sandal, lotus or

Similarly, a smell like the

Jati

celestial flower

any

precursor of

one which character-

a dog, horse, mole, crow or a bug,

ises

XXV III.

clarified- butter,

(Aguru),

(Divyagandha), should be regarded as the death.

Chap.

a sweet smell like that of wine,

wood

Champaka,

[

or

like

the one

emitted by dry, putrid meat, or resembling the smell of earth or slime, should be

likewise

deemed unfavourable

or fatal in an ulcer.

A

physician should give up a case

though

it

where an

ulcer,

has assumed a blackish, saffron or Kankustha

colour (a sort of mountain of the aggravated Pittam,

earth) is

through the action

divested

sucking and drawing pain, which

is

of the peculiar

burning, to

that

morbiferous diathesis. Similarly, an ulcer, which, though

brought about through the action

Kapham, has become

of

the deranged

and whitish as natural

cold, hard

in

one of the Kaphaja type, should be given up as soon

as

it is

marked by a burning

pain.

Likewise an ulcer,

due to the action of the deranged V3yu, and characterised

by a blackish hue and a thin

secretion,

found to invade the

vital principles of

be abandoned by a

physician,

and which

is

the body, should

whenever found to be

entirely devoid of pain.

An

ulcer,

which makes a gurgling or groaning sound,

one which

or in g

sensation,

is

characterised

by an extreme burn-

oris confined to the skin and the

flesh,

Chap,

and

xxvin.

marked by the emission

is

report,

one,

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

i

have a

sure to

is

which

fatal

wind with a loud

termination.

by extreme

characterised

is

of

269

Likewise,

though

pain,

not otherwise seated about any of the vital parts of the

body, or which

cold on the surface, though attended

is

with an extremely burning sensation

shaped

an ulcer should be regarded as

like the

of barbed

barb

of a

or

spear),

dart

inside

its

deemed the precursor

vice versa, should be Similarly,

in

spear,

or

horse, or an elephant, or like a

or

like

a

of death. that

fatal,

Kunta

a

and

is

kind

(a

banner, chariot,

cow, an

ox,

a

temple,

or a palace.

A

wise physician, with any regard to his

tation,

own

repu-

should abandon a patient laid up with an ulcer

which appears to have been dusted over with a pulverised crust, or

companied by respiration

who

of

has been suffering from one ac-

and strength, cough,

loss of flesh

and

sort

aversion

to food.

An

ulcer,

difficult

which

occurring at any of the vital parts of the body secretes a copious quantity of pus and blood, and

refuses

to

be healed even after a course of proper and persistent medical treatment, Thus ends Sushruta

the

is

twenty-eighth

Samhita, which

prognosis of ulcers.

sure to have a fatal termination.

deals

Chapter of with

the

the

Sutrasthanam

favourable and

in

the

unfavourable

CHAPTER XXIX. Now we treats

shall

favourable

of

diseases, as

on

discourse

unfavourable

or

known from

which

the Chapter,

prognosis

in

omens and dreams

messengers,

(Viparitarviparita-Duta-Shakuna-

etc.

Svapna- Nidarshaniya-madhyaryam). Metrical Texts :— The able termination

of a

disease

the appearance, speech,

messenger sent to

and demeanour of the

a physician,

in

nature of the asterism and the

time of his

the

arrival,

wind (Anila) blowing

be predicted from

may

dress

call

favourable or unfavour-

or

lunar phase

from the

marking

from the direction of the

at the time,

or

from the nature

omens (Shakuna) seen by him on the

of

or

road, or from

the posture, temperament or speech of the physician himself.

A

messenger belonging to the same caste as the should be regarded as an

patient*

auspicious

omen,

whereas one from a different caste would indicate a fatal or

A

an unfavourable termination of the disease.

eunuch, a husband of

many

wives, a messenger

A Pashanda messenger should be despatched to call in a physician where a member of the same community would fall ill ; a householder, *

in the case of

of a

a patient of the same social order

Brahmana

patient,

and so on

would be looked upon as an

evil

;

omen.

;

a Brahmana, in

while an infringement

the case

of the rule

Chap.

XXIX.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

tft

sent on a different errand and incidentally physician's house, or one or

messengers

in carts, or

who

who come

on foot

a

has quarrelled on the road,

riding

on camels, donkeys or

one unbroken

in

at

calling

should be

line,

looked upon as inauspicious messengers. messengers,

Similarly,

who

holding in their hands a

physician,

any other weapon,

or

who come

house of a

at the

call

dressed in

black

yellow, wet, dirty or torn garments, or with

placed or arranged on

sheets

their

or

club,

rope,

;

red,

the upper shoulders

right

(Apasavya), or clad in single cloths without such upper

who

sheets on, as well as those, tional or smaller

number of limbs,

whose bodies are

agitated, or

are

in

such, as look fierce and haughty,

and harsh tone, or

possessed

of addi-

or look disturbed

and

any way mutilated or speak in a rough

or

any term implying death,

utter

should be regarded as augurs of

evil.

Likewise, a messenger, tearing off a blade of grass or a chip

wood with

of

his

fingers, or

handling the

of his nose or the nipples of his

breast, or

ends of his cloth or

the

hand, or brushing his

with his fingers

in

or

hair,

nails

his

and

ears

or

ring-finger hair,

tip

pulling the

or

nostrils,

or

of his

standing waiting

with his hands placed on his cheeks, chest or head, or

about the

one,

who

with

bits of

regions

of

the

arm-pits,

as

well

as

has arrived at the house of the physician

human

skull or stone, or

with ashes, bones,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMH1TA.

272

paddy husks or charcoal one,

who

wantonly breaks at

the

A

house,

evil

messenger,

Chap.

XXIX.

hands,

or

with his toe-nails, or

stones or brickbats,

physician's

messenger of

of his

the palms

the earth

into

digs

in

[

while waiting

should be

regarded as

a

augury.

who

at the time of visiting a physician

for his professional help

comes smeared with

oil,

or with

red sandal paste or mud, and carries a red garland or a ripe but sapless fruit, or in his

like

nature

hand, or brushes together the nails of his fingers

with the hand,

or touches his legs in his

any other thing of

hand, or

who

or

carries

appears to have been suffering from

who

a foul or loathsome disease, further one, heavily, or

a shoe

weeps or behaves

breathes

contrarily, or stands with

the palms of his hands united and

his

face

turned

to-

waids the south, or waits on one leg on an uneven

ground with the other raised and placed on a higher support, should

be looked upon as the precursor of

evil.

A

messenger,

while he state

is

facing the

of the

killing

reporting south,

errand to the physician

his

or

body, or engaged

an animal, or

is

remaining

found to be lying on the bare

who

is

in

an unclean

in kindling a fire or in

in

a nude state, or

floor of his

chamber, or

performing an afiection after attending to a nature, sitting

or

anointing himself with

with his hair dishevelled, or

oil,

is

call

of

or perspiring, or

in a state of

mental

[Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

xxix.

perturbation,

to be looked

2

upon as a messenger

-]

\

fore-

evil.

boding

A

is

-

messenger, seeking the interview of a physician

while he

is

engaged

in offering oblations to his

who

manes, or to the gods, or one

morning or

or at midnight, at

calls

departed

on him at noon the

at evening, or during

happening of any abnormal physical phenomenon, or at an hour under the

influence

asterisms (lunar mansions),

the Maghd, the Mula, the

viz.

of

any of the following

the Ardra,

the

Ashlesa,

two Purvas, and the Bharani,

on the day of the fourth, ninth, or the sixth phase

or

of the

moon (whether on

as well as

on the

the

wane

or on the increase),

days of months and fortnights,

last

should be considered as a messenger of evil augury.

A

hot and perspiring from being seated

messenger,

near a blazing

fire,

and

calling

upon a physician

midday, should be deemed as an the

i)i

case

of

a

Pittaja

inauspicious

distemper

;

in the

one

whereas

a

messenger of similar description should be looked upon as foreboding

the favourable termination of a disease,

if

due to the action of the deranged Kapham. The favourable character of a messenger should be likewise

mined

in diseases originated

deranged Vayu,* *

rain

A or

etc.

;

through the action of the

and an

intelligent

physician

is

messenger, visiting a physician in ihe afternoon or during a heavy storm, or al a time when the vital wind is naturally disturbed and

agitated, indicates an unfavourable prognosis.

35

deter-

THE StJSHROTA SAMHITA.

274

at liberty to exercise his

the omen.

own

[Chap. xxix.

discretion in

determining

Similarly in a case of haemoptysis, dysentery

any morbid discharge from the urethra (Prameha^,

or

the

first

interview between a messenger and a physician

near a reservoir of water

A

an omen of happy augury.

is

learned physician shall thus determine the

character

of

a

in

messenger

ominous

with other

connection

diseases as well.

Messengers of happy augury :— A and handsome messenger, who garments, and belongs to

the

is

and white

clad in clean

same

caste

fair

or spiritual

clan (Svagotrai as the patient himself, forebodes the successful termination of the disease (for

aid

is

needed).

on foot or intelligent,

in

A messenger, calling a

bullock cart,

capable

on a physician either

and who

is

original in his thoughts

and

ideas,

articles

and

is

independent and

carries

first

ornaments,

about his person,

capable of rendering the best services

with the calling

contented,

of acting according to the rules of

decorum, time and circumstances, and

and other auspicious

which the medical

in of a physician.

time, interviewing a physician,

A

in

is

alone

connection

messenger, for the

when

the latter

complacently seated with his face towards the

east,

is

and

on a clean and even ground, should be regarded as a messenger of happy augury.

Raw a

meat, a pitcher

Bramhana, an elephant,

full

of water,

a cow, an ox

an umbrella,

and an

article

XXIX.

Chap.

SUTKASTHANAM.

]

of a white colour, should be

on

a physician

his

decorated virgin,

fish,

calf,

unripe

shaped religious insignia), vessel

a

a

horse,

of

blowings

Svastika (a cross a

gems, flowers (according king), a blazing

swan, a peacock, a bird of the Chasha

conch-shells,

verses,

notes

wheels, roar of lions,

chariot

A

sweetmeat, curd, gold,

rice,

chantings of Vedic

species,

a

fruits,

by

pitcher of water, a

a small

commentators a well disposed

to certain fire,

of sun-dried

full

auspicious sights

to the house of a patient.

way

mother, a cow with her

deemed

2 j^

of thunder,

claps

of lutes,

lowings

sounds of

of cows and

bullocks, neighings of horses, trumpeting of elephants,

of geese,

cacklings

hootings of owls, and the pleasant

conversation of persons going to the

palace of a king,

should be regarded as lucky sights and sounds by a physician on his

way

(to

the house of a patient).

harmonious melodies of birds chirping

Similarly,

on the boughs of healthy Kshira the weight of

dowry of

fruit,

beautiful

birds perched

trees,

bent

and looking gladsome with blossoms and

foliage,

under their

or notes of

on the terraces of palace towers or on

the tops of banner poles singing melodiously, or birds following the messenger

seated from following as sights

A

with their songs or singing

the auspicious quarters of the heavens, or

him on

his

left,

should be equally regarded

and notes of happy foreboding.

bird,

seated on the withered trunk of a blighted

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

276

or thunder-blasted tree, or on

over with creepers, or on ordure

or

harsh

a

in

on

or

dried

with

voice

deemed

Similarly, birds,

quarter of

which are possessed of names of

omens

by a physician on

to

left

a patient, while birds, on

names have feminine by him on the

and so

is

A

left.

a

way

similar

hare, is

seen on

house of

occasion,

are auspicious

endings,

A

if

the

dog or a left,

jackal,

a

is

if

whose if

seen

seen run-

happy

a mongoose or a Chasha bird

of the road,

the

right.

his

from the right to the

ning"

the

as portending evil.

masculine terminations are happy the

skeletons,

head turned

its

towards the blazing or inauspicious sky, should be

amidst

or

ashes or stones,

XXIX.

covered

knoll

a thorny

husks of grain,

and singing

Chap.

I

omen,

seen on the

a serpent, or an owl, seen on either side

an

inauspicious

The

sight.

sight

and

sound of a Godha or a Krikal£sha an animal of

of the lizard species) are both inauspicious. If

a man, other than

a

messenger of inauspicious

character but possessed of features

alike

should happen to cross the

of a physician, just

on a professional

starting

indicative

way

call,

he should be regarded

The

of evil.

as

equallv

full

of Kulutha pulse, or of husks

ashes,

clay

or

charcoal,

or of

Similarly, the sight of a vessel or

with

unfavourable,

of grain, or of stone, oil,

filled

wine other than which

of a vessel

sight

is

is

inauspicious.

with red mustard clear

and mild

Chap.

XXIX.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

deemed

be

should

(Prasanna)

277

omen

an

of

evil

augury.

withered tree or Pal^sha branch,

A

or of a

the sight of a parched corpse,

Similarly,

a

meeting

physician,

member

is

equally inauspicious.

of any

of the vile or

degraded castes or a blind or indigent person, or inimically

disposed towards him, should

a

man

consider the

character of the disease to be unfavourable.

A

cool and

gentle,

breeze,

fragrant

blowing from

the direction of his destination, should

be regarded as

an auspicious omen

A

is

and

hot, dry,

is

by

a

physician.

charged with the

of putrid matter, and which of his

omen

starting

point,

wind, which exalations

fetid

blows from the direction

should be

as

regarded

an

evil

.

The word

"cut," used

by another and

accidentally

heard by a physician fon his way) to the bed-side of a patient laid

up with Granthi (aneurism)

(tumour), should be regarded as a

Arvuda

or

good omen

;

while the

term "open", heard under similar circumstances and connection with a case of Vidradhi (abscess),

(abdominal gland\ or as

U dara

"stopped"

is

hasmoptysis.

commended

in

Thus

physician

the

a

Similarly, the term

case

of dysentery

should

the auguries according to the nature of each case.

Gulma

should be regarded

(ascites),

an equally auspicious portent.

or

in

or

interpret

individual

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

278

A

curse, imprecation, or wailing

like

[Chap.

"woe

to

as well as sobs, groans, reports of defecation or

brayings of an

ing, the

an

a camel, a

obstacle

physician, or

of

falling

any

ass,

or

of

the path

of

in

breakage, collapse, or the

or dejected spirit of the physician

able cause, should

vomit-

from a cupboard, and a

article

me",

frightened sound

impediment

sudden

a

the

XXIX

sad

without any assign-

be regarded as

evil

omens

at

the

time of his starting.

These omens should be observed or attended to at the time

or

at

of

first

entering

the threshold

ment.

The

within

or

the physician has once

the house its

commenced

sight of a knot of torn

of a

patient,

walls, but not after

the medical treathairs,

ashes, bones,

wood, stone, husks of grain, cotton, thorns, a bedstead with

its

legs upturned, wine,

water,

fat,

oil,

sesamum,

dried grass, straw, a eunuch, a deformed person

or one

with a broken limb, a nude man, or one with a clean

shaved head, or clad in a black garment, should be regarded as

by him

evil

at the

omens by

whether noticed

a physician,

time of starting or after getting into

a sick room. Pots or utensils placed in pendent brackets,

and found to be spontaneously moving about without

any

definite cause, as well as

digged

in,

sick-room

up

;

smashed a physician

in his seat,

cast face,

any other or

thrown

sitting

dejected

in

and the patient

or pricking his

body

sitting

or

at

fallen

out

articles

of

the

and gathered with a down-

the bed clothes

XXIX.

Chap.

SUTRAS THANAM.

]

279

while talking with the physician, or shaking his hands,

back or head, or taking hold of or placing the hands of the physician the

gating

own, or on

own

limbs,

in

physician

his breast, or

an

with

physician

pressing his

the

in his

return,

face,

or

interrogated

by

considered

as

up-turned

when he

is

interro-

should be

unfavourable signs.

The

in

patient,

whose house a physician

duly honoured, can never

good omen

of

of a

carefully

is

contrary

observe the

of

messenger

favourable termination

by a

indicated

Hence

messenger of the opposite type. shall

A

recovery.

forebodes the

while the

disease,

not

The due honouring

rally.

a physician leads to a speedy

is

a

physician

ominous character of a

messenger (despatched to seek his aid\

Dreams — Now

I

:

shall

describe the

which either being dreamt by the relations,

portend

malady.

The

the south

fatal

patient,

or

close

of going

sees

or

or

of riding on

himself

carried

clad in a blood- red

vile castes

by of

his

the

towards

doom.

A

garment—laughing and

a boar or

towards the

by a dark woman with dishevelled

his

or

on the back of an elephant, or on that of

on a buffalo,

meets

successful

who dreams

any carnivorous animal,

quarter

a

patient,

dreams,

hair

and

dancing, soon

dream by a patient that members of

have been drawing him southward, or that

ghosts or anchorites have been

embracing him, or that

THE SUSHRUfA SAMHITA.

2 8o

XXIX.

Chap.

savage beasts with diabolical faces have been smelling his head, predicts that his

while

dreams

such

indicate an

days are numbered,

earthly

a

in

occurring

healthy

subject

disease.

impending

Similarly, the patient,

who dreams

of drinking

oil

or

honey, or of diving into a bed of dank or oozy slime, or of laughing

and dancing mud-besplattered,

threshold of death.

A dream

at the

is

entwined a

of having

wreath of red flowers round one's head, though otherwise nude or stripped of clothes,

or

bamboos, or palm trees growing on

his

the

death

impending

hand,

such

dreams,

a

of

himself again entering or thinks he into a dark

is

a

occurring in

of being eaten into

chest, portends

On

patient.

forebode the advent of disease.

who dreams

of seeing reeds,

the

healthy

other

subject,-

Likewise, the patient,

up by the

or

fish,

womb

who

of his

fancies

mother,

falling from the summit of a mountain or

and dismal cave, or

as being carried

away by

the current of a river, or assailed and overwhelmed by a

pack of crows,

is

already a

doomed

The dream

being.

of a clean shaved head, or of falling stars, or

lamp

light, or

of the extraction of one's

own

of dying

eyes, or of

shaking divine images, or of earthquakes, purgings, vomitings

The or

or falling out of one's patient,

own

teeth,

who dreams of climbing a

always

fatal.

Shalmali, Kinsuka,

Pari-bhadra tree, or of ascending an

funeral pyre, or of witnessing himself

is

ant-hill

bound to

a

or

a

sacri-

XXIX.

Chap.

ficical

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

or

stake,

levigated

sesamum

or drinking

rice,

oil

of

.

iron,

a healthy

in

sesamum, boiled

salt,

doomed

may

being, while

indicate the

subject

cotton,

eating,

or wine (Sura), as the case

should consider himself as a

dreams

or

receiving

paste,

2 8i

be,

such

impending

attack of a disease.

A is

dream should be regarded

as ineffectual

quite in conformity with the physical

dreamer (such

the b)

a person

r

a blazing a

by

a

flash

temperament of

one of scaling

of Vataja temperament

fire,

man

as,

of Pittaja temperament

nessing reservoirs of water, etc. by

;

a

the

heavens

one of seeing

;

of lightning,

which

or a

meteor-fall

and one of wit-

man

of Kaphaja

temperament) as well as one which has been forgotten or followed

by another of an auspicious type or

outcome of premeditated thought

like

the

is

one dreamt

in

the da)' time.

A a

fever patient

dreaming of friendship with a dog,

consumptive one dreaming of making friends with a

monkey

or a monster

;

a hysteric patient

making friendship with a ghost

;

a

Prameha

patient dreaming of drinking water

drinking

on

oil,

or a

Gulma

his belly, should

afflicted

of a

who dreams

;

a leper

or dysentery

dreaming of

patient dreaming of a tree grow-

count his days as numbered.

A person

with any disease of the head, and dreaming

tree

growing on

his

head, or one suffering from

vomiting and dreaming of eating sesamum 36

of

cakes

;

or

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

282

an asthma patient, or a person, of"

dreaming

of

dreaming

patient

turmeric

;

a

making

or a

food

eating a

with

afflicted

journey on foot

;

XXIX.

[Chap.

thirst,

or a jaundice

prepared with

person suffering from haemoptysis and

dreaming of drinking blood, should be considered as about to depart this

A

life.

aforesaid dreams, under the

up

in

having had any of the

patient

circumstances, should get

make

the morning and

a gift of Masha-pulse,

sesamum, iron and gold to the Brahmanas, and repeat the blessed Tripada Gayatri (Mantras.)

Having dreamt a bad dream night, a person should meditate

and then

subject,

controlled,

gods.

An

down

upon a holy or auspicious

again with

evil

dream should

of the

for three

Now we

shall

castes, gods,

and

describe

cows, bullocks, relations,

predict or predicts to

a

in a

holy

its

evil

the dreams, which

are

Members

whereby

the twice born

of

kings,

a blazing

sheet of clear water seen in a

future, while

reside

nullified.

nature.

of auspicious

indicate

senses fully

consecutive nights, and worship the

would become

friends

all his

dream should not be related to another.

deity with the most fervent devotion, effects

watch of the

and repeat the Mantras sacred to any of the

The dreamer temple

lie

in the first

fire,

one's a

own

living

Brahmana, or a

dream by a healthy person

him a pecuniary gain

in the

near

such dreams occurring in a diseased person

speedy recovery of the disease he has been

Chap.

XXIX.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

dreams of meat,

suffering from. Similarly,

of white

and

flowers, cloths

speedy cure, as the case

Dreams

of

may

a

terrace

a

a

predicts

money

a

river,

gain

or stung bliss

by a

or

serpent,

by

hill,

may

leeches, or

a

royal

an

dream of

unhesitatingly

by a

been

is

bit

bee, indicates

good or bad health

The man, who usually

be

A

dream of having

dreams, should be looked upon

and

of

according as one

cure,

cure, according to one's

at the time.

a

pool or sea of turbid water

or

A

healthy or diseased.

or

or of riding

elephant predict similar results as above. one's sailing over

garlands

be.

or

tree

fish,

predict a gain

fruit

the

ascending

palace, of climbing

28^

gets such auspicious

as a long-lived

taken

under

man,

medical

treatment by a physician. Thus ends the twenty-ninth Chapter of the Sutrasth&nam in the Sushruta Samhita, which deals with favourable or unfavourable prognosis from messengers, birds, omens

etc.

CHAPTER XXX. Now we

on the Chapter which treats

shall discourse

of the prognosis that can be obtained from the perverted

(Panchendriya'rtha-Vipratipatti-madhya yam). of the

functions

sense

five

organs

/

Metrical texts

—A perversion or contrariety

:

mind or brain

of the

of the

functions

of the

organs of sense-perception,

unfavourable

(an

hear

me

symptom

Arishtam

called

foreboding

brief detail, the

in

describe,

is

and

(Shilam),

Now

death).

symptoms which

are called Arishta (fatal indications).

The man, who

hears

variety of divine sounds

a

of

any of the

(such as, the Siddhas, the

Gandharvas

even

the

in

he

that

moanings cloud,

who

is

absence

hearing of the

the

sea,

uproar the

or

celestial beings,

of a

thinks

or

etc.),

city,

or

rumbling of a

the rain

without their actual presence or proximity, or

is

incapable

of catching

their sounds even

when

they are actually present and sounding, or assigns to

them causes other than the regarded as a

doomed

the uproar of a city

being.

or the

actual ones,

The

person,

rustling

emanating from other sources, or of his

devoted

enemies, friends,

and

is

or

who

annoyed

should

who

forest

be

interprets as

sounds

rejoices at the voice at

that

suddenly loses

of his

the

own

faculty

XXX.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

J

of hearing

285

without any manifest or tangible reason,

should be deemed as already on the threshold of death.

who

The man, or

warm

a

numbness, shivering,

it

boil,

when the tem-

or shivers

etc.),

is felt

feel

to be

considerably high,

has lost the faculty of touch,

any pain

struck

is

who

person,

and does not

when

of

looked upon as already on the point of

The

death.

complains

versa,

Kaphaja type (characterised by

perature of his body

should be

a hot

even when suffering from a

of the

postule

when touching

vice

and,

substance,

a burning sensation or

cold

feels

or

in

any part of the body

amputated,

body had been strewn over with

or

feels

as

particles

if

his

of dust,

or suffers from discoloration of the skin

which becomes

marked with blue

who

by

hosts of blue

red stripes, and

or

flies

after

should be regarded as one confines of

an

a bath or

who

is

harassed

anointment,

has already passed the

life.

Similarly, the

man whose body emits a

fragrant smell

without having been rubbed with any kind of perfume, or to

whom

sweet,

or

a sweet thing tastes acid, and an acid tastes

who

version of the of)

different

exhibits faculty tastes

symptoms of

of taste, or

(administered

order of enumeration) tend to

bodily humours, a dulness

in in

a

general per-

whom

(articles

their

officinal

aggravate the deranged

or bring about their pacification

of appetite

if

partaken of

in the

and

inverted

THE 3USHRUTA SAMHITA.

2 86

should be regarded as a departed

order,

who

the one

any discomfort even

feel

lamp wick that has the

entirely lost

upon

The man,

to

fetid, or one

at the smell

of a burning

;

whom

who

one

as well as the peculiarities of

drought,

snowfall,

etc.),

the

and the

of the sky appear to be reversed or

who

has lost

all

distinctions (of joy

specific

attributes

broad day-light or fancies the sun by night

and to

appear to be

of things

The man, who

of death.

or

etc.),

contrary and reversed, should be regarded as point

has

the twin attributes of heat and

misery, storm and sunshine, heat and cold,

whom

fragrant

who does

should be looked

of smell,

faculty

storm,

(as

different quarters

inverted

a

been extinguished, or

just

and pain,

pleasure

weather

like

soul,

dead man.

as a

cold,

a fetid odour to be

one fragrant to be

or

perfume,

XXX.

Chap.

has lost the faculty of taste.

The man, who deems

not

[

on the

sees stars ablaze in the

seeing the

and the mellow

fiery

orb

moon

of the

disc

of

by day, or who seems to witness the phenomena of rainbow and lightning even rain

cloud,

rain-cloud

or

the

formation

even in a clear blue sky,

the reflected images

of chariots,

the

fire

the heavens,

and

sky

or

gods,

sees the

or

any

is

sure

to

be

The man, who observes

his rest.

in

absence of

of a lightning-spangled

speedily gathered to

cars

the

in

to

palaces

and

aerial

embodied images of

whom

the

earth

Chap,

SUTRASTHANAM.

xxx.]

be

to

appears

enshrouded with cross

in

sheet

fine

a

in

lines,

water, or to

enveloped

or

whose

or

frost

blazing with

or

linen,

sight the Pole Star

chequered

flooded

or

fire,

or

smoke,

with

and the asterism

and the Milky

Way

invisible, should be reckoned as already

with

Arundhati (one of

remain

of

2g7

the

Pliades)

the dead.

The man, who

animal,

or

reflections

of

to see his

dogs,

Yakshas, Rakshas,

of himself or

cows,

and

Pishachas

appears to be

fire

hue

the

of

it is

the

of any

its

these in

phenomena

one,

who

is

indicate

other

ghosts,

possessed of a colour

breast

from any disease).

sees

The man, to natural accom

life.

feathers

peacock, should be regarded as doomed, to be suffering

or

Nagas, should be

of

free

paniment of smoke, or that resembling

reflected

vultures,

storks,

regarded as about to depart this

whom

own image

moonlight, or in hot water,

in a mirror, in the

but distorted

fails

On

the

the approach

(if

of

a

happening

other hand,

of a disease

found to be as yet in the enjoyment

of apparent health. Thus ends the thirtieth Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushruta Samhita which deals with prognosis from the perverted functions of the five

sense organs.

CHAPTER XXX Now we deals

discourse

shall

on the

I.

from the

with the prognosis to be gathered

altered condition of features

patti

which

Chapter,

(Chha'ya'-Viprati-

madhya'yam).*

Metrical Text: — The

man, whose complexion

suddenly assumes a brown, red, blue or yellow shade, should be regarded as already gathered to his

man, who has

lost

all

The

rest.

sense of modesty or propriety,

and whose complexion, and whose strength

memory have suddenly undergone

(ojah)

and

discolouration

or

extreme deterioration, should be counted with the dead. Little chance there

lower

lip

hangs

is

down

of the

of a

life

whose

patient

while the upper one

is

drawn

or

turned up, and both of them have assumed a black that

colour like

whose teeth

fall

of a jamboline

fruit.

The

patient,

out or which have assumed a reddish

*

Physicians of the Ayurvedic School, however, observe a distinction between Chhaya (shade of complexion), Prabha (healthful glow of the The complexion), and Varna (natural colour of the complexion) itself. Chhaya or the shade of one's complexion may be easily distinguished as clear, rough or cool, etc.

The Prabha, on

and can be detected only on a close view. visible from a distance and admits of is

the other hand,

of being divided into seven different types,

brown, greenish,

pale,

the complexion of a

towards the

fair,

man

and black. is

such as red, yellow, while,

The Varna

found to be either

or

fair,

the natural colour of black, dusky

according to his race and habitation.

includes natural modesty, look and ease.

leaning

The term

also

Chap.

XXXI.

or a dark

]

SUTRASTHANAM.

brown

colour,

Khanjana bird (dark

or

blue),

289

colour like that of a

a

should be reckoned as already

gathered to his fathers.

The

whose

patient,

or

swollen,

or

inert,

tongue has become of a

is

The

considered as already at the gate of death.

whose nose or

is

breathing makes a gurgling sound through

should be given up as

nostrils,

certainly quitting this

or

contracted, light or

touch,

marked by

patient,

has sunk or become bent, cracked, dried,

who when

the

furred,

black colour, should be

patient

whose eyes appear to be

life

unequal, oblique, or inert, insensitive to

sunk

their

in

sockets,

or

The

a copious lachrymation.

hair appears to

A

lost.

have been glued to

bloody, or

patient

his

whose

head whose

eyebrows are contracted and hang down, and whose eyelashes are

should be considered as about to

listless

leave his mortal frame.

The

patient,

who

or of holding

up

fixed

with

stare,

is

incapable of swallowing any food

and who looks with a kind of

his head,

memories of

all

life

fully obliterated,

should be deemed as dying on that very day. or

prudent

treatment or

weak,

time he

physician of

who is

should give up

a patient, no is

lifted

up

or

keeps them 37

in

fainting

seated.

constantly extends or draws

wise

medical

matter whether strong

found to be or

the

A

up

The

his

a gathered up

away every patient,

who

lower extremities, posture, should be

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

29

looked

upon

A

as rapidly succumbing.

wise physician

should abandon a patient, characterised ness

and

of his breath

his

mouth open,

who

is

found breathing with

with a kind of stupor

insomnia and remaining drowsy, at the

fainting

lip,

is

all

day

long, or

attempt of speaking, should be

least

counted with the dead. The patient, or

cold-

or lips separated.

Similarly, a patient affected

or

by the

and a hurried and

extremities

intermittent respiration, or

XXXI.

[Chap.

who

licks his

upper

troubled with eructations, or holds conversa-

with the departed, should be deemed as already

tions

entered into the region of the dead.

A

man, spontane-

ously bleeding through the roots of his hairs (pores of the skin) otherwise

deemed

A

than

as dying

in

a case of poisoning,

on that day.

patient, affected

with an up-coursing pain about

the cardiac region, like the one case

of V^tashtila

of the

which distinguishes a

^appearance of a stone-like lump

rising or seated within the

action

thorax and ascribed to the

deranged Vayu),

aversion to food,

should be

etc.,

accompanied by an

should be already reckoned

among

the dead.

An

idiopathic

swelling

(Shopha

either of the lower extremities in a

first

occurring

in

male patient not as a

complication of any other disease*, as well as a similar swelling *

Such

first

appearing at the face, or about the region

as Chlorosis, Ascites, Hcemorrhoids.

XXXI.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

of the anus

have a

A

male or a female patient,

a

in

attended

with

suffering

from

dysentery,

fever,

and swelling of the penis and be given up as

is

sure to

•

fatal termination.

patient,

291

cough

asthma

or

vomiting

hic-cough,

the

should

scrotum,

Excessive perspiration, burning,

lost.

hic-cough, dyspnoea and hyperpyrexia with a burning sensation

the

of

body,

are

undoubtedly capable of

extinguishing the vital spark even

in

a strong patient.

and the

Similarly, a patient, with a black coated tongue left

eye sunk

in

its

socket and a foul smell from the

mouth, should be given up as

The mouth

of a

lost.

man, who

is

on

his

mansions of the god of death, becomes the

legs

are

patient,

abnormally

become

pupils

all

a

sudden

of

sure to go to the region of

is

the son of the day-god (Yama.

body emits a

the

listless.

whose limbs become

light or heavy,

to the

with tears,

filled

wet with perspiration, and

of the eyes roll about or

The

way

The

fishy, dirty or a fragrant

like fat, oil, or clarified-butter,

is

patient,

whose

or

smells

smell,

on the way to the

mansions of Death.

The about, or

patient

whose

on whose forehead offerings the

lice freely

crows do not

move

eat, or

who

does not find comfort in any position or place, goes to the mansions of the god of death.

A

patient,

who

has

THE SUSHRUTA

2g2

become emaciated and

SAMHITA'.

has been suffering

enfeebled, or

from a complication of such diseases as oedema,

etc.,

medicine.

able

be

some

deemed

ravenous

or

appeased

and palatable

garded as

a fatal

as

an

unquench-

with

sweet,

whole-

drink,

should

A

indication.

pale

refuses

patient,

or

the

who

satisfied

food

pre-existing

beyond

hunger or

weak

a

in

thirst

to

A

fever, dysentery,

another

supervening

be

should

malady, of

one

XXXI.

[Chap.

patient

be

re-

exhibiting

such symptoms as diarrhoea, an excruciating headache, colic

the

in

strength,

stands

Death

due to the

is

and gradual

intestines, thirst in

imminent

of

danger

transitory

be attributed

failing

character

of

death. of

life,

or

it

to

the deeds of one's previous existence transformed

may

into the

dynamics of

Ghosts,

evil

to

irregular

fate.

Pishachas and

spirits,

various shapes and denomination, to

death.

These

evil

spirits,

it is futile

ment of a man who

to take in

exhibits

symptoms, and thereby

owing

to

of

men

their natural

of medicines

hand the medical

any of the abovesaid

testifies that lie

the clutches of such evil

monsters

constantly lead

killing propensities, nullify the efficacies

and hence

or

conduct,

;

treatfatal

has fallen into

spirits.

Thus ends the Thirty-first Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the SushrutaSamhita which deals with prognosis from perverted features.

CHAPTER XXXII. Now we

on the Chapter which treats

shall discourse

of the prognosis based on the perversion of the external

(Svabha'va-viprati-

appearances of the body

patti - madhyaryam)

A

.

contrariety of the natural features of any part

member

of the

body should be looked upon

The blackness

indication.

of a limb

or a

or a naturally red+ part, or

member,

other colour, or a hard§

part

vice

versa\\, or

and

fixed,

vice

a

etc.

which

blackt part,

assuming any

becoming

soft,

and

movable^ part suddenly becoming

versa** or the contraction

extended

part,

contracted

(flexible) part,

or

as a fatal

part

naturally white,* or the whiteness of a

is

or

the extension a

or

becoming elongated $1, and

or

an

expansion of a

shorttt

vice

(flexion) of

part

versa,

suddenly

or a

sudden

hanging down of a part or member of the body which does not naturally§§

hang down, and

vice

versa\\\\,

or a sudden increase or decrease of natural temperature

of any part, member, as

its

or

organ of the body, as well

sudden glossiness, roughness, numbness, discolour-

ation, weakness, or weariness, should be looked fatal * palate,

H

upon

as

symptoms. The

Joints, etc.

XX Pupils,

etc.

and the cornea,

The

The tongue and

the

Soft parts such as the flesh, fat, Bones, teeth, etc. ** Nose, ears and flesh, etc. ft Head and forehead,

etc.

teeth

etc. §

f

iris.

J

||

§§ Hair, nails, etc.

mi

Perspiration, urine

and

etc.

feces, etc.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

294

(Similarly) a limb or

down from

a

part

of the

body, hanging

its

natural seat, or

protruded, or drawn inward, or suddenly

dislocated, or

or

light

heavy a

or

cause,

assignable

Chap. XXXII.

natural position, or becoming raised or

its

twisted round, or cast obliquely from

becoming

[

without

definite

any

sudden eruption

a

of

or

coral-

coloured rash or Vyanga, should be regarded as indicating a

speedy dissolution of the patient

in

whom

they

are exhibited.

Likewise, the appearance of veins in the region of the

forehead, or an eruption of postules on the ridge of

the nose, perspiration on the forehead in the

copious lachrymation a

sense

of

etc,

over

with

being dusted

cowdung over the one's

morning,

without any ocular complaint, dried

and pulverised

face, or the flying of pigeons,

head,

or

excessive

Kankas,

micturitions

or

motions of the bowels from an empty stomach, or a suppression of urine or feces even after a hearty meal or draught,

breast

is fatal.

So

also,

pain and aching about the

and the chest, emaciation of the

extremities

and an oedema of the middle part of the trunk, and vice versa

;

emaciation

an oedema

or

of the

oedema of the of the right,

left

and

loss of voice,

of

lower part, and vice versa half of the

vice versa

;

and

the upper trunk

bod)'

;

or an

and emaciation

or hoarseness, huskiness, or

discolouring of the teeth, nails or of the

skin, eruption of

white patches on the chest,

etc, of

the

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XXXII.]

295

body, should be deemed as signs which forebode the

approaching dissolution of an individual.

Moreover the

whose semen,

patient,

or expectorated

who

or fecal matter does not float on water, or

distorted or bifurcated images of objects, or

with

shines

gloss

complete

aversion

tormented with a

cough,

with

a

gastritis

or

as

a

man

dysentery

to

with

mities,

and showing the

face

greatest

and the muscles of whose

A

call of

to

A

cough extre-

food,

and thighs

considered as

death.

patient, suffering

or passing with the

frothy

fever,

aversion

calves, shoulders

from

all cure.

and the

have grown loose and flabby, should be awaiting the

catarrh

vomiting

and emaciated through

is

from

or

food,

aphonia, and

and an cedematous swelling of the

who

chronic

blood and pus, should be regarded as past patient, enfeebled

with

suffering

from for

loathing

hair

finds his

oil,

one

when

suffering

whose

patient

or

food,

even

thirst

complete ^Sula)

anointed with

if

A weak

death.

relief in

a

a

sees the

from

fever, cough,

the

in

stool,

and vomiting,

evening,

undigested

food matter eaten in the morning, would die of asthma.

The

patient,

goat, testes,

who

falls

to

the ground bleating like a

and exhibits such symptoms as a rupture of the

numbness of the

penis,

and introsusception of the as past all cure.

The

penis,

patient,

drooping of the neck should be considered

whose heart

is

first

felt

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

296

[Chap. XXXII.

with

covered

dry followed by becoming

moisture of the whole body, as well as one a stone with a stone, piece

of wood,

or

dried grass, or one

a piece

or

who

who

cleaves

slimy

who

strikes

wood

of in

a

two

bites his lower lip

with a

blades

and

upper one, or draws his ears and tears his

of

licks the

hair, or dis-

honours the gods and the Brahmanas, as well as his

own as

physician, friends and relations, should be regarded

beyond the pale of medicine. Similarly, a disease,

due to the influence of a malig-

nant planet occupying, either through zigzag

the

movement, an inauspicious position

natal asterism of the patients,

in death.

A

fact

veyance,

of one's or

own

house,

wife,

riding-animal assuming

garments,

etc.

of

retrogade or in relation to

sure to

Similarly, a

features, or a disease originated utensils,

is

man, struck by lightning or a

baffles all medicinal skill.

the

its

terminate

falling

disease

bed,

meteor,

due to

seat,

con-

any ill-omened

through the use of gems,

forbidden

or

inauspicious

character usually ends in death (Aristam).

Authoritative verses on the Subject — A disease, appearing in an enfeebled and :

emaciated subject and refusing to yield to a course of proper medicinal treatment, and which becomes rather

aggravated by the administration of proper medicinal remedies or antidotes, necessarily portends the death of the patient.

XXXII.

Chap.

A

Mahavyadhi*

denly fails

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

abating

to produce

a

in

:

— a deep seated effect

who

physician,

interpret these fatal indications, for

disease)

whom

in

person

any perceptible

The

termination.

(lit

297 sud-

nourishment

forebodes a fatal

can detect and fully

honoured by the king

is

determining the curable or incurable

nature of a

disease. *

of a

Any deep man,

Shosha,

is

etc.

is

A

Thus ends

amelioration

general

on account of

their

usually fraught with fatal

Samhita

consequences.

the thirty-second Chapter

which

deals

or

vital

principles

with

recovery in these cases being

deep-seated character,

the

natural appearances of the body.

38

the

affects

Mahavyadhi. Diseases such as Prameha, Vatavyadhi, have also been included within the category in the Chapter on

K&ya-chikitsh^. natural,

seated disease, which seriously

called

a

sudden abatement

(Arishtam.)

of Sutrasthanam in the

prognosis

based on

Sushruta-

perversion

of

the

CHAPTER

XXXIII.

Now we shall discourse on the incurable diseases

Chapter, which treats of

(A'varaniya-madhyayam).

Metrical texts :— Hear me the

which

diseases

distressing

and

being

describe,

attended

with

child,

many and

symptom,

supervenient

Oh

a

being

treated without rejuvenating and restorative medicines,

assume incurable character.

speedily eight or

viz

diseases,

diseases affecting

Prameha morbid Arsha

in

the

the nervous system

by

sician

(paralysis

in

general

,

discharges from the urethra ), Kushtha,

bladder

,

(fistula

in

Mudha-garbha

tations) and the eight kinds of are,

following

1

Vagandara

(piles),

(stone

:

The

— Maha-Vata-vyadhi

ano\ Ashmari (false

presen-

Udari (abdominal dropsy)

their very nature, extremely hard to cure.

A

phy-

with any regard to professional success should aban-

don a patient

laid

up with any of the preceding diseases,

marked by complications such

as,

emaciation of the

body, loss of strength, dyspnoea, palpitation, wasting, vomiting, dysentery and

A

case

of Vatavyadhi

hic-cough, fever and

swoon.

developing symptoms, such as

cedematous swelling, complete anesthesia of the affected part,

breaking and palsy shaking) of the affected limbs,

distention of the

abdomen, with aching and

usually ends in death.

colic

pain,

Chap. XXXIII.

A

case

of

Prameha,

to be

are

as

SUTRASTHANAM.

j

as well as

with

indications

found under the head of that disease,

an increased secretion of

with semen, abcesses

attended

2 <)q

albumen,

(known

etc.

charged

and eruptions of

Sharavika

as

urine

sure

is

etc.)

specific

have

to

a fatal termination.

A

case of Kushtha leprosy) characterised

neous bursting of the affected

and

blood- shot

able

to

the etc.

tives,

A

by sponta-

i

and not proving

eyes,

five-fold

pain,

(Pancha-Karma),

excessive

of the locality,

of

appliances

case of piles attended with

colic

hoarse voice,

parts,

emetics, purga-

usually ends

death.

in

aversion to

thirst,

food,

anasarca (Shopha)

haemorrhage,

and dysentery

amen-

itself

soon

is

relieved

by

death.

A

patient

suffering

ano, characterised urine,

fecal

from an attack of

by an emission

matter,

urinary

suffering

flatus

worms and semen

ulcerated locality, should be patient

of

up

given

fistula

in

(Vayu),

through the as

A

lost.

from the presence of stone, gravel, or

concretions


in

the

bladder

and

attended with oedema of the scrotum and the umbilicus, retention of urine, and colic

pain

in

that

organ,

is

soon relieved of his pain by death. In a case

of false

extreme constriction of

presentation fMudhagarva) the

mouth

of

the

an

uterus

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

300 (os

XXXIII.

development of the peculiar pain of child-

uteri),

which

birth,

[Chap.

is

known

Makkalla, tonic rigidity of

as

the vagina, and situation of the placenta (Apara)

wrong place

(false

pregnancy; and other symptoms (con-

cough, dyspnoea, vertigo etcO described

vulsions,

at a

in

the

Chapter on the Etiology of that disease, forebode the death of the parturient woman.

A

patient suffering from abdominal

marked by pain

the

at

sides,

dropsy (ascites)

aversion to food, cede-

matous swelling of the limbs, dysentery

and

fresh

accumulation of water even after he had been tapped, or evacuated with

the exhibition of purgatives, should

A

case

of fever

restless

and

tosses

be given up as incurable. the

patient becomes

bed

in

an unconscious

trate, or

though

and

lies

is

about

in

the

extremely pros-

of holding himself up

incapable of sitting or

any other position and

in

is

is

state,

which

in

besides afflicted with rigor

complaining of a burning sensation

within,

sure to end in death.

Similarly, a fever patient developing such as,

symptoms

the appearance of goose flesh on the skin, an aching

gathered-up pain or congested

in

eyes,

the cardiac

blood-shot

region,

and breathing through the mouth

should be deemed

as

already at the

threshold

of

death. Similarly, a case of fever, attended with hic-cough,

dyspnoea, rolling

thirst, fits

of unconsciousness or fainting, and

of the eye-balls, proves

fatal

in

a

weak and

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap. XXXIII.]

emaciated patient,

who

is

30

r

found to breathe hurriedly

through the mouth.

A to

case

be

of fever proves or to

restless

an

in

inert

lie

patient, found

a

fatal in

unconscious

(subcomatose) state with dull, clouded, or tearful

somnolent and extremel}7

or prostrate, fever

enfeebled attack colic

and especially

patient

and emaciated,

of dysentery

and

An

which

in

death

to

food,

to

an

respiration,

in

whom

(Yakshm£) leads

glossiness

its

of the eyes,

victim

aversion

expiratory (subclavicle) dyspnoea, difficult and

and painful and

up-drawn breathing (Urdha-Shvasa),

and excessive micturition

A

manifest themselves. attack of

extremely

succumbs

laboured

A

thirst supervene.

attack of Phthisis

to

one

an old

readily

eyes,

emaciated.

(diarrhoea according to others),

patient

Gulma (abdominal

of death, exhibits such respiration,

colic

gland),

symptoms

pain,

of the

as laboured

unquenchable

Granthi

an

and on the verge

to food, loss of consciousness, anaemia, obliteration

from

suffering

and painful

thirst,

aversion

and the sudden

(tumorous

or

glandular

formation).

A

person laid up with an attack of Vidradhi (abscess)

and exhibiting of the

such

abdomen,

fatal

retention

symptoms of urine,

as

distension

vomiting,

hic-

cough, thirst, pain of a varied character (such as aching, excruciating, etc.)

and dyspnoea, should be regarded

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

302

as to have approached the goal of his suffering

an

from

attack

•

of

marked by yellowness of the conjunctivas,

and

[

teeth,

A

life.

jaundice

or

nails,

seeing everything

Chap. XXXIII.

patient chlorosis

and of the

yellow,

is

not

expected to long survive the occurrence of the attack.

A

person laid up

with an attack of Haemoptysis,

largely vomiting blood,

blood-coloured

with

and viewing everything red or

his

blood-shot eyes,

regarded as about to depart this

life.

A

extremely enfeebled and emaciated, and less in

or

cast

a

person, insane, sitting

up

sleep-

the night, or with eyes constantly lifted upward

suffering.

in

should be

down, would be soon relieved of

A

person,

case of

who

is

Apasm^ra

(epilepsy)

his earthly

proves fatal

extremely emaciated, and whose

eye-brows are constantly moving and whose eyes seem fixed in an unnatural (oblique) stare. Thus ends the the

thirty-third

Chapter of the Sutrasthanam

Sushruta Samhita which treats of incurable diseases.

in the

CHAPTER XXXIV. Now we of the

shall discourse

mode

on the Chapter which

of preserving the

of a king whose

life

on march (J ucta-Sen iya~

soldiers are

treats

mad hya /

yam). Metrical Texts :— I the

measures,

shall

which a physician

presently

describe

in the king's service

should adopt with a view to protect the

of his royal

life

master, specially from acts of secret poisoning, while mobilizing his armies to

invade the territory

of

a

neighbouring monarch accompanied by his chiefs and ministers.

A common circumstances

is

practice

of

the

to poison the wells

articles of food, the

enemy under such on the roadside, the

shades of trees (shadowy places and

the fuel and forage

for cattle

;

hence

it

is

incumbent

on a physician marching with the troops, to inspect,

examine and purify these before using any of them, in case

they be poisoned.

The symptoms and medical

treatment will be fully described and discussed later on in the part, entitled

Men, learned that death different

kinds)

of

may

causes,

the

Kalpa Sthanam.

in the lore

of the Atharva Veda, hold

be attributed to a hundred and one (lit

:

deaths of a hundred

which one (which

is

that

of

and one

an old

man

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

304

naturally and spontaneously expiring)

while the rest are unnatural

is

called natural,

traumatic

or

XXXIV.

[Chap.

their

in

Physicians conversant with the curative virtues

origin.

of drugs and minerals, and priests

the

well versed in

Vedic Mantras, should jointly protect the king from

whether

death,

due

to

(Doshajai

idiopathic

or

extrinsic causes.

The god Brahma disclosed to the world the Atharva Veda together with the eight allied branches of Vedic

and the science of medicine.

literature

since a priest

(Brahmana)

is

And

well-versed in the aforesaid

branches of study, a physician should act subserviently

and occupy a subordinate position death of tion

or

a

to

of the

common sacrifice, (in their

population

markedly

is

features of a king resemble those of a

person, while his (king's)

commanding majesty,

and fortune

forbearance

are

nature and intensity), therefore a

prudent and

reverentially

of

his

seeks

king,

his

and

own

super-human

man good,

propitiate

tokens of loyalty and allegiance as

A

different orders

through such catastrophies.

As the external

who

The

popular disturbances and brings about a

among the vocations The growth of society.

suffers

priest.

king usually leads to a political revolu-

confusion of

the

to

if

should,

think

him with

he were a deity.

physician, fully equipped with a supply of medicine,

should live

in

a

camp not remote from

the

royal

SUtRASTHANAM.

xxxiv.

Chap,

and there the persons wounded by shafts of

pavilion,

arrows

from

any

other

effects

of

or

the

resort

to

physician,

any

projectiles,

imbibed

or

of

suffering

should

poison,

like a tri-

fame and professional success.

for his

well versed in

and commanding a branches

war

him (the physician), conspicuous

umphant ensign

A

305

technical science,

knowledge of

fair

study as well,

and the Brahmanas, and

own

his

is

is

glorified

other

allied

his

by

king

banner of victory an

like a

ennobling ornament to the state.

The

physician, the

attendants (nurses

are

patient,

the

readily cured, or

may

it

Even a dangerous

respectively

to

be

four factors

being

self-controlled,

(qualified,

genuine and intelligently watchful

.

absence of a qualified physician the three

In the

remaining factors of treatment sacrifice

religious

disease

be expected to run a speedy

course in the event of the preceding

found

and the

medicine,

four essential factors of a

course of medical treatment. is

the

performed

will

prove abortive like a

with

the help

of

an

Udgatri,* a Hotri,t and a Brahmana, in the absence of

A

an Adhvaryam.+

qualified physician

is

alone capable

of relieving the pain of many a suffering patient, just Udgatri the

t

;

—One

of the four principal priests at a sacrifice,

Sama Veda. Hotri — A priest, who recites

hymns

who

as

chant-

of the

Veda

at a

to cast

the

the (Riks) prayers of the Rik

religious sacrifice.

t Adhvaryyu — A priest of the Yayui Veda, whose duty -acrificial

39

beast into the

fire.

is

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

3 o6

only a helmsman

is

[

xxxiv.

Chap,

capable of taking his boat across a

river even without the help -and co-operation of a single

oarsman.

Qualities of a physician :—A who

physician,

well versed in the science of medicine and has

is

attended to the demonstrations of surgery and medicine,

and who himself

practises the healing art,

and

is

clean,

courageous, light-handed, fully equipped with supplies of

medicine,

and who

is

intelligent, well read, and

is

and one commands a decent

resources, further

and

instruments

surgical

endowed with

a

man

of ready

and

practice,

moral virtues,

all

appliances,

alone

is

fit

is

to

be called a physician.

Patient and

:

— The patient, who believes

all-merciful Providence,

and strong

fortitude

and possesses an unshakable

vital energy,

and who

with a curable form of disease, and

who

further

disposal,

commands

all

is

is

laid

is

up

not greedy, and

the necessary articles at

his

of

his

and firmly adheres to

physician,

kind

a

in

a patient of the

the

advice

proper or commendable

type.

Medicine consists of drugs their

:

—The

grown

collected

growth,

proper) medicine in

and

(exhilarating

to

most congenial

and compounded

proportions,

the

that which to

under the auspices of proper

lunar phases and asterisms,

measures

countries

is

mind

and

which

is

in

proper

pleasing

and has the property of

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

XXXIV.]

307

subduing the deranged bodily humours without creating

any discomfort even

to the patient,

an overdose, and

in

the opportune

attend the bedside

any body, of the

is

sick,

is

harmless

judiciously administered at

moment.

Nurse: — That and pleasant

is

and which

in

his

person alone

is fit

of a patient,

to nurse

who

is

or

to

cool-headed

demeanour, does not speak

ill

of

strong and attentive to the requirements

and

strictly

and indefatigably follows the

instructions of the physician.

Thus

ends

the

Sushruta Samhit£, soldiers are

ihirly-fourth

which

on march.

treats

Chapter of of preserving

the

thf

Sutrasth&nam life

in

the

of a king whose

CHAPTER XXXV Now we with

shall discourse

clinical observations

on the Chapter which deals

(A'turopakramaniya-

m ad h vary am). A

should

physician

first

observe the vital condition

(Ayu) of the patient before commencing the medical nature of the disease, the

After that, the

treatment.

country and season of the year in which

has

it

made

its

appearance, as well as the state of digestion, age, body, strength,

disposition,

habit, previous medicine,

natural

temperament and the power

of

patient, etc. should be observed

and carefully examined.

endurance

Characteristic features lived

man — Men,

hands, legs, sides, back, face,

well

the

:

as

dimensions

nipples

shoulders and forehead

of

of the

of

the

a long of

breast,

whose teeth,

exceed the average, as

those whose eyes, arms, phalanges and fingers

are longer than the ordinary ones should be regarded as

going to live long.

Those who have broad

chests,

broad eye-brows with broader spaces intervening between the muscles

and who take

of the breasts,

inspirations of breath, will be long lived.

necks, thighs, and

generative

those of the average type,

deeper

Those whose

organs are shorter than

or those

umbilical cavities are deep, and

in

whose voices and

whose breasts are unraised

an d thick-set, and external ears broad, fleshy and hairy,

XXXV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

j

309

with the occipital region fully developed and protruded,

Men, on whose bodies

enjoy a longer span of life.

will

sandal

paste

and similar preparations begin to

dry

up from the head downward, while those applied over

become absorbed

the chest as

later,

persons endowed with an

tion of

should be looked upon

uncommonly longer

life.

