The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

The patient should be made to vomit with the help of any other suitable liquid available, since vomiting in most cases leads to the elimination of the poison from the system. 6.

Specific treatment of the bite by a hooded (Darvi-kara) Snake :— In the case of a bite by a hooded (Darvi-kara) snake, bleeding by opening the veins should be resorted to in the first stage of poisoning. In the second stage, the patient should be made to drink an Agada compound with honey and clarified butter. In the third stage, anti-poisonous snuffs (Nasya) and collyrium (Anjana) should be employed. In the fourth stage, the patient should be made to vomit, and medicated Yavagu (gruel) mentioned before (in connection with vegetable poison — see Chapter II, para. 26, Kalpasthdna) should then be given him for drink. In the fifth and the sixth stages, after the administration of cooling measures, strong purgatives and emetics should be administered and the foregoing medicated Yavdgu (gruel) should be administered to the patient. In the seventh stage, strong medicated Avapida-snuffs andp. 71 strong collyrium of anti-venomous efficacy should be employed for the purification (purging) of the head. Superficial incisions like the marks of crow's feet should be made on the scalp and the affected flesh and blood should be removed. 7.

Specific treatment of bites by a

IVIandali Snake : -In the first stage of a case of poisoning by the bite of a Mandali snake, the treatment is the same as in the corresponding stage of a Darvi-kara (cobra) bite. In the second stage, an Agada compound should be given with honey and clarified butter and after making the patient vomit the preceding medicated Yavagu (gruel) should be administerd to him. In the third stage, after the exhibition of drastic purgatives and brisk emetics, a proper and suitable medicated gruel should be administered. In the fourth and the fifth stages, the treatment would be the same as in the corresponding stages of a Darvi-kara (cobra) bite. In the sixth stage, the drugs of the Madhura (Kdkolyidi) Gana taken with milk prove efficacious. In the seventh stage, anti-venomous Agada compound in the shape of Avapida (snuff) would neutralise the effects of poison. 8.

In the sixth stage, the drugs of the Madhura (Kdkolyidi) Gana taken with milk prove efficacious. In the seventh stage, anti-venomous Agada compound in the shape of Avapida (snuff) would neutralise the effects of poison. 8.

Specific treatment of Raji manbites :— In the first stage of a case of Raijiman-bite, bleeding should be resorted to and an Agada should be administered with milk and honey. In the second stage, emetics and an anti-venomous Agada should be given to the patient. In the third, fourth and fifth stages, the treatment should be the same as in the corresponding stages of a case of Darvi-kara-bite. In the sixth stage, the use of the strongest (anti-venomous) collyrium and in the seventh stage, that of an Avapida (snuff) of similar virtue should be prescribed. 9.

Chap, v.] KALPA STHANAM. 7X9

Contra-indication to blood-letting in cases of Snake-bites:— in the case of an infant, an old man, or an enciente woman having been bitten by a snake, all the foregoing remedies in milder doses with the exception of blood-letting should be employed according to the requirements of the case. lO.

Dosage of Collyrium, etc., to be resorted to incases of different beasts and birds :^The quantity of medicated collyrium (Anjana) to be used and blood to be let out in the case of a goat or a sheep bitten by a snake should be equal to those laid down in connection with a similar human patient, while the quantity should be doubled in the case of a cow or a horse. In the case of a camel or a buffalo it should be trebled, while in the case of an elephant, it should be quadrupled Birds of what soever species in a similar predicament should, howevei, be treated only with sprays of cold water and cooling medicated plasters, ir.

General dosage of medicines in

cases of Snake-bites : — In cases of snake-bites, collyrium to the weight of one Mdshaka (Mdsha) should be used at a time. The dosage of medicated snuff (Nasya), potions and emetics being respectively double, quadruple and eight times thereof. But a wise physician should treat a case of snake-bite with a full regard to the nature of the country, season, temperament, as well as to the intensity and the particular stage of poisoning the case has reached. 12-13.

We have described the anti-venomous measures and remedies applicable to the different stages of poisoning (by a snake-bite). We shall now deal with the specific treatment of poisoning of either kind according to the physical symptoms developed in the patient. Blood-

We shall now deal with the specific treatment of poisoning of either kind according to the physical symptoms developed in the patient. Bloodp. 720letting should be speedily resorted to in the case where the poisoned limb had become discoloured, rigid, swollen and painful. Curd, Takra, honey, clarified butter and meat-soups should then be given to the patient affected with a poison marked by a preponderance of the aggravated Va'yu and by a craving for food. A person aff*ected with a poison marked by a predominance of the aggravated Pitta would have thirst, epileptic fits, perspiration and a burning sensation in the body and should be treated with shampooiag with cold hands and with cold baths, and cooling medicinal plasters. A person affected with a poison marked by a predominance of the aggravated Kapha and bitten in the winter would have cold salivation, epileptic fits and intoxication and should be treated with strong emetics. 14.

Specific treatment of the different
Supervening Symptoms :— Purgatives

should be exhibited in the event of the patient being oppressed with such symptoms as pain and burning sensation in the abdomen, Adhmana (tympanites), retention of urine, stool and flatus, painful urination and other troubles of the deranged Pitta. CoUyrium should be applied (along the eyelids) in the case of a swelling of the eyeballs, somnolence, discolouring of the eye, cloudiness of vision and discoloured appearance of all objects. The head of the patient should be cleansed (purged) with medicinal errhines (Nasya) in the case of pain and a heaviness of the head, lassitude, lock-jaw, constriction of the throat (Gala-graha) and violent wryneck (Manya-stambha). Powders of such drugs of the S'iro-virechana group as are of strong potency, in the shape of Pradhamana Nasya should be blown into the nostrils of the patient suffering from the effects of poisoning in the case where such symptoms as loss of conscious-

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