The medical treatment

of such a

features

exhibiting bodily

should be

above,

men

be

upon

possessed

as

as

as regards longevity

Persons,

short-lived

of features

the above mentioned

of both

considered

are

be

other than those described

looked

who

while those,

may

patient

unhesitatingly taken in hand by a physician.

to

dura-

men,

common

types,

should

keeping the mean between them

(Madhyamayuh).

Authoritative verses on the subject — A man, with deep-set bones, ligaments, and :

veins,

and

tough and thick-set limbs, and firm and

unflinching sense

organs,

gradually develops

as

well

more and

a

as

one whose body

more

symmetrical

shape, should be looked upon as a long-lived

man, who has not the day

more vation

of his

ailed for a single

of his

inborn

of the laws of health, in

the

full

moment even from

and has been getting more and

birth,

strong- limbed

man The

every

day through

sense

and a better

is

enjoyment of

sure to live to a his senses

and

the

culti-

knowledge

good old age

intellect.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

310

IVIadhyamaryuh the bodily features

:

—Now; man

of a

me

hear

of

describe

mean

a

xxxv.

Chnp.

[

or

aver-

(Madhyamayuh). The man, the integuments of whose lower eyelids are marked with age duration of

two

and whose

furrows,

and little

who

upward, and

is

expected to

:

me

hear

a short-lived

of

traits

man — Now,

describe the specific traits,

which characterise the body of

A man

with

short

their

natural a

penis,

or

hair,

is

a

raised

abnormally

and who

narrow from

up

of a large

possessed

covered

with

ringlets

and who exposes the

gums

of

high nose, a

curly

teeth,

seats,

man.

a short-lived of fingers,

phalanges

back, and external ears

is

turned a

is

up to the ripe old age of seventy years.

Specific

of

or

has up-pointed lines directfy

running through the middle of his back, live

lines

ears are thick

whose nose

of

tip

extended

and external

legs

and the

fleshy,

and

well-marked

three

or

life

whose eyes

breast

roll

his

while talking or laughing,

not expected to see more than twenty-five summers.

We

shall

limbs and

now

members

ascertainment

under

give the exact measures of the different

of the

of

the

duration

— The investigation.

legs,

body of

life

the

for

the

of

a

arms,

better

patient

and

the

head are called the limbs of the body, while their component parts are

The

called

the

members

great toe of a man, or the one next to

(Avayavas). it,

measured

XXXV.

Chap.

with

SUTRASTHANAM.

j

own

his

two

measure

should

fingers

311 fingers'

width in length, the lengths of the other toes (the third,

and

fourth,

a

fifth

fore-sole

measure four

and the

The

in breadth.

measure width

five

in

well as

foot

The

the circumference

fingers'

measure

should

itself

girth of the foot,

middle parts of

of the

measure

should

and knee-joints, respectively

thighs

fingers'

and four

in length

fourteen fingers' width in length. as

five

heel of the foot (Parshni) should

The

breadth.

length and

in

width

fingers'

Pradeshini).

(

sole proper respectively should

width

fingers'

diminishing by

successively

ones)

part of that of his middle finger

The

width

small

fourteen fingers in width.

The

part

of the leg between

knee-joint should measure length, while the part

the

eighteen fingers'

between the

and the knee-joint should measure width

in

fingers'

same

length, the

width

as that of the part lying

knee-joint (Jangha

The scrotum, the

entire

exterior

ears,

joint

width

in

waist

of the

thirty -two fingers'

thus measuring of the

thigh

fifty

is

the

between the heel and the

1

.

the chin,

line

leg

The length

in all.

ankle and the

of the

the

(two rows

nostrils,

teeth,

of)

the roots

of the

and the intervening space between the eyes, should

respectively measure

two

fingers'

width

in

length.

The

non-erected penis, the cavity of the mouth, the two

rows

of

teeth,

the

nose,

the

height of

the neck,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

3i2 the

[Chap.

and the forehead, and the space intervening

ears,

between the pupils of the eyes measure four width

twelve

entire length of the vaginal canal should measure

The space

fingers' width.

and the umbilicus, as well

one lying between

the

nipples of the

width

breast,

in length.

measure twelve

The

lying between the penis

one intervening between

as the

the chest and the upper end of

wrist

fingers'

in length.

The

like

XXXV.

the throat

the

the

of

tips

neck),

:

(lit

two

should measure twelve fingers' length

fingers'

of the entire face should

width.

The

round the

girth

and the fore-arm of a man should measure twelve

fingers.

The

girth

round the knee-joint

sixteen fingers'

is

width and the length between the wrist and the elbow should measure sixteen fingers' width.

arm between the elbow and the

The

tip of the

part of the

middle finger

should measure twenty-four fingers' width in

all.

length of the entire arm measures thirty- two width, and the

measure width

width.

The palm

six fingers'

width

in

in

of the

breadth.

ball

fingers'

girth round the thighs should measure

fingers'

thirty-two

The

of the

linger, as well as the

of the

length and

hand should

four fingers'

The space between the bottom thumb to the root of the index space between the root of the ears

to the outer corner or angle of the eyes, should measure live

fingers'

in

length.

The middle

finger

should

Chap.

xxxv.

measure

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

five fingers'

width

?I *

The index and

in length.

and a

the ring-fingers respectively -should measure four half fingers in length, the

thumbs and the

little

fingers

respectively measuring three and a half fingers.

The

fissure of the

The

in length.

mouth should measure

girth

Each

twenty

fingers.

should

measure one

finger in length.

The

part of the entire area

four fingers

round the neck should measure of the nostrils

of the cavities

and three quarter region of the of the

parts

of

a

occupies a third

iris

The

cornea.

region

of

the pupil should measure a ninth part thereof.

The arch extending from the

the

hairy

extremity of

templar region to the middle point of the back

of the head should measure eleven fingers.

between the middle of the head and point of the hairy portion of the neck ten fingers

in

length.

The

girth of the

The the

distance

terminal

should measure

neck measured

from the back of one ear to that of the other should be fourteen

a

The

region of

young woman measured from below the

anterior

side of the thigh joints

the I

of the

pelvic

fingers.

length

should be found to be equal to

breadth of the chest (Vakshah)

twelve

The

in

a male subject

fingers).

thigh of a

woman

should be

eighteen fingers in

breadth and equal to that of the waist of a man. entire length of a

and twenty 4°

The

male human body should be a hundred

fingers.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

314

on

Authoritative verse ject :— An

intelligent

man

organism of a

[

Chap.

the

sub-

physician should regard

of twenty- five

of a

or

years of age, as fully developed in

sixteen

XXXV.

the

woman

of of

respect

the maturity of the seven fundamental principles of the

such

body

as,

of the different limbs

down

The dimensions

serum, blood, &c).

and members of the body,

laid

above, should be understood as to have been

measured by the standard of one's (man's or woman's)

own

finger's width,

and a person, whose limbs and organs

are found to correspond to the sure

to

to

live

above-said measures,

and hearty old age,

a good

is

as

a

necessary and befitting sequel to a happy and prosperous career in

of one's

In the case of a

life.

partial correspondence

limbs and organs to the above-said measures

and proportions, a man should be regarded an average fall

and prosperity.

life

short of the

A

as

having

person whose limbs

abovesaid measures should be regarded

and short-lived person.

as an indigent

Physical temperament (S^ra) s— Now we

shall

different

of the

describe

the

characteristic

traits

of

the

preponderant principles (Sara) or temperaments

human

organism.

A

good retentive memory, and cleanly in his

habits,

man, who is

reverend, and

as,

is

and

graced with

purity of thought, and

unflinching devotion

who

possessed of a

intelligent, valorous

and whose mind

such rare and excellent virtues a fervent and

is

to

exerts himself for

gods and the

the

furtherance

XXXV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

i

absolute

of the

3!5

should be regarded as a

good,

man

of

Satvasara (psychic or illumined) temperament.

A man and

teeth,

who

and

nails

and

white

with glossy,

has begotten

man

dency, should be looked upon as a

thin and sinewy body, and

handsome

every walk of

whom

who

exibits traits of excessive

and possesses a deep resonant

of large and

life,

large

whom the prinA man with a

in

semen decidedly preponderates.

strength,

a

and shows a marked amative ten-

family of children,

ciple of

close-set bones,

who

eyes, and

voice, is

and a

in

one

in

should be looked upon

as

marrow preponderates.

the principle of

pair

successful

A man

with a large head, and a large pair of shoulders, and having firm teeth, bones, cheek-bones, and finger-nails, should be

considered as one

in

whom

the principle

of bone preponderates.

A man

with a large and bulky body, and

capable of enduring

such

as

urine

amount of

large

and who naturally talks

physical exertion,

and melodious

a

voice,

and whose

bodily

who

fatigue in

is

or

a soft

secretions

and perspiration are characterised by

coldness should be regarded as one of a fatty tempera-

ment.

A man

deep-set bones,

and

joints

thick

in

should be regarded as one in flesh

and

with an erect and upright frame,

whom

layers

the

of

flesh,

principle

of

predominates.

A

man, whose

finger

nails,

eyes,

tongue, palate,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

3 6 1

lips,

palms of bands and soles of

xxx\

[Chap.

feet are glossy,

.

and

tinged with a shade of red, should be looked upon as one in

whom

blood forms the essential and predominant

A man

principle.

with a

soft,

smooth and pleasant skin

and hair should be considered as one

in

whom

serum In

fTvak) forms the essential principle of the body. of

respect

worldly success

and

be

each of the aforesaid types should inferior

judged

it

ceding

in

to

men

A

:

tion of

to

belonging

of

successively

the

one

pre-

the above order of enumeration.

verse on the

Authoritative ject

men

longevity,

qualified physician should

life in

a patient with

the

sub-

examine the dura-

help of the aforesaid

measures of limbs and the essential bodily principles, before proceeding to take up his medical treatment, and his professional

success

should be decidedly increased

thereby. All the diseases,

whose names have been

enumerated before, three different heads

may as

specifically

be grouped under any of the the curable, the

(Yapya) and the incurable

(lit

:

fit

to be

suppressive

pronounced

as hopeless).

Each of these

different types, in its turn,

carefully observed so as to

should be

determine whether

primary or an independent

disease,

or

it

is

merely

a

an

accessory or sympathetic one, or the premonitory indication of an incipient distemper in

its

incubative stage.

Chap.

XXXV.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

An .dupasargika

3J7

(sympathetic) disease

the

in

symptom developed

course

primary malady, and which has

its

merely a

is

of an

original

foundation

in

or

the

very nature or component factors of the pre-existing distemper.

A

disease,

commencement

which manifests

of a case and

symptom, nor a premonitory distemper, original)

of a

pam

called

is

A

one.

future or

an

neither

is

indication

disease which

indicates

impending malady

is

accessory

any other

of

Prak-kevalam

a

from the

itself

(primary

or

the advent

called a

Purvaru-

(premonitory stage or indication of a disease).

The medicinal remedy

to be

administered

particular case should be selected

curative virtues of each of clash

its

with an

in

any

eye to the

components, so as not to

with the nature (cause)

of the

disease

and

its

accompanying symptoms, and to prove simultaneously

On

soothing to both of them.

unfavourable

checked

in a

symptom should be case

where

grown stronger and more the original

the

malady

in

it

contrary, a violent

first

attended to and

would be found to have

distressing or dangerous than

course of which

it

has been

developed.

A

primary

or

malady,

independent

unattended

with any of the distressing or unfavourable symptoms, should be treated according to nature of

while in an

the

deranged

its

indications

humours

incubative disease

involved

and the therein,

the treatment should

THE SUSHRUTA

3 i8

would make

itself manifest.

Verse on the sub

Authoritative ject make

:

— As

its

XXXV.

Chap

subduing a premonitory symptom as soon as

consist in it

SAMHITA'.

there

not a single disease,

is

which can

appearance without the participation of any of

the deranged

humours, a wise physician

bodily

is

en-

joined to administer medicines according to the specific features of the deranged

humours involved

in a disease

whose nature and treatment have not even been described in

any book on medicine.

The

different seasons

of the year have been described before.

Metrical Texts ;—In

the

cold

disease should be treated with measures

season,

and remedies

endued with the virtue of destroying or warding cold, while in

summer

consist of measures

the

The

heat.

should be

the

treatment should

medicinal

medical

treatment

a

the opportune

at

just

of

disease

moment,

which should not be allowed to expire in vain

any circumstances whatsoever.

A

ment

(of a

disease)

is

or not

moment,

proper time, as well as

its

over or insufficient medication, proves abortive

type of disease.

under

course of medical treat-

at an inopportune

resorted to at the advent of

a curable

off

and applications capable of allaying

commenced

ment commenced

a

even

The proper medical

that

treat-

which successfully copes

with the malady under treatment, recrudescence of a fresh one

in

b}'

way

and

arrests

of sequel,

the

and not

SUTRASTHANAM.

dhap.

XXXV.

that,

which, though subduing a particular distemper,

immediately followed

is

by a new

man

digested only with

is

four different kinds (states).

to

it

not being

that

One

be divided into

of these kinds

tively ascribed to the fact of their

(

digestive

fire

due

is

any way affected by the deranged

in

humours of the body, while the other three

The

food of

the

help of the digestive

the

which may

or heat (Pachakagni),

fire

319

one.

has been demonstrated before

It

a

]

or

are respec-

becoming so deranged.

heat becomes

irregular or

fitful

Vishamagni) through the action of the deranged Vayu,

becomes keen, through the action of the and

Pittam,

the

dull

humoural

sluggish,

Kapham.

deranged

continues in

or

a

deranged

through the action of

The

kind
fourth

unaffected by any of the morbid

state

the

owing to

their

Sama'gni and Vishama'gni.:—The

diges-

constituents

of

body

maintaining the normal equilibrium.

tive heat,

which

time

proper

fully digests the ingested

without

the

least

which

state, is is

called

irregular in

its

Samagni. action,

humours

The

in their

digestive

heat

and which sometimes

helps the process

of complete digestion,

distension of the

abdomen,

the

thus

irregularity,

reflecting the continuance of the bodily

normal

food at the

colic

and produces

pain, constipation

of

bowels, dysentery, ascites, heaviness of the limbs,

THE SUSHRUTA

320

SAMHITA'.

XXXV.

[Chap.

rumbling in the intestines, and loose motions (diarrhoea) at other times,

is

called

Vishamagni.

Tikshna'gni :—The

digestive heat,

which helps

the digestion of even a heavy meal within an incredibly short space of time,

which

becoming

excessive

or

"

"

Keen

(Tikshnagni) and

abnormally augmented

voracious appetite

to digest

glutton

called

is

his

parched throat, palate and

(Atyagnii,

and other

heat

lips,

helps

a

and produces a

meals,

frequent

an

begets

dis-

comforts.

IYIanda'gni :— The

or

fire

digestive

causes the tardy digestion even of a

scanty

heat which meal,

and

produces heaviness of the abdomen and head, cough, difficult

breathing, water-brash, nausea,

with the taking thereof,

of the limbs simultaneously is

and weariness

called dull or sluggish (Mandagni).

Metrical Texts :— The Vishama kind brings on derangement of the Vavu. fire

digestive

fire

diseases characterised

A

of

the

by the

keen (Tikshna) digestive

brings on bilious (Pittaja) affections, while a sluggish fire

(Manda)

deranged state

made

to

normal

gives

rise

of the

to

regular

appetite*)

marked by a

Endeavours should be

Kapham.

keep the digestive

or

diseases

fire

in

of

the

Sama

type

an unimpaired state.

There is a difference between "Agni" and "appetite." Agni includes and pancreatic secretions, and hence indicates the state of one's digestion. Appetite, though not an unerring indicator of the process, is the '""

liile

effect

of Agni,

XXXV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

:

The one known rected

by

In

be cor-

'irregular) should

consisting' of emollient, acid or saline

a diet

substances.

Vishama

as

321

of abnormally keen

a case

digestive

the medical treatment should consist in prescrib-

fire,

ing purgatives and

which

sweet,

a

in

appetite,

and

cooling,

albuminous

or

tatty

(Atyagni) as marked in cases

and a

of

composition

The same treatment should be

matters largely enter.

adopted

the

in

diet

of voracious

diet consisting of buffalo-milk, or its curd

(Dadhi) and liquid

buffalo- butter should

be prescribed

tor

the patient in addition. Emetics should be administered in

case

a

of dull

or

(Mandagni),

digestion

sluggish

and the patient should be restricted to a

diet consisting

of articles of a pungent, astringent or bitter taste.

Metrical Texts :— The a person,

is

in

godly

its

subtle

fire,

essence,

the divine attributes of atom-like lessness,

the

up

etc.,

and

lymph

purpose of

is

own

as

of

chyle

and

digestion,

Prana,

invisibility,

different is

tastes

The

weighttakes

It

for

the

owing to

invisible

three

Apana and Samana,

spheres within

and possesses

the digestant of food.

extremely subtle essence.

known

that burns within

vital

its

Vayus

located in their

the organism, feed

it

and keep

it

burning.

as

man may

The

three stages of

(1)

infancy or childhood,

and

(3^

4i

old age or dotage.

(2)

be roughly described

youth or middle age,

Childhood extends up to the

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

*22 5-"-

sixteenth year of

three different

A

alone.

year of

be divided into

or

rice

child lives exclusively on milk

its

fed

it is

life,

to

up

food)

may

according as they are fed on

classes,

on milk and boiled

or

milk,

and children

life,

xx XV.

[Chap,

on boiled

rice

up to the

first

on milk and boiled

and

the second year,

rice

(hard

thenceforward

is

nourished with boiled rice (hard food).

The middle age

of a

man

to the seventieth year of his

extends from the sixteenth life,

and exhibits the

traits

of growth, youth, arrest of development and decay.

The

process of growth or

the twentieth

year of

of maturity sets in a

man up

all

attain

Thenceforth seventieth

energy of a virility

full

decay

year

of

or

the age

and holds sway over the body of

the organs and

(their

goes on up to

when youth

to the thirtieth year of his

semen, and

body

life,

building

—the strength,

vital principles of the

maturity at the age of forty. sets

gradually

in

up

to

the

After that the strength and

life.

man dwindle day by

grow weak and

life,

suffer

The organs and deterioration. The hair day.

turns to a silvery white, the parched skin looks shrivelled

and becomes impressed with marks of dotage (crow's

The

feet-marks).

the hair begins to

skin hangs

down and becomes

flabbv,

off, and symptoms of alopecia mark the smooth, sheen and balded pate. The respirafall

tion

becomes laboured and

like

an old and dilapidated building, shakes with

\

painful.

The body, worn out fits

of

Chap.

XXXV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Such a man

distressing cough.

is

incapable of

and does but imperfectly perform

He

all

all acts,

functions.

bodily

has grown old.

The dose

of medicine should be increased with the

age of a patient the

323

expiry

the age of decay, and reduced after

the

seventieth

to

year

the

quantity

usually prescribed for an youth of sixteen).

is

(which

of

till

Authoritative verses on the Subject :— Kapham

is

increased

during

childhood and Pittam in middle age of of

years

of

while an increase

Vayu (nervous derangement marks the closing years The use of strong or drastic purgatives, and life. >

cauterisation are alike

and old men.

It

if

is

(middling)

either

bulk.

bulk with

before thin

stout,

A

stout'

depletive

should try to

of children

cases

weakened

in

found indispensably necessary.

has been stated

person

in

prohibited

They should be used only

or modified forms

in

;

the

make

a

that

the

or

of

person

measures,

body an

body.

a

average

should be reduced

while a physician

thin patient gain in

flesh.

human body, which is neither too thin nor too should be made to maintain its shapely rotundity.

We

of

A

stout,

have already discoursed on the strength of the

Now

primarily

in a particular case

incumbent

whether the patient

under treatment,

on the physician is

to

naturally weak, or has

it

is

enquire

become

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

324

so through a deranged condition of the bodily

And

or old age.

which makes tion,

etc.)

since

remedial measures

all

(such

be

should

it

possible,

.

humours

the strength of a patient

is

it

XXX V

[Chap.

as cauterisa-

as

regarded

the

grandest auxiliary to a medical treatment of whatsoever nature

it

be.

may

Metrical Texts are

though

strong

though stout

;

:

—There

thin

are

while

;

some men who

others

are

weak,

and accordingly a physician should

deter-

mine the bodily strength of a patient by enquiring about the capacity of his physical labour.

Sattvam or fortitude denotes a kind of of one's

indifference

mind

sensations

to

and

endurance

(stoic)

and sources

of pleasure or pain.

A man

of strong fortitude (Sattvika temperament)

is

capable of enduring everything, or any amount of pain

by repressing lect.

A man of

energetic)

of painful

mind with the help of

his

may

a Rajasika turn

of

mind

his will or intel-

(strong,

active,

be made to patiently submit to a course

medical treatment by means of persuasive

counsels and the logic of the inevitable, whereas a of a Tamasika temperament (a worldly cast characterised

by Nescience)

is

of

man mind

simply overwhelmed at

the prospect of bodily pain.

Later on,

we

shall

have occasion to deal with the

different types of physical

agents in general.

A

treatment and of remedial

particular

country, or a

season

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

XXXV.]

Chap.

325

of the

year,

a particular disease or a peculiar

living,

any

particular

kind

of

exercise, or the specific properties

particular locality, or cular taste,

is

is

some to

sleep, or a juice of

soever,

any

said to be naturalised to these

on

his health,

parti-

fail

a

condi-

to produce

any

though naturally unwhole-

others.

Metrical Texts :— A

thing of any taste what-

any kind of habit or physical exercise

or

said to be

way

of the water of any

and environments, when they

injurious effect

of or

labour

physical

or are said to be congenial (Satmya) to

man, or a man tions

day

mode

congenial to a

telling

on

his

man

which, instead of in any

contributes

health,

is

to

his

positive

pleasure and comfort.

Features of an Anupa country:— A country

may

be classed either as an Anupa, Jangala or a

Sadharana one, according features.

An

Anupa

undulated area,

with

and which

its

distinctive physical

watery or

swampy) country

number

contains a large

chains is

to

of pools, and

of

lofty

hills

impassable owing to

is

wooded and its

traversing its

net- works

of rivers and sheets of accumulated rain-water rippling before the

inhabited

currents

by

a

of the

race

of

gentle, stout,

humid shapely

air.

and

It

is

soft-

bodied men, susceptible to Vatala and Kaphaja diseases.

Features of Jarngala and Sardharrana countries — The country, which presents a Hat :

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

326

and whose

surface

dull

monotony

is

[

Chap.

XXXV.

enlivened here and

there by scanty growths of thorny shrubs and the tops of a few isolated

hills

or knolls, and in

which the waters

from springs and wells, accumulated during the

become nearly

drained, and strong

warm wind

gales of

blow (during the greater part of the year) making habitants,

though

Jangala.

A

of diseases,

attacks

to

country, which exhibits features

to both the aforesaid

classes,

is

its in-

and sinewy

thin, strong, tough,

their frames, subject

rains,

called

is

in

called

common

Sadharana

or

ordinary.

Authoritative Verses on the Subject — A country derives the epithet of Sadharana :

from the ordinary character of

and from the their

A

fact

heat, cold

of the bodily

disease

originated

fails

to gain in

and transplanted man, who

in,

in a

and rainfall,

humours maintaining

normal state of equilibrium within

country

A

its

its

confines.

and peculiar to a particular

intensity,

country

if

brought over

of a different

observes a regimen of diet and

to,

character.

conduct

soothing to the deranged bodily humours accumulated in

the country he has

come

from,

and aggravated and

manifest in the shape of a disease in the country he has been living for the time being, need not apprehend

any danger from the altered conditions

of his

new

abode, for the fact of his not observing a regimen of diet

and conduct regarded

beneficial

in

consideration

xxxv.

Chap.

the

of

disease

any

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

distressing

the

unfavourable

or

of

with a

patient

regular

traits

and

§

the adopt-

of the physique

of

state

unimpaired

traits

of

and longevity and commands the

fortitude

co-operation

and

complications,

(Samagnih and who exhibits

digestion

strength,

unattended with

the temperament,? and

year,t

A

place.

country*, the season

of the

the nature

ed or congenial or naturalised of a

latter

recent growth* or origin

of

unsuited to of

the

of

features

physical

327

the

commendable

four

of

factors

a

course of medical treatment, readily yields to medicine.

A

disease,

which

is

marked by

features

other than

those described above, should be regarded as incurable,

while

the

one

common

traits

exhibiting

both

to

abovesaid types, should be looked upon as ex-

the

tremely hard to cure.

medicine proving abortive,

In the case of a former a different

one should not be resorted to as long as

effect of the first

the

would

last,

inasmuch as a mixture

or a confusion of medicinal remedies tends to produce a

A

positively injurious effect. *

As

the

medicine or any medicinal

development of a disease due

to

the

deranged

Kapham

country of the J&ngala type.

in a

+

As

malady

J

in

As

the attack of a bilious

distemper in

autumn, or of a Kaphaja the

affection in

forewinter, or

of a

V&taja

of

bilious

summer.

appearance of Kaphaja disease in a

patient

temperament. §

As

the

appearance of

to the use uf viands of

a Kaphaja

pungent

taste.

disease

in

a subject habituated

-

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

28

[

Chap.

XXXV.

may

measure, failing to produce any tangible

effect,

be

difficult

repeated

in

quick

dangerous disease,

if

beneficial in the case

who,

physician, etc., fully

it

succession

be

a

in

empirically

under treatment.

considering the

found to be

The

intelligent

nature of the season,

conforms to the abovesaid rules of medical

treatment,

conquers the bodily distempers and dispels

the gloom of Death from the world with his medical Thus ends

or

skill.

the Thirty-fifth Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushrula

Samhitd, which treats of clinical observations.

CHAPTER XXXVI. Now we of

treats

on the Chapter,

discourse

shall

miscellaneous remedies for

which

swellings,

etc.

(Mishraka-madhyayam).* Metrical Texts :— A

medicinal plaster, com-

posed of Matulanga, Agnimantha, Devadaru, Mahaush-

dham, Ahinsra, and Rasna pasted together and applied to the seat of the affection, leads to the

of a

due to the action of the deranged Vayu.

swelling,

A

resolution

plaster

composed of Durva, Xalamulam, Madhu-

kam, and Chandanam,

composed of

as well as plasters

drugs of cooling properties, t brings about the resolution

an

of

inflammatory

and proves similarly which has

or to one

of

swelling

the

Pittaja type,

beneficial to a traumatic its

swelling,

in the vitiated

origin

condition

of the blood.

Measures, laid

down

in

connection with

resulting from the effects of poison,

a

swelling

would lead to the

resolution of a Pittaja swelling as well. *

The nomenclature

authorities,

on the

of

fact

of its

the chapter

is

based,

according to certain

jointly treating of eight principal

processes

of absorption, suppuration, spontaneous bursting, etc. of a swelling

some the

there are

fact

of

its

who

hold that the

containing

beneficial to swellings

t the

and

their

first

the Utpal&di group etc.

of the

remedial measures

chapter

is

commonly

;

derived

while

from

(Mishrakam

)

ulcers.

Belonging to the groups

names of

name

(

Gana

)

of medicinal herbs, which go by

components, such as the Kakalyadi group (Gana),

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

330

A

XXXVt.

[Chap.

composed of Ajagandha, Ashvagandha,

plaster,

Kala, Asarala, Ekaishika, and Ajashringi pasted together,

and applied a

Kaphaja

of

the spot, leads to the resolution

to

(appearing at

swelling

any

of the

part

body).

A

plaster,

composed of the components of the above-

said groups of medicinal

drugs and Lodhram,

Pathya,

Pinditakam, and Ananta, brings about the resolution of a swelling due of

the

three

to

simultaneous derangement

the

fundamental

humours

of

the

body

(Sannipatikam).

A

medicinal plaster, prescribed

for

a

swelling due

to the deranged Vayu, should be applied

with a butter.

little

rock

salt,

acid (Amla),

and

by mixing

oil

or

it

clarified

Similarly, a plaster, prescribed for the resolution

of a Pittaja swelling, should be applied cold, and with a

quantity of milk added to

little

resolution

warm

of a

A

it.

plaster

for

the

Kaphaja swelling should be applied

to the affected part,

and with the addition of a

considerable quantity of an alkali and cow's urine.

Pare ha n a

Plasters :—A

plaster

composed

of the seeds of Shana, Mula, Shigru, Tila and Sarshapa,

Yava-powder, Kinva

(enzyme),

and

linseed

pasted

together, or one consisting of thermogenetic drugs (such as Kustha, Aguru, etc.),

a swelling.

would

establish

suppuration in

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XXXVI.]

Darana Plasters :—A

331

composed of

plaster

Hayamaraka and

Chiravilva, Agnika, Danti, Chitraka,

the dung of pigeons, vultures and storks (Kanka) pasted

would lead to the spontaneous bursting of a

together,

An

swelling.

alkali, or

its

ingredients

garded as a powerful auxiliary

in

should be

re-

about the

bringing

spontaneous bursting of a swelling.

Pi dan a Plasters the

and bark of slimy

roots

etc.), or of barley, wheat,

together,

an

—A

plaster

:

trees

composed of Shelu,

(Shalmali,

and Masha pulse powdered

would increase the secretion of

pus from

ulcer, or a swelling that has burst.*

Shod nana Plasters tion)

(Ganas)

of drugs

or

known

as

the

decoc-

Sumanah, Karavira, and

of Shankhini, Ankota,

Suvarchchala,

:— A Kashayat

belonging

to

the group

Aragvadadi-Varga, should be

used in washing and purifying (asepsising) the contents of an ulcer, or a secreting swelling.

Shodhana

Varti :— A

lint

saturated

with a

plaster of Ajagandha, Ajashringi, Gavakshi, Langalahva-

Putika,

ya,

Chitraka,

Patha,

Vidanga,

Ela,

Renuka,

Tri-katu, Yavakshara, the five kinds of salt, Manahshila,

*

free

The

plaster should be applied all

round the swelling, leaving

its

head

and exposed. t

A decoction

with one part of a drug mixed with four,

teen parts of water, the whole being boiled entire quantity.

down

to a quarter

eight or sixpari

of the

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

332

XXXVI.

and the Saurashtra-

Haritala

Kasisa, Trivrita, Danti,

[Chap.

and inserted into an ulcer or an open swelling,

mrittiktf,

brings about the purification of

its

and these

interior,

drugs and substances should be regarded as the ingre-

Shodhana Vartis

dients of

(aseptic plugs).

Shodhana Kalka

:— A

kalka (aseptic paste),

composed of the preceding drugs and substances, possesed of the virtue ulcer, or

of purifying the

interior

is

of an

open swelling.

Oil or clarified butter

Ajagandha,

Ajashringi,

prepared with the aforesaid

etc,

and Kasisa,

Katurohini,

Jatikanda, and the two kinds of Haridra, and applied to

an ulcer or open swelling,

medicated

Ghritam

juice of Arka

prepared

roots,

Uttama,

Snuhi plants, drugs abounding

The

purifies its interior.

with

the

the

milky

expressed juice

in alkalis, Jati-roots,

two kinds Haridra, Kasisa, Katurohini and the plug-drugs (Sodhana-Varti) pasted

of

the

aforesaid

together, should be

regarded as possessed of a virtue similar to the preceding one.

A

medicated

(Apang),

oil

Rajabriksha,

prepared

Ximva,

with

Mayuraka,

Koshataki,

Tila,

Vrihati, Kantakari, Haritala, Manahshila, and the afore-

said

plug-drugs (purgative drugs according to others),

should be used for the purpose of purifying the interior of an ulcer.

A

pulverised

compound

consisting of Kasisa,

Saindhava, Kinva, Vach.1, the two kinds of Haridra,

Chap.

and

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

XXXVI.] the

component

powdered

made

of the

of

cavity

purpose a condensed

an

the

used

aseptic

plug

the

puri-

for

For the same

ulcer.

extract

(Rasa-Kriya)* should be

of the

drugs belonging to the

essence

Salsaradi, Patoladi,

be

should

together,

of the

fication

of

drugs

333

and Triphaladi groups.

Dhupanam — A wise physician should fumigate :

fDhupanam) an

ulcer with

consisting

of Sriveshtaka,

and

drugs belonging

the

pulverised together ing

the fumes

of a

compound

Sarjarasa, Sarala, Devadaru,

the

to

and made into an

Salsaradi raseptic

group,

fumigat-

compound.

A

cold

infusion

(Shhita-ShritanO

Audumvara, Ashvattha,

etc.)

of trees (Vata,

which are cooling and

in astringent in their virtue, should be used

setting

up a process of granulation

The Ropana-Varti

in

an

healing or

ulcer.

-.—Plugs of drugs such as

Soma, Amrita (Gulancha), and Ashvagandha, or of those belonging to the Kakolyadi group, or of the sprouts trees

of milk-exuding

and

(Kshirivrikshas such inserted

Audumvara,

etc.)

to

granulation (Ropana).

its

help

Samanga, *

The

Soma,

Sarala

into

wood,

A

Vata,

an ulcer tend paste (Kalka) of

Soma-Valka,

with process consists in mixing the drugs

or sixteen times their

as,

(red

water weighing eight

combined weight, and then boiling them down

an eighth or sixteenth part of the entire quantity.

to

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

->

OJ 4

Chandana, and

recommended

is

group,

A

the

to

drugs belonging

Chap.

[

for the healing of

XXXVI.

Kakolyadi

an

ulcer.

medicated Ghritam, prepared with the Prithak-

Atmagupta, Haridra, Daruharidra, Malati,

parni,

Sita,

and drugs belonging to the Kakolyadi group, is renowned for

its

with

A

healing properties. Kalanusari,

Aguru,

medicated

is

prepared

Daru- Haridra,

Haridra,

Devadaru, Priyangu, and Lodhra,

oil

possesed of a similar

efficacy.

A

compound

pulverised

Triphala, Lodhra,

Dhava

of

and

Ashvakarna

compound

Pushpa-kasisa, is

commended

extract trees

drugs

(

(

known

powdered property.

barks

together,

The

use

is

of a

consisting of Priyangu, Sarjarasa,

Tvaka, and Dhava powdered together for

as as

A

the healing of an ulcer.

Rasakriya

such

Kanguka,

Shravana and the

Kasisam,

possessed of a similar healing pulverised

of

consisting

)

of

Vata,

the

bark

of

Ashvattha

condensed

milk-exuding

etc.

)

and

the

the Triphala, should be successively

used for the healing *o of an ulcer.

UtS^danam

:

—The drugs

known

as

Apamarga,

Ashvagandha, Talapatri, Suvarchhala and those belonging

to

the

growth of

Kakolyadi group, should be used

flesh in

an ulcer

(

Avasa'danam :—A KSsisa,

Saindhava

(

rock

Utsadana

).

compound salt

),

for the

consisting

of

Kinvam, Kuruvinda,

Chap,

SUTRASTHANAM.

xxxvi.]

Manahshila, the shell of a flowers, the

Jati

seeds of .Shirisha, and Karanja, and (

Dhatus

should be used in destroying the

growths of an ulcer

A

egg, the blossoms of

hen's

powders of the abovesaid metals gether,

335

(

Avasadanam

wise physician should use

all

)

mixed

to-

fleshy super-

).

the

drugs and sub-

stances as have been enumerated in connection with the

healing or establishing of suppuration, etc. in or as

many

Thus ends

of

them

as

would be available

an

at the time.

ihe thirty-sixth Chapter of the Sulrasthanam in the

Samhita which

treats of miscellaneous

ulcer,

Sushruta

remedies for inflammatory swellings.

CHAPTER XXXVII. Now we

on the Chapter, which deals

shall discourse

with the distinctive

commended

traits of the different classes of soil

the

for

growth or culture of medicinal

(Bhumi-Pravibha'ga-Vijnarniyamadhyaryam).

herbs

These are the general features of a ground which

recommended herbs.

A

for

culture of medicinal

the

whose surface

plot of ground,

is

plants

is

or

not broken or

rendered uneven by the presence of holes, ditches, gravel

and stones, nor

is

loose in

its

character,

and which

is

not disfigured by ant-hills, nor used for the purposes of a cremation or execution ground, and which does not

occupy the

site

of a holy temple,

A

growth of medicinal herbs. soil

which

is

glossy,

is

favourable for the

ground which possesses a

firm, steady,

black,

yellowish

or

red and does not contain any sand, potash or any other alkaline substance,

of plants and

and

easily

is

favourable to the germination

pervious to the roots of plants

growing thereon, and

which

is

supplied

with the

necessary moisture from a close or adjacent stream or reservoir of water,

is

recommended

medicinal plants and herbs.

for

the

growth of

Plants should be

regard-

ed as partaking of the virtues of the ground they grow upon.

A

plant,

growing

should be examined as to

in its

such a commendable being infested with

site,

worms

xxxvii.

Chap,

or insects,

poison,

or

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

or

as

cut

to

its

being anywise infected with

with an arm, or affected by winds, or

atmospheric heat,

be culled or uprooted sound,

337

healthy,

an animal's body. in

the event of

being found

it

and

full-bodied,

deep-rooted,

should

It

of

The gatherer should look towards the

matured sap.

north at the time of culling.

A

plot of ground with a pebbly, steady, heavy,

dusky and which conduces to the soil, growth and yields rich harvests of corn, should

or dark coloured

of large trees,

be regarded as permeated with the specific virtues of essential Earth-matter.

A

ground having a cool, glossy, white coloured

which

is

adjacent to water,

with a lavish growth

shady the

of

and whose surface

is

weeds and

glossy

soil,

covered luscious

should be considered as characterised by

trees,

essential

properties

ground having a gravelly

which contributes only

water (Amvuguna

of soil

of varied

.

A and

colours,

to the germination of scanty

and

yellowish sprouts, should be looked upon as permeated

with the attributes

of essential

ground with an ash- coloured or

and on which withered looking, of

stunted growth,

43

of air

soft, level surface

(grey

,

A soil,

sapless, large-holed trees

somehow eke

the specific properties

(Agniguna).

ass- coloured

existence, should be considered as

one having a

fire

out

a

miserable

being controlled by

(Anilaguna)

;

while the

with large trees and lofty

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

338 hills

[

Chap. XXXVII.

cropping up at intervals thereon, and which

covered with growths of weeds and under-shrubs, and

endued with a dark

soil,

is is

kept moist and sappy by the

percolation of invisible (subterranean) water, should be

looked upon as permeated with the essential properties of sky (Akashaguna).

According to certain authorities, the roots, leaves, bark, milk}''

essence and fruits (seeds) of

exudations,

medicinal plants and herbs, should be respectively culled

the rains Pravrit ) and in the rainy

in the early part of

(

season proper (Varsha),

autumn, (Sharat), fore-winter

(Hemanta), spring (Vasanta)

and summer (Grishma).

But we cannot subscribe to that opinion inasmuch as the nature or essential temperament of the earth cool (Saumya) and hot (Agneya).

is

both

Accordingly drugs of

cooling virtues should be culled during the cold seasons of the year, and the heat- making ones in the hot season, as they

do not become divested of their native virtues

those seasons of the virtues,

r

} ear.

at

Medicinal plants of cooling

which are grown on

a soil of cool

temperament

and are culled during the cool seasons of the year,

become

intensely

sweet,

cooling

and glossy.

These

remarks hold good of other medicinal plants and herbs.

Herbs of purgative properties, which are grown on a

soil

permeated

with the specific virtues of water

or earth matter, should be

of their kind.

culled as the

most

effective

Similarly, herbs of emetic virtues should

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

XXXVII.]

339

be culled from a ground permeated with the essential virtues of

Herbs should

fire,

sky and

exercising-

Similarly,

to

ground

features

exhibiting

both the two aforesaid classes of

herbs

(Sanshamanam)* in the

both purgative and emetic virtues

from

be culled

common

air.

possessed

of

soothing

are found to exert

properties

a stronger

event of their being reared on a

soil.

soil

action

permeated

with the essential properties of sky. All medicinal herbs

and substances should

as fresh as possible, excepting Pippali, Vidanga,

be used

Madhu,

Guda, and Ghritam, (which should be used in a matured condition

i.e.

The milky

not before a year;.

juice or sap

of a medicinal tree or plant should be regarded as strong

and active under

all

Herbs and drugs,

circumstances.

that had been culled or collected within the year, might

be taken and used

in

case where fresh ones

making up a medicinal recipe would not be

in a

available.

Authoritative Verses on the Subject — Medicinal

herbs and plants should be recognis-

ed and identified with the help

of cowherds,

huntsmen, forest-dwellers, and those who

and edible roots of the be laid *

down

for the

No

forest.

culling of

hermits,

cull the fruits

definite time can

the leaves and roots of

Herbs or drugs, which in virtue of their own essential properties or subdue a disease without eliminating the morbid humours

soothe

or without exercising

any emetic or purgative

action.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

34 o

medicinal plants,

etc.,

the recipe, which

is

covers, within

Chap.

XXXVII.

such as are used in compounding

called the Patra-lavanam,

and which

therapeutic range, diseases, which are

its

the

to

peculiar

[

entire

organism (such as Vata-vyadhi,

etc).*

As

admits of being divided into

soil

according to

classes

its

the sap of a medicinal six different tastes

through

of the

sweet,

remain latent

soil

taste,

etc.

so

of the

contact with the peculiar

its

grows on.

it

different

may assume any

plant

properties etc.,

smell, colour,

six

in water,

Tastes such

as,

which imparts them

to the soil in a patent or perceptible condition.

A five

plot of ground, exhibiting traits peculiar to all the

fundamental material principles (such as the earth

water,

fire,

etc.),

is

said

be possessed of a

to

of general character (Sadharani Bhumi), and plants and herbs partake of the soil

soil

medicinal

specific virtues of the

they grown on. Drugs, whether fresh or old, and emitting a contrary

smell,

sap

or in

any way

or juice,

affected as

regards their natural

should not be used for

pharmaceutical

purposes.

The

virtues of such medicinal

drugs and substances

such as Vidanga, Pippali, Madhu, and Guda, improve *

Hence

the doctrine, as regards the

medicinal plant such as,

the

leaves,

culling of the different parts of a

roots, etc., in the

of the year, naturally falls to the ground.

different seasons

Chap.

XXXVII.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

drugs and medicinal

(after

a

herbs,

excepting the preceding ones,

fresh

and unsoiled, or uninjured by

Blood,

down

all

Accordingly

year).

34 x

should be used

insects.

nails, or hair etc., of animals, 'bfficinally

laid

to be used in our Pharmacopoeia), should be taken

from young and healthy animals, and the ordure, urine, or milk of an animal, (enjoined to be used for medicinal purposes), should

completed

its

be collected at a time after

has

digestion.

The pharmacy and

the medicinal store of a physician

should occupy a commendable

site

and an auspicious

quarter of the sky (North or East), and

medicines should be kept tied stored in

it

in

the collected

pieces of clean linen, or

earthen vessels and hollow tubes of wood, or

suspended on wooden pegs. Thus ends the

thirty-seventh

Chapter of

Sushruta Samhita which treats of culture of medicinal plants

and herhs,

the etc.

the

Classification

Sutrasthanam of grounds

in the for the

CHAPTER XXXVIII. Now we with

the

shall discourse

on the Chapter which deals

general classification of drugs according to

their therapeutical

(Dravya-Sangra-

properties

han iya- madhyaryam) These drugs are different groups

.

made

usually

into

thirty-seven

(Gana) which are as follows

:

—

The Vidarigandha'di Croup:— The drugs known

as Vidarigandha,

Shvadanstra, Sariva, Vrihati,

Prithakparni,

Jivaka,

and

Shatavari,

Rishavaka, Mahasaha,

Kantakari,

Vrishchikali,

Vidari, Sahadeva, Vishvadeva,

Punarnava,

black

Sariva,

Kshudra-Saha,

Eranda,

Hansapadi,

known

Rishavi, form the group

as the

Vidari- gandhadi.

Metrical Text

:

—The

present group of drugs

subdues the action of the deranged Vayu and Pittam

and proves

beneficial in phthisis

of the limbs,

Shosha\ Gulma, aching

Urdha Shvasa and cough.

The A'ragvadha'di Group :— The known

as

Aragvadha, Madana, Gopaghonta,

Patha, Kantakij, Patala, Murva, Indrayava,

Ximva, Kuruntaka, Dasi-kuruntaka, Karanja,

Patola,

Shangshta, and the Aragvadhadi.

Kiratttikua,

Susha^•i

form

the

Kutaja,

Saptaparna,

two kinds

Guduchi, the

drugs

of

Chitraka,

group known

as

Chap. XXXViir.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Metrical Text

:.—

sion destroys the deranged

The

Kapham and

discharges from the urethra), itching

(aseptic)

of the

agent

in

body

and

the effects ot

Meha

(morbid

acts

as

a purifying

the case of an ulcer. :

—The

known

Morata,

Xaktamala,

Putika,

drugs

Madhu-Shigru, Tarkari,

Varuna, Artagala, Shigru,

Mesha-Shringi,

discus-

Kushtha, fever, vomiting

The Varunaxli Group as

under

group

poison and proves beneficial in cases of

and

343

Agni-

mantha, the two kinds of Sairiyaka, Vimvi, Vasuka, Vasira, Chitraka, Shatavari,

Vilva,

Ajashringi,

Darbha,

and the two kinds of Vrihati form the group known as the Varunadi.

Metrical Text —The

group

:

of

efficacy fat

the

reducing

and proves

and internal

possessed of the

Kapham

deranged

and

efficacious in cases of cephalaegia, Gulraa

abscesses.

The Viratarva di /

known

is

as Virataru, the

Vrikshadani,

Group :— The

drugs

two kinds of Sahachara, Darbha,

Gundra, Nala, Kusha,

bhedaka,

Agnimantha,

Bhalluka,

Kuruntaka,

Morata Indivara,

Kasha,

Ashma-

Vasuka,

Vasira,

Kapotavanka,

and

Shvadanstra enter into the composition of the group

known

as the Viratarvadi.

Metrical Text :— The orders incidental to

group subdues

the deranged

state

all dis-

of Vata and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

344

curative

proves

in

Ashmari,

Chap,

t

xxxvm. Mutra-

Sharkara,

krichhra, Mutraghata and urinary troubles.

The

medicinal drugs,

known

Kramuka,

Bhurjja,

Kuchandana,

as the

Kadara,

Shinshapa,

Tala, Shaka,

Chandana,

Dhava,

Asana,

Shirisha,

of

Kalaskandha,

Tinisha,

Meshashringi,

group of

consists

Salasaradi,

Khadira,

Ajakarna,

Salasara,

Arjuna,

Croup :— The

Sarlasarrardi

Putika Ashvakarna,

Xaktamala,

Aguru and Kaliyaka.

Metrical Texts known

as

-The

:

the Salasaradi

group of the drugs,

Gana, destroys the germ of

Kushtha, absorbs the deranged proves beneficial (

Meha\

in

chlorosis

fat

and Kapham and

morbid discharges from the urethra

or jaundice (Pandu).

The Rodhrardi Group:—The group of medicinal drugs

known

Savararodhra,

Katphala,

as the Rodhradi consists

Palasha

Kutannata,

of Rodhra,

Ashoka,

Phanji, Sala

Kadamva,

Elabaluka, Sallaki, Jingini,

and Kadali.

Metrical Texts :— The the deranged

Kapham and

properties,

removes

neutralises

the

acts

and

as

of

and poison

arrests all secretions

the

antidotal

is

astringent uterine (anti

in

to its

disorders,

toxic)

and

a styptic and purifying agent in a case of ulcer

and excretions of the body.

The Arkardi Group as

is

fat,

vaginal

effects

group

Arka,

Alarka,

the

:

—The

drugs

two kinds of

known Karanja,

Chap,

xxxviii.

SUTRASTHANAM.

j

Mayuraka,

Nagadanti,

343

Rasna,

Bhargi,

Indrapushpi,

Kshudrashveta Mahashveta, Vrishchikali, Alavana and composition of the

Tapasha-Vriksha, enter into the

group

known

as the Arkadi

Gana.

Metrical Texts:— The Arkadi

in

and

fat,

a vermifuge

It acts as

poison.

agent

Kapham,

destroys

group known as the the

and a

of

effects

specific aseptic

of an ulcer and proves curative in

the case

diseases of the skin.

The Surasardi Group :—The as Surasa, white

Kshavaka,

Kharpushpa,

Nirgundi,

Kulahala,

vala,

known

Surasa, Fainjjhaka, Arjaka, Bhustrina,

Sumukha,

Sugandhaka,

drugs

Kashamarda,

Kalamala,

Katphala,

Vidanga,

Indurakarnika,

Surasi,

Prachi-

Phanji,

Kakamachi and Vishamushtika form the group

known

as the Surasadi

Gana.

Metrical Texts :— The and

vermifuge

deranged

an aseptic agent.

is

Kapham and

non-relish for food,

acts

group It

Mushkaka,

a

subdues the

proves beneficial

in

catarrh,

asthma and cough.

The IYlushkakadi Group:—The medicinal drugs

as

known

Palasha,

as the

Mushkakadi

Dhava,

Chitraka,

group of

consists

of

Madana,

Shinshapa, Vajra-Vriksha and Triphala.

Metrical

Text :—The

possessed of the therapeutic virtue 44

present o-f

group

is

fat

and

destroying

THE SUSHRUTA

346

SAMHITA'.

removing the defects of semen. chlorosis,

gravels

and urinary

are the diseases which yield to

Meha, calculi its

[

Chap.

XXXVIII.

jaundice,

piles,

the bladder

in

curative efficacy.

The Pippalyaxli Group:

-The group

of

medicinal drugs

known

Pippali, Pippali

mulam, Chavya, Chitraka, Shringavera,

Maricha,

the

as

Hasti-Pippali,

Pippalyadi consists of

Harenuka,

Ajamoda,

Ela,

Indrayava, Patha, Jiraka, Sarshapa, Maha-Nimva-Phala,

Hingu, Bhargi, Madhurasa, Ativisha, Vacha,

Vidanga

and Katurohini.

Metrical Text good appetiser and

is

:

—The present group acts

and

The range

of

its

includes catarrh, deranged

and Vatam, non- relish

a

an absorbant of intestinal mucous

and unassimilated lymph chyle. peutical application

as

for food,

thera-

Kapham

abdominal glands,

colic

gastralgia.

The ElarU Group drugs

known

Ivushtha,

:— The group

of medicinal

as the Eladi-Gana consists of Ela, Tagara,

M3nsi,

pushpa, Priyangu,

Dhyamaka,

Tvaka,

Patra,

Naga-

Harenuka, Vyaghranakha, Shukti,

Chanda, Sthauneyaka, Shriveshtaka, Chocha, Choraka, Valaka,

Agura,

Guggulu, Sprikka,

Turushka,

Kunduruka,

Bhadradaru,

Kumkuma,

Sarjarasa,

Ushira,

Punnaga and Keshara.

Metrical Text :— The

therapeutic

the group consists in subduing the action

of

virtue

of

Vayu and

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap. XXXVIII.]

Kapham and

347

in neutralising the effects of poison.

and

the

It

is

of

pimples

and other vegetations on the skin such as rash,

urticaria

cosmetic

a

and

etc.

arrests*

the

checks

eruption

incidental

sensation

itching

thereto.

The Vacharli and Haridrardi Groups :The

groups

known

Vachadi and

as the

Ganas, respectively consist of Vacha,

Haridradi

Musta, Ativisha,

Abhaya, Bhadradaru, Nagakeshara (Vachadi), Haridra, Daruharidr3,

Madhuka

and

seeds

Kutaja

Kalashi,

(Haridradi).

Metrical Text:—These two purifiers

of

breast

and

milk

assimilators of the deranged

specifically

act

as

humours of the body,

curative properties being markedly

of

groups are the

witnessed

in

the their

cases

mucous dysentery (Amatisara).

The Shya ma di Group:— The drugs known /

as

Shyama,

khini,

Mah£- Shyama,

Tilvaka,

Putrashroni,

/

Trivrit,

Danti,

Ramyaka,

Kampillaka,

Rajavriksha, the

Gavakshi,

of Karanja, Guduchi, Saptala,

Suvarnakhiri, form the group

Shan-

Kramuka,

two

kinds

Chhagalantri, Sudh^ and

known

the Shyam£di

as

Gana.

Metrical Text

:

— This

group

is

possessed of

the therapeutic virtue of curing abdominal glands and acts as an

anti-toxic.

It

proves beneficial in Anaha

^

THE SUSHRUTA

48

(epistasis),

SAMHITA'.

[

Chap. XXXVIII.

abdominal dropsy and diarrhoea and

of the most reliable purgatives

constipation

of obstinate

cases

in

one

is

of the bowels with suppression

of urine

and distention of the abdomen (Udavarta).

The Vrihatya'di Group as

Kantakarika,

Vrihati,

:—The

drugs

and

Patha

Kutajaphala,

Madhuka combinedly form

known

group known as the

the

Vrihatyadi Gana.

Metrical Text :— The or assimilator

the

of the

group

is

a good digestant

deranged humours.

deranged Vata, Pitta and

It

subdues

Kapham and

proves

efficacious in cases of nausea, water-brash,

dysuria and

non- relish for food.

The as

Group

Patola'di

Patola,

:-The

drugs

known

Chandana, Kuchandana, Murva, Guduchi,

Patha, and Katurohini form the group

known

the

as

Patoladi Gana.

.

Metrical Text

anti-toxic,

and

its

:

—The group

is

a febrifuge and

therapeutic action consists in destroy-

ing the action of the deranged Pittam and

the natural

restores

removes vomiting,

relish

and

of the

Kapham.

patient

proves beneficial

for in

It

food, ulcers,

and itching erythematous eruptions.

The

Ka'kolyardi

as Kakoli-Kshira-Kakoli,

parni,

Mashaparni,

Group :— The drugs known Jivaka,

Meda,

Rishabhaka, Mudga-

Mah^meda, Chhinna-ruha,

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap. XXXVIII.]

349

Karkata-Shringi, Tugakshiri, Padmaka,

Prapaundarika,

Riddhi, Vriddhi, Mridvika, Jivanti and Madhuka, com-

binedly form the group

known

Metrical Text under

drugs

:

as the

—The

discussion

Kakolyadi Gana.

subdues the

deranged Pittam, blood and Vayu. of milk

quantity favours

body.

accumulation

the

It is

the breast

in

of

of

group

1

medicinal of

action

increases the

It

galactagogue)

a restorative and an elixir and

is

and

in the

phlegm (Kapham)

the therapeutic virtue of augmenting the

the

endued with

virile

potency

of a man.

The Ushakaxli drugs and substances

Saindhava

salt,

Group

known

group

known

as the

Ushaka

as

medicinal

(alkaline earth)

two kinds of

Kasisa,

into the composition

of the

the

Shilajatu,

Hingu and Tutthaka enter

:— The

Ushakadi Gana.

Metrical Text :— It

destroys

kapham mucous),

absorbs the fat of the body and proves curative in cases .of stone

or

gravel

in

the bladder (urinary

calculi),

dysuria and abdominal glands (Gulma).

The as Sariva,

Sarivardi

Group

:— The

drugs

known

Madhuka, Chandana, Kuchandana, Padmaka,

Kashmari phala, Madhuka-pushpa and Ushira, binedly form the group

known

com-

as the Sarivadi Gana.

Metrical Text :— The

group under discussion

and proves curative

in a case of haemoptysis,

allays thirst

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHiTA.

350 Its

therapeutic

of

bilious

virtue

consists

(Pittaja) fever

and

in

[

XXXVIII.

Chap.

curbing an attack

in specifically alleviating

the burning sensation (Daha) of the body.

The Anjanaxli Group as the

Anjanadi Gana consists

Nagapushpa,

Priyangu,

:— The group known

of Anjana,

Nilotpala,

Rasanjana,

Nalada,

Nalina,

Keshara and Madhuka.

Metrical Texts :— An

attack of haemoptysis

readily 3'ields to the curative virtue of the discussion.

It is anti-toxic in its

group under

character and

allays

the internal burning sensation of the body.

The Parushaka'di Group:—The known

Gana

as the Parushakadi

group

consists of Parushaka,

Drdksha, Kat-phala, Dadima, Rajadana, Kataka-phala

Shaka-phala and Triphala.

IVIetrical Vayu, allays relish for

Text

thirst,

acts

:

—

It

subdues

as a

cordial,

the

deranged

increases one's

food 'and cures the diseased or abnormal com-

ponents of urine or

its

defects.

The Priyangvardi Group:— The medicinal drugs

known

as the Priyangvadi

group of

Gana

consists

of Priyangu, Samanga, Dhataki, Naga-pushpa, Chandana,

Kuchandana,

Mocharasa,

Rasanjana,

Kumbhika,

Srotohnjana, Padma-keshara, Jojanvalli, and Dirghamula.

The Amvashtha'di Group:— Drugs known as

Amvashtha",

Dhataki flowers, Samanga,

Katvanga,

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap, xxxviii.]

Madhuka,

Rodhra,

Vilva-peshika,

351 Savara-Rodhra,

and Padma keshara, enter into

Palasha, Nandi-Vriksha

known

the composition of the group

as the

Amvashthadi

Gana.

Metrical Text:— The two

medicinal recipes of deranged

or groups prove beneficial in a case

Pitta,

favour the healing of ulcers, bring about the adhesion of

fractured

bones

where

dysentery

and prove curative

the

found to consist of

are

stools

of

cases

in

lumps of thick and matured mucous (Pakvatisara.)

The known

Croup:— The

Nya'grodha'cli

Nyagrodha, Audumvara, Ashvattha, Plaksha,

as

Madhuka,

Amra,

Kakubha,

Kapitana,

Koshamra,

Chorakapatra, the two sorts of Jamvu, Piyala,

Rodhra,

Sallaki,

Madhuka

Kadamva, Vadari, Tinduki,

Rohini, Vanjula,

(Maula),

drugs

Savara-Rodhra, Bhallataka, Palasha,

and Nandi-Vriksha, combinedly form the group known as the

Nyagodhradi Gana.

Metrical Texts ficial

the

cases

in

uterus

fractured

and

of

vagina,

bones and

all its

and proves curative

in

an

in

anti-fat

the body.

— This

ulcer,

addition to

body

:

group proves bene-

cures

favours sorts

of

all

the

of

disorders

adhesion

secretions

of

the

of

astringent properties (Sangrahi)

a case

of haemoptysis.

and assuages the burning

It

sensation

is

of

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

352

The known

Guduchyarcli

as

Guduchi, Nimva;

[

Group

Chap,

xxxvili.

:—The

drugs

Chandana,

Kustumvuru,

and Padmaka, combinedly form the group known as the Guduchyadi Gana.

fYletrical acts as a

Text:— It

general

febrifuge

such symptoms as nausea,

is

a good

combats

and successfully

want of

and

appetiser,

relish

for

food,

vomiting, thirst and burning sensation of the body.

The as Utpala,

Utpalarii Group:— The drugs known Raktotpala, Kumuda Saugondhika, Kuvalaya,

Pundarika and Madhuka constitute the group known as the Utpaladi Gana.

Metrical Texts

:

—This

group

possessed of

is

and corrects

the therapeutic virtue of allaying thirst the

deranged

and

Pittam

the

vitiated

cases

in in

pectoris\

of

vomiting,

syncope, in

It

body and proves

assuages the burning sensation of the curative

blood.

in

Hridroga

haemoptysis and

(Angina

in cases

of

group

of

poisoning as well.

The drugs

Musta,

IYIusta'di

known

Haridra,

Vibhitaka, rohini,

as

Group

Mushtadi

Gana

Daru-Haridra,

Kushtha,

:

—The is

composed

Haritaki,

of

Amlaki,

Haimavati, Vacha, Patha, Katu-

Shamgashta, Ativisha, Dravidi, Bhallataka and

Chitraka.

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap, xxxviii.]

Metrical Text

—The

:

destroys the deranged vaginal disorders,

group under discussion cures

Shleshma,

purifies

^53

uterine

and

the breast milk of a mother,

and acts as a good digestant (Pachana).

The Triphalar Group :—The drugs Haritaki,

known

known

Amlaki and Vibhitaka, constitute the group

as the Triphaladi Gana.

Metrical Text the action of the

It

—-The present

deranged Vayu,

and proves curative (Kushtham).

:

Meha, and

in

a

is

good

Kapham and

Pittam

in diseases of the skin

appetiser,

eyesight and proves beneficial

group destroys

improves

the

chronic intermittent

in

fever (Vishama-jvara).

The Trikatu Group :—The consists of Pippali,

Maricha and Shringavera.

Metrical Text curative

proves

Trikatu group

in

:

— It

destroys fat and

cutaneous

Kapham,

affections,

leprosy

(Kushtha), and morbid discharges from the urethra, and is

possessed of the virtue of curing abdominal glands,

and

catarrh, dullness of the appetite

The known

A'mlakyaxli

as the

indigestion.

Group :— The

Amlakyadi Gana

consists

of

group Amlaki,

Haritaki, Pippali and Chitraka.

Metrical Text

:

— The present group of medici-

nal drugs acts as a general febrifuge

45

and may be used

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

354

with advantage it is

in fevers of

Chap,

[

whatsoever type.

xxxvin.

Moreover,

an aphrodisiac and acts as a general tonic or

rative

and

appetiser, destroying the

resto-

Kapham

deranged

and improving the eyesight.

The Trapvardi Group :— The group known as the

Trapvadi Gana consists of Trapu,

Tamra,

Sisa,

Rajata, Krishna-Lauha, Suvarna and Lohamala.

Text :— The

Metrical

group

present

is

regarded as a good vermifuge and possessed of the virtue of neutralising the effects of chemical poison originated

through

incompatible combinations.

range covers jaundice, tions from the

La'ksha'di

therapeutic

(morbid secre-

Hridroga (heart disease),

and maladies incidental to the

The

Meha

chlorosis,

urethra),

Its

thirst

effects of poison.

Group

as the Laksha, Arevata, Kutaja,

:

-The drugs known

Ashvamara, Katphalam,

Haridra, Daru-Haridra, Ximva, Saptachchhada, Malati,

and Trayamana form the Lakshadi Gana.

Metrical Text bitter

and sweet

vermifuge

and

a

taste

:

— This consists (Rasa)

purifying

and

(aseptic)

of bad, malignant or indolent ulcers.

the deranged

Kapham and

of astringent,

acts

as

agent

a

good

in

cases

Diseases due to

Pittam prove amenable to

its

curative properties, which extend to cases of cutaneous affections

(Kushtham)

as well.

Now we

shall describe

Chap.

XXXVIII.]

SUTRASTHANAM.

the

five

of

groups

medicinal

355

roots

each

(Mulam),

number of components.

consisting of similar

The Svalpa Panchamulam Croup The group known

as

minor group of

the

:—

roots

five

(Svalpa- Pancha-Mula) consists of the roots of medicinal plants

known

the Trikantaka,

as

Vrihati, Prithakparni,

two

the

species

and Vidarigandha.

Metrical Texts

:

— The compound

possesses a

blended of astringent, bitter and sweet.

taste

tonic

of

It is a

and aphrodisiac, subdues the deranged Vayu and

proves soothing to the deranged Pittam.

The Mahat The one known five

Panchamula Group:— as the great or the

major group of

medicinal roots (Mahat-Pancha-Mula)

the

roots

of

such

trees

as

consists

of

Agnimantha,

Vilva,

Tuntuka, Patala and Kashmari.

Metrical Texts :— It subdues the deranged (easily digestible)

bitter

Kapham and Vatam.

in its

Dashamula

is

known

as the

Group

Dasha-Mulam

possessed of the virtue

Vata, Pittam and

asthma and

It

is

and light

reaction (Anurasa).

preceding groups in combination form cally

taste

in

and appetising, and acquires a sub-

sequent sweet taste

The

is

Kapham.

difficult

two

one techni-

the

(the ten roots),

of destroying It

:—The

which

the deranged

proves beneficial in cases of

respiration.

It

acts

as

a

good

THE SUSHRUTA

356

SAMHITA'.

digestant in respect of undigested is

[

chyle, etc and

lymph

used with satisfactory results in

all

Chap. XXXVIII.

types of fever.

The Valli-Panchamulam Group:— The group consisting creepers known as and Aja-Shringi,

is

of the roots of the five medicinal Vidari,

Rajani,

Sariva,

Guduchi

called the Valli-Panchamulam.

The Pancha-kantakam Groups— Similarly,

the group

(thorny) shrubs

consisting

known

Sairiyaka, Shatavari,

as

of

the

medicinal

five

Karamradda,

and Gridhranakhi,

Trikantaka, is

called the

Pancha-Kantaka.

Metrical Texts prove

curative

in

:

—The two

Haemoptysis and

preceding groups in

all

the

three

types of anasarca or oedema (Shopha).

Moreover,

the incontestable virtue of arresting

sorts of urethral

discharges and

is

a potent

remedy

all

it

has

in all cases of seminal

disorders.

The Pancha-Trina Group consisting species)

of the

five

:— -The group

medicinal herbs (of the grass

and known as Kusha, Kasha, Nala, Darbha,

Kandekshuka,

is

called the Pancha-Trina.

Metrical Texts

:

— Cases of Haemoptysis, renal

defects or of uninary diseases are found to speedily yield

to

the curative efficacy

administered through the

of the

medium

Metrical Texts :—The

compound

internallv

of cow's milk. first

two of the

afore-

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XXXViii.]

Panchamulas

said groups of

357

the Svalpa and the

(viz.,

Vrihat Panchamulas) are 'possessed of the virtue of

destroying the deranged Vata, while the one standing in the bottom of the

list

(Trina-Panchamula)

is

endued with

the property of killing the deranged Pittam. Those standing third and fourth in order of enumeration (the Valli

and Kantaka Panchamulas) subdue the deranged Kapham.

The groups been

of medicinal drugs and roots have thus

briefly described,

which

will

be more elaborately

dealt with later on in the chapter on Therapeutics.

An

should prepare plasters,

physician

intelligent

decoctions, medicated

oils,

Ghritas (medicated clarified

butter) or potions, according to the

of each

exigencies

The groups enumerated above should

individual case.*

be therapeutically used according to the nature

deranged humours involved

Only two, three

or four

group, or a similar

number

each individual case.

in

drugs

of the

of the

same medicinal

of drugs chosen

from the

the different groups, or a group of medicinal drugs in entirety, or

in

its

combination with another, should be

used according to the indications of any particular case, as the physician, in his discretion, *

Additional Text

the year, cold,

wind and

— These in

drugs

a room

may

be duly culled in

protected

all

seasons of

from smoke, blasts of

rain.

Thus ends the SamhitS,

:

and should be stored

would determine.

thirty-eighth Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushruta which deals with the classification of drugs according to their

therapeutical use.

CHAPTER XXXIX. Now we

on the Chapter which treats

shall discourse

of medicinal

drugs possessed of

man iya- mad hyaryam) Emetic Madana fruits,

cleansing (cathartic'

(Samshodhana-Samsha-

or soothing effects

Drugs

:

.

—The

drugs

known

as

Kutaja, Jimutaka, Ikshvaku, Dhamagarba,

Krita-vedhana,

Vidanga,

Sarshapa,

Karan-

Pippali,

Ashva-

jaka, Prapunnada, Kovidara, Korvudara, Arishta,

Yandhujivaka, Shveta,

gandha, Vidula,

Shanapushpi,

Vimvi, Vacha, Mrigervaru and Chitra, etc. are possessed

Out of these the

of emetic properties. plants

Kovidara

preceding

(from the

Madana

fruits

in

the

fruits (seeds) of

abovesaid

list

those of the Prapunnada)

to

and the roots of plants from Kovidara to

its

close,

should be used.

Purgative Drugs:— The and

creepers, etc.

Dravanti,

Saptala,

Chhagalantri,

Kusha, Puga, angula,

known

Snuk,

as

trees, plants,

Trivrita,

Shankhini,

Shyama, Danti,

Yishanika,

Suvarnakshiri,

herbs

Gavakshi,

Chitraka,

Kinihi,

Kasha, Tilvaka, Kampillaka, Ramyaka, Patala, Haritaki,

Amalaka, Bibhitaka,

Xilini,

Chatur-

Eranda, Putika, Mahdvriksha, Saptachchhada,

Arka, and Jyotishmati, properties.

Of

etc.

are possessed

of purgative

these the roots of plants, which precede

Chap,

Tilvaka

in

the above

the same

The

list,

The barks

purposes. in

StJTRASTHANAM.

xxxix.]

259

should be used for

of trees from Tilvaka to Patala

should be used for similar

list

pollens or dust of the Kampilla seeds,

of

fruits

trees

purgative

purposes.

and of the

from Eranda to Puga, the leaves of

Putika and Aragvadha, and the milky exudations of the

remaining members of the

The expressed

should be similarly used.

juice of Koshataki, Saptala, Shankhini,

Devadali, or Karavellika

The Errhines

is

both emetic and purgative.

:—The

following

Apamarga,

Vidanga,

Pippali,

list,

Shigru,

Shirisha, Maricha, Karavira, Vimvi,

Vacha, Jyotishmati,

Karanja,

Meshashringi,

Shala,

Tala,

with

together

cow's

The

watery

regarded

as

fruits (seeds)

enumerated

substances

as

rock-salt,

exudation

of plants from list,

Pilu, Jati,

Laksha and Hingu,

errhines

in the above-said

Surasa, Arjaka,

Murangi,

(Maula),

and

urine

should be

such

Siddharthaka,

Arka, Alarka, Lashuna,

Matulungi,

Madhuka

viz.

Girikarnika, Kinihi,

Ativisha, Shringavera, Talisha, Tamala,

Ingudi,

drugs,

of

spirits,

cow dung

(Shirovirechanam

.

Pippali to Maricha

the

roots of plants

commencing with Karavira and ending with Arka, the bulbs of those whose names precede Talisha in the

same and

list,

the leaves of those

commencing with Talisha

ending with the Arjaka therein, the barks of

Ingudi and Meshashringi, the flowers of Matulungi,

Murungi, Pilu and

Jati,

the essence (Sara) of Shala, Tala

^ HE SUSHRUTA SAMH1TA.

^6o

Maduhka (Maul)

and

of

(Niryasa) salts

Hingu

plants

which are but the

Madya

the

trees,

[

gummy

and Laksha

xxxix.

Chap,

exudation

trees, as well as

modifications of earth,

saline

(wines) which are but the modified products of

Asava (fermented

liquors),

and secretions of cowdung,

or

cow's urine which should be understood to mean the

animal excrements, in their crude or natural

should

state,

be used where errhines are indicated.

:— Now

Samshamaniya Drugs

we

shall

enumerate the names of drugs and substances which soothe or pacify the deranged humours or principles of

the

body

involved

in

any

particular

disease

(Sanshamanam).

Va'ta-Samshamana-Varga:—The followviz.

drugs,

ing

Bhadradaru, Kustha, Haridra, Varuna,

Meshshringi, Vala, Ativala, Artagala, Kachhura, Sallaki,

Kuverakshi, Virataru, Sahachara, Agnimantha,

Eranda, Ashmabhedaka,

dani, vari,

Punamava, Vasuka, Vrishchiaali,

Karpasi,

Vasira.

Pattura,

Alarka,

Vatsa-

Arka, Shata-

Kanchanaka, Bhargi, Vadara,

Yava, Kola,

Kulattha, etc. and the drugs forming the group of Vidarito the gandhadi-Gana, as well as those belonging

two groups

of

first

Panchamula (Mahat and Svalpa), are

virtue of soothing (restoring to possessed of the general its

normal

state) the

deranged (Vayu

>

Vata..

Pitta-Samshamana-Varga known

as

:— The

drugs

Chandana, Kuchandana, Hrivera, Ushira,

xxxix,

Chap,

StJTRASTHANAM.

]

Manjishtha,

Payasya,

etc.

Durya, Murva, of Kakolyadi,

Gundra,

Shatavari,

Vidari,

Kumuda, Utpala,

Kahlara,

Shaivala,

-6l

Kadali, Kandali,

and the drugs forming the groups

Sarivadi,

Nyagro-

Anjanadi, Utpaladi,

and Trina-Panchamula groups generally

dhadi,

pr<3ve

soothing to the deranged Pittam.

Shleshma' - Samshamana - Varga :— The drugs known Kushtha, Rasna,

Haridra,

etc.

Kaleyaka,

Shitashiva,

Aguru,

Tilaparni,

Shatapushpa,

Udakiryya,

Prakiryyd,

Kakadani, jjaka,

as

Sarala,

Sumanah,

Ingudi,

Lama-

Hastikarna, Munjataka,

Langalaki,

and the drugs belonging

to

the groups of

Valli

and Kantak Panchamulas and those composing

the

Pippalyadi-Varga,

Varga, are

generally possessed

the deranged Shleshma to

The or

choice

and

Surasadi

Vachadi,

of

a

of its

the

Aragvadhadi

natural state.

medicine whether

for

of the strength (intensity) of the disease,

patient under treatment.

the

not

Samshamanam disease

its

it

gives

surplus

46

rise

A

efficacy),

has

only checks

usually

cleansing

determined by the

and the stamina and the digestive function

or

groups

efficacy of restoring

soothing purposes should be

consideration

Mushkadi-

Brihatyadi- Varga,

it

to

energy

medicine

which

been applied with

its

own

(of

not

the

a soothing

is

stronger

than

to

combat

with,

soothing virtue but

a fresh malady, on

being

of

account of

requisitioned

into

The sushruta samhita.

362

action, nor

.

being used up by the weakened and

its

It is

conquered original distemper. the

cha P xxxix.

t

thus stored up

organism for the working of fresh mischief.

which

medicine,

of a

function

proves stronger than

patient, impairs

his

in

A

the digestive takes

digestion, or

an unusually greater length of time to be digested

and assimilated into is

his organism.

A

medicine, which

stronger than the physical stamina of a patient,

bring on a feeling of physical languor, loss of consciousness, delirium, etc.

Similarly, an over-

a cleansing (cathartic) medicine

similar

mischief.

inadequate

potencies,

strength of

the

as

to

fail

other hand,

.may work

medicines of

and accordingly unequal

a disease,

adequate doses

of fainting,

fits

dose of

On

well as

may

medicines

produce any tangible

to the in

in-

effect.

Hence medicines of adequate potencies should be alone administered

in

adequate doses.

Authoritative verses on the subject :— A prudent physician should prescribe a mild purgative for a patient enfeebled by the action of the

deranged and accumulated bodily humours and

up with a disease

in

which such

or emetic

is

indicated.

remedy

a cleansing

The same

laid

(cathartic)

rule

should

hold good in the case of a patient enfeebled through other than physical

causes

bowels fecal

are

easily

matter, etc.

are

moved,

distempers,

and

in

and

whose

whom

the

found to have been dislodged

Chap.

SUTKA3TH4NAM.

XXXIX.]

from their

natural extracts

(including

herbs)

in

powders

doses in

Decoctions

or locations.

seats

and cold infusions

of

two Palas weights, should be

prescribed in a disease of ordinary intensity.

medicines

(Purgatives

exhibited even in a stipated bowels,

if

medicinal

Palas weights, and pastes and

of four

doses of

363

and

weak

Emetics)

Corrective

may be

patient with loose or

safely

uncon-

they are found to be stuffed with

spontaneous accumulation

of fecal

a

matter (Dosha) etc.

inspite of such looseness or easy motion.

Thus ends SamhitS, properties.

the thirty-ninth Chapter of the Sutrasth^nam in the

Sushruta

and

soothing

which

treats

of chugs of

cleansing

(corrective)

CHAPTER Now we treats

and

of drugs

on the Chapter, which

discourse

shall

their

XL.

flavours,

potencies

virtues,

(Dravya-Rasa-Guna-

and chemical actions.

,

Virya-Vipa'ka-Vijnaniya-madhya yam). Certain

Ayurveda hold

of the

professors

medicinal drug or substance

that

a

pre-eminently the most

is

important matter with which the science of medicine

is

First because, a drug, as a substance, has

a

concerned. definite

(such

and continuous existence/ which

the tastes,

etc.,

which characterise a

stage, are not perceived in

its

Secondly because, a drug

is

whereas

As

do not possess.

as, taste, etc.,)

As

at the best.

real (Nitya)

can lose a

drug

damental into

and

invariable,

and accidental

it

be powdered

Thirdly because, a drug or a substance never

its

own

generic

possessed matter,

example,

peculiar

to

the fun-

attributes — a

its

drug or a substance

senses of a man,

for

can never be

earth,

one of watery

As

character.

of attributes

not hold good of a

unripe

the real character of a

drug cannot be destroyed whether or pasted.

example

its

matured condition.

ripe or

instance

for

for in

fruit

attributes are but transitory

its

attributes

its

attributes. is

whereas

truth

which

does

Fourthly because,

an object its

transformed

of

attributes

all

the

five

of tastes, etc.

Chap.

XL.]

SUTRASTHANAM.

are

respectively

accommodated

special

sense

substance

is

organs.

„6the

to

a

because,

Fifthly

of

faculty

drug or a

the receptacle of the attributes of taste,

etc.,

while the latter are the things contained. Sixthly because, •

commenced with

a dictum of medicine can be of a

As

drug or substance.

for

example,

the

name

it is

quite

natural to say that the drugs such as Vidari Gandha, etc.,

should be pressed and boiled. But

it

should be pulverised

to utter that the sweet taste

down

a drug or substance has been laid

names of

described by the as

in

the

Shastras

inasmuch as medical recipes have been

of medicines

Matulunga,

their

component ingredients

Agnimantha,

described as the tastes of Matulunga,

and

etc.,

Agnimantha

Eighthly because, the attributes of tastes,

etc.,

upon the drugs and substances (of which they their

for

attributes)

maturity.

progressive

growth and

is

different

ripe (mature) conditions.

portant than

because, a drug of one of case are

its

may

depend the

As

for

of taste,

parts or

of Mahavriksha, the milky

be said of

with

more im-

is

Ninthly

etc.)

prove curative through the efficacy

component

possessed

etc.

raw (immature) and

(Hence a drug

attributes

its

in its

not

are

example, the taste of a drug or substance varies its

and

Seventhly because, the greater importance of

boiled.

such

sounds preposterous

of therapeutical

principles

as

in

the

exudations of which virtues,

which cannot

its taste.

Hence a drug

or a substance

(Dravyam)

is

the most

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

366

[

Chap.

XL.

important factor (which the science of medicine has got

A

to deal with).

action and

substance or drug necessarily implies

nected and of which

more

which

attributes with

it

is

intimately con-

the primary cause, or to put

it is

these attributes have

explicitly,

it

an inseparable

inherence in

and are intimately associated with the

substance by

way

cause and effect

of

(Samavayi-

Karanam).

on

Others,

the

who do

contrary,

not

endorse

the above opinion, accord the highest importance to

the

of

attribute

stance.

taste

(Rasa) of

(Ayurveda Shastram) as statements as "

and

Secondly

may

or

down

laid

sub-

the

in

(Vedas), which include the science of medicine

Agamas

tastes

so

is

it

because,

Firstly

a drug

on

Food food

because,

well,

is

and inasmuch

occur

life"

essential

such

on

primarily contingent

depends

the

as

its

therein.

importance of taste

be inferred from such injunctions or instructions

of the

professors

of medicine

saline tastes soothe or pacify the

as,

"

sweet,

and

acid

deranged bodily Vayu."

Thirdly because, a drug or a

substance

the nature of

sweet drug, a saline sub-

tance, etc. is

based on

(Rishis)

its taste,

as a

Fourthly because,

its

is

named

after

primary importance

the inspired utterances of the holy sages

which form the sacred hymns and verses of the

" Vedas, and such passages as sweets to be collected for

the purposes of a

religious

sacrifice,"

etc.,

are to

be

Chap. XL.

found

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

in

Hence

them.

taste

is

factor in the science of medicine

attribute of a medicinal drug.

367 most important

the

and forms the primary But, later

we

on,

shall

have occasion to speak of that.

Certain aforesaid

however, (who reject the two

authorities

hold the potency (Viryam) of

theories),

drug to be the most important factor

much

as

its

therapeutic action,

gent, appetising, pressing (drawing liquefacient,

or

aphrodisiac,

or or

medicine inas-

whether

purgative,

or pacifying,

emetic, or both, or cathartic,

or

in

tonic

constructive,

or astrin-

a definite

to

a

head)

(vitalising)

inflammatory, absorbing,

caustic,

or bursting, or intoxicating, soporific, killing or antitoxic, its

depends upon is

either

cooling or

of a

drug

heat-making owing to the

two-

and cool)

fold

(hot

the

world.

The potency

potency.

nature

of the several

to

According

temperament

potency of a medicinal drug

may

authorities

or

keen,

ent attributes in serve

their

so all.

as

to

sity)

the roots

functions

taste

As

for

belonging to

Panchamulam, which

is

slimy, differ-

These potencies of medicinal drugs

respective

virtues.

or

embrace the eight

their (drugs') tastes with their

and

the

be classed as either

hot or cool, emollient or dry, expansive

mild

of

though

by

strength

specific

group

possessed

of

(inten-

decoction of

the

example the

overpowering

of

the

an

Maha-

astringent

subsequently transformed into a bitter

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

3 68 one,

the

acquires

Vayu out

of

its

known

pulse

a

,

pungent

of pacifying the

virtue

Kulattha

though

of

possessed

and onion though endued with

taste,

one,

deranged

Similarly, the

heat-making potency.

as

an astringent

[Chap. XL.

same

the

soothe

respectively

deranged humour of the body through the oleaginous character

On

of their potencies.

the

other

hand,

the expressed juice of sugar-cane, though possessed of a

sweet

taste,

tends

to

or

augment

deranged Vayu owing to

its

cooling

proves soothing to the

mild and fruit,

though acid

respectively

in taste,

tend to

and Saindhava, though the

pacify

itself,

to

its

Amalakam

Similarly, an

The drug Kakamachi, though fish,

in

deranged Pittam, owing

cooling potency.

The

potency.

substance

drug Pippali, though a pungent

the

aggravate

saline,

Pittam.

deranged

and

of a bitter taste,

though sweet, respectively aggravate the Pittam,

owing to

their

Mulakam

(Radish),

potency

;

though

body, on

of the

Kapham

thermogenetic

potency.

pungent,

the

increases

account of

and Kapittham, though

Similarly,

its

emollient

acid, soothes

;

and

honey, though sweet, tends to pacify the deranged to the dry

Kapham owing The

aforesaid

instances

character

of

its

have been cited by

potency.

way

of

illustration.

Authoritative ject

:

— Tastes,

verses on the sub-

which are possessed of dry,

light or

Chap. XL.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

expansive potencies,

fail

though otherwise they

humour.

deranged

the

to pacify

may

Similarly,

to produce that effect in

endued with a keen,

the deranged

event are

of

being

or

heat- making potency.

commonly found to

soothe

to

in

it

aggravate

possessed

Hence the potency

character.*

deranged Pittam,

of potencies

heavy, cool and emollient

respectively

or-

event of their being

Kapham, tend

their

which are

tastes,

the

light

Likewise, tastes, which are

deranged Vayu,

prove soothing to that

dinarily reckoned as pacifiers of the fail

369

of a drug

is

the

which

in their

the most

important factor in the science of medicine.

But

certain

authorities dissent

from the above-said

view, and attach the highest importance to the process of

(chemical)

digestive

reason, that

digested

in

all

reaction

ingested food,

Certain

hold that digestion develops

According

to

pungent and acid process

the

for

properly or improperly

the stomach, proves wholesome or other-

wise to the body.

the

(Vipaka)

authorities all

;

follow

the several tastes. t

tastes

others,

upon

of digestion (by

on the subject

way

such the

as,

sweet,

completion

of reactionary

of

result

or transformation). *

Flavours such

Tastes such

as,

as,

sweet, acid and saline, subdue the deranged Vayu.

sweet, bitter and astringent are antibilious in their efficacy,

while those, which are pungent, bitter and astringent, are antiphlegmagogic in their virtues.

t

The

process of digestion

is

followed by a reactionary taste, which

be either sweet, pungent, acid, astringent, bitter or saline.

47

may

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

370 It

is

Chap. *L.

[

needless to say that the hypothesis

on erroneous data, inasmuch taste

digestion

(acid

digestive

process

at

developed

or

the

as

reactionary

based

is

of

fact

acid

the close of the is

acidity)

contrary

both to the properties of matter and the collective experience

of the

race

Shastras,and which

embodied

should be rather ascribed to the

acid taste of the

Pittam remaining

or unassimilated

condition

The

digestion.

taste

an undigested

in

owing to imperfect

probability

saline

reactionary

dictum of the

in the

of a saline

following upon

digestion

(a

the

of

the digestive process) should be necessarily if

as

of an

the fact

a tested and

science.

acid

corroborated

The hypothesis

of

of

principle

an

acid

close

presumed,

were to be

digestion

gastric

upheld medical

digestion

(re-

actionary acidity) does not preclude the possibility of a

similar

one owing to the participation of

saline

the natural

taste

the process

of digestion,

(saline)

preceding instance. tastes,

of the bodily as

is

Kapham

in

said of Pittam in the

Hence the theory

that only three

such as sweet, acid, and pungent are developed

through digestive reaction, appears to be untenable, and naturally points

(partaken of digestion

;

to

the

by a man)

doctrine that

on a

a sweet taste

sweet

tasted

an acid taste (reactionary acidity)

begets

acid digestion, and so on,

partaken of by a

man

his digestive reaction.

brings

a taste

imparting

its

of whatsoever kind specific character to

Chap. XL.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

who

Those,

adhere to the

endeavourto substantiate

it

last

37I

named

doctrine,

by the following analogy, and

argue that as milk kept boiling in a basin placed over a fire

does not change

change of

temperature), as cereals such

its

wheat, barley,

rice,

attributes (through their

ment),

the

tastes

even after being boiled

as Shali-

sown broadcast

etc.

Mudga,

the ground do not part

so

sweetness (with the

natural

its

in

with their inherent, generic successive

of in

of develop-

stages

food-stuff

do

not

alter

heat of the digestive

the

organs.

Others,

on the contrary,

assert that

are naturally merged in the strong of digestion.

on

opinions

confusion

the

bigoted

And the

since

subject

antipathy,

we

consensus of

serves

of

shall

tastes

ones in the course

the

on account

weak

their

increase

to

only

expert

and

differences

from

judiciously refrain

indulging in idle theories on the subject.

Only two kinds of digestion (digestive reactionary tastes)

have been noticed

the sweet

and the

in

the Shastras,

and the pungent, the second

light.

The

first

specific

such

being

as,

heavy

properties

of

the five essential material principles of the world such as,

the earth, water,

fire,

air

and sky

may

described as heaviness and lightness, the

butes

which appertain to

their

be roughly

two

attri-

fundamental natures.

Heaviness forms the characteristic attribute of earth

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

372

and water, while lightness stands properties of

of

the

essential

Hence the

digestion

for

be described

may

food-stuff

all

and sky.

air

fire,

[Chap. XL.

as

either

heavy

(Guru) or light (Laghu).

Authoritative verses on ject :— Of

substances under the process of digestion,

those,

which are characterised by

cally

belonging

and

earth

to

which are permeated with the

We as

are

water,

digestion

have

fully

regards the

(easily

properties of

specific

stated

the

primary

text

of

pungent of

articles

digestible

of

the

food).

controversy

of

importance

called

while those

;

and sky are called substances

fire

(light,

attributes, specifi-

sweet (heavy) digestion

substances of

air,

the sub-

drugs

and

their tastes,

virtues, potencies

and digestive reactions,

well

the views of those

who

as

as

build their

theories

on the separate or exclusive importance of the five afore-said factors.

The wise and the

of

erudite

an equal importance to each of them, and ascribe

set

the curative efficacy of a medicine to the tion

stance

of

all

these

five

factors.

A

action of

humours

of the its

virtue

of

native its

or

is

a

sub-

deranged

the

dynamical

inherent properties,

sometimes

specific

through

potency and

sometimes by

natural taste or digestive (chemical) reaction.

reaction

co-opera-

drug or

sometimes destroys or originates a

condition

in

any

impossible without

drug potency.

Digestive

There

is

Chap. XL.

SUTRASTHANAM.

J

no potency without a or substance

is

taste without a drug

an absurdity.- Hence a substance (vegeta-

ble or otherwise)

a

and

taste,

373

them

the greatest of

is

substance are correlative categories

of

their

self

the

in

of

plane

the eight

in

for

is

and

body

an attribute

of potency

in

invisible

Hence a substance

themselves.

all

the aforesaid

five

factors

is

can taste,

are digested

tastes

simply

and intangible the greatest of

substance,

(of

and the attributes

etc.)

six

a

lie

an

attri-

(properties)

Substances

itself.

of their being

in

virtues,

Since

and not to

substance

an organic body and not the the reason

embodied

an

existence.

organic

kinds

only appertain to a

which

a

and

from the time

can not be possessed of another

attribute per se

bute,

like

origin,

A taste

all.

inherent

taste,

the

in

substance.

Unscrutable and unthinkable are the drugs

(medicines),

syllogism

;

which

above

are

virtues

of

rules

of

all

and hence drugs (medicines), which

have

been observed to be efficacious from time immemorial, as

well

as

medicines,

those laid

should alone be

medical treatment. it

down

a sacrilege

to

A

in

the

scriptures

used in the course of a

learned physician should

logically

on

dispute

the

think

efficacy

of a

medicine of tested virtue, and which has been adopted after

tively

generations of careful

pronounced by men

observation as

a

and

beneficial

is

instinc-

remedy.

374

THE SUSHRUTA

No amount

of logic will

SAMHITA'. alter

the

[

Chap.

XL.

nature of things,

nor persuade the drugs of the Amboshtha group to exercise a purgative virtue.

Hence an

intelligent physi-

cian should adhere to the officinal recipes given in the

books on medicine,

however

logical

or

and

not

probable,

introduce innovations, into

the

realms

of

applied or practical Therapeutics. Thus ends the fortieth Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushruta Samhita, which deals with drugs and their flavours, virtues, and digestive (chemical) transformation.

CHAPTER Now we

shall

on

XLI.

discourse

the

Chapter,

which

(DravyaVishesha-Vijna'niya-madhya'yam). treats of the specific

The

five

of drugs

properties

fundamental principles* such as the earth

(Kshithi), water (Apa),

(Teja), air

fire

(Marut) and Sky

(Vyoraa) enter into the composition of

and the predominance of any of them

in the world,

a

substances

all

determines

substance

particular

Accordingly a thing

dominant earth

dominance of

is

denominated or

principle,

fire, air

character.

its

substance of

a

as

one marked by a pre-

or ether.

Parrthiva Drugs

—A

:

or

thing

which

is

heavy

(hard to digest^, strong smelling

thick, pithy, compact, dull,

substance,

immobile, rough,

and

largely has

a sweet taste marked by a shade of astringent, a substance

of

in

is

called

dominant earth (Parthivam) matter.

Such a thing increases the firmness, strength, hardness

and rotundity of the human body, and gravity (the virtue of

which

takes time *

is

to

:

— Similarly,

cold, moist,

a thing or subs-

glossy, devoid of keenness,

be digested,

These may be translated as modern science.

in the parlance of

possessed of

moving the bowels).

A'pyam Drug's tance,

is

is

mobile,

compact,

Solid, Liquid, Gas, Ether,

soft,

and Etheriort

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

376

and

slimy, sappy,

or sweet taste

Chap. XLI.

largely endued with an acid, saline

is

marked by a shade of

substance of dominant

a

[

astringent,

water (Apyam'

is

called

principle.

Such a thing soothes and imparts a glossy character to the

body, keeps

parts,

and increases

its

its

is

or

thing

properties and a taste which

principle

of

fire

is

its

is

character and has strong

largely

pungent marked by

called a substance of the

(Taijasam).

digestion

and

its

spontaneous

healthful

improves the

glow to

is

subtle in

abscesses),

strengthens

complexion and

of

the

imparts a

it.

its

cold and non-slimy,

essence,

and

increases

bitter, is called a

is

thing or substance, dry,

tactual

endued with a largely astringent

shade of

(of

bursting

Varyaviyam Drugs :— A which

produces

inside, helps the process

increases the temperature of the body, eyesight,

dominant

Such a thing naturally

evinces an up-coursing tendency in the body, a burning sensation in

in

and is dry,

essence, permeates the minutest capillaries,

rough, light, and non-slimy in

is

substance,

heat-making, pungent and keen, subtle

a shade of saline,

its

liquid contents.

Taijasam Drugs :— A which

adhesion of

moist, favours the

it

taste

rough,

light,

sensation and

marked by a

substance of the dominant

principle of air (Vayaviyam).

Such a thing removes the

slimy character of the internal organism, produces

light-

Chap/XLI.

SUTRASTHANAAI.

]

377

and emaciation of the body, and increases

ness, dryness

the speculative or contemplative faculty of the mind.

Drugs :—A

Akarshiyam which

stance, its

smooth, unctuous, and

is

nature, soft or pliant in

the internal

its

its

a

substance

dominant

the

in

soundy and non slimy

character without any definite of

subtle

is

consistency, expansive in

organism), porous,

in

sub

or

thing

taste,

principle

is

called

of

(Akashiyam). Such a substance produces softness,

sky light-

ness and porosity of the body. It

may

that there

endued

be inferred from the foregoing illustrations not a single substance

is

with

certain

substances, used

curative

in specific

world but

in the

virtues.

or

Drugs

combinations and according

to the indications of a disease

under treatment, prove

curative in virtue of their native virtues and

The

potencies.

time, during which a drug or a medicine exerts

curative virtues, action.

is

called

is

its

Kala

That which immediately

its

or

the period of

results

from the use or

or physiological action.

remedy is called its Karma The principle, in virtue of which

the action

is

application of a medicinal

That,

ill

is

performed,

it

is

Adhikaranam.

called

accomplishes

Of these 48

its

potency or Viryam.

which the action takes place,

receptacle or effected

called

its

is

is

called

The means by which

it

its is

agency or Upaya, while that what

called

its

therapentic effect or Phalam.

the drugs of purgative virtue are possessed

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

378

which

of attributes

gravitate

Hence

downward owing that

inferred

it is

endued with the

to

purgative

heaviness.

their

drugs are largely

specific attributes of earth

and water,

they are more strongly attracted

of which

in virtue

belong to the earth

specifically

Earth and water are heavy, and natur-

and water. ally

[Chap.XLl.

towards the centre of the earth

(gravity).

Drugs endued

with emetic properties are possessed of attributes which

form the characteristics of are light,

and

air.

Fire

and

and naturally ascend upward owing to

Hence

lightness.

drugs

fire

are

it

inferred,

possessed

largely

upcoursing

is

that emetic

of attributes,

by

(Vamana)

Drugs or substances endued

in their nature.

attributes

elements (earth and

fire).

the

are permeated with, qualities

the principle of the sky.

deranged bodily humours,

which

latter element.

owing

belong

which

the drying

specifically

character

of the

Appetising (Dipana) drugs are largely

possessed of attributes principle of

to

specifically

Astringent (Sangrahaka)

drugs are endued with attributes,

belong to the air

charac-

belonging to both the aforesaid

Drugs, which soothe

to

their

which are

with both emetic and purgative virtues are terised

fire.

which belong to the material

Lekhana (Liquefacient) drugs

or sub-

stances are endued with attributes which belong to

and

air.

air

fire

Constructive or restorative (Vringhanam) drugs

or substances are

endued with attributes which speci-

Chap. XLI.

fically

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

belong to earth and water.

should be

remembered

carefully

379 These inferences the time of pre-

at

scribing medicines.

Authoritative verses on

the sub-

ject: — The deranged bodily Vayu readily yields to the curative

of drugs

efficacies

and water, while

specifically belonging to the earth, fire

the deranged Pittam its

is

soothed or restored to

speedily

normal state by drugs having

attributes,

and

belonging to the earth, water

air.

deranged

Kapham

attributes

which characterise the sky,

is

The bodily Vayu

pacified

is

of attributes,

possessed

Similarly,

air,

increased

while the Pittam

of those which attributes is

of

increased

fire.

by

endued with and

water.

are largely

and

fire

the

specific

is

belong to the

increased

or

specific

of the

body

which are largely

drugs

attributes

the

of

attributes of drugs, a physician should use

two

by the use

endued with the

Thus having ascertained the

pacification of

air.

by the use of drugs

The bodily Kapham

the use of

the

by drugs possessed of

possessed of attributes which specifically

sky and

specifically

earth

dominant

them

for the

more of the deranged humours of

the body according to the exigencies of a case.

Of

the eight-fold potencies of

cooling, thermogenetic, oleaginous, plastive,

a

drug,

such as

heavy, parchifying,

keen and slimy, keenness and thermogenetic

THE SUSHRUTA

3 8o

fire

be

should

potency

SAMHITA'. the

to

ascribed

t

Chap.

XU. of

attributes

cooling potency and that of engendering slime,

;

to the predominance

drug or substance

attributes of water

of the

in

a

oleaginousness, to the predominance

;

Of the attributes of the earth and water

;

plastive potency,

to the predominance of the attributes of water and the

sky

parchifying potency, to the excess of the attributes

;

of air

;

non-slimy potency (Vaishadyam), to the predo-

minance of the attributes of earth and

and

light digestion, to the

Of

these, oiliness

same

air

;

and heavy

cause.

and thermogenetic potency prove

curative in respect of the deranged Vayu, while cooling

potency, plastive potency, and that of engendering slime

subdue the deranged Pittam. Keenness, parchifying and non-slimy potencies conquer the deranged Substances, which are heavy

Kapham.

destroy the

in digestion,

deranged Vayu and Pittam, while those which are in digestion (easily digestible substances) in respect of

Of

the deranged

these, softness,

The

ceived by touch. opposite

The

may

may

Kapham.

coldness and heat

may be

properties of sliminess

of

per-

and

its

dryness and oiliness of a drug

be perceived with the e) es r

fact of its

[heat and cold,

prove curative

be perceived by the eyes and touch.

properties

from the

light

;

keenness of a drug

producing pain

in

the

mouth

by the sensation of comfort

discomfort— A. Text]

The

fact of

heavy

;

and

(pleasure) or (insufficient)

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap.XLL]

be

should

digestion

passing of stool and

from

inferred

the

frequent

from the expec-

urine, as well as

be

Kapham, while the contrary should

of

toration

381

presumed from the constipation of the bowels, retention -of

urine and disorders of the abdominal

distension of the

detected in

As

for

abdomen,

material

etc.).

A

Vayu

(flatulence,

specific

is

of similar properties.

principles

example, a drug or a substance, which

and endued with a sweet

taste

is

heavy

taste, should be deemed as

belonging to the group of the earthy matter (largely possessed

of attributes

Similarly, a substance,

character, should be

characterising

which

is

earth-matter).

sweet and oily

in

its

regarded as belonging to one in

which the principle of water predominates.

Authoritative ject

:

— Properties,

substances,

may

and the normal

verse

which

on the sub-

characterise

be as well found in a continuance,

drugs

human

aggravation

nution of the deranged humours

is

and

organism, or

dimi-

due to the action

of the drugs (substances). Thus ends Samhita which

the forty-first Chapter of the

Sutrasthanam

treats of specific properties of drugs.

in

the Sushruta

CHAPTER Now we

shall discourse

XLII.

on the Chapter, which treats

(RasaVishesha-Vijna niya-madhya yam). of

the

of

properties

specific

flavours

,

The

,

properties of sky (Akasha),

air

(Parana),

fire

(Dahana), water (Toya) and earth (Bhumi) are sound taste

touch, colour,

and

smell,

each of the preceding

elements possessing properties less by one than those

one immediately succeeding

of the

in the order of

it

enumeration.*

name

of

the preponderant natural element, which enters into

its

[Since a

matter

composition], taste

is

is

designated after

said

the

to be a water-origined prin-

All material elements are inseparably connected

ciple.

with one another, and there

among them, each one

is

a sort of interdependence

contributing to the continuance

of the

other and jointly entering, to a more or less

extent,

into the composition of all material substances.

This water-origined flavour (Rasa), which becoming modified

through

its

contact with the

rest of the material

*To put it more explicitly the property of sound belongs to the sky (Akasha). The'properties of sound and touch appertain to the air (Vayu). The properties of sound, touch and colour form the characteristics of Fire (Teja).

Sound, touch, colour and taste form the

water (Toya).

(Bhumi)*

Sound, touch, colour,

taste

specific

properties

of

and smell mark the earth matter

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XLil.]

elements,

383

admits of being divided into

six

different

pungent, bitter and

kinds, such

as sweet,

astringent.

These, in their turn, being combined with

one another, give

A

sweet taste

is

acid, saline,

rise

to

largely

endued with

appertain to

specifically

different kinds.

sixty-three

the

attributes

material

principles

An acid taste is pre-eminently

earth and water.

which of

possessed

of attributes,

which belong to the elementary principles

of earth and

fire.

attributes

and

attributes, air

and

saline taste

is

mostly endued with

which characterise the elements of water

A

fire.

A

pungent taste

is

possessed

largely

of

which mark the elementary principles of

fire.

predominate

The in

specific

attributes

The

a bitter taste.

of earth and air should be

of air

and sky

specific properties

regarded as dominant in an

astringent taste.

Tastes such as sweet,

and

acid

saline are

with the virtues of subduing Vayu.

endued

Tastes such as

sweet, bitter and astringent are possessed of the virtue of

deranged Pittam.

subduing the

pungent, bitter

and astringent

Tastes such as

tend to subdue the

deranged Kapham.

The Vayu is a self-origined organism. The Pittam owes

principle in its

origin

heat (Agneya), while the origin of to the presence of watery

body.

the

to the bodily

Kapham

is

(Saumya) principle

Tastes such as sweet,

etc.

are

human

ascribed in

the

augmented by

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

384

which they have

causes in

their

Chap. xlii.

[

and prove

origin,

soothing or pacifying in respect of causes other than those which produce them.

According to certain authorities, there are only two

owing to the two- fold (hot and

kinds of tastes,

Of

nature of the temperament of the world. the

these

such as sweet, bitter and astringent are

tastes

cold in

cold)

their properties, while

saline ones exercise fiery

tastes such as in

astringent

and

their

or heat

acid and

sweet,

emollient

the pungent,

virtues.

making saline

are heavy

while

character,

the

ones are dry and

bitter

watery (Saumya) tastes are

cold.

The

acid and

and

pungent,

light.

fiery

The

The

(Agneya)

ones are hot.

Coldness, dryness, lightness, non-sliminess, suppression

(of the

urine

or

ordure)

An

properties of the Vayu.

astringent

considered as possessed of

Vayu, and hence coldness,

it

dryness,

form the characterstic

the same properties as the

(astringent lightness,

tiveness of the latter with lightness, non-sliminess

its

taste should be

taste)

increases

the

non-sliminess and arresspecific coolness, dryness,

and arrestiveness.

Heat, pungency, dryness, lightness, and non-sliminess form the specific properties of the Pittam.

gent taste, which

is

A pun-

possessed of the same properties as

the Pittam, respectively increases the heat, pungency,

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLH]

385

dryness, lightness and non-sliminess of the

the help of similar properties of

is

Kapham,

respectively

heaviness,

coldness

the taste

is

the sweetness, oiliness,

increases

and sliminess of the

A

own.

its

Kapham, hence the

to those of the

and

coldness

sliminess

the

by

destroyed

respectively

with

latter

endued with properties which are

heaviness,

slimi-

of

of similar properties of

help

and

Kapham. A sweet possessed of the same properties as the

ness form the specific properties

which

with

own.

its

heaviness, coldness

Sweetness, oiliness,

taste,

latter

pungent contrary

sweetness, oiliness, of the

latter,

pungency, dryness,

lightness, heat and non-sliminess of the former.

have been cited only by way of

are

These

illustration.

Characteristics of Tastes :— Now we of the characteristics A tastes. describe shall taste,

which

is

contributes to his

mouth

Kapham,

pleasant,

moist, and increases the

is

called

increases the taste,

for

relish

49

and

increased

food,

is

which imparts a greater

A

taste,

at the tip of the

part

and

to,

and

man, keeps

quantity of bodily

A

Sweet (Madhura).

duces salivation and (Lavana).

of a

the life-preservation

produces tooth- edge

A

proves comfortable

taste,

which

salivation,

called acid

(Amla).

relish to food,

softness of a part,

is

and

pro-

called saline

which produces a burning sensation

tongue attended with a tingling of the

headache, and

is

instantaneously followed

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

3 86

by a running pungent a

sort

the nose

at

A

(Katuka).

sensation

of sucking

which the

at

throat,

to

rise

removes

mouth, gives

to the appearance of goose-flesh on the

rise

called

gives

of the

the slimy character of the cavity

Chap. XLil.

is

coryza)

(fluent

taste,

[

called bitter

skin,

and

increases

the relish

A

which brings about the dryness of the mouth,

taste,

numbs rise to

the

for food, is

obstructs

palate,

the

the heart,

is

and

throat,

a drawing, pressing sensation

(Tikta).

gives

the region of

in

called astringent (Kashaya).

Specific virtues of tastes:— Now we the sweet taste

is

possessed of the virtue of increasing

the quantity of

lymph-chyle, blood,

albumen

marrow, parturient

Of these,

the specific virtues of tastes.

describe

shall

(ojas),

woman.

It

and

semen,

fat,

milk

the

bones

Likewise,

old and

weak men and

the

five

It

to

and

exhilarates

sense-organs, relieves

is

the thirst,

Similarly,

favours

the

from

most coveted by

mind

as

well as

swooning and a

burning sensation of the body, and originates it

infants,

ulcer-patients (suffering

Endocarditis — Urah-Kshata

bees and ants.

blood and the lymph-

proves wholesome

chyle.

it

the

the

favours

eyesight,

body, brings about the adhesion of fractured purifies

a

complexion of the

the growth of hair, improves the

(Sandhanam\ and

bone in

contributes to

materially

growth of bones, strengthens

flesh,

germination

of

Kapham. intestinal

Chap. XLII.

parasites.

on

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

387

Largely and exclusively partaken

cough,

dyspnoea,

flatulence

of, it

(Alasaka),

vomiting,

sweet taste in the mouth, hoarseness of the (aphonia),

Vasti-lepa

worms

in the intestines,

mucous deposit

brings

voice

tumours, elephantisis,

in the bladder),

Gudopol-spa

the anus), and Abhisandya

(mucous or slimy deposit in (ophthalmia), etc.

Acid taste

:

—An acid

should be regard-

taste

ed as a digestant of assimilated food, and resolving,

the

in

sets

appetising and

restores the natural

carminative properties.

emission

natural

movements

tendency to spasms, and gives

and

is

It

and

of flatus

It

urine,

of the bowels, lessens the

rise to

an acid (digestive

and to a sensation of external

reaction in the stomach, shivering.

endued with

is

originates

a

mucous

or

slimy

An

extremely pleasant or relishing.

though possessed of the aforesaid

virtues,

secretion

acid taste,

brings

on

tooth-edge, with sudden closing of the eyes, appearance

of goose flesh on the skin, looseness of the

bod)' in the event of

partaken of to the exclusion of to

its

fiery

character,

the

all

taste

Kapham and

of

absorption

its

being largely

other tastes.

under

sets in a process of suppuration in cuts or burns,

lacerated

incised, in

those,

due to

which

fractures,

or result

punctured wounds,

from

swellings,

external or

falls,

as

blows, or

Owing

discussion or

in

well as or

are

are brought

about as the after effects of any idiopathic distemper,

THE SUSHRtlTA SAMHITA.

388

or which are tainted with the

urine

of

[

Chap. xlii.

any venomous

animals or through contact with any poisonous animal or vermin.

a burning

It gives rise to

throat, chest

sensation

the

in

and the region of the heart.

Saline taste

:

—A

saline taste

and emetic)

corrective (purgative

is

virtues,

possessed of favours the

and spontaneous bursting of

processes of suppuration

swellings, brings about the looseness or resolution of

affected part (ulcer),

and proves cleanses

is

heat-engendering in

incompatible with

the

internal

passages

of the body.

A

property

all

other

or

channels

organism and produces softness

members

its

tastes.

the

of

saline taste,

any

It

the

of

and

limbs

though possessed

on

of the

aforesaid

urticaria,

cedematous swellings, loss or discolorati on of

properties,

of

the natural complexion

may

bring

scabies

the body, loss of

virile

potency, distressing symptoms affecting the sense-organs,

inflammation of the mouth and the eyes, haemoptysis, Vata-rakta (a kind of leprosy) and acid eructations in

the event of

its

etc.,

being largely partaken of to the exclu-

sion of all other tastes.

Pungent taste — A :

with appetising, resolving

pungent taste

(Pachana"*

properties in respect of ulcers etc.),

languor, deranged is

antitoxic

in

Kapham and its

character,

and

is

endued

purifying

and destroys obesity,

intestinal parasites.

It

curative

in

proves

Chap. XLli.

cases of

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Kushta

(skin diseases)

of the

the stiffness

and

^89

It acts

ligaments.

and removes

itches,

as a

sedative

and reduces the quantity of semen, milk and pungent

taste,

though possessed of the aforesaid

bring on vertigo,

may

loss of consciousness,

of the throat, palate and

lips,

A

fat.

virtues,

dryness

burning sensation and a

high temperature of the body, loss of strength, tremor, a sort of aching or breaking pain, and a neuralgic pain

(Vata Shula) in the back, sides and the extremities,

event of

in the

of

all

being largely partaken of in exclusion

its

other tastes.

taste

Bitter

:

—A

serves

taste

bitter

restore the natural relish of a person for food

on a sense of general languor.

and

acts as a

and

etc.),

It

and

ordure,

It is

good purifying agent curative

proves

removes

milk,

etc.

thirst,

swoon and

in

(in

and brings

a good appetiser, respect of ulcers,

and

urticaria.

purifies

mother's

itches

fever,

to

possessed of the virtue of drying up urine,

is

fat

mucous,

and

pus,

etc.

A

bitter

though possessed of the aforesaid properties,

taste,

may

bring

on numbness of the limbs, wry-neck, convulsions,

facial

paralysis,

violent

headache, giddiness, and an aching,

cutting and breaking pain, as well as a bad taste in

mouth

in

the event of

exclusion of

all

its

being largely partaken of in

other tastes.

Astringent taste :—An possessed

of

the

astringent,

healing,

astringent taste styptic

is

(Stanv

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

39°

bhana), purifying,

An

astringent

said

disease

from mucous membranes.

though possessed of the above-

taste,

bring on

may known

properties,

heart

Chap. XLII.

drying and contracting

liquefacient,

It lessens secretions

virtues.

[

as

the peculiar type of

parchedness

(Hridroga)

distention of the

of

loss

of speech,

wry-neck (Manya Stambha), throbbing or

quivering

the mouth,

and tingling sensations

abdomen,

the body with contraction

in

of the limbs and convulsions, etc.

Now we

shall

make

a

of the

classification

general

drugs according to their taste. IYI

ad hura- Groups :— The known

groups

as

the Kakolyadi-Gana,

thickened milk, Ghee, rice,

Yava,

Kasheruka,

Ankalodya,

drugs forming the

lard,

Ervaruka,

Trapusha, Piyala,

Fushkara,

well as

Shali

and Shashtika

pulse,

Shringataka,

marrow,

Masha

Godhuma,

as

Kalaukata

Alavu, Vijaka,

Kashmarya,

Madhuka

(Moula), Draksha, Kharjura, Rajadana,

Narikela,

modifications

of

the

expressed

Tala,

Juice

of

Ikshu (Sugarcane), Vala, Ativala, Atmagupta, Vidari, T

P) ashya, Gokshuraka,

Kushmanda Madhura

are

generall)

r

Madhulika, and

included

within the

group.

Acid Dadima,

etc.

Kshiramorata,

Groups

:

—The

Amalaka, Matulanga,

fruits

known

as

Amrutaka, Kapittha,

Karamarda, Vadra, Kola, rrachina-Amalaka, Tintidhi,

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLIL]

Koshamra, Bhavya,

Paravata,

Lakucha,

Vetraphala,

and

Dantashatha

Amla-Vetash,

.91

curd,

whey,

Shukta, Sauvira, Tushodaka and Dhanyamla,

Sura,

etc.

are

kinds

of

generally included within the acid group.

Saline salt

such

Group

Saindhaba,

as,

Romaka,. Samudraka, of potash),

:— The

different

Sauvarchala,

Vida,

Fakya,

Yavakshara

Paktrima,

(nitrate

Ushara and Suvarchika collectively form

the Saline group.

Pungent Group which form the and

groups known

the Surasadi-Ganas

Mulaka,

:—The and

Lashuna, Sumukha,

component as

the

Shigru,

drugs

Pippalyadi

Madhu-sigru,

Shitashiva

(camphor),

Kushtha, Devadaru, Harenuka, Valguja-phalam, Chanda, Guggula,

Mustha, Langalaki, Shukanasa and Pilu

etc.

and the components of the group known as Salasaradi gana collectively form the pungent group.

Bitter

:— The component members of medicinal drugs known as the Aragva-

Group

the groups of

dhadi-Gana and the Guduchyadi-Gana together with

Mandukparni,

Varuna,

Indra-yava, Vrihati,

Kantakari,

Kritavedhana, Karira, Karavira,

Trayamana,

Haridra,

Daruharidra,

Svadu-kantaka,

Saptaparna,

Vetra-karira,

Shankhini,

Karkotaka,

Dravanti,

Karavellaka,

Trivrit,

Varta'ka,

Sumanah, Sankha-pushpi Apamarga,

Ashoka,

Rohini,

Vaijayanti,

Suvarchala,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

392

Punarnava, Yrishikali and Jyotishmati,

[

XUI.

Chap.

etc. collectively

constitute the bitter group.

Astringent Group known

bers of the groups

Triphala,

Vakula, Timduka

fruits,

the

Vanaspatis

the Ashvattha

of

and Mudga

fruits,

as

the

such as the Vata,

as the Salasaradi Gana, as well as Chilli,

Palanka

and

and grains and pulse of the Nevara

etc.

Sunishanuaka,

Amra,

Shaka

known

trees

forest,

Kovidaraka, Jivanti,

Kuruvaka,

fruits,

the

and most of the component members

etc.)

known

of the group

Katakha

and

Jambu,

Shallaki,

lords of the

:

(lit

Priyangvadi

fruits

mem-

Nyagrodhade-Gana, the

the

Rodhradi Ganas,

Pashanabhedaka,

—The component

as the

and

Amvashtadi-Gana,

:

species,

form the astringent

collectively

group.

These

number

.tastes,

in

sixty-three

groups of different combinations, in

all

computed by taking two

and

six,

;

six,

as

for

at a time

by taking three at a time four at a time

;

;

fifteen,

;

example,

fifteen,

twenty, computed

computed by taking

computed by taking

five at a

time

being severally computed, thus making up an

aggregate of sixty-three.

Authoritative ject self

:

to

— The the

man,

use

verse

who

of each

on the sub-

gradually

of the

six

habituates himaforesaid

tastes,

Chap. XLII.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

393

enjcws a sort of immunity from their injurious action in the

self

same manner successively

as,

a strong man,

accustomed

three deranged humours of affected

by

his

to

who makes him-

the action

bod)

r ,

is

of the

not easily

their pathogenetic properties.

Thus ends the forty-second Chapter of the Sutrasthinam in the Sushruta SamhitS, which treats of the specific properties of flavours.

50

CHAPTER Xow we trelts

mode

the

of

discourse

shall

XL

1 1

1

.

which

on the Chapter,

of

emetics

administering

(Vamana-Dravya- Vikalpa-Vijnariiyamadhya'yam). Of

emetic

all

deemed

be

the

as

should be

fruits

or

in

consisting in a

(most

active).

and

sun

the

in

(seeds)

should

Madana powdered.

powder should

a decoction of Pratyakpushpi, Sada-Pushpi,

salt, for

to the

emesis.

patient

As an

of the powders of

with honey and

alternative,

raw Madana

a potion

fruits, stirred

decoction of Vakula and Ramyaka, and heated

should

be'

rock-salt.

in fire,

administered with the addition of honey and

A

consisting

gruel,

powders of green Madana be given to the patient. ripe

Madana

(eight tolas^ of the

Nimva, and given

Saindhava

best

dried

Then a Pala weight be stirred

the

fruits

Madana

fruits

fruits,

of

rice

and

boiled together, should

Likewise matured though not

should be stored

blades of Kusha grass.

sesamum

in a

box made of the

The box should be

plastered over

with a composition of cowdung and clay and kept buried in a bushelful of

Shali rice for

Yava, Tusha, Mudga, Masha pulse or

eight

consecutive nights.

Then having

extracted them, fully burst out, with the heat of the

covering grain, their kernels should be

separated

from

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLIIL]

Chap.

and dried

their seeds

them with

sesamum after

curd,

and the

hone)-

which they should be kept

in

paste

levigated

be again dried

should

they

Then having pasted

the sun.

in

395

a

the

in

clean

of

sun,

vessel.

A

Pala weight of the aforesaid prepared powder should be

pounded

decoction of Yastimadhu or of any of the

in a

drugs of the Kovidaradi group the patient on

medium

of

should take

over night, and given to

the following morning,

honey and Saindhava

The

salt.

looking towards the north or the

it

the

through

patient east,

and

the following benedictory Mantra should be recited on the occasion.

Metrical texts

sages

sun, the

(Rishis)

and

fire,

the

-"May

Indra, the

Daksha, Ashvis, Rudra,

moon, the

:

gods

earth

as

goddess, the

the wind, the concourse of holy

the

material

elements with the

curative properties of drugs they originate

preserve thee.

Bramha,

May the potion

and nourish,

prove wholesome to you,

the elixirs prove wholesome to the Rishis, the nectar

to the gods,

and ambrosia to the good Nagas."

This emetic medicine should be specially employed in cases of catarrhal fever, catarrh,

and internal abscess.

In case of insufficient or unsatisfactory action potion, the drugs

known

as Pippali, Vacha, and a

of the

paste

of Gaura-Sarsapa and Saindhava salt should be added to it.

It

should be administered

doses until

the

symptoms

warm and of

emesis

in

repeated

would

fully

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

^6 appear.

soaked

In the alternative, powders of in

and

milk cream boiled with

the

Madana

kernels

should be administered with honey

made with milk prepared purpose.

kernels

should be administered through

the same vehicle (decoction of the

the

Madana

with their decoction and

saturated

subsequently dried,

for

[Chap.XLIII,

of ;

kernels)

Madana

or a

;

or

fruits

barley gruel

as above should be prescribed

This

emetic

measure should

be

resorted to in cases of Haematemesis or in Haemorrhage

from the bowels or generative

organs and burning

sensation in the heart due to the action of the deranged

Pittam. Milk, boiled with the kernel of a

Madana

fruit,

should

be curdled, and the cream of the curd or the curd so prepared should be used for emetic purposes in

of water-brash, vomiting, syncope and of the seed

essence (Rasam)

should be pressed out and indicated in

connection

fSneha) of Bhallataka,

pulps

of

condensed

dyspnoea.

The

Madana

fruits

the

in

manner

with the extraction of

condensed essence

that

Pittam

would be found

to

in cases

have

shifted

natural

seats

of

Madana

fruits 2

mixed with a decoction of

A

cases

oil

and the patient should be made

to lick

be administered

itself

Kapham.

Sun-dried

where the into

the

and pulverised Jivanti,

may

in its stead.

decoction of the kernels of

Madan

seeds (Majja),

saturated with powders of Pippali, Yadi or a potion consist-

Chap.

XUII.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

397

same powder mixed with a decoction of Nimva

ing of the

or Rupika, should be prescribed

of lymphatic

cases

in

(Kaphaja) diseases due

to

acts

of Santarpanam (use

of emollient remedies),

or

the

emesis in

should be effected with

decoction of

a

such cases

Madhukam,

Kashmari and Draksha saturated with the aforesaid

Thus the emetic remedies made of Madana

powder. fruits are

discharged. .^ v

Pulverised Jimutaka flowers

may

be used

in

the

same manner and through the same medium or with the same

adjuvants and for same purposes,

preceding (Madana pulverised

the sun,

in

their

fruit).

Jimutaka

raw or unripe

or milk-cream, boiled with the :

— flowers*)

(Romesha)

and dried

in

and a gruel made with milk boiled with the

same powder should be given

(lit

the

should be

fruits

state

as

state,

powdered

in

a

to

patient

powder of Jimutaka their

should be given

or the surface

;

fruits,

of their decoction should be prescribed.

food through the action of deranged

cream

grown Aromasha),

or a Sura (wine)

remedies should be used in cases

;

fruits

mature or hardened

of milk boiled with the powders of full

greenish yellow Jimutaka

for emesis

These

made emetic

of disinclination for

Kapham (lymphatic

derangements), cough, dyspnoea, jaundice and in phthisis as well, like the

compounds of Madana

* Fruits include flowers.

fruits

described

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

398

Mature Kutaja

before.

be used

[Chap.

Kritavedhana

or

similarly prepared with milk,

Madana

the

as

Powders of Ikshaku

described before.

fruits

curd, etc.,

and non-relish

may

of

Dhamargava

with those of the kernels of

flowers

Madana

the former being regarded as specifically indicated

fruits,

in cases of

chemical poisoning,

Gulma

abdominal dropsy, cough, asthma, to

the

action

be soaked

should

and

powder,

so

in

(internal gland),

as well as in diseases

of deranged

The pulps

disorders).

drugs

vomiting

(lymphatic disorders).

identical

due

be used

due to the action of deranged

for food

The emetic compounds are

fruits

(Kushuma),

emetic purposes in cases of cough, asthma,

Kapham

may

fruits

emetic purposes in similar combinations

for

and through similar mediums

for

xlHI.

Kapham

(lymphatic

or kernels of Kritavedhana seeds

the

expressed juice

reduced

subsequently prepared,

to

be

should

of

emetic

powder.

strewn

The

over an

Utpala or any other flower and the patients should be

made

to

smell

it

in

the case where the

be found to have changed

Vayu.

its

seat

Likewise, in cases of excessive

the bodily

Kapham would with the bodily

derangement of

humours, the patient should be given a

stomach ful of barley gruel and then made to eject the contents of his stomach by causing

medicated flower.

him

to smell such

a

Sternutatoric (Shiro-virechanam) or

emetic or purgative drugs prove most efficacious after

StlTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap. XLIII.

being soaked their

in or saturated

399

with the expressed juice of

own.

on the sub-

Authoritative verses ject

:

— Thus

characteristics

given.

An

a

general

outline

of

the

leading

of the emetic drugs in general has been

intelligent

emetic remedy

in

should choose

physician

consideration

of the season

an

of the

year and the strength of the disease, and should try to set in the

process

the help

of the

the

of ejection

of an

patient either with

expressed juice, paste or powder of

prescribed drug

medium

in a

duly administered

article of food or

drink,

through the or

through an

electuary. Thus ends the forty-third Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushruta Samhita which deals with the choice and mode of administering emetics.

CHAPTER Now we

shall

of the

treats

on the Chapter, which

discourse

choice

XLIV.

(VirechanaVijna'niya - madhya'-

of purgatives

-

Dravya-Vikalpa yam.)

Metrical Texts :— Of The barks

effective.

known

Haritaki

as

are

and

barks

purgative

and the

of Tilvaka

fruits.

fruit

most potent of

the

seeds (Erauda-Taila),

castor

roots,

purgative

Trivrita should be deemed the

the roots of reddish

most

the

Similarly,

the

the

all

oil

of

expressed juice of

Karavellika and the milky exudations of Sudha plant are the

most

effective of all such

pressed juices and

milky

purgative

oils,

exudations of plants,

exetc.

These drugs

or substances form the principal purgative

remedies

our pharmacy), and

mode

A

(in

we

shall

discuss the

of their administration in successive order.

purgative

remedy

of the

consisting

sound and

matured roots of Trivritam, soaked

in

juice of the principal purgative drugs

and subsequently

the expressed

and mixed with a considerable quantity of

pulverised

Saindhava

salt

administered

through

rice

gruel, etc.

due

to

the

and

to

a

powdered Nagara, the

medium

of curd

patient, suffering

derangement

of

the

should or

be sour

from a disease bodily

Va*yu.

,

SUTRASTHANAM.

cr»ap.XUV]

^ OI

The same powder mixed with modifications

of sugar-

cane juice (such

01

as

treacle,

sugar

etc.),

with

decoctions of drugs belonging to the Madhuradi group

(Kakolyadi-gana), or with milk, should be prescribed for

a patient laid up

diseases due to

with

'

In

distemper.

Pittaja

the deranged action of the

Kapham

the

same powder should be administered with a decoction of Guduchi, Arishta or Triphala, of pulverised

Vyosha and cow's

with

or

the

addition

urine.

One part of the same powder (Trivrit), mixed with one part of old treacle and the drugs known as Trivarnaka, and Tryushana, should be administered poses in a disease

mea

Trivrit roots,

As an

mixed with a Kudava measure

salt

(two

a

alternative,

of the

sure (four seers) cf the decoction

of their paste, and a Karsha

Saindhava

purgative pur-

(due to the concerted action of the

deranged V£yu and Kapham). Prastha

for

(half a seer)

of

weight

tolas)

and Nagara, and boiled together, and then

formed into a condensed compound should be used

;

or

one part of the paste of the same roots, mixed with half a

part

each of rock-salt and powdered Nagara, should

be administered through the vehicle of cow's urine.

A

compound

consisting of one part of each of the following

drugs

powdered

viz.,

Trivrita roots,

Nagara and Haritaki,

and a half part of each of such drugs as Maricha, Devadaru,

mixed 51

with

Vidanga and

rock-salt,

and

ripe

powdered

Puga

administered

nuts,

through

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

402 the

medium

of cow's

with

clarified

would gative

arise.

drugs

butter

As

and

an

pasted

made

made should

clarified

A

necessary.

be

pills

(Gutiki)

occasion

powders of purbutter

clarified

physician

above, whenever

adequate

juice should

into

alternative,

with

through the medium of

in

administered as

with their roots should be the intelligent

own

their

with their roots and

boiled

taken

drugs

in

.

whatsoever type).

effective purgative (in diseases of

measures and soaked

XLIV

Chap.

be considered as an

urine, should

Powders of purgative

[

into

and

boluses,

administer butter,

boiled

them

prepared as

quantity* of treacle

should be kept boiling over an oven, and a (halt part) of the pif verised purgative roots should be cast little

before

it is

fire,

made

a

and powders of aromatic drugs

as Trijata strewn over

sequently

it,

completely boiled. Then the basin should

be taken off the

known

into

into boluses

it,

and the compound sub-

(Gutika) of adequate

size

according to the requirements of the case under treatment.

One

part of any

of the

(such as the Trivrit roots, four parts of their

own

pulverised purgative etc.)

drugs

should be boiled with

decoction, and one part of pow-

dered wheat steamed in the fumes of a separate quantity of a similar boiling decoction, should be

quantity of clarified butter boiled *

The

pounded with a

and prepared with

quantity of old treacle should be equal to the aggregate weight of

the other drugs in the

compound under

similar circumstances.

Chap. XLIV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Then having cooked

the same decoction. thin

treacle

and

purgative

cast

into

a separate utensil,

in

4 0^

powders of wheat

prepared as above, should be

drugs

immediately before being completely

it,

cooked, and the vessel should be taken

Then

oven and allowed to cool.

the

should be perfumed

(Modaka)

and regarded as ready

Modaka

is

a quantity of

good food

down from

this confection

with aromatic

drugs

In short, this purgative

for use.

as well.

Purgative preparations of Mudga, etc.:

—The soup of Mudga pulse

with the

saturated

decotion of a purgative drug,

and taken with

butter and rock

good purgative as

Similarly, etc.)

salt,

acts as a

soups of other pulses (such as the

soaked

a decoction

in

clarified

well.

Musara,

of any of the purgative

drugs and drunk with the aforesaid adjuvants, exert purgative virtues.

may

Drugs possessed of emetic properties

be used through the preceding media of pulse-

soups as well.

A bit

of sugar-cane

should be longitudinally

and then paste of Tribhandi should be placed middle

Kusha

;

then

grass),

inserted

in

a

it

split,

in

its

should be tied up (with the blades of

and plastered over with a coat of gentle

fire

should be taken out of the

of fire,

clay,

dung cake. After fully roasted

;

and

that,

it

the juice

squeezed out and cooled, would prove a good purgative to a patient laid up with a Pittaja distemper.

THE SUSHRUTA

4°4

A compound

SAMHITA'.

consisting of equal

[Chap. XLIV.

parts of sugar

powdered Ajagandha, Tvakkshiri, Vidari and licked with hone) and clarified r

in a fever

with

thirst

Trivrit

and and

proves curative

butter,

and a burning sensation of the

body.

A compound

of one

consisting

part of pulverised

and a quarter part each of the drugs known

Trivrit

Tvak, Patram and Maricha, and administered

as

with

an adequate quantity of honey and sugar, should be regarded as a good purgative for delicate persons.

A

Pala weight of sugar should be boiled with a half

Kudava weight

of honey, and Trivrita powders

weight of a quarter part

and

honey

compound

(of

the

later

dered Trivrit,

and looked upon

of

consisting

parts

of

pow-

Shyama (Vriddha-Daraka), Yavakshara,

one of the most

effective

Over-ripe fruit

boiled

sixteen

Pathya,

a

times their

thus

Kapham.

Kdshmari, Dhatri, Dadima and

taken with their seeds or stones, (with

as

purgatives in diseases due

to the action of the deranged

Kola

equal

and Pippali, and taken with honey, acts

Shunti

tion

cool,

The

cooking.

good purger of Pittam.

A compound

be

the

of

part

remedy should be administered as a

combined weight of

the

be added to the boiling

sugar) should at

to the

quantity

of

water

combined weight).

obtained should

be

should

weighing

The decoc-

boiled with (castor)

XLIV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

and the

oil,

quarter

juice of

Amlaphala

thereof),

part

etc. (to

consistence.

until

The powders

patient

of the

electuary

with

prove a good purgative

will

three

should ' be

which should be administered to a

it,

an

as

The

it.

reduced to a

aromatic drugs (Trisugandha) and Trivrit*

then added to

S

the weight of a

should be added to

whole should be boiled together considerable

4

in

honey.

This remedy

respect of a delicate

person of Kaphaja temperament.

A

compound, consisting of one part of powdered

Nili

fruit,

one part of powdered Tvak and Ela, and

two

parts

of pulverised Trivrit, and

mixed with

adequate quantity of sugar, and taken

and the

juice

purgative

with

honey

Amlaphalam, should be regarded

of

remedy possessed of the

virtue

an

as a

of destroying

the concerted action of the three deranged humours of the body.

A

compound,

consisting of equal parts of powdered

Shyama (Vriddhadaraka), Pippali and Triphala' and made into a confection (Modaka) (with the addition

Trivrit,

of

honey and

most potent taneous

sugar), should be regarded

cures

derangement

haemoptysis and

A compound *

(purgatives)

The weight

for

of the three

as

one of the

S^nnipata ^simulvital

humours),

fever.

consisting

of honey and

of three parts of Trivrit,

pulverised Trivrit

should be equal to a

fourth part of the entire quantity of medicine taken at a time*

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 o6

one

of

part

Krishna

one of Yavakshara, one of

Triphala,

and

(Pippali),

one

of

of

honey

bolases

(Gutika)

and

clarified

with

treacle,

cases of enlarged spleen, in

well

as

as

compound

gative Trivrit,

3'ava

Nili,

is

(of our

consisting of

addi-

made

into

curative

proves

Gulmas due

(purgative)

compounds

purgative

or

butter,

of abdominal

cases

in

remedy

present

with the

in

to the action of

Kapham and Yayu, in Halimaka

the deranged

pounded

Vidanga,

together and used as an electuary tion

Chap XLIV.

[

.Chlorosis),

The

dropsy, etc.

one of the most harmless

A

pharmacopoeia;.

Shyama

pur-

(Vriddhadaraka),

Katvi, Musta, Duralabha, Chavya, Indra-

and Triphala, administered through the vehicle

of clarified butter, essence of meat, or water,

mended

com-

is

to persons of dry temperament.

Preparations of Purgative Asavas

(Wines): —All

purgative

should be duly

drugs*

Three parts of the decoction thus

boiled in

water.

prepared

should be mixed with two

parts

of cold

powdered barley (Phanitam) and again boiled over

Then

fire.

after

it, it

boiling

from the oven, cooled

and

should be taken

poured into

a

previously coated inside with a special plaster.f

a

down

pitcher

Then

according to the difference of the season (cold or hot), * Several authorities exclude the plant known while others stick to Trivrita alone in exclusion of t

A new

shade.

earthen pitcher

Then

Pippali and

is

its

inside

is

is

first

all

as

Sudha (Manasa),

other drugs.

washed with water and dried

in the

coated with a plaster of honey and powdered

fumigated with the fumes of Aguru (Eagle wood).

Chap.

XLIV.

the

pitcher

of

paddy

be taken soon

as

odour.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

be

should

month, or a

a

for

out and as

kept

understood

would

it

buried

a

in

be ready

a winy

or

heap should

It

fortnight.

to

emit

407

use

for

fermented

Asavas (fermenting liquours) of animal urines

and alkaline substances should be likewise prepared in

the foregoing manner.

Preparations of purgative rice Sura' (Wines) etc. rice

:

— Quantities of Masha pulse and Shali

should be respectively

first

decoction of purgative roots.

soaked and washed

Then they should be

and pounded together and made into be subsequently dried

in

Alter that a separate in the

balls,

in

a

dried

which should

the sun and again pulverised.* quantity

of Shali rice steamed

vapours of the aforesaid decoction, and kept

apart, should be

of these aforesaid

made

into

cakes.

Then

three parts

cakes should be mixed with one part of the

powdered

ball.

should be soaked in

The compound thus obtained

an adequate quantity of

that

purgative decoction previously kept apart in an earthen pitcher of the plastered type, described before.

should be

deemed ready

for use,

as

emit the peculiar honey-like smell. drugs should be likewise

made

in the

soon as

The Sura it

would

Suras of emetic

same manner.

Preparations of purgative Souvirakas (Barley Wines) :— Trivrit roots and drugs *

For imparting

to

it

the necessary

Enzyme.

THE SUSHRUTA

4 oS

belonging to the groups

Panchamulam, Haimavati, be

as well

equal parts.

A

decoction

and major

Murva, Sh^rngashta, Sudha,

Vacha

and

Ativisha

and

together

Chap. xliv.

[

of Vidarigandha

as

Triphala,

mixed

SAMHITA'.

then

set

should be

should

made

two

in

apart

of one

of

them, while the other should be reduced to a state of powder.

After that,

a quantity of well

and huskless barley should be soaked

latter

and

fried

a

in the aforesaid

and should be subsequently

decoction for seven days, dried

thrashed

little.

Then

three

of

parts

the

and one part of the aforesaid powder (powdered

Trivrita roots etc.) should be

mixed together and

ed in the aforesaid cold decoction of

The mixture should

those

soakdrugs.

be then kept into an earthen

pitcher of the foregoing type

and administered

in

ade-

quate doses as soon as the characteristic winy smell of the mixture (Jatarasa)

paration

is

The

would be detected.

pre-

called the purgative Sauvirakam.

Preparations of purgative Tusho-

dakam (fermented liquors of barley with husks): —The drugs enumerated in

connection with the foregoing

preparation should be mixed together and divided in halves and kept in

two separate

One

vessels.

half of

the mixture should be well-thrashed and tied up in piece

of clean linen

with a quantity of

barley in husks and should be boiled of Ajashringi in

a separate basin.

a

unthrashed

with a decoction

Then

barley in husks

Chap.

XLIV.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

4 9

should be separated from the rest of the components of the mixture after

it

has been thoroughly cooked.

Then

three parts of these barley grains subsequently thrashed

should be again soaked in their decoction, and a fourth part of the aforesaid pulverised drugs such as the

be added to

of Trivrit, etc.) should

mixture

should be

kept

Tushodakam

(lit:

an earthen

in

the before mentioned type.

and the

it,

This

entire

pitcher

preparation

Washings of husks

roots

is

of

called

and should be

,

used as soon as the characteristic smell of fermentation (Jatarasa)

would be emitted

processes

of preparing Sauvirakam

have been described. expiry of six

or

The

from the pitcher.

and

Tushodakam

They should be used

after

seven nights from the date

the

of their

being in the pitcher.

The

rules

of Trivrit

parations as,

and processes regarding the preparation

compounds hold good

made

of the

rest

in cases of similar

pre-

of purgative drugs (such

Danti, Dravanti, etc.)

The

roots of Danti and

pulled up

and

dried in the sun. hone)''

collected,

Dravanti

after

be

first

which they should be

After that, they should be mixed with

and pasted Pippali and placed

grass firmly tied

should

in a

box of Kusha

up and plastered with a layer of

clay.

The box should be put into a fire of dried cowdung cakes. The compound inside the plastered grass box should be cooked according to the process of Putapaka, 52

THE 3USHRUTA

4IO

SAMHITA'.

and should be taken out and used the action of the deranged

Chap. XLIV.

[

in diseases

Pittam and

Kapham and

combination and through vehicles described

compounds of

tion with the purgative

Pastes (Kalkas) and decoctions

due to

in

in

connec-

Trivrit.

of Danti

and Dra-

vanti should be boiled with clarified butter, and

Chakra

The

clarified

Tailam (sesamum butter, thus

oil

body and

Alaji,

of flatus,

in

Kaksha, burning sensation of the

while cases of Meha, Gulma,

(kapham) and

would prove

amenable to the

oil

retention

of the

obstruction

Diseases due to the retention

Vayu

oil mill).

cooked and prepared, would prove curative

of Erysipelas,

cases

pressed in an

bowels

above described.

semen

of urine,

and

or fecal matter readily yield to one of the four oily

substances (Chatuh-sneha,

and

marrow) cooked

oil,

clarified butter, lard

prepared

and

with the paste and

decoction of Danti and Dravanti.

A compound Kanakahvaya,

consisting of Danti, Dravanti, Maricha,

Yavasaka,

Mridvika,

Yishva-veshaja,

and Chitraka powdered together and successively soaked in

cow's urine for seven days, should be administered

for purgative purposes,

butter.

A

diet of

through the medium of

powdered

barley, stirred in

clarified

honey,

should be given to the patient after the assimilation of the abovesaid medicine.

pain at the sides, as well as

those

Diseases such

jaundice,

enlargement

as

indigestion,

of the spleen

due to the combined action of the

Chap.

XLIV.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

Kapham and Pittam

deranged

4I

the

to

yield

readily

T

curative efficacy of this purgative remedy.

pulverised Pathyas mixed with the powders

Twenty

of Danti and Chitraka roots, each

powdered with

well as

with two tola

Pippali

and

as

weight,

weighing a Pala

should

Trivrit,

of

weights

pala

eight

weights each

pound thus prepared should be made balls of confection

conduct curative

in

affections

the bod3

Warm

not entail

any

dysentery, jaundice,

regimen

etc.).

pile

It

of

proves

and cutaneous

and subdues the three deranged humours of

.

Trikatu,

taken

strict

r

Trivrida'shtaka :— The viz.

large

water should be used

non-exposure to cold wind,

(as

ten

and bathing purposes while using the medi-

which does

cine,

com-

(Modaka), each of which should be

taken on every tenth day. for drinking

into

of

cooked

be

The

treacle.

in

Trijata,

in equal parts,

Musta,

nine following drugs,

Vidanga and

and eight parts of

Trivit,

Amalaka and two

parts of Danti roots should be separately pulverised

sieved through a piece of thin linen.

The powders

and thus

prepared should be pounded together and mixed with six parts of sugar

and a

little

quantity of honey and

Cold water should be given to the patient

rock

salt.*

after

he had taken the medicine, which proves curative

*

part.

The term

little

(Ishat) in the

present

instance

stands

for

a quarter

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 i2

in colic pain in the bladder

(Vasti-Shula),

XLIV.

[Chap.

fever,

thirst,

anasarca (Shotha), chlorosis and vertigo.

vomiting,

does not entail any

strict

regimen of conduct

other

like

purgatives and acts as a good eliminator of poison.

compound is called the Trivridashtakam and is recommended in Pittaja affections. Persons,

It

The

specially suffering

from diseases due to the action of the deranged Pittam

and Kapham, should take the medicine through the

The medicine should be

vehicle of milk. for rich persons,

owing to

dietetic character.

its

Purgative barks

:

—The external skin

Lodhra bark, to the exclusion of

its

of the

inner lining, should

The powder, thus

be taken and pulverised.

prescribed

prepared,

should be divided into three equal parts, two of which

should be soaked in a decoction of the same

bark and

alkalis.

twent3 -one times according to the

filtered

process laid

The

down

(Lodhra)

r

connection with the preparation of

in

remaining" third part of the powders should

decoction

and

subsequently dried in the sun, and again soaked

in a

be soaked in the aforesaid

decoction

of

name

of

the

prescribed

viously

in

the

which

drugs,

Dashamulam. forms

described

in

filtered

collectively

go

by

The medicine should be

(wines,

electuaries,

connection

with

etc.)

the

pre-

Trivrit

compounds.

The mode

of preparing

and administering purgative

medicines out of barks endued with similar virtues has

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLIV.]

We

been described.

made with purgative

shall

4!3

presently deal with those

fruits.

Fruit Purgatives :— Sound Haritakis administered in the

pounds prove curative in

in

and

of

way

of

best

and

elixirs

Thev

faculties.

Haritaki

Xagaram,

Trivrit

the

improve

and

disease

malignant sores and internal abscesses.

the

com-

Trivrit

forms of

all

stoneless

are

intellectual

and Vidanga, as well as rock

and Maricha mixed

and taken with cow's

act

urine,

as

in

salt,

equal parts

good purgatives.

Similarly, powders of Haritaki, Bhadra-daru, Kushtham,

Puga-phalam, Saindbava

salt

and Shringaveram taken

through the medium of cow's urine, act as good purgative.

For purgative purposes, a man should

pound

consisting of the

Abhaya and draught of

treacle

warm

powders of

the

Saindhava

and subsequently drink a good

water.

of

group

salt,

A compound

composed of

of the drugs

Pippalyadi

and

a

con-

Nagaram

a bit of rock salt added to

it, is

or treacle

and with

an excellent stomachic.

specific virtue of Haritaki consists in restoring

normal condition of the bodily rejuvenating

soothingly destroys

all

of

bit

exerts an instantaneous purgative action.

Haritakis eaten with

The

com-

Xilini fruits, Nagara,

Haritakis pasted with a decoction stituting

lick a

Vayu

the

(laxative),

an used up or exhausted frame, and invigorating diseases,

the

sense

organs.

which are due to

in in

Haritaki

the use

of

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 i4

[Chap.

XLIV

.

•

sweet or richly cooked dishes (Santarpanam) such thirst, etc.

Amalakam

dues Pittam and

Vibhitakam

The -group consists of

is

part is

of

its

and

should be used

known

as the Triphala

acid-astringent taste with

Powdered

sweet.

acts as a

possessed

Triphala

of

panacea and

regular

virtue.

purgative

manner described

the

in

sub-

clarified butter of a three quarter

own weight

fruits

it

antifat in its virtues.

is

fruits

endued with a rejuvenating All

;

subdues Pittam and Kapham.

marked by an

bitter

refrigerent

Amalakam and Vibhitakam, which

Haritaki,

taken with

regularly

it

;

of medicinal

of

and

cooling,

Kapham and

cooling

are collectively a shade

is

as,

properties, in

connection

with Haritaki with the exception of Chaturangulas. The

Chaturangula

season, and then

sand.

should be collected in the proper

fruit

kept buried

a

for

week

in a

bed of

After that, they should be unearthed and

in the sun,

and

their stones or seeds

Then the

be taken out.

(lit.

essential

dried

marrow) should

oil

of

the

seeds

should be extracted by pressing them in an oil-mill like the seeds of sesamum, or by boiling them (hot expression). child

up to

its

The

of

is

a good purgative

Castor

after

a

oil

having licked a compound saturated

with

powdered

Kushtha and Trikatus, acts as a good purgative. oil

for

twelfth year.

Hot water taken consisting

oil

with water

taken with a decoction of Triphalas, double

Castor its

own

Chap. XLIV.

SUTKASTHA'NAM.

]

measure, or with milk

or

4!5

extract of meat,

acts

good purgative, which should be prescribed

a

for infants,

men, or persons debilitated from the

old

as

effects

of

ulcer cachexia, or of delicate constitution.

have finished describing the preparation and appli-

I

of fruit

cation

on

discourse etc.

trees,

The milky of

all

by

a

Now

purgatives.

similar

hear me,

Sushruta,

milky exudations of plants and

which are possessed of purgative properties. of a

juice

medical

Sudha plant

which

purgatives,

being

is

strongest

imprudently used

may be

ignoramus,

the

attended with

dangerous consequences, while the same of a judicious physician proves strong

in the

hands

enough to

dis-

mighty accumulation of deranged humours

a

integrate

O

and to successfully combat many an irremediable

dis-

temper.

One

part

constituting

of the

the group

Vrihati, etc. should

juice

the a

of a

decoction of

Sudha plant

two Tola

fire,

(thus forming an eighth part of

the

After

(kola) weights of

compounds.

A

having boiled

it

over

compound should be taken with any acid

sour rice gruel, cream of curd, Trivrit

Panchamulam and

major

be mixed with one part of the milky

whole compound).

charcoal

each of the drugs

of

gruel

liquid (such as wine,

etc.)

made

in

the

manner of

of rice saturated with

the milky exudation of a Mahavriksha, or a sweetened, porridge-like preparation of the

same substance (Utka-

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 i6 rika)

made with

treacle,

of purgative properties.

composed of

[

Chap. XLIV.

should be deemed as possessed

As an

alternative,

sugar, clarified butter

an electuary

and the milky

juice

of a Snnhi plant, should be used for purgative purposes.

Powders of Pippali soaked

the milky juice of

in

the same plant should be used with rock salt for moving

Powdered Kampillakam made

the bowels.

with Snuhi juice

may

be as well prescribed

into boluses

Powders of Saptala, Shankhini, Danti,

end.

same

for the

and

Trivrit

kernel of Aragvadham, should be saturated with cow's

and then soaked

urine

the milky juice of a Snuhi

in

A

plant successively for seven consecutive days.*

of the

and

powder thus prepared

flower-garlands,

smell

strewn over

the

and clothes worn by a man whose

bowels are easily moved, acts as a mild purgative.

The

use and

preparation

of

concocted with roots, barks and milky etc.

plants,

prescribed

have been after

described,

carefulfy

remedies

purgative

exudations of

which should

considering the

be

nature

of

the case under treatment and according to their specific indications.

A (one *

compound tola

The mode

and a

consisting half)

made

the

three

Shana

powdered

of preparing the porridge

should be saturated with macerated.

of

of

is

as follows

weights three

Trivrit,

:

— First

of a Maha-Vriksha

the

wheat

and then milky juice The powder should be then cooked with milk and treacle and

into a thick porridge.

XLIV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

4I7

Shana weights of powdered Triphala pulp, and three Shana

weights of powdered

Vidanga,

and

Pippali

Yavakshara, mixed and pounded together, should be

honey and

licked with

be

made

a

into

with treacle for purgative

confection

The medicine does not

purposes.

regimen of diet and conduct.

It

curative in Gulmas, enlargement

Halimakam in

diseases

(

chlorosis

due

A

should

administer

vehicles of

cow's urine, juice

forms

of

meat

drugs,

or

of electuary.

strict

any

one of the most

of the spleen, cough,

action

of

and

food

for

the

deranged

wise and intelligent physician

medicines

purgative

clarified

is

non-relish

the

to

Kapham and Vayu.

),

entail

pharmacopoeia) and proves

remedies (of our

effective

they should

or

clarified butter,

butter,

oil,

essence, or

through

The

six

milk,

through

articles

of

through the

Madya

(wine)

the expressed food,

or

in

kinds of purgatives are

the milky exudations, expressed juices, pastes, decoctions,

cold

infusions

herbs,

deemed it

and powders of medicinal

and each of these preceding

Thus ends

or

factors should be

stronger than the one immediately

in the order of

drugs

following

enumeration.

the forty-fourth Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushruta

Samhita, which treats of the choice of purgatives.

53

CHAPTER Now we

on the

discourse

shall

XIV.

deals with the rules to be observed in

substances

in

which

Chapter,

respect of liquid

(Drava-Dravya-Vidhi-

general

madhyaryam).

Water Group is

possessed

in

its

of a

nature,

taste.

non-patent

and

pleasant

or

It

drowsiness

of

its

tastes

different

six

such

receptacle

as,

with a masculine name), a

Kupa

covered

Chunti

Yikira 1,

a

spring

*

§,

a

and

over

with

Enlivens the body during

a

fits

f

re-

and

After

body.

acquires one

it

a river, or a

is

fainting.

according to the

a

||,

It

life.

of

fits

human

a pond,

fallow

ambrosial

is

anti-hypnotic,

having fallen upon the surface of the earth of the

water

rain

strength-giving,

most wholesome to the

is

or

beneficial to

antipyrotic,

frigorific,

conquers vertigo, It

—Atmospheric,

invigorating

enlivening,* frigerent,

:

nature

Nada

(a river

tank (Yapi)

a

an

fountain,

+

,

Artesian

land (Kedar), or a pond

growth

of fainting

of

aquatic

and such

plants

like cases.

+ Imparts strength to the exhausted or emaciated frames.

A

J

tank or a large well with

its

sides protected

by buttresses of

masonry work.

A

§ II

well with flights of

An

ordinary well,

masonry steps descending

to its

bottom.

unprotected by buttresses and unprovided with

steps. *~

A

flow of subterranean water

dug out of a bed of sand.

Chap.

xlv.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Certain authorities maintain that heavenly

(Palvala).

atmospheric water having fallen on a red, brown,

or

white coloured

grey, yellow, blue or

assumes a sweet, astringent

taste.

one

much

as

in

acid,

a particular

the

the

as

respectively

soil,

pungent, bitter or an

saline,

But

of the attributes of

not a sound

is

theory

predominance

comparative

the five material principles

Water, contained or collected in

marked by a predominance of the

soil

of earth-principle,

acquires

Water, contained

in a soil

of the

of

attributes

dominance astringent

of

the

an acid and saline

taste.

marked by a predominance

a

in

soil

marked by a

pre-

acquires

an

all tastes,

and

of

attributes

The sky

taste.

attributes

acquires a bitter and pungent

fire,

Water, contained

taste.

in

determines the taste of the water

soil

contained therein. a

4i9

air,

devoid of

is

hence, the water contained in a

soil,

which

is

largely

possessed of the specific attributes of that element, is

by the absence

characterised

Only the

of

any

taste whatever.

named kind should be used

last

purposes where

would

water

atmospheric

for drinking

not

be

available.

Atmospheric turn,

rain

may

be hail

water,

snow

water,

lightness.

classes

of

Rain

such as

water

(Antariksha

divided into water,

frost

which the water the

four

classes

water

first

may

Jalam),

is

or

such

dew,

the best for

be divided

Gangam and

in

the

into

its

as,

and its

two

Samudram,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMH1TA.

420

according as the rain- cloud

XL\

[Chap.

charged with vapours

is

evaporated from the bosom of the Ganges or the sea. Gangetic rain

descends

generally

Ashvina, but both kinds should be

The

test;

the case

in

test

to

consists in exposing

To

month

of

to

a

subjected

water

of

Gangam

rain

a

Muharta

(forty-eight

for

quantity of undiscoloured Shali rice in a

minutes), a

bowl which

silver

it,

the

in

ascertain

not extremely softened by boiling.

is

whether

it is

Gangetic rain water or not,

Gangetic rain water should be ascertained from the of the

fact

affected

aforesaid

in

colour

its

colour under

Shali rice not being in

exposure,

being formed

into

;

as

whereas

a

well

the

as

any way in

its

of

its

change fact

shreddy or seedy balls mixed with

slimy secretions, would indicate that the rain water had

been formed of the vapours of the sea

:

Samudram), and Rain

should be regarded as extremely unwholesome.

water from a cloud entirely formed of sea-vapours and collected as

what

the

in is

month

technically

but the latter

is

of Ashvina,

known

is

as

wholesome

as Gangetic rain water,

the best of the several kinds of atmos-

pheric water.

The means is

as

linen

follows

:

of collecting atmospheric

—A

broad piece of clean

should be hung out in the open

placed across the middle to dip

The

rain

its

air,

centre

(rain)

water

and

white

(with a stone

of gravity).

water thus collected should be kept

in a

xlv.

Chap.

As an

vessel.

the in

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

of

waterspouts a

clean

a golden,

house

a

receptacle, silver or

substituted

from

flowing

be

should

collected

The water

an earthen vessel. at

all

any other

by

water

and subsequently poured into

can be taken

collected

rain

alternative,

421

and

times,

ma3

water

r

thus *

be

in

the

marked by a

pre-

terrestrial

event of its not being available at the time.

water

Terrestrial

dominance of the

is

generally

specific properties of the sky, and

admits of being grouped under seven sub-heads such i

tank- water,

lake- water,

river- water,

well-water,

as,

fountain water, spring (Artesian) water, and Chunti (well

unprovided with masonry steps) water. spring water

or

Atmospheric

should be used for their high efficacy All kinds of water

during the rains (Varsha).

used in Sharat on account of their clearness.

tank water should be used tain

in

water,

Hemanta

all

Lake

summer

water not of recent

nor due to an excessive down-pour

or

well and foun-

;

(Vasanta) and

spring*

Chunti water, as well as

in

may be

or

;

and

origin,

inundation,

should be used during Pravrit.

Metrical Texts

*

who The "

drinks of or bathes

rains

"

an easy victim to

falls

its

use

is

in

in the present passage should

the end of the rainy season or the

Bhadra, as

— He

and external diseases (cutaneous

internal etc.,

:

month

a

pool

of water,

be interpreted to mean and not the month of

of Ashvina,

specially forbidden in that

affections),

month.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 22

which

full

is

of poisonous

of vermin

or

or

worms,

with urine or fecal matter, or

saturated

is

defiled

is

animal

decomposed

[Chap. XLV.

with germs or

organisms,

is

covered over with the growths of aquatic plants, or is

stiewn over with withered and decomposed leaves,

which

or

in

any way

contaminated, as well as he, in

and

rendered poisonous

is

who

drinks and

bathes

the freshly collected water of a pool or a reservoir

during the rains.

A

sheet of water, which

with the growths

entirely covered over

is

of aquatic

such

plants

as,

moss,

or

which

zoophytes, water weeds, lotus leaves,

etc.,

looks turbid

not exposed to

owing to oozy mire, or

the currents of fresh the

and

moon, and taste,

defiled

to the

is

nor illumined by the sun or

air,

possessed of a definite smell, colour,

should be regarded

(Vyapannam). Water six

is

categories

contaminated or

as

may be affected

of touch,

sight,

with regard smell,

taste,

potency, and chemical transformation or re-action digestion),

Roughness,

production

of a

sensation

shivering

and

warmth,

sliminess,

(lit

:

(lit

:

the

tooth-edge)

are the tactual defects (Sparsha- Dosha) of defiled water,

whereas a varied colour, and the presence of mire, sand,

and shreds of moss are the

defects,

or appearance (Rupa-Dosha).

water, which

while

an

is

A distinct

affected as regards

unpleasant

which mark

smell

its is

taste

its

look

marks the

taste (Rasa- Dosha),

the

characteristic

xlv.

Chap.

of

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

the

which

water,

The

smell (Gandha- Dosha). to

gives rise limbs,

or vitiated

in

regards

water, which being taken

its

flueut coryza,

potency

is

said to be affected

said

is

time,

stomach

the

retained in

for

be affected

to

water

is

as

regards digestion

The

defiled

contaminated water should be purified by boiling or

by heating

it

the sun, or by immersing a

in

red-hot iron, or hot sands or stones in the its

should be removed by perfuming

smell

same, and it

with the

Nageshvara, Champaka, Utpala, or Patala flowers,

Metrical Texts :— Water a

in

perfumed

accumulated used

tends

to

body, and

in

for

an

water

season,

should

never

purposes,

inasmuch

as

it

derange the fundamental humours of the is

positively injurious to the

The man, who

drinks, or bathes

water without previously purifying incurs the risk of being

jaundice,

rain

as well as

improper

drinking

be drunk

metal or of precious

bell

Contaminated water,

stones.

should

etc.

copper or an earthen

golden, silver,

bowl made of

goblet, or in a

be

or

Atmospheric

from the abovesaid defects.

free

is

an inordinate length of

chemical transformation (Vipaka-Dosha).

it,

whereas

(Virya-Dosha",

which takes a long time to be digested, or

that,

or

its

and to a sense of heaviness of the

thirst

and a

colic,

as

affected

is

423

cutaneous

human' system.

in,

any contaminated

it

as before directed,

speedily affected affections,

with oedema,

indigestion, dyspnoea,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

424

[

XLV.

Chap.

cough, catarrh, colic pains, abdominal glands, ascites or

any other dreadful

disease.

There are seven modes

of

as,

by immersing the Kataka

as

the

the

Gomedha,

purifying water such fruits,

roots

of

the

gems known

lotus

or

plants,

of aquatic mosses, a piece of linen, or a pearl, or a crystal in a pitcher or vessel containing

it.

The bottoms

water pitcher are made of five different shapes such

Phalakam (rectangular wooden

wooden

(octagonal

made

stool),

the

tripod),

scaffold

(wooden

such

currents of

as

air,

the Tryashtakam

by

exposing

the

Shiky

water pitcher to

a

immersing a water pitcher

round

(tied

with a piece of wet cloth) neck-deep in a vessel water, churning it

it

with a

pitcher underneath in a

linen, or

all

by burying

of

a water

bed of sand, or by keeping

a

it

pendent bracket.

Metrical Texts :— The of

full

by fanning, or siphoning

stick,

by means of a piece of

suspended

(ring

Udaka-Manchika and

pitcher)

the

There are seven ways of cooling

(pendent bracket". water,

a

for

as,

Manju Valayam

of the blades of Manju grass), the

of a

and

smell or taste,

water, which

is

pure,

cool,

is

devoid limpid,

transparent, refrigerent and pleasant, should be regarded as possessed of all the

of rivers, (which

flow

into the

wholesome.

commendable

western

The

the

drain

sea,

water

traits.

Jangala is

of

light,

rivers,

The water

countries)

and

and

therefore

which traverse

Chap.

XLV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

425

the marsh}' ( Anupa) countries and the

eastern

mended

sea,

empty themselves into heavy and therefore not comThe water of rivers, which run

is

to be used.

into the southern sea,

owing to the

neither too heavy nor too light

is

of

fact

its

traversing countries

which

have a Sadharana character.

The water

of rivers,

which have

sources in the

their

Sajhya mountains, begets cutaneous affections

water of those, which

rise

rise

testinal

parasites,

elephantisis rise

The water

of rivers,

on the mount Malaya, begets worms and while

the

water of

in-

that

those,

Mahendra mountain, begets and abdominal dropsy. The water of rivers,

have their sources

which

while the

from the Vindhya mountains,

produces Kushtha and Jaundice.

which

;

in the

on the Himalaya, produces angina

pectoris,

(Hridroga), anasarca, diseases of the head, elephantisis, or goitre in persons using Similarly, the water

for

it

the purposes of

of rivers, which drain the eastern

portion of the country of Avanti, or flow

western part, begets piles

which

rise

;

through

its

while the water of those,

on the mount of Paripatra

strength-giving,

life.

is

wholesome,

and conducive to health.

Metrical Texts

:

— The

water

of clear and

swift- running rivers

is

light,

while the water of those,

which are sluggish

in

their

course and are covered

with mosses and other aquatic plants,

water of 54

rivers,

is

heavy.

which run through Marudesha

The

(Modem

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

42 6

Mar war)

is

in

its

and

is

blended with a shade of the

taste

digestible

easily

is

and strength-giving

properties.

Every kind of

terrestrial

early in the morning, since

and coolest

two

XLV.

Chap.

possessed of a bitter saline taste, or

endued with a sweet astringent,

[

water should be collected

at that part of the

attributes

by

far

obtained

it is

day

;

and

the clearest these

since

form the most commendable

traits

in water.

Metrical Texts light of the

night,

:

—The

water, which gets the

sun in the day and reflects the

moon

in the

and which, moreover, neither produces Kapham

nor a parched condition as one in virtue with

in

the body, should be regarded

Atmos-

the atmospheric water.

pheric water, collected in a good and proper receptacle,

has the virtue of subduing the three deranged humours of the its

body, and acts as a pure tonic

virtue varying with the excellence of the

which of the

it is

contained.

gem known

The

as the

cool

of warding

Chandra kanta Mani

off the

elixir,

vessel

in

and limpid washings

stone) should be regarded as possessed virtue

and

attacks

(the

of the

moonmystic

of monsters

and

demons, and of subduing the deranged Pittam. They are beneficial

in fever

and

in cases of poisoning

a burning sensation of the body,

marked by

etc.

Cold water usually proves beneficial

in epileptic

fits,

in

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLV.]

Chap.

427

hot seasons, and in a burning sensation of the body

due to the deranged action of the Pittam, poisoning, loss

abuse

haemoptysis,

of consciousness,

Tamaka and

The

vomiting.

wine (MadaTya),

of

or

fatigue

blood-

in

exhaustion,

use

of

vertigo,

cold

w*ater

should be avoided in pain at the sides (pleurodynia in

in

catarrh,

stomach by gas or

larynx, in distention of the

cases of undigested faeces, in the

and just

after the exhibition of

remedy,

in hie- cough,

the

of

diseases

in

rheumatism,

?),

in

air,

acute stage of fever,

any emetic or purgative

and immediately following upon River water pro-

an oily or fatty drink (Snehapana).

duces Vayu and a parched condition in the body, and is light,

stomachic and (Lekhana) liquefacient.

contrary, that which its

consistency,

The water

On

the

is

heavy, comparatively denser in

sweet,

and cooling, brings on catarrh.

of a lake (Sarasam) quenches thirst and

strength-giving,

and

sweet

light,

astringent.

is

The

water of a pond or a tank (Tadaga) produces Vayu,

and

is

sweet, astringent, and pungent in digestion.

water from a Vapi

(a

tank) subdues the deranged

large

Vayu and Kapham, and generates Pittam, and in taste

and

alkali.

The water from

is

is

pungent

found to be charged with a solution of a Chunti

sweet, and parchifying, though

Kapham

The

and

a good digestant,

does not give

The water from

in the system.

generates Pittam

it

is

is

deranged Kapham, and

appetising. is

light

and

rise

to

a well (Kupa)

It

subdues

alkaline.

the

The

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

42 8

water of a fountain

is

is

and subdues

sweet,

Pittam.

of an Artesian spring It

The water from a

appetising, pungent,

and

The water accumulated to

heavy

Palvalam

an open

in

and

digest

field,

the

aggravates

same

The water

the body.

the source of as

it

the

all

aggravates

man} an r

increases

the

three of an

water accumulated cool, pleasant

Warm Kapham.

is

in

traits.

;

of is

all

the bodily

is

is

free

It is faultless, acid

possessed of

pleasing and

all

refrigerant.

Sadharana country

is

com-

The light,

and appetising (Dipanam).

water

subdues

It

antifat,

shodhak) and

body. taste

humours

of a Jangala country

a

greatly

the

saline

slimy secretions of

and

the

as

extremely condemnable,

in its digestive reaction (Vidahi), traits,

a

of

Anupa (marshy) country

from the preceding baneful

mendable

it

of

deranged

evil. It is

The water

organs, etc.

augment

virtue

that

fishy smell, and

fallow

The water

humours

deranged

Sea-water has a

light,

or in to

tends

possessed of the

is

is

its

charged with potash (Khara).

is

preceding one, with the exception

it

Vikira

deranged humours of the body.

the a

is

antacid in

is

digestive reaction.

land,

and pleasant,

light, appetising,

The water

and destroys Kapham.

XLV.

[Chap.

is

febrifuge.

It

cough and dyspnoea, and

Water boiled down

to

the

deranged

appetising,

Vayu

diuretic,

and

(Vasti-

proves beneficial in cases is

wholesome

a quarter part

of

of

at all times. its

original

XLV.

Chap.

ebullitions

removed,

commended

safely

overnight,

should

is

light

the use

to

be

not

and

will

all its

of

may

be

Water, boiled

all.

knowingly

to

given

a

has acquired an 'acid

it

augment the

and

froth

and

and limpid,

person inasmuch as

thirsty

429

and then cooled down with

quantity

taste

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

internal

Kapham Water

body, and becomes positively injurious.

of the boiled

and subsequently cooled down should be given to a person suffering from any of the diseases due to an abuse of wine or to Pittam, or from a complaint brought

about

concerted

through the

action

the

of

three

deranged humours.

The water found is

inside

the

shell

of a cocoanut

heavy,* demulcent, cool, pleasant and appetising

It

is

diuretic,

etc.

and

(Vasti-shodhaka) spermatopoietic,

The

use of water boiled and

subdues Pittam and

thirst.

subsequently cooled

down is recommended

in dysentery,

burning of the skin, hemoptysis, diseases due to the abuse of wine, or to the effects of any imbibed poison, as well as in thirst, vomiting, catarrh, vertigo

consciousness. possible

Water should be taken

by a person

suffering

as

and

loss of

little

as

from any of the following

diseases viz., loss of relish for food, catarrh, water-brash,

oedema, any of the wasting diseases, impaired digestion,

abdominal dropsy, cutaneous affecting the eyes, ulcer *

affection, fever, diseases

and diabetes (Madhumeha,

Light according to Jejjada.

etc).

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

430

The

Group :— The

IYIilk

or of a

woman,

milk of a cow, she-

she-buffalo, mare, she-elephant,

she-camel, ewe,

goat,

[Chap. XLV.

what generally comes

is

to the use of

man.*

The milk cereals,

the white fluid

is

essence of drugs and

which enter into the food of the aforesaid milk-

giving animals, and

is

therefore the best of

substances (literally life-giving).

It

is

And

since milk

principles of

of

proves congenial to

it

all

and

life

created

recommended

kindred

is

animals.

sentient

all

nature to-the essential

so very congenial to the panzoism its

animals, to

in its

heavy, sweet,

and mild.

slimy, cold, glossy, emollient, laxative

Hence

nutritive

all

all,

and

use

may

not

is

be unreservedly

forbidden

diseases

in

due to the deranged action of (Vayu) or Pittam, or

mind (Mansa),

ailments affecting the

system of man.

may

Its

be witnessed

dyspnoea,

in

vertigo,

of the bod}r

,

in thirst,

and the bladder, and *

obstinate From

other

glands), in

or the

vascular

and curative

efficacy

cases of chronic

and

phthisis

Gulma (abdominal fits,

in

beneficial

in

insanity, in

diseases

in chlorosis

fever, in

wasting

delirium,

in

in

epileptic

burning sensation affecting

the heart

in piles, colic

Grahani, Pravahika,

the construction of the present sentence in the original texts,

are warranted to include the milk of a doe, or of a she-mule,

rhinoceros in the cations.

cough,

diseases,

ascites,

and dysentery,

constipation,

list,

in

or of a

as they sometimes prove beneficial for external

we

cowappli-

Chap,

SUTRASTHANAM.

xlv.]

43

!

miscarriage and other diseases peculiar to the female

reproductive refrigerant

and

organs,

and

cal exercise. It

is

haemoptysis.

It

a

is

bracing beverage after physi-

as a

acts

in

a sacred, constructive, tonic, spermato-

and aphrodisiac.

poietic, rejuvenating

intellectual capacities of a

expands* the

It

man, brings about the adhe-

sion of broken or fractured bones (Sandhana) rejuvenates

used and exhausted frames, forms an excellent enemata, increases the duration of

life,

and

acts as a vitaliser.

It is

an emetic and a purgative remedy, and imparts a healthy rotunditv to the frame, and which through

its

kindred or

similar properties

augments the quality of bodily albu-

men

(Ojah)

the most complete

diet

for

and

is

men and

old

infants,

in cases of

cachexia witnessed well as for persons

and wholesome

persons suffering from ulcers

debilitated from

in

the chest, as

insufficient food,

sexual excesses or excessive, physical labour.

Texts :— Cow-milk

Metrical and does not

set

up

is

demulcent,

increase the normal quantity

or

of slimy secretions in the internal channels of the body. It is

heavy and

haemoptysis.

is

It is cold,

chemical reaction.

and

is

a good

It

elixir,

and proves curative

and sweet both

in taste

in

and

subdues both Vayu and Pittam

accordingly one of the most efficient of vitalising

agents.

The milk

of a

she-goat

similar to those of a cow,

is

and

possessed of properties is

specially beneficial to

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

43 2

persons suffering from phthisis.* appetising (Dipana), and

and haemopt3

T

efficacious in dyspnoea,

is

she-goat proves curative

in all

XLV.

It is light, astringent,

(Amlapitta— A.

sis

Chap.

t

cough

The milk

T.).

of a

owing to the

diseases

smallness of her limbs and her agile habits, as well as for the fact of her drinking

comparatively a

less

quantity

and pungent

of water and living upon

bitter

The milk

of a she-camel

parchifying, heating, light,

palatable

and possessed

is

of a

saline

little

herbs.

taste.

It

proves curative in oedema, abdominal glands, ascites, intestinal

piles,

antitoxic agent.

worms and Kushtha, and The milk

of a

ewe

heavy and proves aggravating and Kapham.

and

in

sweet, demulcent,

in disorders of

forms a good

It

is

a good

is

Kevalavata

in

diet

Pittam

cough due to the deranged condition of the bodily

Vayu.

The milk to impair

of the

contains

of a she-buflfalo

digestion

organs.

more

The milk

It

after-taste,

sweet

in

taste,

tends

and increases the slimy secretion is

cooling,

heavy, soporific,

and

fatty matter than cow's milk.

of a

(Ekashapha) such parchifying,

is

she-animal with unbifurcated hoofs as,

the mare,

sweet and acid

etc.,

in taste,

and proving curative

is

tonic, light,

leaving a saline

in cases of

rheumatism

restricted to the extremities. *

It

has been recently discovered by a

culosis bacilli

do no not thrive

German

in goat's-blood

physician

— Translator.

that

tuber-

XLV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

The milk

of a

woman

astringent after-taste.

and

good wash

acts as a

some,

of a she-elephant It

is

is

and

It invigorates

heavy, cold and takes entire

a long time

repose (literally

attributes preponderate. in the

evening

is

the

to

the

in

Vayu

the

milk

is

rule

Moreover,

it

restores

undergone by the animal

of

free

Cold

air.

or

sun

unboiled

extremely heavy, and serves to increase the

freed

is

cooling

milk milched

exposed to the rays of the

currents

slimy secretions it

when

normal condition owing

its

labour

physical

the day time,

and

want of physical

found to be possessed of refrigerant properties.

to

be digested

to

the

Similarly,

and eye-invigorating bodily

demulcent,

the eyesight.

locomotion) during the night,

or

exercise

leaves an astringent

it

she-animal, milched in the morning,

of a

owing to her

whole-

The milk

appetising.

spermatopoietic, heavy,

cooling and tonic.

The milk

It is

eye diseases.

in

sweet though

is

leaving an

cold and sweet,

proves beneficial as an errhine

light

vitalising,

after-taste.

It

is

433

the

of

from

organs,

whereas by boiling

those injurious

traits.

But

this

does not hold good in the case of woman's milk,

which

is

wholesome

Freshly milched

in

warm

its

natural

or unboiled state.

milk should be regarded

as

extremely wholesome, which, being cooled down, loses its

efficacious

virtues

and becomes unwholesome.

the contrary, over-cooked milk 55

is

On

heavy and fat-making

™ E SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

434 :

(lit

—imparting

stoutness

to one's body).

which emits

a fetid

and

or has acquired an

insipid,

Unwholesome and

well

as

It

auspicious.

intermittent

saline,

should be regarded

injurious.

as

spermatopoietic,

fever

the

slimy secretions

of

fat

is

and

of

Kapham

extremely acid curd

acid

non-

and general cachexia. curd

the in

vitiates

greatly

organs and the

curd deranges the Pittam and the

which

and

vitalising

(Vishama J vara, dysentery,

Metrical Text :— Sweet

the

kinds of

proves curative in Pinasa (nasal catarrh),

relish for food, difficult urination,

quantity

milk,

Milk curd generally leaves an astringent It is demulcent and heat-making in its

after-taste.

creases

The

the sweet, the acid, and the extremely

as,

acid curd.

potency,

XLV.

acid taste and looks

The Curd-group :— There are three curd such

Chap.

become discoloured

smell, or has

shreddy and curdled, or tastes as

[

body.

Kapham, the

blood.

in-

the

Acid while Curd,

has been not perfectly curdled (Mandajatam) in

its

(digestive)

chemical reaction,

acts

as

an inordinately strong purgative and diuretic agent,

and deranges the bod)

the

three

fundamental

of

.

Curdled cow's milk

is

demulcent, sweet in digestion,

appetising, srength- increasing

bodily

humours

r

Vayu

and

imparts

and

acrid.

a relish

It

to

subdues the one's

Curd prepared with the milk of a she-goat

is

food. light,

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLV.]

435

and subdues the deranged Pittam and Kapham. proves curative is

in

a

Vata and wasting

in

of

cases

piles,

digestion,

milk

the

pared with

of a

of

quantity

and

curative in Vata,

worms

in

piles,

the

well

cases

in

as

specifically

a

the milk

It is

camel's milk

and

of the

of piles.

found

proves

abdomimal

dropsy.

ewe proves

aggra-

Vayu and Kapham, sweet

It is

the

increases

chemical reaction

its

is

heavy and a purgative.

is

with the milk of a

vating in derangements as

in

cutaneous affections (Kushtha),

intestines,

Curd prepared

pre-

sweel

the deranged

digestion.

curdled

of

use

continued

in

pungent

to be charged with alkali,

A

Curd, is

Curd prepared with

demulcent substance. is

witnessed

augment the normal It

Kapham.

bodily

a she-camel

It pacifies

serves to

is

cough.

she-buffalo,

and spermtopoietic.

Vayu and Pittam, and

of

and

dyspnoea

and

diseases,

beneficial effect

Its

good appetiser.

It

in taste

slimy

and

secretions

of the organs, and tends to derange the bodily humours.

Curd, prepared It

tising.

to

with the milk

augment the bodily Vayu. potency, and

the

secretions

is

of

with the milk of a

It is

stool

and

woman

urine. is

the

is

specially

eyes.

It

subdues the

efficacious

in

its

is

appe-

and tends

pajchifying and hot

astringent in taste.

It

diminishes

Curd

demulcent,

digestion, tonic, pleasant, heavy, to

a mare,

the eyes,

to

proves injurious

in its

of

prepared

sweet

in

and specially beneficial

deranged humours and virtues,

and

is

the best

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 ->6 of

of curd, and

kinds

all

is

and

is

light

heat-making

remedies

emollient

all

the milk of a

with

Cnrd prepared

(Santarpanam). she-elephant,

of

digestion, subdues

in

It

in its potency.

XLV.

[Chap.

Kapham,

impairs digestion,

leaves an astringent after-taste and increases the quan-

of

tity

Of

matter.

fecal

with cow's milk should be

the one prepared

curd,

the preceding kinds of

all

regarded as the best in virtue and quality. well

through a piece of clean

filtered

the food, whereas the

to

relish

prepared with

most

boiled

efficacious.

the deranged Vayu.

though

about a

ing

which had been

It

demulcent and

is

Kapham

boiled

of

curd

deranged gogic

and aphrodisiac.

parchifying,

astringent

Curd

and

It

and

taste,

and imparts a

The

is

comparatively

use of curd

the

subdues the

is

phlegma-

made without cream

arrests

stool

(Vistambhi), It increases the bodily Vayu. tising

the

The cream

life.

and

Vayu, impairs digestion

Pittam.

It increases

heavy and spermatopoietic.

is

restorative,

relish to the food,

and acts as a good stomachic remedy.

and the root principle of

subdues

subdues

milk

deranged Vdyu and Pittam, imparts a

the

without bring-

augmentation of the

similar

The curd prepared with

strength

deemed curd

cloth- filtered

tends to increase the

it

linen, imparts a

should be

milk,

The

curd,

This curd

lighter,

a

little

and It is

is

urine

appe-

astringent in

relish to food.

is

generally

prohibited in (Vasanta)

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLV.]

Chap.

spring, (Grishma)

summer, and (Sharat) autumn, whereas

recommended during the

it is

437

and

rains (Varsha)

forepart of winter

(Hemanta), and

in the

proper (Shishira).

The

residuary

sediment

and

refrigerant, light

(Mastu) to

internal channels

the

and

is frigorific

pleasant and

is

palatable.

and purifying

It

acts

and

Kapham,

as

a

speedy

of the seven

virtues

kinds of curd such

the acid, the extremely acid, curdling,

the

relish

the sweet,

as,

the curd of

curd of boiled milk,

creamless curd,

is

been described the

In this group have

to the food.

It

purga-

and imparts strength to the system and

tive,

the

of curd

anti-aphrodisiac.

Vayu and

the deranged

destroys

cold season

of the body. It has a sweet

and

taste

astringent

in the

curd

incomplete cream, and

well as the residuary sediment

as

(Mastu).

The Takra Group :—The sweet and acid taste.

It

is

in taste,

light,

Takra (whey)

and leaves an astringent

appetising and heat-making

is

after-

in

its

potency, and has a parchifying effect upon the organism. Its

curative efficacy

combinative

is

witnessed in cases of chemical or

poisoning,

oedema,

dysentery,

diarrhoea,

jaundice, piles, enlarged spleen, abdominal glands,

non-

relish for food, intermittent fever, thirst, vomiting, water-

brash, colic

and

obesity.

and Kapham, and its

digestive

is

reaction

It

subdues the deranged V3yu

non-aphrodisiac.

It

is

sweet in

and pleasant to the system.

It

THE SUSHRUTA

438

proves curative in to

the abuse

SAMHITA'.

difficult urination,

of

[

and

emollient medicinal

Chap.

XLV.

in diseases

due

remedies

and

applications.

Metrical Texts parts of curd and water to

— A compound made of equal

and subsequently churned so

have the contained cream or butter

skimmed is

thin,

of

:

the

off,

and which

called

Takram.

sweet,

acid

with

the

churned stance

inherent in

of whey).

The

is

It

and

a

possesses

entire

butter

is

called

use of

completely

neither too thick nor too

Takram

is

taste

blended

Waterless curd,

astringent.

it,

as

or

creamy

Gholam

(a

prohibited

in

sub-

kind the

hot season, nor should 'it be given to a weak person, nor to one suffering from an ulcer, or laid

up with an attack

of haemoptysis, or to one suffering from epileptic

fits,

vertigo (Bhrama), or from

the

body. cold

The

use of

months of the

a burning

Takram

is

sensation

in

recommended during the

year, as well as to persons suffering

from diseases due to the action of the deranged Kapham, or

from suppression of stool or urine,

etc.,

or

from

the effects of the deranged Vayu.

Again sweetened Takram soothes Pittam and aggravates the Kapham. subdues the

the

deranged

Acid Takram

Vayu and produces Pittam.

Metrical Texts disordered Vdvu, acid

:

— In

a case

of deranged or

Takram should be drunk mixed

with rock-salt, and with sugar in disorders of the Pittam,

XLV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

while in a case of deranged

Kapham

439 it

should be mixed

with Yavakshara and the powders of the drugs as

Takrakurchika (Inspissated milk)

Vyosha.

gent

parchifying and hard to digest.

^Gralii),

Manda

Vayu. The

Takram (curd-whey) heavy,

hypnotic,

Similarly, taste

is

ment It

and

acid

astringent. It

memory and

beneficial

is

appe-

subdues the

It

spermatopoietic,

and conduces to the improve-

reaction,

of one's

proves

in their properties.

an albuminous substance,

is

deranged Vayu and Pittam. its

is

sweet to the

are

sweet, cooling, demulcent, pleasant,

slightly

antacid in

Kilata*

spermatopoietic and subdues Vayu.

Morathat and Piyusha*

light,

tising,

produces of a "com-

whey.

and restorative and aphrodisiac

is

astrin-

and Dadhi

Kurchika

lighter than

Fresh butter (Navanita)

and

It

or the residuary sediment

pound made of the aforesaid

is

known

in

intellectual

cases

capacities.

of consumption, cough,

dyspnoea, ulcer, piles and facial paralysis.

Butter (of

few days

a

increases the quantity of fat

is

standing)

heavy.

It

and Kapham, and imparts

strength and rotundity to the body, and proves especially

wholesome milk

is

children.

to

the best of

all

oily

Butter

made

of thickened

or (Kshira) substances.

* Boiled milk curdled and subsequently heated and made

It

into a paste

is

called Kilata. t till

The milk

of

a

cow

the seventh day after

till it is

perfectly purified

its

recently delivered birth, while,

and becomes

fit

it is

of a calf

subsequently

for the use of

is

called Piyusha

called

man.

Moratha

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

44Q is

sweet, cooling and

astringent

Cream

Chap.

XLV.

and imparts softness

;

to the body, improves the eye-sight, in haemoptysis

[

and proves curative

and eye-diseases.

subdues

the

deranged

a pleasing (Tarpani tonic,

is

)

It

Y£yu.

is

spermatopoietic, demulcent,

palatable, heavy and sweet

and

taste

in

digestion,

and proves remedial to haemoptysis.

Metrical Texts of

these

—The

of

modifications

been described

:

in detail since

of milk described before.

of similar preparations

virtues

cow-milk

curdled it

The

is

and properties

the best of

virtues

made from

all

kinds

and properties milk of other

the

animals should be regarded as identical of the milk of the animal out of

have

with those

which they have been

prepared.

Clarified Butter (Ghritam) :— Ghritam or clarified butter

and potency, and

is

Saumya

or

cooling in

mild and sweet.

is

It

its

slight!}'

creases the slimy secretions of the organs,

and

lubricating moistener, proving efficacious

in

insanity, epilepsy, colic, fever (chronic)

of the

abdomen from the

urine (Anaha).

It is

and the Pittam.

suppression

essence

acts as a

Udavarta

and distention of stool and

appetising and subdues the

It

in-

Vayu

improves memory, intelligence,

complexion, voice, personal beaut)-, amiability of features

and the principle of strength ;albumen,Ojas)

in the

body.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLV.]

It is vitalising,

It

44I

rejuvenating, spermatopoietic and heavy.

improves the eyesight, increases the quantity of bodily

Kapham and

duration of

the

life.

regarded as an appeaser of adverse

sacred and

It is

eliminates

It

fate.

is

poison from the body and wards off the invasions

of

monsters and demons.

Metrical of

cow

its

potency.

milk

tonic its

and invigorating

clarified state,

butter

and

made

Cow-

all

kinds

the milk of a

of

and

is

proves a wholesome diet

It

cases of cough, dyspnoea light

in

and consumption (any wasting

in

digestion.

Clarified butter

prepared with the milk of a she-buffalo

and proves remedial

cooling and increases the

and subdues the deranged

is

and pungent

sweet, heavy

in haemoptysis.

quantity of bodily

Vayu and Pittam.

butter made with the milk of a she-camel appetising

the

appetising (Dipanam), eye-invigorating and

is

in digestion,

in

possesses

properties.

the best of

is

cool

from

poison

eyesight

made

Vayu and

deranged

eliminate

to

strength-increasing.

disease),

digestion,

subdues the

Clarified

she-goat

in

improves the

excellent

of butter.

and

serves

It

in

sweet

is

system.

butter,

butter

It

and

Pittam,

Texts :— Clarified

in

digestion.

is

It

It

is

Kapham, Clarified anti-toxic,

subdues

Vayu and Kapham, and proves curative the cutaneous oedema, worms in intestines,

the deranged in

affections,

abdominal

butter made with 56

glands,

the

and

milk of

ascites.

a ewe

is

Clarified light

in

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

44 2

beneficial

diseases

due to

the action

female

of generation.

well

as

with the milk of a mare with unbifurcated hoops) in its

:

— any

and

affect the

butter made

Clarified

(lit

is

deranged Yayu

those which

in

female

mammal heat-

in digestion,

light

potency, and astringent

anuretic,

appetising,

the

of

as

organs

proves

of rigour, phthisis (Shosha) and in

cases

in

and Kapham,

making

and

does not enrage Pittam,

It

digestion.

[Chap. XLV.

subdues

in

It

taste.

is

of the

the action

deranged Kapham. Clarified butter is

of

possessed

be regarded

on earth.

and

made with

the milk

of a

e3 e-invigorating

woman

and should

T

virtues,

divine

ambrosia

It is light (in digestion), anti-toxic,

stomachic,

the prototype

as

constructive.

the milk

of

a

Clarified

she-elephant

of

is

in

taste,

and

urine.

astringent

and brings about a suppression of It is bitter, light,

prepared with

butter

stool

and stomachic (Agnikara), and proves

curative in

cutaneous affections (Kushtha), poisoning,

worms

the

in

intestines,

and derangements

the

of

Kapham. Butter churned out of thickened milk and clarified

(Kshira Ghritam)

is

astringent,

and proves beneficial

eye-diseases, haemoptysis, epileptic

fits,

The condensed upper stratum (

Jhrita-nianda)

pain

in

the

acts

as

a

vagina, ears,

and

eyes,

vertigo.

of clarified

laxative,

or

in

cures in the

butter

aching head,

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLV-]

Chap.

and

recommended

is

443

to be used as an errhine, an

enema

or as eye-drops.

Old

clarified It

digestion.

butter

subdues

the

three

humours, and proves curative

abdominal

insanity,

oedema,

ing,

vagina,

ears,

recommended and

and

in

aching

It

is

in

bodily obesity,

fits,

chemical poison-

fever,

eyes or head. to be

deranged

in epileptic

dropsy,

hysteria,

and pungent

laxative

is

in

pain

the

appetising and

and

used as eye-drops

is

enema,

for sternutatory purposes.

Authoritative verses on the sub-

ject:— Old

or

curative

Timira

in

catarrh, fever,

cases

to

is

butter),

(Gutta

the

called the

of

influence

and Kushtam,

malignant

from eleven

Kumbha Gritam

while that,

the

preceding kind,

(the

great

said

to

clarified

be

fits,

which is

the

called

of

a

hysteria planets.

hundred

(Pitcher clarified

the one of

Maha GLritam

the

mystic

off the invasions of monsters, while the

Ghritam

is

curative

in

highly efficacious, sacred,

known

prophylactic against the evil spirits

and baneful

as

and

Timira.

of

Maha

specifically It acts as

malignant influences of

planets,

is

potency

warding

the disease

in

Kumbha Ghritam

butter).

possessed

to

older than

is

proves

dyspnoea,

Serena),

mental aberration, and

butter matured

Clarified

butter

clarified

cough, epileptic

of poisoning,

ascribed

years

matured

a

all

and should be taken

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

444 by men

whom V£yu

in

Kapham,

deranged

XLV.

Chap.

subdues the

It

predominates.

and

L

improves the strength and

intellect.

The

Group :— Oils,

Oil

which belong to the

category of fiery (Agneya) substances, are hot or heat-

making and

in their potencies, irritating,

digestion,

in taste

and are constructive (Vrinhanam), and

They expand through

pleasant.

and sweet

the entire system im-

mediately after being drunk or rubbed (Yyavayi), and are subtile, clear,

heavy, and laxative (Sara).

expand the bone-joints and contribute

They tend

to

and

to their free

easy movements (Vikdsi). They act as spermatopoietics (Vrishyam), and purify the skin, improve the

memory,

and impart softness to the skin and complexion. are flesh-making

the firmness

of the body.

invigorating

(Lekhana),

virtues,

bitter

They

They

and are

They

slight Pittam, leaving

relieve

are

anuretic,

are

agents

liquefacient

They

vermifuge and

an astringent

respect

act

as

cure pro-

after-taste.

aching pain in the head, ears,

female organs of generation (Yoni), in

possessed of eye-

and stomachic (P^chana).

V£yu and Kapham. duce a

They

and strength-imparting, and increase

and the purifying

of the uterus, and prove curative in

urticaria.

The cut,

use

cleft,

of

sesamum

punctured,

oil is

recommended

severed,

lacerated,

in cases of

blistered,

thrashed or contused wounds and ulcers, and in burns

xlv.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

445

and scalds whether due to the application of heat or

any vesicant alkaline

of wild beasts and- birds, baths, unguents

etc.,

and

as

in

bites

enematas

be

should

(Vasti), eye-drops,

and

used

in

ear-drops,

cordials, etc.

the bodily Vayu.

Castor Oil

is

It

appetising.

and

is

the

internal

sweet, hot in

leaves a

potency,

It

pungent astringent agent

is

to

and

after-taste, in respect of

is

wholesome

spermatopoietic, sweet in digestion It

rejuvenating.

purifies

vagina, and removes vaginal and uterine

contributes

irritating

channels of the body, and

and

(Vipaka),

its

It acts as a cleansing

subtile.

to the skin.

the

of

preservation

the

semen,

and

disorders,

sound health.

It

improves the memory, complexion and intellect (of user),

subdues the bodily

cleanses

in

and lubrications.

as well as in seasoning soups, curries It pacifies

as

and act beneficially

Metrical Texts :— Oil snuffing,

as well

solution,

the system

from

and

Vayu all

and

Kapham,

injurions

its

principles

by

inducing purging. Oils obtained from the seeds of

Ximba, Atasi, Mulaka,

Jimutaka, Vrikshaka, Kritavedhana, Arka, Kampillaka, Hastikarna,

Prilhvika,

Sarsapa, Suvarchala, are irritating, light,

and pungent

in taste

Pilu,

Karanja, Ingudi,

Vidanga or

non -heat-making and digestion.

laxative, and prove curative

in

Shigru,

of Jyotishmati seeds, in

their potency,

They diseases

act as a

due to

good the

THE SUSHRUTA

44 6 deranged

V.-tyu,

or

SAMHITA'.

as

Kapham,

well

as

XLV.

[Chap.

cases

in

of

Kushtha, Prameha, head disease, and intestinal parasites.

Metrical Texts :— Kshauma sweet. giving,

subdues the bodily Vdyu and

It

and pungent

in

invigorating properties, It increases

heavy.

Mustard

oil

is

curative

proves

disorders,

and

flowers

ment

is

fat,

as a vermifuge.

cutaneous

It

affections,

and is pungent, appetising

Oil obtained from the seeds

and

slightly bitter

proves curative in Kushtha

and parasitic

a vermifuge,

and

eyesight of

acts

and

itch

in

(liquefacient).

It

strength-

hot though demulcent, and

and

light,

and Lekhana

in taste.

is

the Pittam.

Kapham

is

is

oil

Devoid of any eye-

digestion. it is

reduces V^yu,

of Ingudi

(Linseed)

the

affects

its user.

pungent

and

The

is

light,

oil

obtained from

in digestion

It is

and the

Kiuhumbha

and leads to the derange-

of all the bodily humours. It

in its reaction (Vidahi).

semen

strength,

is

and acid

irritating,

devoid of any eye-cleans-

ing property and brings on haemoptysis.

The Oils obtained from the Vibhitaka,

N^rikela,

Karvudara, Surjavalli,

and Kushm^nda

Kola,

Kirata-tiktaka, Atimuktaka,

Akshoda,

Trapusa,

seeds, etc.

Jivanti,

Erv^ruka,

are sweet in taste,

Piy£la,

Karkaru,

potency

and digestion, and tend to pacify the deranged Vayu and Pittam. Cooling in their potency, they increase the slimy secretions of the organs, impair digestion,

copious evacuation of stool and urine.

and help the

Chap.

XLV.

The

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

the

Oils of

Madhuka

(Mania),

447 Kashmarya, and

Palasha seeds are sweet and astringent.

The

and Pittam.

the deranged Kaplram

Tuvaraka and Bhallataka and astringent, and leave a

They

pacify of

oils

the

heat-making, sweet

are

bitter after-taste. The)'

pfove

curative in diseases due to the action of deranged

V4yu

and Kapham, as well and

affections,

both

by

as in

intestinal

their emetic

obesity, Meha, cutaneous

worms, and cleanse the system

and purgative

obtained from the piths (Sara

The

actions.

of such trees as, Sarala,

Devadaru, G-andira, Shinshapa and Aguru, are

and

pungent

astringent

Oils

their

in

bitter,

and act

tastes,

purifying agents in respect of bad ulcers.

as

The)' prove

curative in skin diseases and destroy the deranged Vayu,

Kapham, and the

seeds

worms.

intestinal

of

Tumvi,

The

Oils obtained from

Kosharura, Danti,

Dravanti,

Shyama, Saptala, Nilika, Eampillaka, and Shankhini, are bitter, pungent and astringent in their tastes. They serve to

cleanse

the

system from

baneful principles through

They

act as purifying

ulcers,

their

agents

and prove curative

in

all

and

parasitic

tends to subdue bitter,

and

and acts

all

as a

diseases

liquefacient.

complaints.

It is

elixir.

It

is

malignant

due

to

the

in skin-diseases

Yavatikata-oil

the deranged humours,

good

and

purgative properties.

in respect of

deranged Va"yu and Kapham, as well as (Kushtha),

impurities

is

slightly

appetising, acid,

holy and wholesome (Pathyam),

and serves to improve the memory of

its

user.

The

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

44 8

From Ekaishika

Oil

seeds

is

stones

mango

aromatic.

slightly bitter

is

the

increases

The

and aggravates the Vayu.

in

Kapham

Oil of the seeds taste,

of

and extremely

subdues the Vayu and Kapham.

It

XLV.

Chap.

and extremely

sweet,

cooling. It subdues the Pittam,

t

It

is

sweet and astringent, palatable, and not

parchifying,

highly Pittam-making.

Metrical Texts the

:

—The therapeutic properties of

from the seeds of

oils

fruits,

which have not been should be

specifically described in the present chapter,

considered

identical with

as

the

those of

seeds of which they have been so pressed out. oils

vegetable

as

regarded

possessed

bodily Vayu,

which oil

is

(Sneha)

be

of subduing the

and they possess some of the properties,

specifically

the most

as the

the virtue

or

All the

above should

described of

fruits

belong to Besainum

commendable

very word,

which

of

all

signifies

oil.

Sesamum

oils

inasmuch

oil

(Tailam),

is

etymologically derived from Tilam (sesamum).

The

oil,

myosin

(Vas£),

fat,

marrow, and Ghritam

obtained from animals, which live or frequent the

(Audoka)

in their habits, are

Vayu, while those etc.)

or

(Gramya),

marshy swamps (Anupa), or are aquatic heavy, heat-making in their

potency, and sweet in taste.

deer,

in villages

obtained

carnivorous

They subdue

the bodily

from Jangala (such animals,

or

as

from those

possessed of unbifurcated hoofs, are light, cool

in

their

Chap.

XLV.

SUTRASTHA'NAM,

]

449

potency, astringent in taste, and prove curative in

The

of haemoptysis.

Pratuda and

Vishkira

myosin

fat

(Vasa),

heavier in

pigeons,

(doves,

species

Kapham. Of and marrow

reduce the bodily

of animals of the

etc.

marrow,

fat,

cases

clarified

etc.)

butter,

oil,

of animals each

is

and possesses a greater power of

digestion,

subduing the bodily Vayu than the one immediately enumeration.

in the order of

it

preceding

The Honey Group:— Honey leaves an astringent after-taste.

stomachic,

cosmetic, tonic, light,

It acts as a purifying

and eyes,

permeate

all

softening, palatable,

and healing agent

in

respect of

and tends to

aphrodisiac, astringent,

is

and

antifat

pacifies

the

Pittam and Kapham, and proves curative

in

deranged hiccough,

Meha, dyspnoea, cough, dysentery, vomiting and It

is

a

antitoxic

vermifuge,

and

influences the subduing of the three

Owing

to

its

cold,

parchifying,

the minutest channels and capillaries of the It

organism.

is

and

sweet,

and fermenting (Sandhanam).

liquefacient (Lekhanan),

ulcers

It is

is

lightness

and proves a good

it

thirst.

demulcent,

and

deranged humours.

subdues the deranged Kapham,

antidote to

and Pittam owing to

its

the

sliminess,

deranged Vayu sweetness

and

astringent taste.

Metrical Texts

:

— Eight

honey are commonly used

Bhr^maram, 57

Kshaudram,

such

different as,

the

Mdkshikam,

kinds

of

Pauttikam,

Chh^tram,

THE SUSHRUTA

450

Arghyam, Auddalakam

SAMHITA'.

and

honey obtained from the hives of

bees,

these the

known

the

as

hot and parchifying owing to their habit

is

Puttikas,

Of

Dalam.*

xlv.

[Chap.

of sucking the juice or sap of flowers and plants without eliminating therefrom other foreign or poisonous matter, that

mixed with acid in

its

become naturally

have

might

This kind of honey

it.

re-action,

It

owing to

extremely heavy

and slimy character,

Kshaudram

more

as

its

while

a liquefacient as the

as the

the

one known

is

is

the

lighter,

dryer and

as

cases

the Chhatram,

honey obtained from hives of

of

in

class

is

large, yellow bees,

called the Pauttikam. (2)

species (3) is

The kind

as

honey of the preceding

Honey, known

of dyspnoea, etc. (i)

dis-

extremely sweet taste

Makshikam

efficacious than the

*

or

Bhramaram,

(Kshaudram), and proves specially benericial

is

and

intoxicating

extremely cool, light and liquefacient.

is

Honey known

acts

Honey, known

agent.

accidentally

and tends to aggravate the Vayu,

blood and Pittam. cutient

is

or

The kind is

The kind

called the (4)

the

of honey obtained from hives of Kshaudram.

The kind

Makshika (5)

of honey obtained from hives of bees of the Bhramara Bhramaram.

called

is

(6)

(7)

the

called

is

called

The honey obtained from

the

hives is

called

is

called

Dalam.

hives of bees

of thin-mouthed bees

of the

Arghyam.

of honey obtained from the hives of small

Udd&lakam species is called Auddalakam. (8) The kind of honey found accumulated

plants

of

Chhatram.

species often found in ant-hills

The kind

brown bees

Makshikam,

of honey obtained from the umbrella shaped

of the Chhatra species

Argha

tawny brown bees

of honey obtained from the hives of large,

species

The kind

small,

in

leaves

brown bees

of

of honey-bearing

Chap.

XLV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

451

sweet in digestion, heavy, cooling and slimy.

acts

It

as a vermifuge, proves curative in haemoptysis, psoriasis

and Meha, and

is'

known

Arghyam

as the

possessed of a high efficacy. is

highly beneficial to the eye.

Pittam and astringent

is

a

the

in

properties

It is a greater

subduer of

other kind

and pungent

taste,

and

tonic

bitter

possessed of

Kapham than any

is

not

does

Honey known

system.

improves the voice and

It

its

generate

relish for food. It

is

laxative,

Kapham. and

as the

cases

in

is

Dalam, of

constructive

is

antitoxic,

It is

and

heat-mak-

in

pungent is

digestion.

parchifying and proves

vomiting and Meha.

and aphrodisiac,

acts as

Fresh a mild

and to a small extent subdues the deranged

Old honey

reduces

is

and

fat

attained a thickened of time

and

Pittam,

Honey, known

honey

in

Vayu

Auddalakam

the

as

It

potency, and acid and astringent in taste.

generates

beneficial

of honey,

in digestion.

proves curative in cutaneous affections. ing in

Honey

astringent obesity.

or

and

liquefacient,

that

Honey,

condensed

in

state

(Pakka Madhu), tends to subdue

has

course

the three

deranged humours, while thin and im matured honey

(Ama Madhu) and

tends

is

to

of

possessed

the

agitate

humours of the body.

contrary three

In conjunction with

properties,

fundamental

many

other

curative in drugs and medicinal remedies, honey proves

various diseases, and partakes of the virtues of the drugs or substances with

which

it

is

so used (Yoga-Vahika).

THE SUSHRUTA

452

Honey

making bees and in

On

other hand, the honey-

the

from the sap and juice of flowers

cull it

which are incompatible with one another of their nature, taste, virtue, potency and

plants,

respect

For these reasons, and

re-actionary (chemical) effect.

from

further

the

of

fact

it

contact with heat or

use of hot or boiled honey

is

forbidden.

a boiling

in

hot country, or or

year, sure to

made

and

collected

and

flowers like

heat,

further

from

serves

kinds of

the

sap

impart an

honey

(except

the

Arghyam Madhu).

Metrical Texts —For inasmuch the

administered with any as

imbibed

it

is

honey,

honey

is

is

specially

its

placidity

reason of a

variety

its

of

injurious character

the

one known as

other hot substance,

intended in such a instead

the

of

emetic purposes honey

:

be

of

in

water (rain-water),

to

all

to

the

for

Atmospheric

plants.

to

may

Honey

poison.

or

state,

season

hot

the

by hot contact owing

coolness,

being

like

fatal

prove

injurious

and

during

poisonous

a similar injurious

heated

or

its

heated state of the body,

a

in

account of

honey exerts

origin

Used

virtue.

a

its

injurious

and accordingly the

fire,

Metrical Texts :—On contact in

by

prepared

being

becomes positively

honey

bees,

poisonous after

xlv.

Chap.

[

not collected from the flowers of any

is

species.

particular

SAMHITA'.

of being

case

retained

that or

Chap.

XLV.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

453

digested in the stomach, should be ejected immediately after its use.*

Undigested honey

more

is

greater discomfort than

rise to

internal fermentation

and use of hot water, which are usually resorted to a case of deranged digestion, can not be used in of undigested

honey retained

the poisonous nature it

in general.

in the

in

a

in

case

stomach, owing to

of the chemical change

undergoes therein

a

other undigested substances

more so because

the stomach,

in

all

painful, or gives

(Vipika)

with hot substances

contact

Hence, undigested honey

as fatal as

is

any

poison.

The Sugar-cane group :—Sugar-cane sweet

taste

in

and digestion, heavy, cool, demulcent,

strength-giving,

produces in

is

.

Kapham

ha3inoptysis,

and

spermatopoietic,

and proves remedial

the bod)*,

in

It

diuretic.

and helps the germination of worms

in the intestines.

Metrical text sugar-cane such

Shataporaka,

Koshakrit. Though

— There

are

many

species

of

the Paundraka, Bhiruka, Vanshaka, Suchi-

Kdntara, Tapasekshu, Kastekshu,

Naipala,

patraka,

*

as,

:

Dirghapatraka,

Now we

shall

the use of honey with

deal

hot

Nilapora,

with

substances

is

the

and

specific

not forbidden

in

Ayurvedic school thinks it safe to refrain from its use, lest it might be retained in the stomach for a considerable time, or find out a downward outlet and pass off

such cases,

still

with the stool.

many an experienced

physician

of the

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

454

of each

virtues

The Sugar-cane

them.

of

Paundraka and Bhiruka types cent and constructive. laxative without tion.

It

It

alkaline

little

two

the in

its

foregoing

a

and Tapasa species

the

while

a

though

that

the

of

and

is

found to subdue of the Kantara

possessed of the same virtues

is

of the Vanshaka

that

ones,

The Sugar-cane

the deranged Vayu.

Sugar-

more heat-making than

little

that of the preceding class,

as

The

possessed of similar

is

constitution,

is

Shatapora species

is

imperfect gastric diges-

cane of the Vanshaka species as

the

of

Kapham and

produces

giving rise to

xlv.

cooling, sweet, demul-

is

heavy and spermatopoietic.

is

properties

[Chap.

Kastekshu species

The Sugar-cane

class.

identical

is

in

its

of

properties

with that of the aforesaid Vanshaka

class,

tends to agitate the bodily Vayu.

The Sugar-cane

of the Suchipatra,

the in

Kapham and taste

and

digestion).

heavy

in

the

Pittam.

It

(in

indigestible

cases of haemoptysis

Sugar-cane

is

at the middle,

The

juice

is

slightly

rise to

astringent

acidity

after

of the Koshakara species

cooling

digestion),

system, and subdues

(gives

The Sugar-cane

it

Naipala and Dirghpatra

Nilapora,

produces Vayu

species

though

and proves curative

and wasting diseases

is

in

in general.

extremely sweet about the roots, sweet

and

saline at the tops

of a

and

joints.

sugar-cane when' eaten raw

marked by any acid

reaction

after

digestion.

is

not It

is

SUTRASTHANAM.

xlv.]

Chap,

455

Vayu and the Kapham, The juice of sugar-cane

spermatopoietic, and subdues the

and

is

pleasant to the taste.

otherwise pressed* out

heavy

is

retained in the stomach, and acidity,

The

and

possessed of laxative It

and heavy.

It

urine.

digestion,

The

inspissated or is

sweet in

the slimy secretions

of the organs, acts as a flesh-builder,

spermatopoietic properties.

long

and demulcent.

(Pkanitam)

increases

It

in

heavy

Kapham.

half boiled juice of sugar-cane

and

of stool

properties, keen,

subdues the Vayu and

taste

is

sugar-cane

ripe

is

digestion,

followed by reactionary

is

evacuation

arrests the

of

juice

in

and

devoid of

is

brings about a

all

simul-

taneous derangement of the three bodily humours.

Common alkali.

as

acts urine.

extent, fat,

treacle

is

sweet

found to be charged with a

is

a

demulcent and

It

and not too cooling.

taste

in

It

purifier

and

tonic and spermatopoietic properties.

(Shuddha) treacle

is

is

sweet

in

It is

increases

possessed

White and

taste,

and

of

purified

purifies

the

subdues the deranged Vayu and Kapham, and

one of the most wholesome

increases with

The

the blood and

of

Pittam as well.

the

deranges

It

It

subdues the deranged Vayu and, to a slight

Kapham, and corpulency,

blood.

little

its

diets for

man.

Its efficacy

years.

different modifications

of treacle such

as,

the

Matsandika, Khamda, and Sharkara (sugar) which are progressivly

more

refined,

should be deemed as gaining

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

456 more

in their

perties,

and getting heavier

and

frigorific.

are successively

They

beneficial in cases of haemoptysis.

of treacle should be attributed

as,

its

power of producing

The

efficacy.

laxativeness, etc., should be

proportional to

its

refinement,

virtues

of

regarded as

freedom from alkaline

and the actual quantity of sweetening matter

saturation, (lit.

and

refinement

sugar such

considered

belonging to each of these modifications

as specially

own

XLV.

each of the

in digestion in

Metrical Texts :— To the properties

its

Chap.

demulcent and aphrodisiac pro-

cooling,

successive stages of refinement.

more

[

substance) contained in

it.

Sugar prepared from concentrated honey (Madhu parchifying and liquefacient.

Sharkara)

is

beneficial

in

pleasant,

has

sweet

cases a

of

vomiting

proves

dysentery,

and astringent

sweet

in digestion.

and

It

taste,

and

is is

Sugar prepared from a decoction of

Yavasa Sharkara (Duralabha) has a sweet and astringent leaves a

taste,

bitter

laxative properties,

and

is

possessed of

and subdues the deranged Kapham.

All kinds of sugar tend in the

after-taste,

to

assuage burning sensations

body, and prove curative in hcemoptysis, vomiting,

epileptic

extract

fits,

and

thirst.

(Phanitam)

of

regarded as parchifying.

and subdues Kapham. digestive transformation,

The sweet and concentrated

Modhuka

flowers

It produces It

is

sweet,

should be

Vayu and Pittam, astringent in

and deranges the blood-

its

XLV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

IYIadya

Varga (Wines and spirits):— wine are acid

All species of

They

457

taste,

and appetising.

Pittam, and impart a greater relish

generate

to one's food.

in

act as mild purgatives, subdue the

They

deranged Vayu and Kapham, and are pleasing, exhilarating and diuretic.

and give

are light in digestion

They

They

re-actionary acidity.

the

stimulate

joints

and

Now

hear

the properties of each

kind

sense organs,

describe

specifically

a kind of

are keen and heat-making,

expand the

increase the discharge of urine

me

rise to

and

stool.

of wine.

Metrical Texts :— The Madvirkam and and

as grapes

not

cases

.

—

n the jui^

by

after

its

It

haemoptysis.

easy

of

digestion,

proves curative

in

.ise

use,

learned

acts

3uc« ./uits to

sort

any

and accordingly even

physicians

has a

leaves an astringent after-taste.

and

~

does not g iV

acidity

forbidden of

epared

raisins,

of reactionary is

i

wine know*

sweet

taste,

in

and

It is parchifying, light

as

chronic fevers,

an aperient, and phthisis

and other

wasting diseases.

The wine prepared from the (Kharjuram) possesses different

juice of the date

properties,

which are

from those of the preceding kind.

to enrage the bodily Vayu, to one's food,

58

and reduces

is clear,

fat

slightly It

and imparts a

and Kapham.

palm

tends relish

It is light,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

45 g

and astringent

has a sweet

is

taste,

Chap.

[

xlv.

and

pleasing

aromatic and increases the agility of the limbs and organs.

wine known

The paste and

cough,

urine.

woman and

a

White Sura

piles, diarrhoea,

Mr|

2>uga.i

of

the

Kapham

Prasinna

Sura)

may be

non-relish or about

for

the

of stool and obstinate

Vayu.

proves beneficial in

5

its

'^

the

wasting diseases.

in

all

cases of cough,

It builds

blood.

and increases the quan-

body.

with

taken

The wine known

advantage

in

as

of

vomiting,

aching or colic pain at the sides

cardiac region, urine

of

up new

cream or the limpid surface

(the

food,

effect,

types of

all

and increases the quantity

P'guic in

and

the breast milk

purifies

dyspnoea and catarrh.

tissues,

It is gaili?

It

used with benefit in

is

diarrhoea,

subdues the deranged Vayu and

blood, as well as

of the

diseases

tity

It

and

indigestion

and appetising.

tonic

of

chronic

piles,

of rice-

curative in

other fermenting drugs) proves

retention of is

Sura (made

the

as

or

constipation

constipation,

flatus,

as well as in

suppression all

cases of

and derangement of the bodily

The wine prepared from barley

Yavasura)

generates Pittam and tends to enrage the bodily Vayu. The wine It is dry and slightly generates Kapham.

prepared from Madhulika

(a

kind

is

heavy and generates Kapham

is

long

retained

in

the

of in

small

the

stomach, and

barley)

body. arrests

It

the

XLV.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

evacuation

from

prepared is

and

of stool

The

urine.

bark

the

459 Ahshiki

Vibhitaka

of

(wine

trees

etc.)

parchifying, digestant, and slightly produces

It

is

of aphrodisiac

possessed

known

properties.

brings on

Kohala

the

as

Kapham. The wine

simultaneous

the

derangement of the three fundamental bodily humours, is

and

is

the taste, acts as a purgative (Bhedya)

to

pleasant

of

possessed

aphrodisiac

The

properties.

wine known as the Jagala (the underlying dregs or of

residue in its

wine)

is

and

astringent

potency, and acts as a digestant.

and proves beneficial

cough, thirst and phthisis.

in

stomach, piles and oedema.

f«&xiii

and

appetiser

is

and

heavy

known

as the

t

sing

It

pithless.

tends to enrage

Guda Sidhu

digestant. in

its

tising is

the

and

increases

diuretic.

exhilarating,

action

wine

Sugar

taste,

taste,

(lit

:

It

is

a

the deranged

—A. T.)

The

intoxicating.

wine

(prepared with the boiled

and Dhataki

sweet and astringent

the

as

-

slightly

of sugar-cane

juice

is

forms and subdues the

Vayu, and acts as a purgative and diuretic tonic. It

It

undigested in the stomach

smi** Jong

t''om the juice

good

It

The wine known

deranged Vayu as well.

owing

It is parchifying,

the taste, cures diarrhoea, distention of the

pleasant to

Vakkasa

heat-making

flowers,

and acts Sharkara"

one's relish

etc.;

has

as an appetiser

a

and

Sidhu)

is

sweet

for food,

is

appe-

subdues the deranged Vayu and

sweet

in

rouses

up)

digestion,

and

increases

of the sense organs.

The

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

460

wine known as the

Pakka Rasa Sidhu

It

the

improves

to

relish

It is pleasant, laxative, appetising

possessed

and

complexion

and

strength to the system

is

XLV,

Chap.

kinds fSharkara"

of properties similar to the preceding Sidhu).

[

imparts

one's

and proves

food.

beneficial

Kapham and piles and reduces swellings. The wine known as the Sheeta Rasika Sidhu (preof

cases

in

pared from the unboiled juice of Sugar-cane in conwith

tradistinction

the

from the boiled juice anti-epispastic,

kinds

preceding

sugar- cane j,

of

and a digestant and vocal

complexion, removes the suppression of stool

of piles.

(Vivandha),

etc.

and

improved in

is

light

and

the

cases

of ulcer

+ii

e

the blood.

Sidhu

limpid s^Dhataki)

and jaundice.

It

and has a sweet and astringent

subdues the deranged Pittam and

It

taste.

cases

in

of Vib\ie~Vme"ith treacle

with

astringent,

urine

flatus,

Akshika

the

as

a decoction

proves beneficial

an

tonic, proves

and proves beneficial

The wine known

(prepared from

as

and abdominal dropsy, improves the

curative in oedema

and

prepared

acts

The wine known

as the

purifies

Jainvava Sidhu

(wine prepared from the expressed juice of the Jambalin fruit,

decoction

a

Dhataki flowers, of urine,

etc.) is

has an

the bodily Vayu. (

Asava

distilled

pleasant,

and

of

coriander seeds, anuretic,

treacle

and

reduces the quantity

astringent taste, and tends to enrage

The wine known

as the

Surasava

with wine instead of with water) diuretic.

It

subdues

the

is

keen,

deranged

Chap.

XLV.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

Vdya and Kapham, is

and

palatable,

intoxicating

the deranged

or

of

possessed

The

pow,er.

Madhvasava wine

is

a

Vayu alone, and more durable

known

wine

light,

4 6l

tends to disintegrate the

knotty accumulations or collections of phlegm

and

proves

curative

Meha

in

the

as

(Chjiedi),

(unhealthy discharges

from the urethra), cutaneous affections, and poisoning It

(antitoxic). is

astringent,

has a taste blended of the sweet and the

keen and anti-epispastic, and does not

generate an abnormal quantity of

The wine known

the

as

and honey)

has a sweet and astringent taste.

glands

piles,

It is antifat

.

digestion,

the

in

keen, and

is

Kapham and Gulma

and a vermifuge, and

and subdues the deranged Vayu.

Dhrakshasava)

Sidhu

complexion.

Madhuka

tonic

and

deranged Pittam, and

subdue the the

are

flowers

be digested, and

is

is

and

It is intoxicating,

(abdominal

is

heavy

Wines

pared from the juice of grapes or sugar-cane or

system.

Maireya (prepared from the

Paishtisura, treacle- made spirit

proves curative in

Vayu

(wine)

choleric.

serve

to

(

in

pre-

Ikshu

They improve

prepared from the

parchifying, takes a

long time

to

followed by an

re-action.

It

acid

improves the strength and digestive capacity, and has an astringent taste. serves

to

It

subdues the deranged Kapham, and

aggravate

the

Vayu and Pittam.

Wines

prepared from the distilled juice of bulbs or roots should be deemed as possessed of properties pertaining to them individually.

New wine

is

heavy, bad smelling, insipid,

462

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA

unpleasant,

unpalatable,

and tends to

slimy secretions of the organs.

It

[Chap.

XLV.

increase

the

enrages the deranged

humours of the body, takes a long timo to be and

is

Wine

followed by an acid re-action. Old

It is

pleasant and a

channels

internal

is

sweet-

an appetiser, and brings on a relish for

smelliiag, acts as

food.

digested,

vermifuge, and cleanses

of the

It

organism.

is

light

the

and

subdues the deranged Vayu and Kapham.

The

known

of wine

species

concerted action

of a variety

its

It

composition.

and

is

a

It

is

laxative

abdominal

stomach,

spleen,

indigestion

from the drugs

and

specially

of

into

It

subdues the

and not

hostile to the

known

as

the

fever,

enlarged

Asava wine prepared

Pippali,

etc.

(Pippalyddi

Gulma (abdominal

due to the other

distention

colicpain,

dropsy,

piles.

Asava) proves curative in

and diseases

entering

deranged humours of

proves beneficial in

of the

Aristhas

the

good appetiser.

Vayu and Kapham and Pittam.

of drugs

proves curative in a large number

of diseases, tends to subdue

the body,

Arishta

owing to the

highly efficacious

is

(fermented liquor)

the

as

deranged

therapeutic

glands)

Kapham.

virtues

will

The be

described later on in chapters on Therapeutics

(Chikitsitam).

An

experienced physician should pre-

scribe the different species of

Asava, Sidhu,

etc.,

in

wine such

different

as,

diseases

tion of the therapeutic properties of drugs,

the Aristha,

in

considera-

which enter

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XLV.]

and according

1

which they have been

into their composition, or with purified,

46

each of them would be

as

indicated in practfce.

The

kinds

following

of

wine should always be

such as are thick, bad smelling, or insipid

rejected

viz.,

or

of worms, or

heavy and acid

pleasant, new, strong

and heat-making

or

full

which have been preserved been

which

have

lesser

number

of ingredients

well as the dregs of

number

prepared from

of ingredients,

marked by

comparatively

have been decanted

a comparatively

or that

which

is

deemed

The wine which

Kapham.

a deep yellow colour

lesser

heavy

slimy,

to be digested, should be

as an agitator of the bodily

is

or

a

kinds of wine.

all

and takes a long time

is

with

extremely slimy or transparent, as

over-night, or are

The wine

in their potency,

an improper vessel, or

in

prepared

digestion, un-

in

is

strong and hot,

only imperfectly digested and followed by a kind of tends to aggravate the Pittam.

acid re-action.

It

wine, which

frothy or putrified, heavy

is

worms

or

The

insipid or

is

marked by the germination

is

decanted over-night, tends to enrage or agitate the

bodily

V.iyu.

The

wine

of

which

in

is

its

body, or

well-matured,

and possessed of

its

of improving the

appetite and bringing on a relish

food,

characteristic taste,

and the virtue for

and which subdues the Vayu and Kapham, and

mild, good,

is

aromatic and exhilarating, should be re-

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

464

garded as the only wine divided into a variety different

wine

and

tastes

promoted

courses

by

the

;

according to their

The potency

strength.

XLV.

Wines may be

for use.

of species

heat

bodily

upward through the

reaches the heart lity

fit

Chap.

[

man

a

of

a

and ultimately

arteries,

and thence, through

and expansiveness, permeates the

of

own

its

subti-

entire organism

and gradually attacks and overwhelms the organs of sense perception, dethrones the reason, usurps the

mind from her throne of

permanent seat of

brings on intoxication.*

A man

of phlegmatic tempera-

ment (Kapha-prakriti) can carry

of

under

such

while

the

a

bilious

temparament

circumstances,

of

tipsy after his first cup.

gets

Vayu

is

A man

and

easily

compassion.

is

Prakriti),

intoxicated,

marked by

found

often

to

be

of a Sattvika frame of

under the influence of wine, a decided

exhibits

predilection for fine dress, jollity,

He

desire for female

sings, or

and

reads, or

acts of purity

A man of a

company.

ous in his cups,

indulges in

evinces suicidal tendencies

;

and

evinces a strong

Rajasika frame

mind becomes extremely melancholy

of

well,

(Pitta

man whose temperament

predominance

mind

wine

his

of intoxication usually appear later in him.

symptoms

A man

and thus

intellect,

despondent

or

pugnaci-

reveries,

and

while wine in a subject of

a Tamasika cast of mind exhibits the latent and innate *

These couplets

Ayurveda were

fully

emphatically prove that the framers of ancient conversant with the circulation of he blood Tr. I

—

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLV.]

when

own

intoxicated, falsely boasts of his

and evinces a is

Such a person generally sleeps

of his soul.

vileness

465

women

desire for

excellence,

whom

with

connection

forbidden by both social and canonical laws.

Fermented

honey, fermented

new and

known

liquors

rice gruel,

as

the

Shukta

(treacle,

and curd cream kept

in

a

clean vessel underneath a bushel of padd)^ for

three consecutive days) bring on an attack of haemoptysis.

They

Kapham, and

lumps or knots of accumulated

disintegrate the

are

digestant and prove

diseases due to the

potency.

pungent

They

in jaundice

derangement of Kapham.

are light and vermifugenous, in their

curative

They

and strong and heat making

act as diuretic, are pleasant,

and

Bulbs and roots pickled in Shukta

in digestion.

of the latter.

acquire the properties

Of

the Shuktas

prepared with treacle, juice of sugar-cane, or honey, each preceding one should be deemed heavier and as giving rise to greater secretions

immediately following

The the

of internal organs than the one

it

different kinds of

in

the order of enumeration.

fermented rice gruel

Tushamvu and Sauvira

beverages.

worms

They prove

are pleasant

heart.

as

and appetising

efficacious in cases of jaundice,

in the intestines, dysentery, piles,

affecting the

known

They

and

are possessed

in diseases

of purgative

(Bhedi) properties.

The fermented is

gruel

a good appetiser 59

known

as the

— D. R) (tonic

Dhanyamlam

owing to the

fact

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 66 of

As a

being a preparation of paddy.

its

alleviates

[

plaster,

subdues the Viyu and Kapham, and allays

it

thirst.

Used as

for reducing

a gargle

it

forms one of the best remedies

Kapham owing to

its

keenness.

It is

of digestion, acts as a deodorant, removes the

acts as a

good appetiser and

of purgative virtues, and

enemata (Asthapanam).

is

dissolvent,

light

sense of

exhaustion and bad taste from the mouth, allays is

thirst,

possessed

advantageously used as an

It is

very wholesome to sea-

men.

faring

The Urine Group

:— The

buffaloes, goats, sheep, mules, horses,

commonly hot and and

are light

or

Kapham,

of

cows,

and camels* are

and leave a

saline after-taste.

and

will

due to the derangement of the

as well as in

worms

in the

abdominal glands,

cutaneous affections, cedema, jaundice.

urine

are used as purifying agents,

poisoning,

obesity,

bitter,

in diseases

prove curative

Vayu

it

the burning sensation of the skin, and as a

potion

They

XLV.

Chap.

non-relish

intestines,

piles,

for

In general they act as cardiac

ascites,

food,

and

stimulants

(Hridyam) and appetisers.

Authoritative verses on the Subject :— They have a

saline

are all pungent, strong,

after-taste.

They

act

as

hot,

light

blood- purifiers

or disinfecting agents, reduce corpulency, act as *

The

urine of a cow,

she-buffalo,

and

vermi-

ewe and she-goat should be taken

and used, while similar secretions of the male should be taken where man, camel and elephant should be indicated.

Chap.

XLV.

fuges

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

and are

and Kapham.

the deranged

Vayu

of

piles,

cases

prove beneficial in

They

abdominal tumours, cedema and non-relish

ascites,

food.

They subdue

anti-toxic.

467

beneficial

They prove

cardiac

in

jaundice,

and

for

act

as

and are possessed of appetising,

stimulants,

purgative and stomachic virtues.

The

urine of a

does not generate

with

It

alkali.

cow

is

pungent, strong and hot, and

Vayu on account is

of

being saturated

its

stomachic, slightly generates

light,

the Pittam, and subdues the

Vayu and Kapham.

proves beneficial in cases of

colic,

abdominal glands,

and distention of the abdomen, and

ascites

It

is

used for

the purposes of purging and enematas (Asthapananr. In cases,

urine

which prove amenable to the use of of a

cow should be used

urine, the

to the exclusion of that

of any other animal, even to that of an ox.

The

urine

of a

abdominal

piles,

(she)

dropsy,

colic,

proves beneficial in

cutaneous affections,

emetics

of

action

Meha, imperfect

baffalo

constipation, cedema, abdominal glands,

The taste.

urine

of a

(she)

It slighly agitates

curative

in

cases

of

alkali,

and has a

bitter

deranged Vayu, and It

the bodily

The

and jaundice. bitter

Vayu and proves

dyspnoea, consumption, urine of a

ewe contains

taste.

It

subdues the

heat-making

in

its

pungent is

purgatives,

goat has a pungent,

cough,

jaundice and chlorosis.

or

potency.

proves beneficial in cough, enlarged spleen, abdomi-

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 68

[

Chap.

XLV.

nal dropsy, dyspnoea, consumption and in obstinate con-

of

stipation

The

the bowels.

of a

urine

horse

is

1

appetising and pungent in taste, strong and heat-making in

its

Kapha'm, and cures mental aberrations.

recommended

in

the intestines.

The

of

cases

urine

of an

is

usually

keen and purgative, and subdues

the

Vayu and enrages the Pittam.

It is

It

is

commonly and

treatment of (Kilasa) leucoderma

the

in

elephant has a bitter

saline taste.

in

It

ringworm and worms

and

used

V3yu and

subdues the deranged

It

potency.

in the preparation of alkalies.

The

urine of an

generated through the chemical action

of poison

two

substances in the organism.

different

and proves curative is

a

and

is

strong

r

cases of chronic d) sentery.

in

cases

in

diseases

Human

The

appetising.

urine

of

of cedema,

worms

dropsy, insanity,

I

It is

of

It

vermifuge and subdues the Vayu and Kapham,

beneficial

in

ass tends to neutralise the effects

in

the

camel

a

proves

abdominal

leprosy, intestines,

piles

and

due to the action of the deranged Vayu.

urine

is

have now

strong anti-toxic. briefly

described the

kinds of liquid food or drink.

An

properties

of

all

experienced physician

should prescribe them for the use of his king according to the nature of season

and the country

in

which they

are to be applied. Thus ends

the forty-fifth Chapter of

SamhitA which

treats of liquids.

the Sutrasthanam in

the Sushruta

CHAPTER Now we treats

XLVI. on the Chapter which

discourse

shall

of food and

drink

(Annaparia-Vicfhi-

madhya'yam). made obeisance

Having

Sushruta said

:

— "You

determines the origin

have

to the holy Dhanvantari,

before that

stated

of beings

food

and forms the chief

source of their bodily strength and complexion,

as well

as of the albuminous (Ojas) principle in their organisms.

Food tastes.

Moreover

Again

the

tastes

and

potencies

virtues,

transformations,

tend

in

their

diminish

substances.

specific

or

reactionary

to

different

six

inherent

are

with

substances,

the

upon

depends

primarily

or

tastes,

chemical

increase the

deranged humours and the fundamental principles of the to

body, as also

bring

amongst them. Food

is

about a normal equilibrium

the primary cause of the origin,

continuance and dissolution the divine food.

Brahma,

Food

healthful

etc.

even of such beings as

Life

is

impossible without

the source of the growth, strength,

is

glow

of

organic beings.

It

is

food that

imparts strength to the organs of sense and makes operative

in

irregularity ill-health.

their

respective fields

and

of action.

them It

is

(Vaishamya) of diet which brings about Diet

may be

divided into four kinds such as

;

THE SUSHRUTA

470 solid

food,

SAMHITA'.

Leedham

(Ashitha) drink,

assimilated only

A

taste).

for

of

the of

variety

composition

our

I

am

specific

enters

into

which

admit

of

involve the co-operation of a large forces.

a

of

substances

preparations

by

chewn and

is

enjoyment

food,

grouped under various

al

(food taken

and the Kh^ditam (food that

licking),

[Chap. XLVI.

and

the

being

necessarily

number of dynamic-

eager to learn of the substances and

their specific inherent properties, virtues, potencies

and

transformations (chemical reactions) which constitute the daily food of

who

is

ignorant of them,

or curing duals. all

human beings, inasmuch as is

quite

helpless

a physician, in

ai^ distemper and maintaining health

And

the

since food (diet) determines

created beings, instruct us,

O

checking in indivi-

origin

of

Lord, on the proper

regimen of food and drink."

The holy Dhanvantari, as

replied

on

the

requested

follows

proper

by

Shali rice such

:

— "O

Sushruta,

me

discourse

and

drink as

child,

regulation

you. as,

thus addressed by

There

Pundarika,

are

food

several

species

of

the Lohitaka, Shali, Kalama, Karda-

maka, Panduka, Sugandhaka, daka,

of

hear

Mahashali,

Shakunahrita, PushpanShita-Bhiruka,

Rodhra-

Pushpaka, Dirghashuka, Kanchanaka, Mahisha-mastaka,

Hayanaka, Dushaka, and Mahd-Dushaka

Metrical Shali

rice are

Texts— The sweet

in

taste,

etc.

several

cooling

species in

of

potency,

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

XLVL]

Chap.

47

and impart strength to those who use

light of digestion,

They subdue the Pittam and

them.

Vayu and Kapharn. They

slightly generate

are demulcent

and tend to

constipate the bowels and reduce the quantity

Of these the red

matter.

efficacious,

species (Lohitaka)

diuretic, spermatopoietic,

cosmetic, tonic and efficacv

and

ulcer,

infectant little in

are

of fecal

the most

is

and subdues the deranged humours.

Its

It

pleasant.

in all other diseases.

and

anti-toxic.

properties

of fever

cases

It

The other

is

a good dis-

species

differ

a

from the preceding one and

inferior

successively

is

improves the voice.

witnessed in

and

It

eye-invigorating,

refrigerant,

been

has

their

1

in

quality

in

their

order of

enumeration.

Shashtika Group Shashtika, K^nguka,

:

—The

several

species of

Mukundaka, Peetaka, Pramodaka,

Kdkalaka, Asana-Pushpaka, Mah^-Shashthika, Churnaka,

Kuravaka, and the Kedar^ka,

Metrical Texts in

taste

:

etc.

—They (Shashtikas) are sweet

and digestion, and pacify the V£yu and the

Kapharn. Their properties are somewhat identical with those of Shali rice inasmuch as they are constructive, tonic

and spermatopoietic, and increase the Kapharn.

The Shashtika all

is

pre-eminently the most efficacious of

the other species, and leaves an astringent after-taste

in the

mouth.

It

is

light, mild,

demulcent and imparts

strength and firmness to the body.

It is astringent

and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITAV

472 sweet

[Chap. xlvi.

and exhibits properties

in digestion,

The remaining

similar

to

those of the red

Shali.

inferior in quality,

each succeeding one being inferior to

the one immediately following

Vrihi Vrihis

known

the

as

several

species

Lavakshaka,

Kukkutandaka, Par^vataka, and the Patala,

Metrical Texts :— They They tend

etc.

and hot

their

in

to slightly increase the secretions

of the internal organs and bring on

bowels.

Taritaka,

have a sweet and

astringent taste, are sweet of digestion potencies.

of

Krishna- Vrihi, Shalamukha,

Nandimukha,

Jatumukha,

are

it.

Dhariyas :—The

are

varieties

constipation

of the

Their general properties are nearly identical

The

with those of the aforesaid Shashtikas. Krishna- Vrihi

and leaves an varieties

the best

is

astringent

gradually

of

them

It

all.

after taste, the in

deteriorating

species is

light,

remaining

quality from

the

one under discussion. Shali rice,

grown on burnt

has an astringent taste,

is

land,

is

light of digestion,

parchifying, tends to suppress

the emission of urine and the evacuation

reduces the deranged Kapham.

of stool,

Sh£li rice

grown

and in a

jangala country has a taste slightly blended of the pungent, astringent, sweet and has a shade of

bitter.

It

subdues the deranged Pittam and Kapham, (generates

Vayu — D.

R.)

Shali rice

grown

is

a good digestant and stomachic.

in a

Kaidara or marshy country has a

and

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap.XLVL]

473

sweet taste with a shade of the astringent.

It is tonic

and spermatopoietic, aphro disiac and heavy of

diges-

•»

tion.

It

reduces the quantity of excrement,

the Pittam, and increases the

subdues

Kapham. »

Rice of once transplanted paddy plants (Ropya) or of those transplanted several times in succession (Atiis light,

ropya)

efficacious.

easily digested

acts as

It

followed by any It destroys the

paddy

is

parchifying.

is

Pittam,

Rice of

diuretic.

is

Irom the stubbles of a previous suppresses the evacuations of

It

easily digestible

fully described the

and generates Kapham.

varieties

dushaka,

Kudhanyam Shyamaka,

Niva'ra,

Uddalaka, Priyangu, Madhulika*, vinda,

Gavedhuka,

and Venu-yava,

Varuka,

—The as

several

the

Shantanu,

Kora-

Varaka,

Nandimukhi, Kura-

Todaparni,

Mukundaka,

etc.

Metrical Texts :—They have a sweet and astringent ing and pungent of

60

:

known

are

speak

etc.

Genus Kudhariya of

shall

I

Similarly,

Kudhanyas, Mudgas and Mashas,

The

I

good and bad species of grain

belonging to the Shali group. of

not

after digestion.

acidity

deranged humours and

is

has a bitter and astringent taste, subdues the

stool,

have

constructive tonic and

reactionary

plants, sprouting

harvest,

a

and comparatively more

taste.

generate heat and

They are

digestion, subdue the

parchify-

Kapham and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

474

XLVI.

Chap.

[

tend to produce retention of the urine, and enrage the bodily

Vayu and

the Pittam.

Of these

the species

Shyam£ka and Shantanu have a

as the Kodrava, Nivara,

sweet and astringent taste and prove curative pitta* (urticaria).

of

varieties

The

reduce

produce a parched condition

in

The

species

and

is

the

to

virtues

one

order of enumeration.

in the

Mukundaka The

and heat-making

digestion,

its

are

potency and

is

parchify-

pungent of

is

subdues

of the urine,

retention

Kapham, and tends

species

possessed of

largely

species Venu-yava,

in its

on

brings

the deranged

The

sweet, cool and demulcent.

absorbing virtues. ing,

Kapham and

the

Madhulikas as well as the one known as the

Nandimukhi Varuka

and white)

the body, each preceding

species being superior as regards it

Sheeta

in

four (black, red, yellow

Priyangus

immediately following

known

the bodily

to enrage

Vayu. The several varieties of pulse (Vaidala) commonly used as food are Kalaya,

known

Makushtha,

Satina, Triputa,

as the

Masura,

Mudga, Vana-Mudga, Mangalya,

Harenu, and Adhaki,

Metrical Texts:— They

Chanaka,

etc.

are generally cool and

pungent of digestion, and have a sweet and astringent

They generate

taste.

of

urine

as

the

in the

Vayu,

and the evacuation of

Pittam

the

the

and

Mudga

Kapham.

arrest

stool,

The

the flow

and subdue

species

does not excessively generate

known Vayu

system but tends to purify and invigorate the

Chap. XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

The green

organ of vision. the

of

varieties

Vanya (Mudga)

Mudga

475 the best of

is

species

The

pulse.

properties

of

common

of the

are similar to those

all

variet3%

The

species of pulse

and constipates

digestion

Makushthaka

is

Vayu

generates

the

known

The

in

does not excessively

The

the organism.

has a sweet

It

potency.

and

species

Pittam

and

taste,

astringent

blood, and tends to bring on a

The

species

ent in All

known

as

their virtues

the

its

and

subdues

It

the

corrects

Kapham,

known

cooling in

is

produces a parched condition of the body. the

species

Adhaki subdues

species

Chanaka generates Vayu and

as the

The

vermigenous, while the species Kalaya

copiously.

V3yu

sweet of

is

the bowels.

Pittam and Kapham, and

agitate the

Masura

as

deranged

loss of the virile

powers.

Satina and Harenu are

astring-

and tend to constipate the bowels.

Mudga and the of the abdomen

varieties of pulse except the

Masura tend to produce a distension caused by gas or

air in

the organism (Tympanites

or

Adhmana).

The is

pulse

known

as the

heavy and pleasant,

laxative,

heat-making, aphrodisiac,

and

topoietic,

Vayu and

increases the

Kapham.

has a sweet taste,

diuretic,

demulcent,

sperma-

specifically

and galactogoguic.

tonic

as the

Masha

It

The

subdues the

species

known

Alasandra (Rajamasha) does not produce Kapham

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 y6 and

neither laxative nor

is

astringent nature.

It

pleasant, glactogoguic

The

is

diuretic

sweet

Chap.

XLVI.

on account of

in taste

its

and of digestion,

and improves-* a

for food.

relish

Atmagupta and Kakanda seeds are those of the aforesaid Masha pulse. The

properties of

similar to

known

species

as

a

produces

taste,

system, and after

is

the Aranya-masha condition

of

being digested.

in

parchedness

The is

known

pulse

the

of urinary

as

Kulattha

pungent of digestion and

possessed of astringent properties. in cases

astringent in

is

not followed by any reactionary acidity

has an astringent taste,

tive

[

calculi

It

proves

is

cura-

from seminal

arising

derangement (Shukr^shmari), abdominal glands, catarrh,

The

and cough.

species

known

as the

Vanya-Kulattha

subdues the deranged Kapham, and proves curative

of Anaha, obesity, piles, hie- cough and dyspnoea.

cases It

in

bring on an

may

beneficial

attack of hoemoptysis, and proves

in diseases affecting the

taste blended of the sweet

the astringent. It Pittam.

It

is

is

to the skin

and'digestion,

is

bitter

Tilam has a

with a shade of

astrigent, heat-making,

and produces

sweet of digestion, demulcent, tonic,

and curative as a fiicial

and the

eyes.

plaster

and

anuretic

for

teeth,

ulcers.

It

is

bene-

improves the intellect

and heavy, helps the growth

of hair, and subdues the deranged Vayu.

Of species

all is

the different varieties of sesamum, the best in respect of efficacy.

the black

The white

XLVI.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

477

species occupies a middle position as regards

its virtues,

while the remaining varieties should be regarded as of •

inferior quality.

Barley (Yava) taste,

is

and pungent of

digestion. It subdues the

Pittam and Kapham.

and

like

sesamum,

the emission of

is

flatus,

slimy and

deranged

It is anuretic, beneficial to ulcers

;

the quantity of stool and

increases

and improves the It

sweet and astringent in

cooling,

imparts firmness to the body

voice,

complexion and a

produces

condition

digestion.

extreme

of

parchedness in the system, removes obesity, and subdues It

fat.

subdues the deranged Vayu,

is

refrigerant

soothes (purifies) the blood and Pittam. (a

species of barley)

is

inferior to the

and

The Atiyavas

barley species in

respect of the preceding qualities.

Wheat topoietic,

is

sweet, heavy,

sperma-

tonic, rejuvicient,

and improves the

relish

food.

for

It

is

demulcent and extremely cooling, subdues the Vayu

and Pittam, and generates the Kapham. laxative

New

and brings about the adhesion of

wheat

is

fractured

bones or helps fermentation (SandhanakritJ.

The Shimvas

(Beans) have an

astringent

produce a condition of parchedness

They

are antitoxic, discutient,

and the power of and

acquire

a

sight.

They

pungent

in

taste

the

and

system.

and reduce the Kapham are imperfectly digested

taste

in

digestion,

though

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

47 8

ordinarily sweet

[

Chap.

XLvf.

Thev cause evacuation

in taste.

of

the bowels and emission of flatus.

There are four

variteies of

Shimva such

the black, the yellow and the is

preceding species

one

the

The

pungent both

The two

the white,

of which

red,

each

superior in virtues and qualities to

immediately

enumeration.

as,

following

Shimvas are

and

in taste

varieties of

in

it

the

order of

and

heat-making

digestion.

Saha, as well as the species of

known

as the

Mulakashimvi and the Kushimvi,

are sweet in

taste

and digestion, and strength-giving.

beans

They tend

to

subdue the

action

of the

deranged

Pittam.

Raw

and

unripe

pulse

beans (VaicUlika Shimvi)

produce a condition of extreme parchedness

the

in

system, are long retained in the stomach and but imperfectly digested.

They

are relishing but can be digested

only with the greatest

difficulty,

causing the stomach

to distend before being digested.

Kusumbha digestion,

are their

seeds

pungent

in

taste

and reduce the deranged Kapham.

extremely being

unwholesome, owing to the

imperfectly

has a sweet taste,

pungent

are

in

is

digested.

heat-making

digestion.

It

in

Linseed its

and

They fact

of

(Atasi)

potency, and

generates the Pittam and

subdues the Vayu. White mustard 'Shveta Sarshapa)

is

XLVI.

Chap.

pungent in its

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

in taste

potency.

and digestion, strong and heat-making

It gives rise to

a condition of parchedness

the system, and»diminishes the

in

479

An

excessive

may

bring on an attack of haemoptysis.

Kapham.

and continuous use of white mustard

red mustard

of

the

Vayuand

The

properties

seeds are similar to those of the white

species.

A or in

crop of

Dhdnyam grown

an unnatural season,

any way diseased or blighted, or gleaned before

has ripened,

as

well

the one raised from

as

naturally uncongenial to ed,

in

its

a

it

soil

growth, or recently harvest-

should be deemed to be of inferior quality.

-The use of new (harvested within a year) to increase the secretions of the that of a year's maturity

is

internal

is

heavy, and

is

It can be but imperfectly

tends

organs, while

light.*

Rice threshed out of paddy, which has sprouting,

rice

commenced

long retained in the stomach. digested and tends to affect

the organ of vision.

The

maturity, preparations (Sanskara), and measures

of

corn from Sh£li rice to mustard

in

the present Chapter are as follows

r

3

ears

:

described

— [Rice of

two

standing should be regarded as well matured in

time and excellent *

seeds

in quality.

A

thing,

which

is

hard to

Rice of more than two years standing becomes divested of

nutritive elements.

all

its

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 8o

digest like for use

is

Vrihi,

made

light

by

Chap.

[

XLVI.*

Measures

frying.

should vary according to the keenness of one's

appetite.]

The meat Group the properties of

The

such

lands (Anupa),

or

as

dwell in villages (Gramya), :

of unbifurcated hoofs

high ground (Jangala),

is

generally

it

immediately preceding

Again these animals

in

as,

a jungle)

or

are

pos-

or dwell on

Of

used as food.

one

the

superior to

in the order of

may

two broad sub-heads such

is

are

marshy

are

or

(Ekashapha),

these each succeeding kind

ground and

which

those

carnivorous in their habits Kravyabhuja), sessed

describe

shall

(Jaleshaya), or frequent

their habits

aquatic in

I

the different species of edible meats.

animals

of

flesh

:—Now

enumeration.

be roughly grouped under the Jangala (living in high

and the Anupa

(living

in

marshy places, or near pools and water- courses). The Jangala group may be further divided into eight sub-species, such as

the Janghala, the

Viscira, the

Pratnda, the Guhashaya,the Prasaha,the Parnarnriga,

Gramya. Of these the Janghala the most important. The following

the Vileshaya, and the

and the Viscira are

animals belong to the Janghala (large- kneed group the (blue

the

Ena

viz.

(black deer), the Harina (red deer), the Rishya

deer),

the

Kritamala, the

Prishata,

—

Kuranga (antelope", Sharabha,

the

the

Karala,

Shvadanstra,

the

the Chitrila (Spotted deer), the Charashka,

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XLVl.j

the

Mriga-m£trika, etc.

These species of venison have

a sweet and astringent taste, are laxative,

(palatable),

and

4 gl

keen, pleasant

light,

diuretic in their effect.

They

subdue the Vayu and the Pittam.

Text :—The

Metrical and

sweet and astringent

is

species

proves curative in

venison

its

a

improves

relish

The venison in taste

of

and

and

light,

and

urine

which

the

pacifies

are

of the curative

(due

to

is

of

system,

a

febrifuge. is

(red) species

sweet

aromatic,

of

cool,

stool

and Deer

humours.

deranged

which are

Those, that are neither red nor as

Kuranga.

The

venison

cooling and proves

is

haemoptysis, Sannipata

concerted action

the

and

It is astrin-

the

to

discharge

Mriga-matrika species cases

palatable,

are called Ena, while those

designated

in

Kapham.

appetising,

the

suppresses

red are called Harina. black,

Harina

the

digestion,

are black

food

for

Ena

due to the deranged

diseases

imparts strength

effect,

the*

and

in taste,

condition of the Pittam, blood and

gent in

of

of the

diseases

three deranged

humours), consumption, dyspnoea, cough, and hiccough

and creates a

relish for food.

Birds such as the Lava, Vartika,

Vartaka,

Tittiri,

Naptrika,

Kapinjala,

V^tika,

Vartira,

Chakora,

Kala-

vinka, Mayura, Krakara, Upachakra, Kukkuta, Saranga,

Shata-Patraka,

Kutittiri,

Kuruvahuka

belong to the Vishkira species. 61

and

Yavalaka

[They are so

called

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA'.

482 from

the

after

scattering

(Skr.

kira,

this

group

in

of

fact

to

it

their

and

bills

a

of

flesh

food

claws of

bird

sweet and astringent

cooling,

light,

and tends to

taste

The

scatter)].

is

their

xlvi.

their

up

picking

with

first

[Chap.

deranged humours

pacify the

of the body.

The

astringent

taste,

of

possessed It is

of the Lava

flesh

is

is

of

pungent

and

astringent

The

properties.

due to the concerted

flesh of

heat-making and sweet

slightly heavy,

and

digestion,

appetising

highly efficacious in diseases

humours of the body.

has a sweet and

light,

the in

Tittirs

taste.

spermatopoietic, appetising and astringent.

It

It

is is

improves

the intellect and complexion, and subdues the three

The

deranged humours. Tittiri

curative

proves

flesh in

of the yellow

hic-cough

Kapinjala

is

light

of

in

cases

in

diseases

haemoptysis,

brought

about

and

the

Kapham

or

The

of

the

Krakara

or

light,

pleasant

appetising.

improves the

It

(palatable),

intellect.

The

helps the growth

the

Vayu of

deranged

(Manda-vata\

the

Upachakra

spermatopoietic,

subdues the Vayu

astringent and saline in taste, skin,

of the

recommended

is

through

of

is

flesh

and cooling, and proves curative

condition flesh

and dyspnoea,

The

and subdues the deranged Vayu.

(Gaura)

Pittam

of the

flesh

and

and

is

and and

Mayura

beneficial

to

is

the

of hair, improves the voice,

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLVI]

and

appetite

intellect,

relish

for

flesh

of a wild cock

and spermatopoietic.

and

tonic.

The

the

of properties

possessed

prototype with the proves curative

in

such

cuckoo,

subdues

organism,

the

good constructive

of

those

to

similar

exception that

it

is

is

wild

its

and

heavy,

rheumatism, consumption, vomiting

and chronic (Vishama-Jvara) Birds

imparts

diaphoretic,

domesticated cock or fowl

of a

flesh

sight

useful as a

is

imparts

and hearing.

demulcent, heat-making,

It acts as a

tone to the voice and

deranged Vayu,

is

and

food,

strength and vigour to the organs of

The

483

the

as

Koyashtica,

fever.

dove,

pigeon

Bhringaraja,

the domestic

Kulinga,

Kulinga,

Gokshada, Dindimanaka, Shatapatraka, Matrinindaka, Bhedashi,

Shuka,

Sharika,

Valguli,

Girisha,

Alahva,

Dushaka, Sugrihi, Khanjaritaka, Harita, Datyuha, belong to the group

known

Metrical Texts and their

flesh

It

generates

in

the

has a

these the

—The Pratudas

sweet

It

is

flesh

is

The

live

on

astringent

its

flesh of

the

taste.

It

potency and suppresses the

and reduces the quantity of of the

fruit,

a parched condition

cooling in

Bhedashi tends to

the humours and to derange the body.

and

Pittam and Kapham.

discharge of urine

Of

as the Pratuda.

Vayu and produces

organism.

reduces the

:

etc.

stool.

vitiate

the three excrements of

Kana Kapota

heavy and has a palatable,

saline

(wild dove j

and astringent

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

484 It

taste.

[

Chap.

proves beneficial in haemoptysis and

The

of digestion.

the Kulinga

of

flesh

is

is

XLVi.

sweet sweet,

demulcent, and spermatopoietic, and increases the bodily

The

Kapham.

of the domesticated Kulinga

flesh

is

highly spermatopoietic, and proves curative in cases of haemoptysis.

Animals arboreal

leopard

and Mrigaervaruka

the

as

such

(Vriksha

(cave- dwelling

to

this

in

:

—The

is

family

heat-making

is

of

bear,

the

flesh of

sweet,

Guhashayas

the Kaka, Kanka,

animals belong-

heavy,

demulcent

subdues the deranged Vayu.

its

potency, and proves beneficial

eyes and anus.

The Prasaha Group Chilli,

jackal,

It

in diseases affecting the

Uluka,

hyena

mammals).

and strength-giving. It

cat,

dipi\

the group

Metrical Texts ing

wolf,

tiger,

(a jackal-shaped, deer-eating species

belong to

of tiger)

lion,

Kurura,

:— Birds

such

as,

Chasa, Bhasa, Shashaghati,

Shyena, Gridhra,

etc.

belong

to

the

family of Prasahas (Carnivorous birds that suddenly

on

dart

their prey).

Metrical Text to

this

taste

group

and

aforesaid

etc.,

and

—The flesh of birds belonging in

identical

digestive

the

is

is

:

transformation

carnivorous

specially

and kindred wasting

its

virtues,

with

potency, those

of

mammals, such

as the lion,

in cases of

consumption

beneficial diseases.

SUTRASTHANAM.

485

The Parna-Mriga Group

-.—Animals such

Chap.

XLV1.

as the

]

Madgu, the arboreal Musika, the Vriksha-Shayika,

Avakusha, Puti-gkasa and the Vanara, family

of Parna-Mrigas

(lit

belong to the

etc.

tree-dwelling arboreal

:

animals).

Metrical Texts :— The this

is

group

of digestion. beneficial diuretic

is

the

to

It

consumption.

and cures cough,

and

spermatopoietic

invigorating

in cases of

The as,

It

sweet,

animals

of

flesh

pile

heavy

and

eyesight laxative

is

of

and

and dyspnoea.

Vileshaya Group

such

-.—Animals

the Shvavit, Shalyaka, Godha, Shasha, Vrishadansha,

Lomasha-Karna,

Lopaka, Ajagara,

Kadali,

Mriga-Priyaka,

Sarpa, Mushika, Nakula and Maha-Vabhru

belong to the group of Vileshaya (hole-dwellers).

Metrical Texts :— The the are

of

flesh

to increase

They

animals

general properties of

belonging

the consistency of

to

this

stool

are heat-making in potency, sweet in

species

and

urine.

digestion as

those of the preceding group. The)' subdue the

and generate the demulcent

and

cachexia.

The

in

It

taste.

and

Pittam beneficial

flesh of the

in

Shasha

is

reduces the Pittam

is

moderately cooling potency.

are

dyspnoea

and

sweet and astringent

and

neither produces nor subdues the its

They

Kapham. cough,

Vayu

The

Kapham and

Vayu

owing

flesh of the

to

Godha

sweet of digestion and has a pungent, astringent

taste.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

486 It is

tonic and constructive and pacifies the

The

Pittam. light

[Chap. xlvi.

of

flesh

the

of digestion, cooling in

Shalyaka is tasteful, its potency and anti-toxic,

and subdues the deranged Pittam.

The

due to the action of the deranged Vayu

The

flesh of a

ments of the Vayu.

the

vigorates

and

Darvicara taste,

is

It is a

and

diuretic,

such as

horses,

sheep)

etc.,

is

It in-

and sweet

appetising

Of

these the flesh of the in digestion,

efficacious in

sweet

eye diseases.

It

in is

and subdues the deranged Vayu.

Animal mules,

Group

—Animals

cows, bullocks, asses, camels,

and Medapuchhas

sheep,

goats,

and derange-

resulting poisons).

pungent

appetising,

Domestic

than those

vermifuge and anti-toxic (a

intellect.

and extremely

laxative

curative in piles

is

eye-sight,

improves the

Vayu-Roga),

beneficial in piles.

chemical or

of

(

diseases

in

Sarpa (a species other

specifically described)

neutraliser

is

of the

flesh

Mrigti-Priyaka proves a wholesome diet

while that of the Ajagara

Vayu and

(fat tailed

Turkish

or

belong to the group of domestic animals

(Gr^myas).

Metrical Texts :— The animals

is

possessed

appetising properties, tion.

It

of is

Pittam.

of

constructive,

sweet

destroys the deranged

Kapham and

flesh

Of

in

taste

domestic

tonic

and

and

diges-

Vayu and produces the

these the flesh of the goat

is

Chap.

XLVI.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

moderately cooling

does not increase the

in its potency,

secretions of the internal organs, cent,

heavy and demul-

is

subdues the'Pittam and the Kapham, and

ficial in

The

nasal catarrh.

and

tonic

constructive,

and has

aphrodisiac

flesh of T

heav)

The

Pittam and Kapham. is

487

,

flesh

is

bene-

sheep (mutton)

and

properties

the

generates

of the

is

Medapuchcha

similar

those

to

of mutton.

Beef

is

catarrh,

dyspnoea, of a

holy and refrigerant, proves

for

food

The

the deranged Vayu.

(Atyagni),

flesh

and destroys

an animal with

of

unbifurcated hoofs (Ekashapha such as, etc.),

in

cough, chronic fever and in cases

morbid craving

the mule

curative

the horse and

has a slightly saline taste, and

ed of properties similar to those of mutton. of an animal belonging to

is

possess-

The

the Jangala group

is

flesh

said

to increase the secretions of the internal organs.

The

dwelling remote from a

flesh of beasts or birds

village or pool tends to slightly increase

of the living

internal in a

organs,

village or

the secretions

while the flesh of an animal

near a reservoir of water,

ex-

cessively increases that secretion.

The A'nupa Group generally found to

may be

:

— Animals,

frequent marshy places

divided into five groups, such

(frequenting the

which are

shores

of pools

as,

and

(Anupas)

the Kulacharas lakes),

Plavas

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

4 88

(divers or swimmers),

animals

such

and the

the

these,

elephant,

Ruru (an animal of the deer

the

with

species

together with the

and the

red

swamps and

etc.,

animal of the Zebra

Rohita

stripes),

frequent

and are

lakes,

its

(red

Kalapuchchaka,

(a species of antlered deer)

Nynku

wild cow,

casts

the forests in

in

Gokarna,

rhinoceros,

boar,

deer),

and

green

buffalo,

species which

autumn) Chamara, Srimara (an

Of

Gavaya,

and wanders roaming about

antlers

Pad in as

the

etc.),

Matsya.

(piscatory)

Of

Koshastha (conchiferous aquatic

the molluscs

as,

[Chap. XLVI.

the

shores

cool

accordingly included

within the group of Kulacharas (shore-dwellers).

The of

animal

this

and

diuretic,

The

cooling,

tonic,

It is

an

and

spermatopoietic

Vayu and Kapham.

digestion,

of

flesh

sweet in

demulcent and

and increases the quantity of Kapham. flesh of the

of extreme facient

is

group

destroys the deranged taste

Texts :—The

Metrical

Elephant tends to produce

parchedness in the system, and

and heat-making

in its

It

potency.

a state

is

lique-

vitiates

the Pittam and has a palatable acid and saline taste,

and destroys the Vayu and Kapham. the

Gavaya

beneficial in

is

demulcent and sweet

cough and

is

in taste,

demulcent, heat-making

The (in

flesh of the its

flesh

of

and proves

sweet of digestion.

to increase sexual capacity. is

The

potency),

It

tends

Buffalo sweet,

Chap.

XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

spermatopoietic,

and heavy of digestion

pleasant

increases strength and

of

Ruru

the

is

astringent after taste. pacifies the

and

slightly

sweet and leaves an

heavy, spermatopoietic and

It is

flesh

of the

cures an attack of cough,

is

Chamara

sweet

in taste

is

demulcent,

and digestion

The

and subdues the deranged Vayu and Pittam. of the Srimara

is

mouth and tends

Vayu and Pittam.

the deranged

common

pig

is

The

to subdue

is

heavy

cent, cooling, refrigerant,

deranged Va3

r

The

u.

tringent taste, and

constructive, tonic, sperma-

is

and pleasant, and destroys the

flesh of the rhinoceros

has an as-

pleasing to one's departed

manes

It is sacred,

longevity, tends

discharge

to

suppress the

produces a condition of parchedness

of the

s

the deranged

Gokarna

in digestion

is

Kapham

in the

in

imparts

of

urine,

the organism, and

The

sweet, demulcent, mild (soft),

flesh

sweet

in cases of haemoptysis,

system.

The Plava Croup 62

in

Vayu and Kapham.

and proves curative

and generates

demul-

(as regards digestion),

the shape of an oblation (Pitryam).

destro3

boar

flesh of the

and diaphoretic, and imparts a greater strength

to the system. It

r

flesh

heavy and spermatopoietic, leaves an

astringent after-taste in the

topoietic

The

galactagoguic.

Vayu and Kapham.

Similarly, the

(Baraha) or

It

and imparts firmness to

virility

the tissues, and is hypnotic flesh

489

:— Birds

such

as

the

THE SUSHRUTA

4go

SAMHITA'.

I

Chap.

XLVI.

Hansa, Sarasa, Krauneha, Chakravaka, Kurura (belong to

also

Prasaha

the

Kadamva,

group)

Karandava,

Vaka, Valaka, Pundarika, Plava,

Jivan Jivaka,

mukha, Nandimukha, Madgu, Utkrosha,

Amvukukkutika, Megharava and

is

cooling, demulcent,

in cases of haemoptysis, is

The

possessed of the

flesh

is

sweet

of laxative

Hansa

making, sweet and demulcent. voice and complexion,

system.

It is

and

It

any one

of

and spermatopoietic proves beneficial

It

in taste

heavy

is

of

flesh

and destroys the deranged Yayu.

and

etc.

in large flocks.

Metrical Text :—The this family

Konalaka,

Shvetacharana

These birds are found to

belong to the Plava family.

move about

Kach^ksha,

Shuklaksha, Pushkarashayika,

Mallikaksha,

Sarari-

and of

diuretic

digestion,

properties.

(of digestion), heat-

tends to improve the

and imparts strength to the

spermatopoietic, tissue-building and tonic,

and proves curative

in

nervous diseases (Va'ta-Vikara).

The Conchiferous (Koshastha) Species :— Animals (a species of

such

as,

the Shankha, Shankhanakha

small bivalve molluscs), Shukti,

and Bhalluka,

etc.,

Shambuka

belong to the Koshastha (conchifer-

ous) group.

The Paxlina Species the tortoise,

alligator, crab,

belong to this species.

:-

Animals such

black crab, porpoise,

as, etc.,

Chap.

XLVI.

SUTKASTHANAM.

]

Metrical Texts: — The the Shankha and

Kurma

digestion, cooling* in ficial

orders

sweet

is

animals of

of

flesh

destroys the deranged

It

Vayu and produces Kapham.

Of

black crab

and heat-making

is

strength-giving

these, the

specfes in

is

and

laxative

diuretic

in

its

of its

The

potency, and tends to destroy the deranged Vayu.

white species

and

taste

in

potency, demulcent, and bene-

its

and the Pittam.

to stool

491

and

effect,

adhesion of fractured bones

tends to bring about an

It

(or produces fermentation).

destroys the

Vayu and

—The

piscatory

Pittam.

The may

group

The

Patala,

:

be roughly divided into two broad sub-

divisions, such as the fish.

Order

Piscatory

Marine and the River such

species

Rajiva,

as

the

Rohita,

Vagunjara, Murala, Sahasra-danstra,

Pathina,

Krislma-Matsya,

Gomatsya,

Varmi,

(fresh water)

etc.,

belong to the

fresh water family.

Metrical Texts fish

(river

digestion,

fish)

bring

deranged Vayu.

— The fresh

sweet

are

on

:

haemoptysis are

They

potencies, spermatopoietic

an

astringent

deranged Vayu. plants

and

herbs

heavy

of

destroy

the

taste,

and

heat-making

their

in

and demulcent and tend

reduce the quantity of stool. leaves

in

water (Nadeya)

Of

after-taste,

these, the

and

to

Rohita

destroys

the

This species lives on such aquatic as

grow

in

fresh-water

pools

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

49 2 do

and

not

Kapham and

Pathinas produce

They

carnivorous

are

The

Pittam.

generate

inordinately

XLV.

Chap.

[

are

spermatopoietic.

and somnolent'

in

their habits,

tend to vitiate the blood and the Pittam, and originate

dermal

Murala

the

The

affections. is

constructive,

to

of

known

fish

ponds are

or

the taste and demulcent in their

while those reared

and

gain in strength

shallow water

in large lakes are

is

effect,

found to

usually

while the species reared in

size,

weak and

stunted.

The Sarnudra (Marine) Species The Timi, Timingila Paka

(a species

Gargarka, Chandraka, Mahamina, and Rajiva stitute the family of

marine

Metrical Texts cent,

:

:—

of large whales) Kulisha,

Makara,

Nandi-Varalaka,

Niralaka,

matsya,

as

spermatopoietic

tonic,

Fish bred in tanks

and galactagoguic. palatable

species

etc.,

con-

fish.

— Sea

fish are

heavy, demul-

and sweet, and do not inordinately produce Pittam.

They

are

heat- making

matopoietic and

their

(in

to

beneficial

and

potency),

the stool,

sper-

and destroy

Vayu and generate Kapham. Sea effect

food.

fish

are

owing to the Fresh

tissue-building

in

extremely strength-giving

water

fact fish

properties

while those which are

of their living are

possessed

than

their

found

in

on of

their

animal greater

marine kindred,

wells

and Chuntis

Chap.

XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

J

493

are said to be possessed of greater carminative (Vataghna)

virtues than the

tanks (Vapi) to

owing

to

of

the

fact

cultured

are

fish

of their

two preceding

specially

while

tail,

and

in

about with

moving

ponds about

light

which are found

narrow

of any

lengthy

(Sarasi)

are in

heavy

their

limits

Fish

their breast

at the

of animals

marshy grounds and

tanks

body and

that

specific properties

which increase

Dried or putrid

flesh,

emaciated,

as

well

the

poisoned,

animal, or of one of extremely tender

secretions

them the

as

or

swamps

frequent

of the internal organs of a person using

old,

large

time of swimming.

have finished describing t^e

diseased,

in

lower parts, as they put their entire

Thus

flesh

below the

little

the foreparts of their

in

upon

of the

are

fountains,

reared

pressure I

Fish,

and the consequent absence

sweep.

lighter

are

on account of their being con-

of their head,

fined within

help

heads.

their

or

wing

the

and Tadaga)

(Sarah

streams

hill

ft

which

those

extremely heavy about the parts a region

species

the middle,

at

heavy

and

tanks

in

reared in

greater demulcent and palatable pro-

head

their

are

their

Fish

orders.

are* superior to the

River

perties.

two preceding

or

for food.

flesh

of a

snake-bitten

years

or

struck

with a poisoned dart or weapon, or of that which has

fed

avoided

on

unnatural

inasmuch

as

food,

dried

should or

be

putrid

carefully

meat

is

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

494 shorn of

all

its

The

potency.

[Chap.XLVi.

flesh of a

snake-bitten animal would be found to be vitiated in affected,

its

properties

that

of an

;

animal

poisoned or

wounded animal

that of a

old

diseased or

enfeebled

is

in

is

its

potency, and that of an extremely young animal immature in its virtue and hence would prove

is

positively

injurious to the system.

Metrical Texts :— Dry meat on catarrh and a non-relish animal killed by poison animal of tender years flesh of

for

is

food.

fatal.

is

The

The

may produce

heavy, brings flesh of

flesh

of

an

an

The

vomiting.

an old animal produces cough and dyspnoea,

while the use of that of a diseased animal

may

be

attended with a simultaneous derangement of the three

fundamental humours of the body.

Putrid meat pro-

duces nausea, while the use of that of an

enfeebled or

emaciated animal tends to aggravate the Vayu.

Meat

falling

under a category other than

described above should be

some. bird,

The or

flesh of a

as

good and whole-

female quadruped, or of a male

of a small-bodied creature

genus, and vice versa, to be

deemed

is

of

principally

used amongst quadrupeds, birds,

Similarly the flesh

of a

large-bodied ones

of the

ferred as food.

those

small-sized

a

large-sized

recommended and animals.

creature

amongst same species should be pre-

Chap.

XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Now we of

character of the

discourse

shall

of the

heavy or

light

different

parts

different

body from the blood

each succeeding one

mediately preceding (of the

Similarly,

from

Of the

body of arnanimal.

principles

on the

obtained

flesh

495

to the

the

semen,

one*

im-

the order of ennumeration.

in

it

than

heavier

is

fundamental

limbs

different

or

of a

organs

quartered animal such as), the thighs, the shoulders, the loins,

the head, the legs, the fore-extremities, the waist,

the back, the skin, the

each succeeding one

intestines,

respectively heavier

is

than the one immediately preceding

Metrical Texts the shoulders waist, than

Sakthi

the

;

the

(such

is

heavier than

shoulders, than the waist

the back.

Similarly,

(thighs) are heavier

the

the order.

it in

—The head

:

Of the seven fundamental as

lymph

of

order

are heavy.

blood,

flesh,

The trunks

of

organism fat, is

immediately preceding

The lower

and the

than their lower ends.

principles of the

chyle,

enumeration.

;

the upper parts of

marrow, and semen) each succeeding one than the principle

and the

kidneys, the liver

it

bone,

heavier in the

all

animals

part of a female frame

and the

upper one of a male are respectively heavier [than their

upper

(fore)

and lower (hind)

The head and its

other limbs.

bird

is

so

breast

parts.]

of a bird are heavier than

The trunk

or

the middle part of a

equipoised as to facilitate the

movements

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

49 6 of

its

in

pinions

The

flight.

produces a state

Jbird

the

(of a

organism

The

of

flesh

a

as

while that of

produces Pittam,

a fruit-eating

parchedness

in

food J while

a good

constructive

in

which

bird,

XLVI.

as

person using

that of a carnivorous one acts tonio.

of

flesh

extreme

of

[Chap.

on

lives

which

one,

'fish,

lives

on

paddy (Dhanya), subdues the Vayu. Of the animals, that live

in

dry land or frequent marshy places, as well

as of those

which are domesticated, or are carnivorous

in their habits, or are

or

live

possessed of unbifurcated hoofs,

by darting on

their

or are possessed of long are

the habit of

in

their

claws,

it

legs, or

first

by

pricking,

food

their

scattering

to

rise

a

with

lighter

from the

secretion

lesser

is

or

organs than the one immediately following

in the order of

enumeration.

Of animals belonging of one,

eat

the flesh of each preceding one

and tends to give internal

preys, or dwell in holes,

to the

same genus, the

which attains to an abnormally large

flesh size,

should be rejected as inferior in pith or substance, and

heavy

as

region

of the liver

as

best

the very

ties,

in absence

not at

and

all

digestion.

regards

in

all

up,

just quartered best.

or

that

flesh

about

the

animals should be regarded

respect

whereof the

used

coming next

of

The

of

flesh

afflicted

day,

its

of a

dietic

proper-

young animal

with

should be

any

disease

regarded as

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLVL]

Chap.

497

Authoritative verse on the subject —The age, body, development of limbs, tem:

perament,

sex,

nature?,

of an

animal

before

determining whether

or

should

The

not.

be

measure

in

taken

food with decided advantage

to

what extent

it

will

flesh

which

as

purify

consideration

into

its

it

wholesome

is

be

raav

used

the organism and

to

or

and habit

size

constitution,

improve

its

virtues,

should also be considered.

The Fruit Group shall

discourse

such

as

the

:— Now we

(Phala-varga)

(on the specific

virtues)

Dadima, Amalaka,

of

Kapittha,

fruits,

Vadara,

Kola, Karkandhu, Sauvira, Shimvitikaphala, Matulunga,

Amra, Amrataka, Karamarda, Piyala, Lakucha, Bhavya, Paravata, Vetraphala, Prachinamalaka, Tintidika, Xipa,

Koshamra, Amlika, Xaranga, and Jamvira,

Metrical Texts :— (We general properties of fruits acid in taste and heav)their

of digestion,

the above

after-taste

list

Dadima

heat- making

in

fruits

leaves

an

enumerated astringent

and does not generate the Pittam to an

inordinate degree.* *

the

that) they are

(Kapham), generate

Of the

Pittam and subdue the Vayu. in

of

potencies, (expectorant)

the

describe

.may

by saying

etc.

It acts as

an appetiser, brings on

Charaka and Bhatlaraka Harishchandra exclude Dadima (pome-

granate)

from

opinion that

63

it

the

list

of Pittakara

agents,

while Jejjadacharya

neither generates nor subdues the Pittam.

is

of

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

498 flesh

and a

relish for food,

is

Xlvi.

Chap.

[

palatable to the taste,

and

tends to constipate the bowels by (imparting a greater consistency to the fecal matter). Dadimas fied into

two

The sweet

classi-

they are sweet

distinct species according as

or acid to the taste.

may be

species subdues the three

deranged bodily humours, while the acid one subdues

The

Vayu and Kapham.

the

known

fruit

the

as

a taste blended of the sweet, pungent and

Amalaka has

astringent ones with a shade of the bitter. It

is

laxative,

spermatopoietic and beneficial to the eye-sight, and

capable of subduing

The Vataghna to to

subduing the a

dr)'

Kapham,

to

its

fruit as

possessing

The Karkandhu,

lik,e

stage, while in its

ripe

demulcent, purgative Pittam.

The

fruit

affecting

high

efficacy

in

the tongue

as

its

fruit is

therapeutic

in

its

unripe

sweet,

and

subdues

known

Pittam.

and

demulcent,

as the

palatable

Kapittham It is

and

in

astringent

its

has unripe

an

is

stage

it

the

is

;

sweet,

and

possessed

moreover

Vayu

cooling,

produces

is

Vayu

the

astringent

immature

or

Sauvira

subdues

The Shimvitika-fruit and

the best

properties.

matured stage

or

of properties similar to those of the Vadara is

far

by

the Kola or the Vadara, generates

Kapham and Pittam

the

and

;

This

astringent substance.

known

should be ascribed

power of subduing the Pittam,

its

;

fruit

sweetness and coolness

its

-

the three deranged humours

all

virtue of this

taste

acid

its

is

it

and

astringent

taste.

The

hoarseness.

and subdues the Kapham and increases

Chap. XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Vayu, while

the

in

its

Vayu and Kapham, acid

light, acid, appetising, in

is

the

as

and pleasant.

and cleanses the

a bitter vermifuge

the

palatable,

and

The

underlying the cooling in

its

envelops

seeds,

It

palatable.

is

produces

proves beneficial

of a

of the

to a person suffering

subdues

(lit.

Matulunga,

and

subdues the Vayu and

or cellular covering,

light,

flesh),

demulcent

potency,

also

stomachic,

Kapham and

juice of the

it

;

layer of skin

Matulunga

from colic pain

tion, constipation of the bowels,

which

astringent and

proves curative

cases of piles, abdominal glands (Gulma)

The expressed

Matulunga

to digest

rind

its

The membranous

It

is

relish for fooc>, allays

is difficult

heavy of digestion, and Pittam.

the

Matulunga

The rind

throat.

Vayu and Kapham.

immediately is

known

cough and asthma, brings on a

thirst

subdues

it

stage

ripe

heavy, and has a sweet and

is

The* fruit

taste.

499

is

in

and vomiting.

recommended

(gastralgia), indiges-

impaired digestion as

well as from disorders brought about through the derang-

Vayu and Kapham, and more

ed condition of the in

cases where

food.

An

the

unripe

ment, tends

to

patient

Amra,

in

generate

has its

with closed pollen

generates

the

cosmetic, of fresh It

is

relishing

blood,

sweet

and

first

the

while one

Pittam.

lost

Ripe tonic,

i\

and

is

for

Pittam,

addha-keshara type)

Amra helps

is

pleasant,

the

formation

and leaves an astringent

and heavy,

relish

stage of develop-

Vayu r

all

so

after-taste.

a tissue-builder and tends

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

5 oo

to

increase

the

Vayu and Pittam.

The Amrataka Hog-apple) -

The

in the system.

Lakucfoa tends to destroy the semen,

long retained

is

stomach, and serves to derange the three funda-

mental humours of the body. and acid

relishing

generates the

in

its

The Karamardakam

taste,

allays

and

thirst,

The Piyalam is heavy, cooling The Bhavyam is pleasant, taste-

Kapham.

and spermatopoietic. ful,

is

surcharged with a kind of oily matter

is

and tends to increase the Kapham

is

Chap. XLVI.

the formation of semen and also subdues

spermatopoietic,

in the

[

and

astringent,

acid

in

taste.

cleanses the

It

mouth and subdues the Pittam and Kapham. astringent, heavy, cooling and

long retained

is

It

in

is

the

stomach.

The and

relishing,

neutralise

the in

and

The

appetite.

to

known

fruit

Vayu,

Kapham

in

Vayu and a voracious old Amalaka fruits, tends

the effects of poisons

chemical

Unripe Tintidika (tamarind) subdues to

generate

organism, while in

astringent, hsat-making

identical with those

ripe

Amlika

of the fruit

its

ripe It

state

for

properties

same

and it is

destroys the

relish

Tamarind.

are the

Pittam

the

and stomachic.

Vayu and Kapham and restores a The Kosliamra is possessed of of a

originated through

combination of incompatible substances

and tends the

sweet

is

destroys the

Nip?-, like the

the organism.

the

it

Paravatam

the

as

The as

food.

nearlv

properties

those

of

Chap. XLVI.

the

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

with

latter

as a purgative.

50I

that

further

acts

The Naranga has a sweet and acid

taste,

the

exception

it

is

pleasant and refreshing, and gives a relish to food.

is

heavy,

difficult

to digest and subdues the Vayu.

Jamvira tends

to allay thirst

brash, vomiting

and asthma

;

and cures

It

The

colic pain, water-

subdues the action of the

it

deranged Vayu and Kapham, removes constipation of the

and helps

bowels, the

of

to

The

Pittam.

secretion

healthy

and

Airavata

Dantashatha and tend to

are acid

of Jamvira

varieties

(different

a

create

bring on an attack of haemoptysis.

The the

fruit

the

Plaksha, the

by

trees

the

as

Audumvura,

general name)

Ashvatha,

which

etc.,

of Kshira-Vrikshas as

known

which are

those

such

(of

as

the Jamva,

pass

well

as

Rajadana,

Todana, Tinduka, Vakula, Dhanvana, Ashmantaka,

Ashvakarna,

Parushaka,

Phalgu,

Pushkara, Varti, Villa and Vimvi, and

astringent

in

their

etc.

Thev

effect.

Gangeruka, are

cooling,

subdue

the

Pittam and Kapham, tend to produce a condition of parchedness

in

the

system,

and

have a sweet and

astringent taste.

Of these the

Kshiri-Vrikshas

genus is

fruit

of is

trees

which belong

heavy

retained in the stomach

long

state.

It

does

not

and in

to

cooling,

the

and

an undigested

has a sweet, acid and astringent

taste

and

the Vayu.

The

fruit

inordinately derange

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

5 02

known

Jamvava

the

as

[Chap. Xlvi.

the Vayu.

generates

It

is

and subdues the Pittam and Kapham, while

astringent,

the

Rajadana is demulcent, sweet, astringent and heavy. The Todana is acid, astringent, and sweet in its taste

and It

parchirying and subdues the

is

in

(heat- making)

is

its

Pittam and Vayu.

potency,

(light of digestion), astringent,

easily

digestible

demulcent and appetising

and further generates the Pittam. Unripe Tinduka is

and heavy

astringent,

in

the

stage

it

is

The Vakula

Pittam.

gent taste, ties,

and

sweet,

its

subdues fruit

or

ripe

matured

fully

the

and

Kapham

has a sweet and astrin-

demulcent and astringent

is

in

its

proper-

imparts a greater firmness to the teeth, and removes

Dhanvana

The

£rangeruka

of similar properties

possessed

The Phalgu an undigested of digestion,

is

fruit of

cooling

and subdues the Vayu and Kapham.

of the

fruit

astringent taste, and

has an

and palatable

The

of the membranes.

the viscid condition the

and produces Vayu

in digestion

while in

organism,

fruit

fruit

is

state,

Ashmantaka

and

as the preceding ones.

long retained

in

the stomach

and

has a sweet taste,

and demulcent

refreshing,

is

in

in

is

heavv

its

effect.

Raw

or

taste

with a shade of the sweet, leaves an astringent

unripe

is

after-taste,

Pittam, ripe

and

state

it

and Pittam,

Parushaka

light

subdues is is

of

sweet

in

in

Kapham taste,

digestion

the

generates

digestion,

the

sweet

extremly acid in

fruit is

;

while

in

its

subdues the Vayu

and cooling

in its

Chap.

XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

potency and proves curative

The Pushkara stomach

the

in ^in

Kapham and to

fruit is

is

and state

ripe

and tender Vilva

it

leaves a sweet

digested, and it

thus to

and astringent

potency, while in

Further

be

but

its it

incompletely

long retained in the stomach,

causing

distend and producing the emission of a

fetid- smelling

that

subdues the

after-taste.

can

digestion, is

fruit

bitter

in its

heat-making

of

produces the

keen, demulcent astringent,

It is

is

heavy

is

It

and heavy of digestion (hard

and appetising, has a pungent, taste,

long retained in

is

undigested state.

Vayu and Kapham.

,

of haemoptysis.

cases

in

sweet, and

tonic,

Raw

digest).

-

known

as

They destroy

The Vimvi

flatus.

the

the

fruit,

Ashva karna,

as

galactagoguic.

Kapham and

and

Pittam

is

well

as

prove

beneficial in cases of thirst, burning sensation of the skin, fever, haemoptysis,

The and

fruits

Maucba,

gestion,

such etc.

cough, asthma and consumption.

as,

the

are

sweet

in

taste

Of

of

these the fruit

and heavy of digestion.

Pittam.

The pulp found

of digestion and diuretic, and

Pittam.

The Narikela

taste

and

Vayu and Pittam.

and subdue the

are cooling in their potencies, and tonics.

Panasa

Narikela,

Tala,

inside it

fruit

di-

They

act as constructive

a

It

of

Tala

is

sweet in

subdues the deranged its

seeds

is

sweet

subdues the Vayu and is

heavy

demulcent, anti- choleric, sweet, cooling in

of digestion, its

potency,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

504

tonic, tissue-building, pleasant, laxative

subdues the

The Maucham has in

its

and

Panasain

xlvi.

It

diuretic.

sweet and

is

demulcent and heayy of digestion.

astringent in taste,

cooling

The

Pittam.

Chap.

[

a sweet and astringent taste, curative

potency, proves

not

cases

in

of

haemoptysis, acts as a spermatopoietic and improves the relish for food.

It

generates the

Kapham and

is

heavy

of digestion.

The

such

as

the

Madhukas, Kharjuras,

etc.,

fruits

of

heavy

Of

to

the

their

these grapes are

sweet,

voice,

potency.

of

the

as

the

prove beneficial

asthma,

Kashmarya Phala and

and Pittam. arresting

all

is

curative

Madhuka heavy

The

pleasant

bodily wastes.

of

cases

of

fruit

known

and

diuretic.

and growth

cases

trees

of

are

digestion,

Vayu and Pittam.

Vayu

beneficial in

They prove

in their potenc)', refresh-

heavy of digestion, sweet in

in

are possessed of the virtue of

Urakshata, are pleasant, cooling ing,

cooling

rejuvenescent and subdues the

Kharjuras

of

beneficial

in

the blood, improves the intellect

It purifies

of hair,

is

cases

burning sensation

thirst,

and consumption.

skin,

in

and

are

taste,

laxative,

demulcent,

The}'

fever,

haemoptysis,

have a sweet

and prove curative

digestion

haemoptysis.

Drakshas, Kashmaryas,

in

The

haemoptysis.

tissue- building,

while their

and

taste,

prove

flowers of

unpleasant

and

subdues

the

fruit

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XLVI.]

Fruits such

as the

Vatama, Akshoda, Abhishuka, and Urumana,

Pichu, Nikochaka,

Nichula,

505

demulcent, heat-making in their potency, digestion, constructive, tonic,

and sweet

known

fruit

as

slightly bitter in taste, is

aromatic

pleasant, It

system.

the Lavali

improves a

and

They

in taste.

*

astringent and

is

and

for food,

relish

whole

the

refreshing to

Kapham and

subdues the

of

heavy

subdue the Vayu, Pittam and Kapham.

The

are

etc.

The

Pittam.

fruits

such as the Vasiram, and the Shitapakyam, as

well

as

the

stems of Bhallataka

and are long retained

digest

undigested condition.

in

They tend

trees,

stomach

the to

are hard

to

an

in

produce a state of

dryness in the organism, derange the Vayu, are cooling potency, sweet of digestion, and prove curative

in their

in cases of

The

haemoptysis.

known

fruits

as

the

Dantashatba have an extremely acid bring on an

attack of haemoptysis.

Tanka

as the

is

cooling in is

astringent taste,

The

fruit

known

heat-making

in

taste,

and subdues

Shami

fruit is

a

state

the

of

falling

64

and tend

taste

The

the to

known

fruit

potency, has a sweet and

heavy and generates the Vayu.

as the

its

its

and

Airavata

Aingudam

potency, has a the

Vdyu and

is

demulcent, and

and

bitter

Kapham.

The

sweet

heavy, sweet and heat-making, produces

parchedness off of

hair.

in

the

organism,

and helps

The Shleshmataka

fruit

is

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

5 o6

heavy of sweet

and cooling

in taste

such

Fruits

a

Akshaka

in

their

subdue the Vayu and Kapham. has a bitter and astringent taste. Pittam, acts as purgative,

and

heat-making

astringent

heat-making cases of

pungent

are

taste,

in digestion, keen,

their

in

worms

fruits

have

digestion,

potency and prove curative

the

in

Vayu and

in

pungent

intestines,

the bowels (Anaba) and

of

generates the

It

subdues the

It

oily.

They

these the Pilu

The Arushkara and Tauvaraka

Kapham. an

is

pungent

potency.

Of

and

Pilu

and

bittei

sweet,

and are heat-making

is

potency.

Karira,

have

Trinashunya taste,

the

in its

XLVI.

Chap.

Kapham, and

generates the

digestion,

[

in

fever, constipation

Meha.

Fruits such

as,

Karanja, Kinshuka, and Arisktaphalam (Nimva)

the are

and pungent

vermifugenous

prove curative

in

tumour), Ascites,

Piles

produces a

state

fruit

heat-making

in

its

Gulma

potency,

the body,

is

and pungent

in

in

dryness light,

(internal

The Vidanga

and Prameha. of

and

digestion,

of Leprosy,

cases

<

in

Vayu and Kapham and is slightly The Abhaya (Chebulic Myrobalans)

digestion, subdues the bitter

and

anti-toxic.

proves curative its

in

potency), and

corpulency

cases of ulcers,

acts as

a

is

heat-making

purgative, tends

to

(in

reduce

and subdues the deranged humours.

It

is

appetising and invigorating to the eye-sight, has an acid

and astringent

taste,

and proves curative

in

oedema and

Chap.

XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

cutaneous affections.

The Aksham

of purgative properties,

is

5 o;

fruit is

light (of digestion),

duces a state of •dryness in the organism.

making is

in

It

and prois

heat-

potency, produces hoarseness Aphonia),

its

a vermifuge and

astringent

possessed

the Pittam and

sweet

is

taste,

beneficial to the

is

in

and

digestion

The Puga

Kapham.

h#s

sight,

an

subdues

subdues the

fruit

Pittam and Kapham, produces a state of dryness in the

impurities, has

and

is

the

cleanses

organism,

mouth

a slightly

Phalam,

such

The

fruits

gent

subdue

properties.

the

etc.,

and

thirst

the

Jatikosha,

Phalam

Lavanga and the Karpura taste,

and

secretions

taste,

as

Kataka

the

all

sweet and astringent

possessed of laxative

and vegetables

of

the

Jati

Kakkolakam,

have a

bitter

are

Kapham,

punlight

in digestion,

and remove bad odours from the mouth

and cleanse

it

of

all

slightly bitter taste,

and

light in

the

is

mouth and

similar in

its

specially

diuretic.

the

is

seeds) of the

recommended

The

in

dryness of

The Lata-Kasturika

Karpura and

is

is

cooling and

pith of the Piyala fruit

pith (the kernel

Vaibhitaki

subdues the deranged or the kernel of the

potency,

spermatopoietic and subdues the

The

Pittam.

its

a

possessed of liquefacient

breath.

fetid

has a sweet taste,

Vayu and

It is

virtue to the

both laxative and

The Karpura has

aromatic, cooling in

is

digestion.

and

properties

impurities.

fruit is

Vayu and

Kola

fruit

found inside

intoxicating

Pittam.

The

and pith

has an astringent sweet

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

5 o8

taste,

subdues the Vayu and Pittam

Amalaka resembles

seed of the in its

The

properties.

r alla) s

The

nausea and vomiting.

alleviates

[

Chap. XLVI.

kernel

of the

named

the last

of such fruits

kernels

and

thirst

pith

the

as

Vijapuraka, Shampaka and Koshainra are sweet digestion, appetising, demulcent,

in

and subdue the Vayu

and Pittam. These kernels of seeds should be regarded as possessing identical properties as the pulps of the fruits

from which they had been extracted.

with

All fruits

the exception of Vilva are efficacious in their ripe and

The

matured condition.

latter

have

(Vilvas)

been

enjoined to be eaten unripe for medicinal purposes as well

as

with

view to

a

derive

a

greater

efficacy

from their use. Unripe Vilvas are astringent and appetising

their

in

effect,

heat-making

and have an astringent-pungent-bitter

which

Fruit,

rejected

the

as

blighted or

or that which has

other disease season, or

is

raw

that

unfit

fruit- group is

potency,

taste.

affected

grown

for

use.

in

by any

an improper

Here the description of

ended.

of

Potherbs

deal with the properties of potherbs.

creepers as the Pushpaphala, T

tro) the Pittam, generate the

Kapham.

their

or over-ripe, or worm-eaten, should be

The group

the

in

They tend

to

:— Now we The

shall

fruits of

such

Alavu and Kalindak

des-

Vayu, and slightly produce increase

the stool and urine, and are sweet

the discharge of

in taste

and digestion.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLVI. ]

Of these

the tender

Kushmandas

in their

heat-making

action of

some

all

in

are light in digestion,

potency, and contain a greater pro-

portion of alkalifte matter.

and pleasant

are appetising, diuretic

They

and tend to subdue the

their effect,

kinds of deranged humours, and proveVhole-

in cases of

The Kalindak

mental aberration, such

generates both the

It

Kapham, while an Alavu

is

and extremely cooling

in

as the bitter Alavu,

its is

is

heavy

in digestion

The

potency.

Vayu and Pittam.

such as the Trapusha, Ervaruka, Karkaru,

and Shirna-Vrinta are heavy

in

and long

digestion

retained in the stomach in an undigested state. palatable, cooling

tend to

facilitate

contain a

little

A

green

in

their

the

stomachic.

A

an acid

ripe

taste.

Kapham,

and

subdues

urine,

in taste.

the

Pittam,

of a pale yellow colour acts

the

Similarly,

event of ripe

its

possess-

Ervarukas

and

Karkarus generate the Vayu and Kapham, have sweet

taste,

matter.

as

and yellow Trapusham tends

to subdue the Pittam only in

ing

stool

matter, and are sweet

and tender cucumber is

of

are

They

potency, generate

discharge

alkaline

while one which a

species,

unpalatable and has an

emetic property, and subdues the

fruits

Wiyu and

a purgative, produces a con-

dition of parchedness in the system,

The

as, insanity, etc.

tends to reduce the quantity of semen and

impairs the eye- sight.

known

509

a

and are found to be charged with alkaline

They

are appetising, relishing and

do not

inordi-

THE SUSHRUTA

5 io

nately generate the

melon) contains a It

purgative.

appetising in of

SAMHITA'.

A

Pittam.

little

its

Shirna-Vrinta (water

alkaline

generates the

Kapham?

The

and herbs include the Ardraka,

Hingu,

Sumukha,

Jamviraka,

Kshavaka,

Ksharapushpa,

Phanijhyaka,

pleasing

and

Sarshapa,

Gandira, Tilaparnika,

Pippali, Maricha,

Kustumvuru,

Jiraka,

Surasa,

Kasamaraddka,

Sugandhaka,

is

sweet, and

property, and proves curative in cases

Ashthila\

Shringavera,

is

matter,

Anaha and spices

[Chap. XLVI.

Arjaka,

Bhustrina,

Kalamala,

Kutheraka,

Madhu-Shigru,

Shigru,

Kulahala,

Rajika,

Varshabhu,

Chitraka,

Benu,

Mulaka-

Potika, Lashuna, Palandu and Kalaya, etc.

Metrical Texts :— Potherbs are

taste,

and

relishing,

subdue

the

and heat-making

Vayu

and

have a pungent in their

potency,

They are Of the above- said

Kapham.

variously used for seasoning food. spices

and herbs, the unripe or immature Pippali

heavy

in

is

digestion, sweet in taste, cooling in potencv

and generates Kapham. Dried acts

as

Pittam. tion,

Fippali a

subdues the

and

Vayu

spermatopoietic and slightly

Green or unmatured Maricha

heavy and phlegmagoguic

Maricha has

a pungent taste,

is

in

soothes

the

sweet of diees-

its

effect.

Diy

light of digestion and

heat-making

in its potency.

destroys the

Vayu and Kapham, and

It is

is

Kapham,

anti-spermatopoietic, slightly

subdues

Chap. XLVI.

SUTKASTHANAM.

]

The white Maricha

the Pittam.

nor too heat-making in

its

has

Vayu,

It is

digestion.

a

to

pungent

heat-making

food.

It

is

and

and

taste,

in its

H

cooling

efficacious

is

specially

The Nagaram

spermatopoietic and aphrodisiac, a relish

more

is

varieties

invigorating to the eye-sight.

the

neither too

is

potency,

two "preceding

than the

5

destroys s\\*eet

is

acts

potency,

as

of

a

pleasant and imparts

is

light of digestion,

appetising,

and charged with an oily substance.

The Ardrakani

has a pungent taste,

in

acts

as

colic pain

heat-making

its

potency,

relieves

colic

Hingu

stool is

is

of

digestion,

demulcent, laxative and sharp, and iand

indigestion

in its

relish

to

suppression

or yellow)

potency, pungent food.

appetising and aromatic,

destroys the

and distension

light

The Jiraka (whether white

and imparts a

relieves

potency, acts as a digestant, and

pain,

and heat-making

and

subdues the Vayu and Kapham, has a

It

appetising. taste,

as

The

in its

pungent

is

beneficial to the voice,

and suppression of the

stomach.

of the

stool.

heat-making

a pleasant spermatopoietic, subdues the Vayu

and Kapham, proves

is

is

It

increases

like

sharp

digestion

has a pungent taste, the

Vayu and Kapham. The

Karavi and Karavi,

in

is

of

the

Pittam, and

species,

known

Upakunchika, are

possessed of properties similar to those of the aforesaid Jiraka,

and are variously used

and condiments. ander seeds)

is

Raw

m

or undried

seasoning

Kustumvari

dishes (cori-

sweet, aromatic and pleasant, while in

its

THE SUSHRUTA

512 dried state

allays thirst, skin.

It

sweet

it is

and

SAMHITA'.

in digestion, acts as a

has a slightly bitter and pungent

purifies, its

internal

tends

to

tends

taste,

body and

the

of

Jamvira

channels.

sharp and acts as a vermifuge.

Kapham, and

demulcent,

alleviates the burning sensation of the

subdue the deranged humours

to

XLVi.

[Chap.

is

digestant,

subdues the Vayu and

It

aromatic, appetising and pleasant.

is

remove the bad

alleviates cough, dyspnoea

taste

in

It

and

the mouth,

and diseases due to the action

deranged Vayu and Kapham or due to poison. The Surasa generates the Pittam, relieves the colic and of the

pain at the

sides,

while the

Sumukha

is

said

be

to

possessed of the same properties with the exception that it

the effects

neutralises

of

poisons brought

about

through the chemical combination (of several incompatible substances in the organism).

The herbs known

the Surasa, Arjaka and Bhustrina destroy the are light of digestion,

parchedness

in

the

and tend to produce a

organism.

They

are

as

Kapham, state

of

demulcent,

generate the Pittam, and are heat-making in their potency

and pungent the

in

taste

and

Kasamardaka has

a bitter and

subdues the Vayu and Kapham, the

throat and

specially

Shigru has a pungent,

The herb

digestion.

is

taste.

It

a digestant, cleanses

subdues

alkaline,

sweet

called

the

Pittam.

The

sweet and bitter taste

and generates the Pittam, while the Madhu- Shigru variety

is

laxative, has a bitter

appetising and

and pungent

removes cedematous

taste;

swelling of

is

the

XL vi

Chap.

" .

s CI

]

The Sarshapa

body.

R A ST H A N A M

513

.

known

herbs, as well as those

as

Gandira and Vega, can be but imperfectly digested. They tend to suppress the discharge of stool and urine,

sharp and heat-making in

organism, are

in the

produce a state of dryness

potency, and serve to

their

derange the three fundamental humours of the body.

The

herbs called Chitraka and Tilaparni are light 'of diges-

and subdue the

tion),

herb

known

as the It

Kapham.

and

Kapham

The

oedema.

Varshabhu subdues the Vayu and

proves beneficial in

abdominal dropsy and a pungent bitter taste.

The Mulaka-Potika has

piles. It

is

of oedema,

cases

pleasant, appetising, light

and throat- cleansing, tends to impart a greater

and subdues the action of

to food,

Raw

humours. species

is

stomach

heavy

in

kinds of deranged

immature Mulaka of the

or in

all

digestion

an undigested

and long retained

state.

relish

It

is

tends to produce a derangement of the

larger in the

irritating

three

of the body, while boiled with oil or butter

it

and

humours acts as a

demulcent and subdues the Vayu, Pittam and Kapham. Dried Mulaka subdues the

humours.

deranged

(of digestion).

preceding

It

is

action

of

anti-toxic

the

three

and

light

All dried herbs with the exception of the

one generate the Vayu and take a

long

time to be digested.

The

properties

Mulaka bulb 65

in

described in connection its

different

stages

of

with the

growth

and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

514

can

conditions leaves

and

be

also

fruits

and Kapham,

the

and

heat-making, laxative.

has

It

while

their

pungent,

a palatable

its

flowers,

flowers subdue

subdues

fruit

Rasona

Kapham.

sharp,

to

Mulaka

respectively.

the Pittam

Vayu

attributed

[Chap. XLVI.

is

demulcent,

and

taste

and

heavy

slimy,

is

tonic,

spermatopoietic,and tends to improve the voice, intellect

and complexion and to bring about an adhesion of fractured bones. fever, for

It alleviates heart-disease,

Kukshi-Shula,

Vivandha,

food,

cough, asthma,

appetite, swelling (Shopha),

Vayu and Kapham. making heavy,

in

its

tonic

the Pittam and

The

species,

is

has

appetising. It

known

demulcent, cooling

in its

non-relish

dulness of

worms and diseases due

potency,

Kapham.

Kushtha,

piles,

Palandu

and

Gulma,

indigestion,

a

to the

not excessively heata It

pungent slightly

is

taste,

generates

subdues the Vayu. the

as

Kshira-Palandu,

is

potency, and relishing, imparts

a steadiness to the fundamental principles of the body, is

tonic,

intellect

heavy,

promotes the growth of

and increases the slimy

Kapham.

proves

The potherbs

haemoptysis.

the

and

flesh,

beneficial

called

improves the It is palatable,

in

in

taste in the

mouth.

leaves

are

heavy

digestion, and leave an astringent

and sweet

of plants

and

trees

of

Kalaya subdue

Pittam and Kapham, generate Vayu,

The

cases

known

after-

as

the

Chap. XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

5

,

5

Chuchchu, Juthika, Taruni, Jivanti, Vimvitika, Xandi, Bhallataka, Chagalantri, Vrikshadani, Shelu,

and

Of

these, the

to

a

as

acts

light

Chuchchu

is

It is

slimy,

the

the

subdue the

tonic.

The

and

eyes

The

humours.

deranged plant

to

Vayu.

astringent

in

proves beneficial in

Jivanti

subdues

of the

Phanji

leaves

leaves of trees

or

plants

three

herb kinds

all

leaves

and

taste

of the

action

The

and

digestion,

astringent

deranged humours (Tridosha). beneficial

of

light

tends to subdue

It

are

digestion (easily digestible). is

and

sweet

slibdue

They

haemoptysis.

Vayu and

of

vermifuge.

ulcers,

action.

in

the

Kapham, generate

their action

and

have an astringent, sweet and bitter

and prove curative

taste,

the

etc.,

Shalmali,

Karvudara

Shana,

Vanashpa*ti-prasava,

Kovidara

Phanji,

is

of

Vrikshadani are

slightly

belonging

to

the

Kshira-Vriksha or to the Utpala group are cool-

ing

in their

action,

potency,

and prove

astringent

beneficial

in

in

their

taste

and

dysentery, (intestinal

haemorrhage) and haemoptysis.

The

leaves

Uruvuka (white heat-making bitter taste

of

the

castor),

in their

Punarnava,

Varuna,

Vatsadani, and Vilva

potency, and have

a

Tarkari, etc.,

are

sweet and

and pacify the deranged Vayu. Of these, the

Punarnava are specially possessed

of

the virtue

of

removing oedema (Shopha).

The

potherbs, such

as the

Tanduliyaka, Upodika,

Z

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

6

Ashvavala, laxative taste.

Palankya, and

Chilli,

and

They

Vastuka

etc.,

are

and have a sweet and alkaline

diuretic,

Vayu and Kapham,

generate the

slightly

[Chap. XLVI.

and cure haemoptysis.

Metrical Text as

the Tanduliya

—Of

:

known

these, the species

sweet in taste and digestion, and

is

proves curative in cases of haemoptysis and somnolence (due to the

effects

and extremely cooling

It is antitoxic

and produces a

The Upodika It

is

of poison, wine or vitiated blood).

state

species

spermatopoietic,

demulcent and subdues

tonic.

of parchedness

sweet

is

is

in

the system.

tonic.

is

It

a

in

the

to subdue

kinds of deranged humours

ties,

and

while those the

of the

Palankya

Tanduliya.

It

in

tends to suppress the discharge of

proves remedial

Pittam.

to

the

digestion),

relishing,

and tends

in

its

proper-

with

identical

is

the

Vtfvu,

system, and

the

stool

deranged

and

of the body.

generates

produces a state of parchedness

The

intellect

species Chilli resembles the Vastuka

those, of

It

(in

improves the

alkaline, laxative

laxative,

system.

pungent

is

The

and digestion.

Kapham, and

generates the

It

digestion and all

potency,

anti-narcotic, cooling,

species called the Vastuka

vermifuge, and

its

taste

in

Vayu and Pittam

the

in

and

urine.

Kapham

The potherbs Ashvavala produces

and

a condition

of dryness in the organism and tends to suppress the discharge of stool and urine and

Vayu

(emission of

flatus).

XLVI.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

The potherbs Mandukaparni,

517

plants)

such as the

Sunishannaka,

Suvarchala,

(leaves of edible Saptala,

Kaka-

Brahma-suvarchala, Pippali, Guduchi, Gojihva, machij

Prapunnada, Avalguja, Patola,

Kantakarika-phala,

Katukika,

Vrihati-phala,

Vartaku,

Kara'fellaka,

Kevuka, Uruvuka, Parpataka,

Karkotaka, Arishta, shaka,

Satina,

Arkapushpi,

prove curative

are

etc.,

Kiratatikta,

Karira, Ataru-

Vetra,

Koshataki,

and palatable, and

light

haemoptysis, Kushtha, Meha, fever,

in

dyspnoea, cough and create a relish for food.

Metrical Texts :— The

Mandukaparni and

the

Gojihvika

the

former being astringent and

sweet

Pittam, its

alike

and

taste

in

their

in

is

any acid reaction.

It*

tends to subdue the

and

it

also

arrests

The Abulguja has tion

The gent

a

three

unattended

is

bitter

its

with

action and

deranged bodily humours,

evacuations

the

in

The Sunishannaka

astringent in

is

the

to

cooling

digestion,

and

digested

easily

properties,

beneficial

potency and of easy digestion.

species

taste,

is

of

the

bowels. in diges-

pungent

and subdues the deranged Pittam and Kapham. potherb Satina in taste

humours is

are

species

neither

is

bitter

slightly

and

astrin-

and tends to subdue the three deranged

The

of

the

too

cooling nor too

potency

and

subdues

the

body.

removes deranged

Kakamachi

heat-making

cutaneous

humours

as

affections.

the

herb in

its

It

preceding

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

5 i8

The

species.

light

an

has

plants

of

(Kushtha), and

of

in

the

cutaneous

of the

and

taste)

and

The)'

herbs and

tender shoots of bitter

The

The

alkaline

is

The

Pittam.

such as

and

(in

its

Karkotakam of properties

the preceding species creepers

has a

It

the

i

Vartakam

.

Atarushaka,

Parpataka and Guduchi together with the

Kiratatikta,

a

ulcers,

relishing

light,

Karavellakam are possessed of

creeper

to

subdue the deranged

Vartakam

and generates the

similar to those

The

is

taste,

Matured

the

and

without producing the Vayu.

pungent

appetising.

diseases

Patola

Vartakam subdues the Vayu and Kapham. bitter

proves

V£yu

deranged

is

heat-making, spermatopoietic,

digestion,

Kapham

and

are beneficial

The}-

relishing and appetising.

Pittam and

and

itch

and

taste,

vermicide

leaves and fruit

bitter taste.

bitter

Vrihati

of;

species

and

is

subdues

The

Kapham.

pungent

It

cases

in

two

(the

astringent

digestion.

curative

have a

of

fruit

xlvi.

Chap.

f

taste

Vetra

the

and

and

the

Nimva,

have

subdue the Pittam and Kapham.

leaves of the Varuna and Prapunnada destroy the

deranged

Kapham and

give

dryness in the system.

They

rise

to

are

cooling in their potency, and tend to

the bodily

Vayu and

Kalashakam

Pittam.

are appetising

a

light

condition

of

of digestion,

enrage or agitate

The potherbs known

and pungent

in taste

as

and tend

to neutralise the effects of poison originated through the

chemical

action

of

two

incompatible substances

in

the

a

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLVL]

Chap.

The

organism.

sweet the

in

and

taste,

of

light

Kapham. The taste.

The

and produces It

organism.

It

is

a condition

and

digestion,

subdues the deranged

the

Changeri has an acid, astrin-

called

its

It

is

Kapham and

mesenteric disorders (Grahani) and

the

of

leaves

Kurantika

Kuntalika,

etc.,

digestion and cooling

They

and produce

a

leave

taste.

The

well as the its is

as

Jatuka,

Triparnika,

Kuruvaka,

Kathinjara,

sweet

are

in

of dryness

laxative,

and

taste

They subdue generate

in

the

mouth

the organism.

and generate the Vayu. have a sweet and

species Kurantika

has an astringent

species called the Rajakshavak-Shakam,

as

one called Sathi-Shakam,

in

not hostile to

the

cases of

as Kuntalika

property, cooling in

(subdues

cases of

saline after-taste in the

a

condition

The

in

heat-

piles.

not inordinately

They are alkaline and The potherbs known bitter taste.

curative

their potency.

in

Kapham and do

Pittam.

Lonika,

Suvarchala,

Jivaka,

and

appetising

proves beneficial in

potency,

deranged Vayu and

the

potency

Vayu and subdues the Pittam.

in

Pattura,

its

species called Xalika-shakam has^i sweet

gent and sweet taste.

The

in

heat-making

of dryness

generates the

species

making

Kaushumbha has

called

species

5I g

D.R.)

its

not

enrage

humours.

Harimanthajam

astringent

potency, easily digestible and

(does

the

is

is

sweet

The in

or

aggravate),

species taste

and

known diges-

S

THE SUSliRUTA SAMHITA.

20 but

tion us

Kalayam

and sweet

to

difficult

is

(leaves of the

in taste.

It

The

digest.

[Chap. XLVI.

species

Matara pulse

produces

tends

to.

tions

in

The

dislodge the deranged

the

upper part

of

the'

humours from the body

oedema and anasarca.

The

their loca-

Sramsanam).

and pungent

in

and

are pungent in

Tamvula

are sharp,

potency; and bitter,

astringent

leaves of the

(in their

heat-making

It

and subdue the Vayu and

digestion, easily digestible

Kapham.

They

in

Vayu.

Putikaranjas are heat- making in their potency

alleviate

the

purgative

state of dryness

a

organism and extremely generates

the

is

known

taste.

They

tend to aggravate

the

Pittam, are aromatic, prove beneficial to the voice, and

remove viscidness

Kapham and Vayu in digestion

gent

the

in

in the

system, are

appetising,

it

of

the

pacify

and deodorant, and tend to

the fetid smell in the mouth, cleanse

and

They

organism.

all

pun-

remove

impurities

alleviate all itching sensations experienced inside its

This ends the description of potherbs.

cavity.

The Flower Croup :— The trees as v the Kovidara, Shana, taste

and digestion and

The

haemoptysis

have a alleviate

bitter

a

and Shalmali are sweet

prove

curative

flowers of the Vrisha

taste,

are

of such

flowers

pungent

in

wasting cough (Phthisis).

in

in

cases ol

and Agastya

digestion

The

and

flowers of

the Madhu-shigru and Karira are pungent in digestion.

They destroy

the

Vayu and

increase

the discharge

of

Chap.

XLvi.

stool

SUTRASTHANAM.

J

and

The Agastya

urine.

521

flower

cooling nor inordinately heat- making

and proves specially

beneficial

The

blindness (Nyctalopia).

The Padma has cooling

in

Pittam

and

its

and

ing in

its

a

flowers

night-

Rakta-

the

of

slightly

differ

as

the

from

The

prove

sweet

taste,

is

and subdues the deranged

The Kumuda has

a

sweet

and

cool-

varieties

of the

same

Kuvalayam and the Utpalam,

the

preceding varieties in their

Sindhuvaram

of destroying the flowers

and

bitter

The two

potency.

and

demulcent, pleasing

slimy,

known

Malati

of

cases

in

potency

Kushtham).

potency,

is

properties.

(

Kapham.

species

virtue

its

subdue the Pittam and Kapham,

curative in skin diseases

taste,

in

neither too

Ximva, Mushkaka, Arka, Asana and Kutaja

Vriksha, trees

is

have a

Pittam. bitter

renowned

is

The Mallika

taste

Pittam owing to their sweet scent.

for

its

and

and subdue the

The Vakulas,

like

the Patala flowers, are sweet smelling and pleasant, their

pleasing and

odoriferous property instantaneously per-

meates the whole system. The

Kumkumum, Kapham.

is

antitoxic

It is

Kapham and 66

lik.e

is

curative

in

cases

both cooling and heat-making

potency and subdues the

Kinshukam,

(flower),

like

Pittam.

the

the

and subdues the Pittam and

The Champakam

hcemoptysis.

Nagam

deranged

Kurantakam,

Kapham. subdues

in

of its

The the

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

5 22

A

flower should be

same

the

it

is

Madhu-Shtgru

as

The

grows.

in

pungent

(

of

possessed

which are natural to the

properties

plant on which

understood

[Chap.XLVi.

tehder stem)

tree or

of the

and subdues the

taste

deranged Kapham.

The Kshavaka, sprouts of Vansha,

Kulechara, and

the

the

tender

generate the deranged Kapham,

etc.,

and tend to increase the

of

discharge

and

stool

urine.

Metrical Texts

:

—The Kshavakam

helps the

germination of

worms

sweet

and tends to increase the secretions of

in taste,

the internal organs.

in the intestines.

It

the

body.

The tender

Kapham and are sweet

Pittam and

the

not inordinately increase

in

taste

in

Kapham

Venn

of

sprouts

slimy and

Vayu and does

the

generates

It is

generate

and digestion.

They

can be but imperfectly digested and produce the Vayu in the

organism.

They have

and tend to produce a

state

a

slightly

of extreme

astringent taste

parchedness in

the system.

The

Udbhida Group :—Mushrooms

generally found to grow

on stacks of straw (Palala),

or are seen vegetating on the stems of

sugar-cane (Ikshu surface

heap those

of

,

or as sprouting

bamboo (Venn)

or

up from beneath the

the ground (Udbhida),

of decomposed

are

or growing

on a

Of

these,

cow- dung (Karisha.)

which grow on stacks of (decomposed) straw

Chap. XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

(Palalam) are sweet

523

and digestion and tend to

in taste

produce a state of dryness

the

in

organism.

They

subdue the three'deranged humours of the body.

Those

which vegetate on the stems of sugar-canes (Ikshujam) have a sweet pungent after-taste

potency.

dung

the

in

leave an astringent

They

mouth and

are

then-

in

cooling

Mushrooms

growing on decomposed cow-

should

be regarded as possessed of

Karisha)

(

taste.

properties similar to those of the preceding class.

aggravate the Vayu, are heat-making

and have an astringent the stems of

in their

They

potency,

Those which vegetate on

taste.

bamboos (Venuja) have an astringent

taste

and tend to enrage or aggravate the

bodily

Mushrooms which grow on the ground

(Bhtimija) are

Vayu.

heavy of digestion and do not inordinately generate the

varying according to the

Vayu, their tastes

soil

they grow on. •

Pinya'ka Group powder

or cake

oil-mill),

sesamum out),

of which the

Pinyaka (levigated

enrage

all

an

levigated

(the

powder

of

has been similarly pressed

into

pills

(leaves

or

and stems

balls)

tend to

the deranged humours.

Metrical retained

made

in

mustard pressed

and the Sthunika-shuska-Shaka

of plants pasted and

thus

oil

—The' or

of linseed

Tilakalka

the

:

in

Texts: — Sthunika stomach

the

giving rise

to

a

in

distension

balls

are

long

an undigested state, of that

organ,

and

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

5 24

tend

to

Moist Sindakis

Mulaka,

and

are

moist.

and

are

the

spices

the

aggravate

stems

and pasted

and

the

of

with pungent

made

then

Vayu.

bodily

and

(leaves

etc. slightly boiled

aromatic

There>

or

enrage

XLVI.

[Chap.

into

balls.)

two kinds of Sindakis the dry and the

They

generate the

tend to impart a

Vayu and

greater

are

to

relish

appetising, food.

All

sweet or palatable potherbs are purgative and heavy of digestion, produce a state of dryness in the organism, are

generally

stomach

They

in

indigestible

an undigested

marked with

are

and long retained state,

a shade

causing of the

it

the

in

to distend.

astringent in

their taste.

Of

flowers,

succeeding one

leaves, is

fruits,

stems and bulbs,

each

heavier (of digestion) than the one

immediately preceding

it

in

the order of enumeration.

Potherbs and leaves of edible plants which are found to

be rough or petrified or worm-eaten, as well as

those growing on an improper or incongenial

making

their

the year,

appearance

in

soil,

or

an unnatural season

of

should be rejected as unfit for use.

This

ends the description of the Pushpa-shakas.

The Bulb Group :— Now on the

we

shall

discourse

virtues of edible bulbous plants or herbs (Kandas).

The bulbs

of plants and creepers such as the Vidari-kanda,

Shatavari, Visha (bulbs of the lotus plant), Mrinala (the

upper stem of the lotus plant)/. Shringataka, Kasheruka,

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

Chap, xlvi.j

Madhvaluka,

Pindaluka,

sweet

their

in

in

The

tive tonic

sweet

a

and

is

their potency,

the

in

known

bulb

Thev and

quantities

large

augment the quantity of milk

Kanda has

etc.

Utpala

and heavy of digestion.

taste

mother.

in

cooling

tend to increase the semen

human

and

Indivara

are

haemoptysis,

Kasthaluka,

Hastyaluka,

Shankhaluka, Raktaluka, alleviate

525

of

breast

the

as

a

Viddri-

and acts as a construc-

taste,

It

spermatopoietic.

is

cooling

in

its

potency, beneficial to the voice, and imparts strength to the system.

extremely diuretic and subdues the

It is

The

Vayu and Pittam. taste

bitter

Vayu and sized

and

The

curative in

tive,

and cooling

Visham* is

stances

lining

proves

though

and

appetising

diarrhoea

(Grahani)

membranous

in

under

falls

be

but

Kapham.

of

as the

a

in

an undigested

category of sub-

partially

lotus-stem

Mrin&lam.

The

of haemoptysis,

cases

the

bitter

are

It

digested.

— though certain authorities aver that the

fibres

known

and

Pittam

under-sprouts

have a

Shatavari)

the stomach

in

can

The

potency.

curative

it

which

outer covering being

its

the

Bulbs of lotus plants or

mesenteric

(large-sized

long retained

state,

*

in

and subdue

taste

large-

spermatopoietic, rejuvenating, restora-

is

of this creeper

and

of

cases

and

palatable

the

the

improves the intellect and proves

latter

piles,

and

and

subdues

the one belonging to

being

and

It

spermatopoietic.

Pittam,

species

tonic.

is

has a sweet

Shatavari

called

inner

Visha,

the

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

^26 is

to

producing a condition of dryness

digest,

known

is

hard

in

the

and

Kasheruka are heavy of digestion, are long

re-

'

tained

ates the

bulbs

the stomach

in

are cooling in

their

Kapham,

in

an undigested

heavy of

is

pungent

dues the

The

The Surendrakanda

sprouts of the

The bulbs (Kanda) known

and pungent

and tends to

digestion,

etc.

as

Venu

are

Sthula-Kanda, Shurana-

have

a

slightly astringent

and tend to produce a

taste,

dryness in the organism.

They

state

in

in

the

as

the

an undigested condition.

Metrical texts Manaka

of

are heavy of digestion,

and subdue the Pittam, and are long retained stomach

heavy

Kapham and V£yu.

of digestion, and tend to enrage the

Kanda, and Manaka,

gener-

generates the Pittam and sub-

in digestion,

Kapham.

and

state,

The Pindalukam

potency.

enrage or agitate the bodily Vayu. is

XLVI.

as the 'Shringataka

The

organism. the

Vayu, and

generates the

tasteless or insipid,

[Chap.

is

sweet,

:— The

and cooling

known

species in

its

potency

and

heavy of digestion, while the one called the Sthula Kanda, is not inordinately heat-making

The

Surana

species

in cases of piles

The

bulbs

Utpala are

and

of

and such

is

in

its

rectal

polypi

and condylomata.

aquatic plants as the

Padma have an

sweet in digestion.

potency.

usually found to be curative

They

astringent are

potency and tend to enrage the

cooling

Vayu

Kumuda, taste in

and their

and pacify

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XLVI.]

or subdue the deranged

Vrahakanda

the

and

is

is

efficacious

proves

diseases

parasites

digestion,

piths of such

are

trees,

sweet

curative

in

poietic.

The}*

Kapham

in

in

cases

as taste

the

due

skin

and digestion.

the

to

The

intestines.

the Tala, Narikela,

top-

Kharjura

They prove

and are spermato-

subdue the Vayu

and generate

the

which are

ex-

Edible bulbs,

tremel3' tender or immature,

sprouting in

Kapham,

Meha,

ailments

in

of haemoptysis,

the body.

the

of

cases

in

in

subdues

It

and

(Kushtham),

presence of

etc.,

and

taste

in

as

possessed of spermatopoietic, tonic, rejuvenating

and restorative properties.

and

The bulb known

Pittam.

pungent

527

diseased,

decomposed

or

an improper season of the year, or are

worm-eaten, should be rejected as

unfit

This

use.

for

finishes the description of the bulb group.

The Salt Gnoup different varieties of salt

(Lavana

Varga) :— The

such as the

Saindhava, the

Samudra, the Vida, the Sauvarchala, the Romaka and

Audbhidam (prepared from vegetable should be successively deemed as more the

alkali), etc.,

heat,

Vayu,

Kapham, and Pittam making, and more demulcent, sweeter and more purgative and diuretic, considered in the inverse order of enumeration.

Saindhava relishing, in

salt is beneficial

light,

digestion,

to

the

eyes,

palatable,

appetising, demulcent, slightly

spermatopoietic

and

cooling

sweet in

its

THE StJSHRUTA SAMHITA.

528

It

potency. in

is

one of

combating the

of

the

(sea-brine)

nately neat-making

of

the deranged humours

in

in its

and not

digestion,

It

potency.

inordi-

not indiges-

is

but purgative, slightly demulcent, and does not

tible,

ordinately generate the Pittam, and colic pain

a

Samudram

called "the

variety

sweet

is

the most potent auxiliaries

action

The

body.

[Chap. XLVi.

little

The

(Shula).

alkaline (in

to produce a

and proves

its

condition

is

Vida

as

in its

deranged bodily Vayu to aflow

the

heat-making

in its potency,

in dis-

salt

by

is

any

removing

of digestion,

light

and pungent

appetising, has an agreeable aroma,

in taste.

removes any

It

cases of abdominal glands, colic pain

scybala

and

the bowels.

in

intensely

the whole

pungent

Its

system

and

light

immediately of

salt

action

after

digestion.

in

and incarceration

Romaka

heat-making.

is

viscid-

ness from the internal organism, and proves curative

of

is

normal state (restoring or

nerve-current

Sauvarchala

and

potency, and restores the

its

obstruction).

tends

imparts a relish to food,

It

is

the organism,

beneficial in cases of colic (Shula,)

sharp and heat-making

salt

It

appetising.

of dryness in

eases affecting the heart.

setting

and

in attacks of

good

known

variety

taste)

is

in-

It

its

is

sharp

permeates use,

and

subdues

is

the

Vayu, tends to increase the secretion of the internal organs,

body, salt

is

enters

and light,

into

is

the minutest capillaries

purgative

sharp,

and

diuretic.

and heat- making

in its

of

the

Audbhida potency.

Chap.

XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

moistener to the internal organs, has a pung-

It acts as a

ent bitter taste, and alkali.

is

charged with a small quantity of

permeates the minutest

It

to restore the deranged

to

Vayu

Gutika

salt destroys the

and

vermifugal, appetising,

It

is

and tends

capillaries,

normal condition.

its

deranged Vayu and Ka*pham, digestant and purgative.

tends to aggravate the Pittam and acts as an inter-

nal liquefacient or antifat.

mine a

529

The

quarried from a salt

salt

situated at the foot of a hill (Shailamulaja), or from

(Valukelam) or

sandy

alkaline

soil

(Ushakshara\

has a pungent taste, and helps the disintegration of etc.

Kapham, (Katu)

It

(Chhedij.

called

also

is

pungent

salt.

The group of alkali

varieties

of

Alkalis :— The such

(Kshara)

the

as

different

Javakshara

^Carbonate of potash), the Svarjikakshara, the Pakima

and

Tankana

the

mesenteric

diarrhoea,

the bladder.

All

be regarded

as

properties.

known

as

and

these

the

inflammatory as

of is

heemoptysis.

Javakshara fire,

known Of

They

are

to

and

piles,

stone

alkali

these,

or

in

should

stomachic

have brought the varieties are

Svarjikakshara

and they tend to reduce Kapham, stool etc.), piles,

abdominal glands and prove curative

67

of

digestant

remove Vibondha (suppression of

spleen.

glands,

and

gravel

varieties

possessed

Their abuse

about cases of

abdominal

cure

and

in cases of enlarged

anti-spermatopoietic.

The

alkali

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

sso

known

Usharakshara

as

is

in

heat-making

and subdues the deranged V3yu.

[Chap. XLVI.

its

potency,

tends to increase

It

the slimy (mucous) secretions in the organs and

is

detri-

mental to the strength of the body. The variety called

Pdkima and

tends

increased

to

alkali

all its

known

contents

as the

a

free

thus fully relievbladder-cleanser).

:

(lit

Tankanakshara (borax) tends

produce a condition of dryness

generates the Vayu, subdues the It is

tising in its property.

causes

obesity,

of urine,

discharge

ing the bladder of

The

reduce

to

the organism,

in

Kapham, and

is

appe-

moreover known to bring

about a derangement of the Pittam, and

is

sharp

in its

potency.

The Metal group — Gold :

agreeable taste, acts as a tonic or

has a sweet and

restorative elixir, im-

and subdues the action

parts

rotundity to the body,

of

the three deranged humours of the body.

all

cooling and antitoxic

its

(in its

and astringent

taste,

It

Kansya Indian as a liquefacient

Vayu, and Vayu,

is

is

is

laxative

and

potency), presents a glossy or oily aspect,

and destroys the Pittam and Vayu.

sive agent.

is

potency and invigorates

Silver has an acid taste,

the eyesight. cooling

in

It

and acts as a liquefacient and corro-

laxative

is

bell -metal)

agent.

It

and cooling

its

in its

potency.

has a bitter taste, and acts

subdues the

beneficial to the

cooling in

Copper has a sweet

eyesight.

Kapham and Iron generates

potency, allays thirst and subdues

StJTRASTHANAM.

xlvL]

Chap.

the deranged Pittam and

53I

Zinc and lead are

Kapham.

vermifugal, as well as liquefacient and corrosive.

have a

saline taste.

Vaidurya

(lapis

They

diamonds, sapphires,

Pearls, corals,

are

lazuli), crystals, etc.

the sight, and cooling in their potency.

beneficial

are

They

anti-

toxic

and

They

are possessed of sacred prophylactic virtues,

act

as

men who wear

bring good luck to their wearers

from

of the salt group

is

all

corrosive

agents.

and

them, and cleanse

Thus the

impurities.

description

ended.

Metrical texts —The :

mine the properties of etc.,

or

liquefacient

to

cereals,

deter-

intelligent shall flesh,

fruits,

potherbs,

(other than those described under their respective

heads

in the

present chapter), which should

mined with the help of as from the

well

principles

Shastika,

respective

tastes,

as

nature of the predominant material

which enter barley,

their

be deter-

'

wheat,

into

their

The

composition.

Rakta-Shali, and the

pulses

Mudga, the Adhakia, and the Masura should be regarded as the best and by far the most such

as

nutritious

the

of the cereals which

fall

under the respective

heads of the Paddy Group (Dhanyavarga). of the jala,

Lava,

Mayura

Tittiri,

Saranga, Kuranga,

(peacock),

mals respectively belonging to their fruits,

those

called

Ena,

Varmi and Kurma

should be regarded as the best of those of

Dddimva,

own

The

all

Kapin(tortoise)

other ani-

species.

A'malaka,

flesh

Of

Drdkshd,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

532

Kharjura, be

should

and

considered

Mandakaparni, and Jivanti

Chilli,

•

known

those-

Chuchchuka,

Vdstuka,

Satina,

Mdtulunga commendable

most

the

as

Of potherbs

efficacious.

and

Rajadana

Parushaka,

[Chap. XLVT.

Mulaka-Potikd,

should be

regarded as

possessed of the most commendable properties.

milk

is

the

as

Cow's

the best of milks, and similarly, clarified butter

made from the milk

of a

cow should be considered

pre-eminently the best and the most efficacious

as of

clarified butters.

Saindhava Dhdtri the

salt

and Dddimva

acid kinds

and

Patola

highest place

the

in

of

fruit.

the modifications

all

is

Sugar

Madvirka and Asava

is

as well ripe

as

fruit,

deemed

pungent, vegetable

occupy

sweet

articles.

all

the

are

best

of

sugar-cane juice,

(lit

:

fresh

all

the best of

while

the best of

all

paddy) of a year's

year after being harvested,

The

flesh of a

young animal,

well-cooked rice prepared, that day,

and

all

of

(grape-juice) are

the most efficacious.

all

pre-eminently

of the

standing or matured for a

of

bitter

all

of

best

butter

list

Similarly, the corn

cordials.

the

salts.

clarified

Pugaphalam and Parushakam astringent

other

all

Ndgara

Vdrtdkam

Honey and

of

are

fruit

Pippali and

;

and

substances.

the

the best

is

fully

and tender potherbs should be

as the best of their respective kinds.

The kritarma varga

:-

Now we

shall fully

XLVI.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

with the

deal

food

A

(Kritannas).

and

cooked

of

properties

533

(Manda) of

gruel

prepared

fried

paddy

seasoned with powdered Pippali and Nagara proves a

wholesome

diet to a patient after the exhibition of pur-

and emetics, inasmuch

gatives

as

it is

digestant f appeti-

sing and agreeable, and tends to restore the bodily to

its

normal condition.

light of digestion,

allays thirst

Peyd

diuretic

Vayu

diaphoretic, appetising, It

bladder-cleanser).

:

(lit

and hunger, and tends to remove the sense

and exhaustion.

of fatigue

is

impaired appetite and restore

deranged Vayu to

its

serves

It

(lit

:

to

soothes

normal condition.

rekindle an

down) the

Vilepi

acts

an emulcent food and soothes the entire organism.

as

It is

tonic,

and imparts strength and rotundity to the frame.

It is

light,

thirst

and

astringent, appetising, satisfies

hunger.

with meat, potherbs and

agreeable, quenches

The Yavdgu, when cooked

fruit, is

hard to digest.

It

is

otherwise agreeable, soothing, spermatopoietic, tissue-

and

building,

excluding

Manda

tonic.

the residuary

all

substances,

while Peya

exclusion.

A

shreds, slightly is

is

(a

sort

of

an

of

its

component

cooked without any such

the variety,

and extremely seedy

The

is

undigested state

in

preparation

porridge

with milk and sugar) in

shreds

Vilepi, while

named Yavagu.

Payasa

is

prepared by carefully

which abounds with such# seedy

gruel,

called

fluid

is

cooked

its

is

consistency,

known by

which

as

the

boiling rice

long retained in the stomach

and

is

heavy of digestion.

THE StTSHRUTA

534 though

tends to impart

it

generates fat and

The rice

Kapham

SAMHITA'.

in the

organism.

dish called Krishara (a gruel cooked

with flesh and sesamum) generates the

A

meal consisting sweet smelling

threshed,

with

by

boiling

Kapham and

imparts strength to the body, and subdues the

Pittam,

Vayu.

xlvi.

the body, and

to

strength

Chap.

[

space of time,

On

hot or warm. of uncleunsed

the

in

and well

boiled,

ease and in

digested with

is

afterwards,

event

of

it

strained

the

shortest

eaten

being

a meal

the contrary,

and unwashed

well

coloured,

which has been washed

rice,

and properly

care

of white

consisting

improperly boiled

rice

and taken cold without having been properly strained longer time to be

takes a light

and

cooked

with

or with

any

new

food which helps to build up

and rotundity

strength

and cooked of

similar

etc.

milk

with

the

preparing to

any

(in

a

sort

of

fried

its

potherbs

husks

fruits,

and imparts

tissues,

Rice

body.

the

any

and heavy

rich

manner

boiled

other

than

Payasa) acquires

properties

A

soup made

those of the preceding one.

without

Similarly,

to

a

is

Rice

or

with meat, acid

as

of pulse, forms

kind

butter

clarified

such fatty substance, as well

of

rice

and aromatic, and generates the Kapham.

boiled

that

Fried

digested.

pulse is

(Shakas)

the

as

(such light

and

well

boiled

squeezed and subsquently cooked with

oil

Mudga,

wholesome.

or

and

well

any ohter

xlvi.

Chap.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

535

lardaceous substance are wholesome, while those which are

cooked

in a

manner should be considered

different

as possessed of contrary virtues.

Meat gloss

is

spermatopoietic

naturally

and strength to

the

system.

and jmparts

Moreover, that

which has been cooked and prepared with butter, (as

sour

curd,

gruel

the pomegranate

wholesome

It is

acid

(Kanjika),

fruits

pungent and some aromatic

etc.)

condiment, (as black pepper, as a very

clarified

etc.)

should be considered

though heavy of digestion.

diet,

possessed of relishing, strength-giving and tissue-

building properties.

The condensed soup meat,

or

extract

of the afore said

curd and clarified butter,

thickened with milk

and seasoned and cooked with such aromatic condi-

ments

ias

black pepper, asafcetida,

aggravate the appetising,

constructive

warm

to

fried

Kapham, and acts as an tonic. The meat, which has with clarified butter and then

water and afterwards prepared dry with

such condiments as Jiraka, butter and

tends

Pittam and

been several times boiled in

etc.),

seasonings

— Parishushka-Mansa)

etc. (so as to

fully

absorbed

have in

all

its

the

body

should be considered as a tooth-

some, exhilarating, emulcent food, though heavy of digestion.

relish

It

imparts firmness to the

for

food,

limbs and increases a

improves the appetite and

intellect,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

536 builds

fresh

up

tissues,

gives

[

Chap.

rotundity

XLVI.

the

to

frame, and produces an increased quantity of semen and (ojas) albumen in the organism. Tue meat cooked

and prepared

made

and

the

in

into

foregoing manner,

cakes,

when minced

called

is

Ullupta-Mansam, which resembles the above-said Parishushka-Mansam in its properties,

though

to the fact of

having been cooked over a charcoal

its

it is

lighter

The same meat, cooked on an becomes a

fire,

as

it

fire.

iron rod over a charcoal

heavier as far

little

inasmuch

concerned,

than the latter owing

is

as

digestion

with

roasted

is

clarified

butter, etc.

The

cooked meat such

varieties of

(minced meat), the Bharjita

(fried),

the Ullupta

as,

the Pishta (made

into balls or cakes), the Pratapta (roasted with clarified

butter over a charcoal

mustard

oil

fire),

the Kandupachita (dipped in

and powdered aromatic condiments and

roasted and done to a honey colour over a charcoal

the

fire),

Parishuska and the Pradigdha go by the general

name

of

Shulyam

(cabob).

Of

the

Shulyam, those which are boiled with

varieties oil

considered as heat-making in their potency, digestion

should be

heavy

of

and as generating the Pittam, while those,

which have been

fried

be regarded as

light,

beneficial to the

eyes,

They

of

also

with

clarified butter,

appetising,

should

agreeable, relishing,

and cooling

in

their

potency.

subdue the Pittam and are pleasant to the

Chap. XLVI.

A

taste.*

StJTKASTHANAM.

]

meat soup

thin

537

a pleasant tonic,

is

and proves

and consumption.

beneficial in cases of dyspnoea, cough,

subdues the Pittam and Kapham, destroys the Vayu,

It

and has an agreeable of

taste.

wholesome to persons

It is

weak memory and reduced semen,

from cachexia peculiar to chronic

suffering

or the

from

fever,

body, from ulcerative endo-

general emaciation of the carditis

as well as to those

Urakshata;, or from diseases affecting the voice

(

albumen

It is

(ojas).

known

to

bring

about an

adhesion and reduction of fractured and dislocated bones,

and increases the quantity of semen and in

found wanting

subjects

of

principles

the

of

two

those

in

oja

(albumen) important

Meat-soup, prepared with the juice

life.

Dadima,

and

etc.,

seasoned

condiments, increases the quantity to subdue the action of

of

with

pungent

semen and tends

the three deranged humours

all

of the body.

The

use

meat of which

of

previously extracted

fails

to

contribute

and strength of the organism, and * is

Addifional text

first

:

— In the dish

with clarified butter,

fried

known

and Samudra

substances

being added to

salt it

in

is

has been

to the

growth

long retained in an

as the

Prataptam,

the

meat

then pasted and flavoured with the

addition of curd, pomegranate-juice etc. butter, Ajaji,

essence

tjie

and

is

over a charcoal

again cooked with clarified each of the preceding

fire,

succession during cooking over a gridiron.

Meat luted with sesamum paste and cooked with the addition of flavouring condiments in

sprinkling called

a honey colour is called Kandupakkam, while the one soaked and water and cooked over a gridiron over a smokeless fire by

to

asafcetida

water over

Shulyam.

68

it

with the addition of pomegranate juice,

etc,

is

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

53 8

[Chap.

XLVI.

undigested state in the stomach and impairs digestion. It

is

the

generates

insipid,

and tends to produce a

The

body. kind

©f dried meat)

is

the

as

organism, the

in

of parthedness

state

known

dish

the

in

Yayu

Khanshka Mansa

(a

very hard to digest (heavy of

and proves wholesome only to men of strong digestive powers. The cooked meat called the Veshavara digestion)

(boneless boiled

with treacle,

and

is

all

The

digestion, demulcent, strength-

diseases due to the action of the

dish

known

is

is

soothing

of the organism.

removes parchedness of the

and hunger, and

potenc3

palatable

It

mouth, allays

and cooling

in

its

7 .

Mudga soup subdues tising

as the Sauvira

the fundamental principles

specially thirst

heavy of

alleviates

angry Va"yu. to

and

clarified butter, black pepper, Pippali,

Shunthi, etc. giving,

meat subsequently pasted and cooked

and

It

agreeable'.

diet to persons

the aid of

the JCapham,

and

is

appe-

forms the most wholesome

whose systems have been cleansed with

purgative

and emetic remedies, as

well

The soup known as another name for Mudga

as to those suffering from ulcers.

the Raga-Shadava (which

is

soup prepared with grapes and expressed pomegranatejuice

is

light,

and imparts

not hostile to the but

slightly

Masura,

or

a

deranged humours of the

subdues their action). of the

to food.

relish

Mudga,

or

It

is

bodv

The soup of

the

Godhuma

or

of the

xlvi.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

pulse, prepared with salt

of the Kulattha to

and

Pittam

the

commended

soup of the Masura

etc.,

and pomegranate-juice from Vata-Vyadhi.

and

light

(of

is

the

Pittam, are

in cases of

diseases

of

with

"Mulaka

water-brash,

to reduce fat and

raisins

in

to

Kapham

reduce the

and agreeable, and prove affections)

and

Mudga soup prepared

origin.

cough,

dyspnoea, a

etc.,

the organism, subdue

Kushtha (cutaneous

and

agreeable,

Mudga,

Nimva tend

removes

fever

of

Soups

Kapham

parasitic

The

.

beneficial to patients suffering

appetising

curative

re-

specially

It is relishing* appetising,

and

inhostile

cooked and prepared with

digestion).

of fat

is

is

diseases (Vata-Vyadhi

prepared with Patola or quantity

and

Kapham,

nervous

in

539

food.

relish for

in the

catarrh, It

tends

organism, and proves

curative in diseases affecting the throat.

The soup of the Kulattha pulse cures the action of the catarrh,

glands

deranged Vayu, as well as asthma,

and Tuni, (Gulma

Pratituni,

and

expressed juice of the

cough,

Udavarta.

Dadima

or

appetising

piles,

Prepared

and strength-giving

abdominal with

the

acquir.es

an

humours, and

is

Amalaka

agreeable taste, pacifies the deranged light,

diseases due to

in

it

its

virtues.

It

and subdues the proves curative in epilepsy and obesity, and Pittam. Mudga soup cooked with

deranged Vayu

Amalakas acquires an astringent property, and proves beneficial in derangements of the Kapham and Pittam.

i

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

54 o

Vayu and

soups of

XLVI.

of the Vara, Kola and Kulattha pulses destroy

The soups the

[Chap.

all

are beneficial to

the larynx.

the pulses, which go by the

Similarly,

name

of Shami-

Dhanyas, increase the strength and rotundity of the

Khala and Kamvalika soups are respectively

body.

agreeable and subdue the

and prepared with the expressed

All soups cooked juice

pomegranate should be known as strength-

of

demulcent, and

giving,

Vayu and Pittam.

heavy

of

They

digestion.

subdue the Vayu and Pittam. Soups, made and flavoured

by the mixture

acid

and tend to effects of

of whey,

vitiate the

produce the Pittam

blood and besides aggravate the

any imbibed poison lurking

The soups and Kharayusha,* the

in

respectively

gruels

the system.

known

Khara-Yavagu,t the Shadavaj and

Panaka should be prepared with the

the

which of

any

spices)

or

and

advice,

according to the instructions of a physician. is

as the

The

soup,

cooked or prepared without the admixture condiments

salt,

any

or

oily

(black

pepper,

lardaceous substance,

pungent is

called

the Akrita-Yusha (unseasoned soup), whereas the

which *

is

Mudga

corniculata),

cooked

and

seasoned

one

with the foregoing

soup prepared with whey, horse-apple, Annul (oxalis cumin seeds, black pepper and the roots of Chita (Plumbago

Zeylanica).

manner

t Gruel prepared in the

J

Mudga soup

astringent, acid

in

the

and pungent

of Khara-Yusha.

composition of which things of sweet, saline, tastes largely enter,

Chap.

XLVI.

SUTRASTHAXAM.

]

and*

spices

substances

54

clarified

oil,

butter,

is

Of the soups and

called a seasoned soup (Krita Yusha).

meat respectively cooked and prepared with

extracts of

the modifications of cow-milk (curd, whey,

and

etc.,

I

acid

fruits

(pomegranate,

Kanjika

etc.),

each

etc.)

succeeding

variety should be deemed lighter and more wholesome

than the one immediately preceding enumeration.

The soup cooked with

curd and the expressed juice

of the

in

it

the order of

the cream

Dadima

of the called

is

Kamvalika soup. Articles of food prepared with sesamum and its levigated cake, or those in the composition of which threshed out

dried pot herbs, rice

of sprouting

paddy

or Sindaki (a species of potherbs described before) enter,

should be considered as heavy of digestion. the Pittam

They subdue The Vatakas

and increase the Kapham.

resemble the Sindakis

in their properties,

but are heavy

of digestion and admit of being incompletely

digested,

»

The

giving rise to a kind of acid re-ac,tion.

soups

known

building,

Raga* and Shadava are

spermatopoietic,

appetising epileptic

as the

in

fits,

their

vertigo

agreeable,

properties.

They

varieties of light, tissue-

and

relishing,

alleviate

and vomiting, and

thirst,

remove the

sense of fatigue or exhaustion.

The *

Is

variety

made

of food

known

of sugar, Saindhava salt, tamarind,

and the expressed juice of Jambuline fruits prepared with salt and acid and sweet fruits. t

A

as the Rasalat

;

Sarjikshara,

while

the

is

con-

Parushaka

Shadava soup

is

sweet aromatic preparation consisting of acid buffalo-curd, refined cardamom, camphor and black pepper.

sugar, milk, powdered

THE SrSHRI/TA SAMHITA.

542

[Chap. XLVI.

structive, tonic, demulcent, spennatopoietic

Curd sweetend with treacle the

in the organism.

principle clarified

which

neither too

is

oily

Powdered barley soaked

immediately on

it

thick nor too thin

Mantha, which

called

is

sistency,

generates

being partaken

acts

as

It

of.

in its con-

tonic

a

thirst

allays

and removes the sense of fatigue and exhaustion.

Mantha, treated with curative

cases

in

A

Udavarta.

due

of

clarified butter,

the

to

proves

sugar, raisins

juice of sugar-cane,

derangement

raisins

The

urination and obstinate

difficult

Mantha prepared with

Mantha, containing fully

and

treacle

(Draksha) and the expressed diseases

in

and made into a dough with water,

butter

'

agreeable.

relishing.

It

system, and tends to increase the

in the

Vayu

is

and

the

Pittam.

fruit,

success-

of

and Madhuka

removes

combats diseases brought about through the action

of the deranged

the three

and

sugar

A

Kapham.

aforesaid raisins)

Mantha

substances tends to

(acid

restore

saturated

and

with

lardaceous,

the stool to

its

normal condition.

Th$ Pariakas :— Well no matter whether

it

has

not with the admixture of

and heavy treacle,

made

diluted treacle (Panaka

been

Amla lemon

in respect of digestion.

Khanda

rendered

acid

and scented with camphor,

,

or

juice), is diuretic

Water saturated with

(unrefined sugar), sugar or grapes,

acid with the admixture of

1

an}'

acid

should be

and

substance,

deemed the

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

XLVL]

Chap.

543

Water saturated with the

best of refreshing beverages.

the sense of fatigue, (expressed juice of) grapes removes

and

allays thirst,

alleviates

epileptic

fits,

Water potion flavoured with the

sensation of the body.

(expressed juice of) Kola or Parushaka

long retained in the stomach

The

and burning

agreeable and

is

an undigested

in

lightness or heaviness of a potion (Panaka

state.

should

be determined according to the quantities, properties and preparations of the into

its

specific

articles

and substances that enter

Here ends the description

composition.

of varieties

properties

of the

of prepared food,

etc.

(Kritanna).

Now we

shall describe the virtues of

the articles of

confectionary according to their tastes, potencies, and digestive reactions.

Confectionary — Such modifications (flour

is

is

called the

stirred

in

made with

the

Kshira Bhakshyas

milk with sugar, appetising

spermatopoietic, agreeable,

etc.)

and

and tends to impart rotundity to the frame.

aromatic,

subdues the Pittam and does not belong to the

group

of

variety

inconpletely

known

prepared

bv

corn-flour)

is

the

and

dissolved

It is tonic,

It

of milk?

as

the Ghritapuras clarified

putting

strength- giving

Vayu and

digestion,

as

digestibles.

Pittam,

is

Of

these,

'articles

butter

in

and agreeable.

the

of food

doughs of It

subdues

spermatopoietic, and heavy of

and tends to create new

flesh

and blood. The

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

544

known

food

articles of

[

XLVI.

Chap.

Gaudikas prepared by put-

as the

doughs of corn-flour) are flesh-making,

ting treacle into

and heavy

spermatopoietic,

in

of

1

respect

digestion.

They subdue the Vayu and Pittam and generate the

Kapham and do after

not give

rise to

The

articles

digestion.

any reactionary of

acidity

food bolonging to

the groups of Madhumastakas, Sanyavas, and Pupas, are

heavy

in

Modakas

their properties.

Sattakas

of digestion but are flesh building in

respect

are

extremely indigestible.

cream saturated with unrefined sugar

icurd

and powdered

and

Trikatus,

a piece of clean linen,

then

filtered

pomegranate seeds) impart a

relish to

the

food.

are appetising, beneficial to the voice, heavy

of digestion,

to others

sweet

the

Vayu and Pittam (Kapham

Vishyandana*

.

and demulcent.

It

Articles

of food

is

agreeable,

the

destroys

Kapham and

generates the i>ivino-.

They

in respect

extremely palatable and strength-giving.

They subdue ing

through

and seasoned with camphor and

is

or

heavy,

accord-

aromatic,

Vayu,

and

confectionary

and

strength-

made

of

powdered wheat (Samita act as constructive tonics, and subdue the Vayu and Pittam. Of these, the variety

known

as

the

confectioners) light.

*

made

is

Phenaka agreeable,

Khaja

our present-day

of

extremely wholesome and

Cakes stuffed with Mudga-Veshavaras are long Powdered wheal Heated with milk,

clarified butter

into a paste neither too thick nor loo thin in

Vishyandana.

its

and

treacle,

consistency

is

and*

called

XLVI.

Chap.

retained

in*

the stomach

heavy and

modern

our

as the

state,

Pittam and

their

properties.

Palalas (a preparation of flour)

generates the

tend to increase the

confectioners")

Kapham

the

in

of powdered rice fPishtakas )

Cakes made

organism.

are heat- making in

potency and tend to enrage or aggravate the

and Pittam.

further

They

acidity after digestion,

give

rise to

made

fectionary

Kapham

and are specially heavy

has an astringent taste,

subdues

digestion, gative, state,

in respect

is

the

light

though apt to be long retained

spermatopoietic and

tonic,

of

respect

of sprouting

Mudgas,

actionary

etc.,

Vayu and

acidity

heavy

is

its

after

pur-

normal

stomach

Masha of

in

pulse

digestion.

of Kurchika are heavy

do

not

inordinately

Articles of confectionary

Pittam.

the

and

digestion

generate the

generate

made

pulse

respect of

in

in the

Cakes made of

state.

Con-

Mudga

Vayu and Kapham,

the

Similarly, those that are in

as

and tends to restore the Pittam to

an undigested are

of Vaidalas (such

their

a reactionary

of digestion, and are slightly strength-imparting.

etc.)

while

Shashkulis (Luchis and Kachuris

while the

;

in

building

sesamum and corn

treacle, pasted

Kapham

flesh

known

Confectionary

of

an undigested

in

containing minced and pasted meat (Veshav£ras)

those are

^

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

are

heavy of

Pittam,

digestion,

give

rise

made

digestion,

to

a re-

and tend to bring on

nausea and waterbrash (Utklehsha), besides producing a

parched condition 69

in

the

organism, and also affecting

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

546 the

eye-sight.

an

has

agreeable

and

fried in It

in

its

oil

and

tonic,

subdues 'the

eyesight.

Masha

charcoal

fire

of

(treacle,

of

baked

clay,

or

food

and

as possessed of the

and

tissue-

digestion,

of

Articles

affections.

sesamum

fried

cooked

should be considered as light

of digestion

pungent

in potencv.

modifications of

etc.),

sugar,

heavy

tonic,

of

meat,

fruit,

palatable.

broken vessels

is

generates the Pittam and tends

made

is

building and

and heat-making

and produces cutaneous

sight

pulse

regards digestion,

reaction,

juice

which

that

Similarly,

as

heavy

Confectionary sugar-cane

light,

and

is

the

is

and

digestive

affect

aroma,

butter

Vayu

destroys the Vayu,

to

clarified

taste

and

the

invigorate

in

tends to improve the complexion

spermatopoietic,

Pittam,

fried

Confectionary

[Chap. XLvi.

over

in

virtue

in

a

respect

of aggra-

vating the bodily Vayu, while those that are prepared

with lumps of curdled milk should be considered as

heavy

(of

Kulmashas

and

digestion) (

half boiled

Vayu, produce loose

as

increasing the

Kapham.

Chanakas or gram) generate the

and are heavy of

stool,

digestion,

and tend to produce a condition of parchedness the organism.

(Vatya.

Articles

prove curative

catarrh and Meha.

(Mudga digestion

and

pulse

and

Kapham

in

etc.,

of food

Dhana boiled

the bod)'.

of fried barley

cases of Udavarta,

in

absorb

made

the

in

cough,

fried barley)

and Ulumva

over a

are

excess

fire)

quantity

light ol

Barley powder (dissolved

of fat

in

Chap. xlvi.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

547

water so as to form a sort of thin, is

an instantaneous tonic,

acts as

Kapham and Vayu, and Made

perties.

become heavy into

potion

virtue easily its

digestion,

an

has

copious

as

lambative

is

sweet

of

light

taste.

digestion,

It

allays

constipates the bowels, and tends to restore the

deranged

to

Kapham

normal condition.

its

alleviates thirst,

paddy

of the

sensation

vomiting,

bilious fever characterised

of

and Dahajvara

increases

destroys

it

the

Kapham

acts

as

the Vayu.

has a sweet taste, builder.

adhesion in cases

Old of of

by unquenchable

demulcent

digestion,

milk

and proves (a

type of

thirst

and

Prithuka (thrashed or pasted paddy)

hvperpraxia).

heavy

Pulverised

and a burning

skin, arrests perspiration,

curative in cases of haemoptysis

with

of a

to acquire a contrary

astringent

and

tonic,

appetising,

and

lumps they transformed

Fried paddy alleviates vomiting and

dysentery, and

fried

pro-

while

the addition

known

Pittam,

and speedily digested owing to the softness of

consistency.

thirst,

allays thirst,

or

powder used

Barley

(light).

potion)

of purgative

balls

pasty

with

It

subdues the

possessed

thin

into

as regards

thin

a

is

quantity of water they are

is

pasty

flesh-building and spermatopoietic.

or

is

a

tonic

Immature

flesh-building,

the system.

and

is

As

bones a

and

or newly-harvested rice

matured

fractured

Taken

laxative

hard to digest and acts as a

well

Meha.

in

and

is

large

rice

and

brings

about the

proves

variety

tissue-

curative

of substances

THE SUSHRUTA

548 enters

the

into

SAMHITA'.

[

Chap. Xi.vi.

composition (of our daily

food

1

,

a

physician should prescribe a course of diet for his patient after carefully considering

the nature of the food stuffs

and the properties they acquire through combination and seasoning, as well as the natural longings of a person for a certain kind of food during the preponder-

ance of certain deranged humours of the body.

Anuparnam or After- Potions :— Now we

shall

on drinks and potions which are

discourse

found to be beneficial when taken

after a

certain

kind

of food (Anupanas."

Certain people oppressed with an acid taste naturally

long for sweets, while others

acid for

is

good

are

and sweets are good

partaken of an acid food.

the soup of

sour paddy

generally

these, that

person

The

of sweet

for the eater of sweets,

Cold water and

fruits,

satiety

Hence something

men who have

(spirits),

full

relish for acid things.

have a

articles

in

warm water Asava y

Mudga

used as drinks after

alone

essence a

which would prove

should be given him

in

intelligent physician should

Madya

the juice of acid

pulse etc.,

gruel, milk and

twine),

full

of

meat

Of

meal.

beneficial

to

a

an adequate quantity.

determine the kind of

after-drink (potion) required in each case after taking into

consideration the nature of the disease under treatment, the season of the year, and the properties of the solid or liquid substances that enter into the composition of the

XLVI.

Chap.

Of

diet.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

kinds of after-potions,

all

way

every

the welfare

(is

after- potions,

that

in

now we

shall dilate

upon

substance

lardaceous the

Bhallataka and

of

oils

authorities hold that the soup of rice gruel

summer

and winter) oil in

after

after

the

course

taken

having of a

and

also

derangements

due

to

Payasa

to

According

should be taken

large

well

as

cases

of

the effects

of

as in

several authorities

after an)'

a

(in

Cold water

meal.

porridge,

wine.

Certain

pulse and sour

Mudga

after

and

oily

known

Tauvaraka.

and honey,

poisoning

any

those

should be taken after cakes curd,

in respect of

should be respectively taken

(Kanjika)

quantity of

fluid.

their specific pro-

than

other

the six

all

heavenly

Hot water should be taken

perties.

as

and

life,

we have stated the rule to be observed

Briefly

or

inherent

are

tastes

in

conducive to the bodily

growth) of a person throughout his different

heavenly

inasmuch as such water contributes

besj,

to

clear

a pure vessel, should be

in

water, kept

(atmospheric)

deemed the

549

tepid

water

kind of cake (preparation

of rice paste etc.;

Milk

or

meat

essence should be prescribed

as

an after-potion to persons habituated to meals of Shall-' rice

or

Mudga

pulse,

or

who have become

with the labours of a battle or

who

or

of

a

are

oppressed with

blazing

fire,

or

the

as well as

of a

fatigued

long journey,

heat to those

of

the

sun

who would

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

550

be found to be overcome from the

effects of

having taken Masha pulse,

W
etc.

the proper after- drink for persons addicted is

poison or

Sour rice gruel, or cream of curd should be drunk

wine. after

[Chap. XLVJ.

recommended

also

after a

acid fruit juice (such as

meat

that

of

Milk

taking wine.

it,

which

Cold water or

diet.

of the pomegranate, etc.)

forms the best after-drink for those habit

to

is

who

are not in

the

ambrosia to persons

is

enfeebled with arduous study, or excessive sexual inter-

and to every one

course,

after

after a long troubled journey.

an

exposure to the sun

Wine

(Sura)

the after-

is

drink for enfeebled subjects, and water saturated with

honey sons

and

the potion for corpulent persons. Healthy per-

is

may

use a variety of desserts and beverages during

after meals.

virtues

Things which are demulcent,

and heat-making

wholesome

considered as a the

deranged

making

Yayu.

in their

in

their diet

in

their

potency should be

which

Substances,

due

diseases

in

are

to

heat-

potency and tend to produce a con-

dition of parchedness (Ruksha) in the organism, should

be prescribed as a wholesome diet about through

in

diseases

the action of the deranged

Similarly, those which are sweet

potency, prove wholesome

and the expressed

juice of sugar-cane

effects of

in

are

beneficial to

The Asavas

any poison.

their

Milk

in Pittaja distempers.

of the Arka, Shelu, and Shirisha are beneficial

from the

Kapham.

and cooling

persons suffering from haemoptysis.

suffering

brought

(wines)

to

those

Chap. XLVI.

SUTRASTHA'XAM.

]

Now we

shall

describe

separately

551 the

after-drinks

to be taken after having used the articles of food

dealt

with under the several groups discussed before. The acid

soup a

of Indian

Jujubes (Kola) should be taken after

meal consisting of any of the afore-said cereals such

as,

the

Shukadhaimun, Kudhanyam,

should be used after a meal of similar grain.

of any

pulse, or

Mudga

The Asava (wine

Sour gruel

etc.

of the Pippali should be

used after a meal of the long thighed venisons, the

flesh

and

those

of

wines

Vadara

taken the cooked

after

a

be

of the

Cocoanut

fowls

of Kshira-Vriksha

and

used after having eaten .(guha-shaya)

family. flesh

the

should be of

used

the Pratuda

wine

should

Parna-Mriga (arboreous)

wine should be taken

wine

any of the

hole-

Triphala wine should be

dwelling iYileshaya) animals.

an

of

after

Phalasara

Prasaha species.

flesh of

Yishkira

the flesh of the cave-dwelling

should be taken after the flesh

taken after the

having

wines should be

date palm

flesh of the

Ashvagandha of

flesh

after

of the

Krishna Gandha

species.

be used after the

used

of

Kola

Dhanvaia family.

meal consisting of the

species.

the

the

should

flesh

The wine

species.

of

or

animal

with unbifurcated «

hoops (Ekashapha). after the flesh of an

The Asava (wine

Khadira wine

should

be taken

animal with bifurcated hoofs.

of Shringataka or

be taken after having eaten the

flesh

Kasheruka should of an

animal of

THE SUSHRUTA

552 the

SAiMHITA.

xlvi.

Chap,

[

Kulechara (frequenting the shores of lakes

The same wines should be regarded

species.

meal

a

after

after-potions

or of the

(Koshastha),

as proper

of

consisting

etc.)

molluscs

of an animal of the Padi

flesh

Asava of sugar-cane (vinegar) should be

(lizard) family.

taken after having eaten the flesh of an animal of the Plava

(diving)

taken after

Mrinalam

family.

fish

any Nadeya

wine

(whose habitat

Matulungu wine should be taken

river).

of any

of the sea

fish

wine should be taken

after acid fruits.

(lotus bulb),

Pomegranate,

Vetra wines should be taken after astringent

or

The Asava three

the

is

after the flesh

Padma

(Samudra).

be

should

fruits.

Kanda [Khanda— D. R.] treated with the pungent drugs known as the Trikatus should be of

taken after sweet

Sour and fermented

fruits.

should be taken after Tala or

Durva, Nala,

pungent

fruits.

of

fruits,

Vetra

The Asava

rice gruel

The wine

etc.

should be

taken

of

after

of Shvadanstra or of Vasuka

should be taken after Pippalis,

etc.

Darvi, or Karira

wines should be taken after

Kushmandas,

Asava of Lodhra should be

taken after taking the

Chuchchu,

potherbs

etc.

Triphala

taken after the Jivanti, potherbs, rule

should

be

observed

in

The

etc.

wine should

etc.,

respect

be

and the same of

Kusumbha

as

the

potherbs.

The Asava

(wine) of the drugs

Panchamula should be taken

known

after such

Maha

potherbs as

SUTRASTHANAM.

Chap. XLVI.]

the Manduka-parni,

marrow

pith or

the

taken after

the Date-palm, Tala,

acid fruit should be

Wines of

etc.

553

such

of

trees

The wine known

etc.

as

as

the

Surasava, or fermented rice gruel

should be taken after

an excess of Saindhava

Water may

in

salt, etc.

be*

taken

in all cases.

absence of the proper after-drink

Authoritative verses on the subject.

— Atmospheric or and

drinks

Hot water

birth.

is

is

deranged Pittam.

in

An

is

good

A

on a fresh

in diseases

the vitiated blood, excessively

heavy

or in

meal,

which usually tends to derange

and speedily digested with the help of a drink.

from his

derangements of the

fundamental humours of the body,

the

all

whole-

is

habituated

cold water

which have their origin

as well as the one

he

beneficial in

Vayu and Kapham, and

the

the best of

is

That kind of water

cordials.

to a person to which

some

water

rain

may

be easily

suitable after-

proper after-potion taken after a meal brings relish

body, acts as

a

for

food,

increases

the bulk

of the

spermatopoietic beverage, disintegrates

the combination or accumulation of the deranged bodily

humours, soothes the organism, increases the softness of the body, removes the tion,

brings

on

sense of fatigue and

pleasurable

sensations

in

its

exhaustrain,

stimulates the appetite, subdues or pacifies the deranged

bodily plexion,

70

humours, allays the

thirst,

improves the com-

and imparts tone and vigour to the system.

,

THE SUSHRUTA SAMH1TA.

554

[Chap. XLVI.

beverage resorted to at the commencement of a

Any

meal tends to produce a gradual emaciation of the frame;

meal

the one taken

during the course of a

against both

thinning and corpulency, while the one

drunk

its

at the

close

of a

guards

meal serves to greatly add

growth and rotundity.

at

meals

should be most judiciously determined and taken

with

to

its

Hence, drinking

The food

the greatest forethought and discretion.

down

the

into

stomach of a person unused to such

long retains undigested and

liquids

verted into

chyme

being con-

Hence, the use of an

imperatively obligatory on

is

resists

being digested, and becomes a

or

positive source of discomfort.

potion

carried

all

human

after-

beings,

except those suffering from dyspnoea, cough, ulcerative endocarditis

(

Urahkshata),

ptyalism,

aphonia,

and

from diseases affecting the part of the body situated

above the

clavicles.

the

After

lengthy

use of an

conversation,

after- potion, a

reading

in

order that the

imbibed

not affect the stomach, and (aggravate the

potion

may

bodily

humours) which

regions

sleeping and

singing,

should be refrained from,

long walk, a

of the throat

taking lodgment

and chest may give

about rise

the to a

secretion of mucous, impair the appetite, develop such distressing

symptoms as vomiting

etc.,

and produce many

other distempers as well.

The

lightness or

heaviness of a food stuff does

not

Chap. xlvi.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

555

These properties depend more

go contrary to nature.*

upon the mode of cooking or preparing them than upon the nature of

more upon

substances themselves;*

trie

the quantity in which they are taken than the their

cooking or preparation

boiled

(lit.

than

itself

rice)

of

and more upon the food

;t

upon the quantity of

and more upon the time

use, |

mode

its

(of

its

maturity) than

upon the food.§

The

question of lightness

stuff affects

the

the

idle,

heaviness of a

or

the

unhealthy,

food

luxurious,

and men of delicate constitution and impaired appeand such nice discernment of the properties of an

tite,

food

article of

healthy

who

men

is

not imperatively obligatory on strong,

of active habits and good healthy digestion,

are habituated

hard and solid

to

fares,

and who

can tolerably afford to dispense with such thoughts altogether.

Here ends the description of the group of •

after-potions.

Hear me, observed * light *

fried

taken with

If ?

it

O my

connection

in

be asked

why

the flesh

with

The kitchen

eating.

an animal of the Jamghal?, family

of

is

The answer would be because it is naturally so. As for example, Vrihi corn is naturally heavy of digestion, but As for instance, a heavy food should be Vrihi seeds are light, t till

the appetite

regard

to

is

but half satisfied,

digestion

of the varieties of food

may be

such as

Pishtaka, each succeeding one it.§

on the rules to be

child, discourse

As

for

is

the

Manda,

heavier than

example, newly harvested

year's standing.

while an article

eaten to satiety. J

rice

Peya,

'.he

is

which

As

Vilepi,

for

is

light

instance,

Bhakta and

one immediately preceding

heavier

than

the

one of a

•

THE SUSHKUTA SAMH1TA.

556

made

should be

and kept clean and pure,

spacious

and none but the trusted ones should

The

thereto.

physician should get the

prepared by experienced cooks the

(so

and the colour he

tas"ue

XLVi

[Chap.

have food

access or

diet

as to impart to

desires),

and have

it

it

kept at a clean and pure spot, concealed from the view of the

After that, the food having been

public.

made

innocuous by the admixture of anti-toxic medicines,

and freed from mantra over

it,

all

poison

by reciting (an Arthavan)

and having been besprinkled with the

water of mystic incantation, should be served (to the king).

Serving Of a Meal the

mode

:

— Now

I

of serving out the different

shall describe

dishes.

Clarified

butter should be served out in a vessel of steel (Kanta-

Loha)

Peya,

;

in

a silver

bowl

;

and confectionary (such

as

The

known

preparations of meat

Pradigdha

Mansam

and Kharas

in

stone

utensils

in

of

fruit

as the Parishushka

cordials

should be given

in

Shailavas and Sattakas, in cool of crystal

in silver

and

;

;

bowls; Katvaras

and cool boiled milk

Other drinks, wines

copper vessels.

made

kinds

should be served on golden plates

(Payah)

vessels

all

the Laddukas), on leaves.

and meat essences

fluid edibles

and

earthen

pots

;

and

and Raga-

pure glass bowls, or

and Vaidurya gems.

in

The cook

should place the bowls containing preparations of pulse, boiled

rice

and lambatives on clean, spacious

trays

Chap. XLVI.

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

of fanciful" design, the

and spread them out

dry viands should be served on soups

etc.,

front (of

his

while

right,

all

meat- essences, drinks, cordials, milk, Khada-

and

Yusha,

in

confectionary and

of desserts,

kinds

All

king.

557

Peya

be

should

on

placed

Bowls containing preparations of

treacle,

his

left.

Raga-Shadava,

and Sattaka should occupy a place midway between the two sets of bowls described above.

The the

intelligent

conversant

well

physician,

of serving dishes as above laid

rules

with

down, should

attend upon the king at his table, and spread out on the level

purified

floor

of a

the king should partake

served

seasoned

in

the

desired

and pleasant

and ccoked and

cold,

mode, and possessed of

their

„

The physician

in

attendance should see that the

partakes of the sweet dishes, then of the acid

king

first

and

saline,

and of the pungent and other

the close of the

meal.*

the pomegranate,

fruit as

after that,

Peyas and boiled

taste of

sweet viands eaten

rice

ai

ones

at

at the forepart of

or

First

meal, such

The

sacred

of those

hot nor

neither

specific tastes.

*

spacious,

perfumed and flower-decorated chamber, and

blissful,

dishes,

beautiful,

solitary,

etc.,

should be eaten,

and prepared

the outset

a

dishes, as

would naturally go

to

acid or saline tasle partaken subdue the Yayu located in the stomach of at the middle of a meal would rouse up the fire of digestion located in ;

the

pancreas

would tend

to

(Agnyashaya), while the pungent subdue the Kapham.

laste

enjoyed

at

its

close

T HE SUSHRUf A SAMHITA.

558

well as confectionary. solid

or

thick

viands should be eaten

Of fruits,

the

destroying properties, and

Amalaka

all.

(fruit)

is

is

at the outset,

contrary should be

Amalaka has the

the

xlvi

Certain authorities maintain that

while others aver that rule.

Chap,

the

humour-

greatest

the most harmless of them

therefore

recommended

outset, middle and the close of a meal.

at

the

Such things as

the Mrinalam (the stem of a lotus plant), the Visham (the

Kanda and sugar-cane should be

lotus bulb), Shaluka,

eaten at the beginning of a meal, and never at

A

man, who

well-read in

is

(Ayurveda), should

sit

the

its

close.

Science of medicine

during his meal

in

an easy posture

on a high seat and partake, at the right time, with

his

body erect and

act

of eating light,

his

whole mind engaged

fluid

preparations,

of boiled

even

rice,

when

the

wholesome emollient and warm viands,

which are congenial to in

in

neither

feeling

the

his

temperament and abound

with

an

adequate

quantity

too hurriedly nor too slowlv,

pinch of a keen

and piercing

hunger.

Food eaten with a good appetite tastes pleasant and relishing. The food which is congenial to one's temperament begets no discomfort Light food

is

soon digested.

tone and vigour to the

appetite.

hurriedly

is

the system.

Food eaten

after

Emollient

Warm

neither too

uniformly digested.

the

eating.

food gives

food improves

slowlv nor too

Food abounding

in

SUTRASTHA'XAM

Chap.

XLVL]

fluid

components

not

is

imperfectly

to a

happy and

digested,

Moderation

attended by any acid reaction. leads

559

digestion and

perfect

nor

is

food

in

tends

to

maintain the fundamental principles of the body their

normal

in

*

state.

During the cold months, when the nights are longer, substances, which

tend to subdue the bodily humours

which are naturally deranged during that season, should be eaten

when

the morning, while during the seasons,

in

the days

are

congenial

in

inordinately

seasons should be

those

autumn

spring and

afternoon.

(In

nights are

equal,

things

long,

the meal

which

eaten

are

the

in

when days and

)

should be taken just at

the middle part of the day and night.*

A

meal should not be eaten before the appointed

time,

nor

the

before

has

appetite

Similarly, over or insufficient eating should

refrained from.

the system

number

Eating

feels

light

of diseases, and

meal eaten

at

at

come.

fully

be

equally

an improper time and before

and

may

free

brings

on

a

large

A

ultimately lead to death.

an hour long after the appointed time

tends to aggravate the bodily Vayu, which affects the *

This rule holds good

the course of a day

in the case of persons,

and night.

Those,

who

who

eat a single

meal

are in the habit of eating

in

two

one and quarter Prahara

in the

morning and another between the third and the fourth Praharas

in the

meals a day, should eat a light half meal

afternoon

(Panjikakara).

According

to

at

Tejjada,

between the third and the fourth Prahara both

in the

the

meals should be

day and night.

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

5 6o

digestive its

fire,

and

t

offers serious obstacles in the

The food thus digested with

digestion.

Chap. XLVIi

1,

difficult}

the stomach creates discomforts and destroys for

second

a

meal.

Insufficient

eating,

on the contrary,

disinclination

is

movements, and distension

for

he can easily

made

man

behoves a

it

to

all

(Annam

with poison,

pebbles, dust

cooked on

)

it is

which

out of

or

etc.,

the

previous day

or emits

a

fetid

is

impure and

dirty,

which another has of weeds,

is full

or which

well

be

smell, should

has been

which

that

as

repels,

is

similarly

Also food which has been cooked long ago,

rejected.

become

cold

and

hard,

and

rewarmed or which has been imperfectly burnt

the

eaten.

which the mind instinctively

kept standing over-night, as

has

the golden

in diet is

eaten a portion as well as that which

or

food as

food before partaking thereof and

Boiled rice food

insipid

much

commendable (adequately

the

nature of the time (day or night)

or

the

taking into consideration the demerits of

particular

infested

body, of

in the intestines, etc.

to take only as

Moderation

nutritive) properties.

a

dis-

which should be well cooked and

digest,

possess

rule, besides

in-

attended with such

stomach, accompanied by rumbling

Hence

but

as languor, heaviness of the

symptoms,

tressing

desire

all

gives

in

and tends to weaken the body.

adequateesatisfaction,

Over

diet

of

way

and

insipid

has

strained,

should also not serve as food.

been or

is

More

Chap. XLVi.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

56l

and more" palatable dishes should be successively taken the

in

the

course of a meal.

During the course of a meal,

mouth should be frequently

rinsed

or

gargled

inasmuch as the palate thus constantly being cleansed

becomes more susceptible thereafter

pleasures

of a

The

morsel.

first

and

the better

relished

is

and anything eaten

to taste,

all

gives

the

palate affected with a

sweet taste at the outset

fails

the successive

Hence, the mouth should be

washed with a

dishes.

to appreciate the tastes of

Sweet food eaten

at intervals during the meal.

the mind, brings joy,

relish pleasurably affects

energy, strength,

and

contributes to the

growth of the body

happiness

one of a contrary character

The

effects.

after repeated

eating, should

able

to

should be drunk

Food

him.

in a

means of

removed a kind of

;

train,

and

whereas the

satiate a

be considered

After finishing a

man even as

agree-

meal water

quantity whjph would be beneficial.

should be gently drawn

adhering to the teeth

out by

its

attended with opposite

which does not

food,

(Sv3du)

is

in

a

tooth-pick,

fetor

is

inasmuch as

produced

in

if

not

the mouth. •t

The Vayu digestion,

the

is

Pittam,

the process, while the after the

subdued

completion

during

the

continuance of

is

that

of

increased immediately

Hence, the Kapham

the close of a

gent eater should attain 7i

the

Kapham

act of eating. after

after

increased

meal, and

the

to be

is

intelli-

end by partaking

fruit

THE SUSHRtJTA SAMHITA.

5 62

an

of

or

pungent,

astringent,

bitter

or

taste,

by

with broken areca nut,

chewing a betel leaf prepared camphor, nutmeg, clove,

Chap. XLVi.

t

or

etc.,

by smoking, or by

means of anything that instantaneously removes the viscidity °in it

with

its

the

own

Then the

the mouth,

cavity of

and permeates

essence.

eater

should take

rest, like

the sense of drowsiness incidental to eating

a

king,

is

removed.

After this he should walk a hundred paces and in a

bed on

enjoy

his left

After eating,

side.

and

soft sounds, pleasant sights

fumes, soft and velvety touch, ravishes the

of joy,

soul

in

grating, sights,

execrable

boiled rice, is

after-meal

should

siesta

basking before

should be avoided just

and hearty meal.

A

a

not

fire,

after

not

be

enjoyed

be

side-

in

the

and

long to

exposure

the

swimming, bathing the close of a

which abounds

diet

courses should be refrained from.

should

eating of

a loud

or

dis-

followed by vomiting.

sun, travelling, driving in a carriage, etc.,

and

fetid

meal, or the

a

laugh after a meal

;

anything that

which are abominable, touches, that are

agreeable, encountered after

continuous

sweet per-

Sounds, which are harsh and

hard and unpleasant, smells, which are

The

should

and enwraps the mind with raptures

the process of digestion.

splitting

man

tastes,

short

down

lie

such pleasurable sensations greatly help

since

impure and

a

till

Only

a

full

in

fluid

single

taste

course of

a

meal.

Chap. XLVI.

SUTRASTHANAM.

]

Cooked potherbs, boiled a course of diet

avoided. in

tastes

should

time, nor

a

at

quantities

large

acid

in

not

become dulled by

be eaten

A

in.

meal should not be eaten on the same day

be

of various

articles

be constantly indulged

of the appetite having

should

taste

of one taste should

Articles

and

of inferior quality,

rice

abounding

563

in

second

the event

a previous meal.

Eating with a previous meal only partially digested the

impairs

seriously

of dull or impaired

heavy

articles

appetite should refrain from

of food, as

well

be eaten,

and a double

be taken

if

Cakes should never

by

Of

their

safe

each succeeding one

mediately preceding

is

confectionary (solid

than

the

or

Liquid food, stances should articles

number to

other

into

be

lumps

be eaten

in

fail

food

and produces

the stomach, deficient

satiety.

liquid

to

with

is

It

a

sub-

Dry large

do any injury taken

(Annam)

gastric

im-

measures

till

in

combination

substances

Dry

one

in large quantities.

completely digested. in

in half

which abounds

of food taken of

may

not be taken

the stomach.

can not

that

the

food),

order of enumeration.

Heavy- articles of food should be taken only, while the lighter ones

hunger,

would be ensured.

heavier in

*it

of

out

all

digestion

drinks, lambatives and

water should

of

quantitiy

they are eaten at

eating

from partaking of

as

large quantities of light substances.

which

A man

functions.

digestive

is

transformed

irregularly

digestion

alone

chymed,

followed by

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA

564

a reactionary of

a

The

acidity.

character

that

stamps

Vidahi group or

not,

is

and gives

a

to

rise

injested it

but

[Chap. XLVI.

whether

food-,

as belonging to

incompletely

reactionary acidity in

digested

the event

of the Pittam being confined in the stomach, or in intestines.

Dry food

combinations (milk with

fish

and so

the

incompatible food

etc.\

(cukes,

the

and those, which

on),

are long retained in the stomach in an undigested state,

tend to impair the digestive functions (Agni).

The Kapham, duce

the

indigestion

tabdhajirnaim. fourth

acid

due

mucous

of

types

(Amajirnam),

Pittam, and

to

Vayu

respectively pro-

indigestion

indigestion

of

chyme

incarcerated

fecal

matter

(Vish-

Certain authorities aver that there

class of indigestion,

of unassimilated chyle

known

as

the

day,

keeping

of

irregular eating, voluntary

a

the factors which interfere with

and develop symptoms

food taken by a person passion, greed,

or

is

in

which

the

the proper digestion of indigestion.

The

by a man

suffering

not properly digested.

Types Of Indigestion gestion

strong appetite are

under the influence of envv.

anger, etc., or

from a chronic distemper,

sleep

hours in the night,

late

partaking of a light food with

of food

a

indigestion

suppression of any natural urging of the bodv, the

is

Drinking of an

Rasa-shesha).

(

abnormal quantity of water,

in

and

(Yidagdhajirnam),

:

undigested

—A

case

food

of indi-

matter ac-

Chap. XLVI.

quires a

SUTRASTHA'NAM.

]

stveet

taste

(Amajirnam), that

indigestion

gested food acquires called

is

is

matter

partially or

digested,

or

of the

flatus,

the

as

characterised by

is

The type

is

symptoms of

by a pricking

called

Vishtabdha

indigestion.

the absence feels

of

any

acid

no inclination

or

sour

for

food

characterised

indigestion are sudden

vomiting, limbs,

if

any.

by pain about the

The unfavourable loss

of conscious-

water-brash, languor with a

and

vertigo, etc.,

which

may

in death.

Fasting

is

beneficial in a case of

tion. Ejection of the contents of the in a case

alleviate a

of Vidagdha indigestion.

case

confined

to

Amajirnam stomach

indiges-

give,s relief

Fomentation

will

of Vishtavdha indigestion, while in an

indigestion of unassimilated

be

the Stomach

indigestion of unassimilated chyle

further

delirium,

which

in

normal character of the eructations,

gone-feeling in the

end

stomach

stomach and entire suppres-

region of the heart, and water-brash.

ness,

into

undi-

digested (one portion* being

eructations, but the patient inspite of the

the

The form

down

brought

in

mucous)

(or

which

the other being not) followed

The type known is

in

an acid taste in the

irregularly

piercing pain

sion

chymous

Vidagdha indigestion.

food

the

called

is

565

chyle, the

patient

should

bed and fomentations and digestive

medicines should be administered as well.

In a case of

Vidagdha indigestion the patient should be made to

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

566

vomit the contents of

warm water

he

Chap. XLVI.

stomach with the help of

saturated with

salt,

while in a case of

indigestion the patient should forego

chymous till

his

[

restored to

is

from

suffering

his natural

condition.

whose

indigestion

all

A

food

patient

system has been

and lightened with the abovesaid appliances go fasting till he is restored to his natural

cleansed

should

condition

regards the strength and

as

humours of the

bod}\

The some

eating together of both

of food

articles

Over

(Samashanam).

a

irregular

former meal

called

may

The

is

promiscuous eating

or insufficient

goes

eating at intervals

by the denomination

(Visham£shanam).

thoroughly digested

Adhyashanam.

injurious,

or

eating

called

is

and at improper seasons of

wholesome and unwhole-

in

Eating before the

stomach

is

These three kinds of eating are

and speedily give

rise

tp a variety of diseases,

be ultimately 'attended with

fatal

consequences.

drinking of cold water helps the speedy digestion of

a partially digested food, which has already been attend-

ed with a reactionary acidity, inasmuch as the coldness of the

Pittam,

imbibed water tends

to subdue the

deranged

and the food thus moistened by the water

naturally gravitates into the intestines.

The man, who complains

of a burning sensation in

the stomach, throat or heart, shall find relief by licking a paste

made

of

honey and powdered Haritaki,

or

of

Chap. XLVI.

SUTRASTHAN

]

pulverised Haritaki and Draksha.

M.

1

strong and effulgent with the glow

an attack of indigestion partake

in

the

,V .;

n

taken powdered

Abhaya and

health, apprehen

after

iaeal

Shunti.

be experienced even in a state of

ma v

rning,

wholesome mid-da>

of a

*hoi

man,

Appetto

wh

injdigestion,

chyle or food matter, accumulated

in

the stoni;

pressed upon by the deranged humours,

confines

is

-

corner of the viscus without obstructing the passage c

heat

of the

local

This vicarious appetite

fire.

kills

duped victims with the swiftness of a poison.

its

Specific properties of matter: -N we

shall deal with the

matter, and from

actions of several

them should be

the properties which

inferred the

inherent in

are

of

properties

nature of kinds

various

of matter.

Coldness — is

virtues, alleviates epileptic

sation of the body,

reverse in in

its

exercises

pleasurable,

and

fits,

thirst

and a burning sen-

arrests perspiration.

action to coldness.

It greatly

the process of suppuration in

Oleaginousness imparts a gloss or

styptic

boils

Heat

the

is

helps to set

and abscesses.

oiliness,

and acts as <

an emollient tonic, and cosmetic. opposite of oleaginousness a

thing rough

vitalising, tonic,

to

to

;

it

tactual

Parchedness

is

the

produces stypsis and makes perception.

heavy as regards

digestion,

Sliminess

is

and tends'

produce Kapham, and brings about the adhesion

THE

,8

of

fr

KUTA SAMHITA.

M-

jtured bones.

opposite

ess.

ictions '

or

or

Keen

have

and

suppuration, softness

the

is

now been

hear

It

as

tion.

me

describe the

is

is

like

their

Fetidness

other ten

is

is

and

obstructive.

is

like absorp-

Roughness

mild and

pleasurable, subtile,

the opposite

Narcotism

vitality.

Expansiveness

property

in

-odoriferousness,

changes (like

the

that

of or

digested.

identical

with the exception in

its

undigested

in

the

condition

of

wine) a

is

the

substance

and

Evolution or Emanativeness its

that

state,

food.

of

condition

of which a drug

virtue

for

instantaneously permeates the whole organism

somewhat

actions

moisten-

is

Fluidity

Laxativeness restores the normal

subsequently

and

properties of

produces nausea, and brings on a non -relish

humours.

the

is

liquefacient

witfe

thickening

sliminess.

Odoriferousness

relishing.

sharpness.

described.

Compactness

Humidity

of

Lightness

a

irtues

\

matter with their specific actions. ing.

secretions.

arrests

opposite

acts

The

agent.

Now

begets

sharpness

pleasing and flesh- building.

nosite of heaVine

healing

or

produces languor, increases excrements, and

.ess otric,

soaks up

or

absorbs

It

nd helps the process of healing

:

ulcer.

and

of absorption (Vishad)

jur.iity

>f

XL VI.

Chap.

[

virtue it

is is

with expansiveness

permeates the organism

aud tends to disintegrate the

Chap.

root

the

of

prfhciples

569

Instantaneousness,

body.

expansion of a drop of

the

like

SUTRASTHANAM.

XLVL]

oil

bowl of

east into a

1

water,

to

helps

whole

the

permeate

simultaneously with the use of a drug.

organism the

is

Subtility

quality in virtue of which a thing can penetrate into the smallest

twenty they

and channels of the body.' These

capillaries

have been described

virtues

or

qualities

as

are.

Now we

shall describe the transformations

food stuffs undergo

organism principles,

is

the

in

organism.

composed of the

and

fundamental material

five

the food of a

The

components.

food,

which

turn,

of

its

by the

five

The

in

the

food,

its

consists of

elemental heat or

constituent principles goes to

kindred

organic being

living

mental material principles (elements), its

human

organism.?

which

is

animated

This

partakes of the character of

necessarily

which the

is

corporeal

live

digested,

one,

which

is

in

and each

fire,

augment

its

own

followed by a sweet, digestive

reaction, goes to increase the quantity of Pittam,

the

funda-

completely

digested,

while

contributes

towards the augmentation of the bodily Vayu (nerve force).

portion

of

stool

of the

and the urine

well-digested

substance drawn

the (as

The

the

are

food, the

excreted

lymph chyle

from the well- matured

is

chyle,

has been described in the chapter on the description Blood, 72

Chap.

XIV.

of

the

present

work).

The

THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

570

carried

lymph chyle as

Vyana tends

to

away by the all

strengthen

XLVI.

[Chap.

vital

Vayu known

the

fundamental

principles of the body.

Kaphftm chyle,

Pittam

the

the

in

of

portions

excreted matter

of

the

that of

is

found

impurities

excreted

the excreted portion of the

is

tympanum,

flesh.

the

Nails

excreted portions of the

bones.

and

waxy

are the

etc.,

is

the

are

the

Perspiration

fat.

found

blood,

lymph

hair

The waxy

deposits

and the oily secretions

in the corners of the eyes,

which sometimes mark the skin are the excreted por-

With the dawn of day a man wakes

tions of marrow.

from

and

sleep,

and so remains the

root

till

unfolds like a lotus flower,

heart

his

folds

sleep

the

of

principles

humid during the

state

of

man may

partake

of a

meal

food eaten

in

the

his

up

eyelids.

continue

body

waking. a£

day continues

Hence,

Accordingly,

night,

even

case

in

when

respect

man

remains

But the

(super-eating).

has

of

a

similar

constricted

in

a state

sleep

his

and charged with humidity.

Hence,

on the following day

in

the

sin is

in the

and

his

of

the

night heart

of unconsciousness,

and the root principles of

fast

reverse

conduct

to

recourse

if

a

then undigested,

till

without the fear of committing the physical

Adhyashanam

non-

bod)

T

it is

become

loose

beneficial

to

the event of the food taken

overnight being found to be not properly digested.

Chap.

SUTRASTHANAM.

XL

He, who the

carefully

these

peruses

571 rules regarding

regimen of diet as approved of by the holy* sage

Dhanvantari, the greatest of permits), glorified

becomes great

in

all

the Rajarshis

wisdom, and

is

(

royal

sure to be

with the proud distinction of being the medical

adviser of his king or his nobles. Thus ends hila

the forty-sixth Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in

which

treats of

the Sushruta

Food and Drink.

Here ends the Sutrastharnam.

I'

R 605 S873 1907

SusVuta An English translation of the Sushruta samhita

v.l

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