The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

p. 721

ness, upturned eyes and drooping of the neck would set in. The veins of his forehead and of the extremities should be instantly opened. When such opening of the veins would not be attended with (the desired) bleeding superficial incisions in the shape of cow's feet (Kdkapada) should be made by an experienced surgeon on the scalp of the patient. These failing, the incisioned bits of flesh mixed with blood should be removed and the decoction or powders of a Charma-vriksha (Bhurja patra) should be applied to the incisions. Dundubhis (small drums) smeared with anti-venomous plasters should be sounded around the patient. The patient thus restored to consciousness should be treated with both purgatives and emetics. A complete elimination of the poison from the system is a very difficult task but it is indespensably necessary, since the least remnant of the poison may again be aggravated in course of time and cause lassitude, discolouring of the complexion, fever, cough, headache, swelling, emaciation (bosha), cataract, blindness, catarrh (Pratis'yaya), aversion to food and nasal catarrh (Pinasa). These diseases and any other supervening symptoms of poisoning should be treated according to the injunctions laid down under their specific heads with a careful consideration of the Dosha or Doshas involved in each case. 15.

The ligature should then be removed, the seat of the bite incisioned and an Agada plaster should be applied there, so inasmuch as the poison is found to be lodged in a condensed form (in the puncture of the fangs) and is likely to be after^vards aggravated (if not fully eliminated). 16.

Remedy for aggravated Doshas due

to poison:— If the Vaiyu of the body be found to be in an aggravated condition, even after a careful elimip. 91p. 722nation of the poison from the system with the help of suitable Mantras, measures and medicinal remedies, it should be pacified and restored to its normal condiiton with any V^yu-pacifying Sneha, etc., other than oil. The use of fish, Kulattha-sou'^ and acid articles (fermented rice-gruel, etc.) is forbidden. The aggravated Pitta in such a case should be remedied with the application of a Sneha- Vasti and with the decoction of drugs prescribed in cases of PittajafeVer, while the deranged Kapha should be corrected with Kapha-subduing remedies or with (the decoction of) the drugs of the Ara^vadhAdi Gana mixed with honey, or with a diet consisting of bitter and parching (Ruksha) articles of food. 17.

17.

A person found to be unconscious from the effects of a fall from an uneven ground or from the top of a tree or precipice as well as a drowned man rescued unconscious, or one in a state of suspended animation owing to strangulation should be treated according to the injunctions and with remedies laid down in connection with the treatment of persons who have become unconscious from the effects of poisoning (mentioned in the present chapter). 18.

If a deep seated incision (Prachchhita) in, or an extremely tight fastening (Arishta) around the seat of the bite, or an application of extremely irritant plasters or any such other application thereon gives rise to a local swelling which emits a bad smell and slimy matter it should be inferred from these that the inherent poison in such a case has putrefied the flesh of the affected part which can be made amenable to medicine only with the greatest difficulty. 19- A.

Sypmtomsof wounds from poison--

ed dartSy etc ; The poisonous character ofp. 723 a dart or of an arrow with which a person has been pierced (Digdha-viddha) should be inferred from the following symptoms, viz.^ flow of black-coloured blood from an immediately inflicted wound, suppuration, a constant burning sensation (in the incidental ulcer) and sloughing of black coloured, putrefied and morbid flesh mixed with a mucopurulent discharge from the wound, and thirst, vertigo, epileptic fits, a burning sensation in the body and fever. 19.

Treatment of a poisoned wound :— In

19.

Treatment of a poisoned wound :— In a case where all the above symptoms of poisoning are present whether in a case of snake-bite or of a bite by a spider (Lutd). or in a case of being pierced with a venomed arrow, or in a case of poisoning of any kind, where putrefaction has set in, the putrid flesh of the incidental ulcer should be judiciously removed and the vitiated blood of the locality should be speedily extracted by applying leeches thereto. The system of the patient should then be cleansed with purgatives and emetics and the affected part of his body should be profusely sprayed or washed with the decoction (of the bark) of a Kshiri-Vriksha A poultice prepared with the anti venomous drugs of cool potency mixed with clarified butter (washed a hundred times and) placed inside the folds of linen should also be applied. In the event of its being caused by the insertion or introduction of a bone* of any animal, the bone of which is poisonous in itself, the measures and remedies laid down above as well as those prescribed under the treatment of the "Pitta-poisoning" should be adopted and used. 20.

* Dallana holds that by the word "bone" in the text should be understood all the different sources of poison, viz.^ feeces, urine, nail, tooth, bristle, etc., of an animal.

p. 724

Recipe of different Agadas :— IVIaha-

g^ada : — The pcwders of Trivrit^ Vis'alyd, Yashtimadhu, the two kinds of Haridrd, Raktd (Manjishthd), Natendra (Aragvadha), the five kinds of officinal salt and 7>2-/^^^^, pasted with honey, should be placed inside a horn. This Agada or anti-poisonous compound used as snuff (Nasya), collyrium and anointment acts as a good neutraliser of poison. It is irresistible in its potency and is of mighty efficacy. It is called the Maha(gada. 21.

Ajitagcada : - A compound made of powdered Vidanga, Pdthdy Tri-phald, Ajamoda, Hingu, Chakra (Tagara>, Tri-katu, the five kinds of officinal salt and Chitraka, pasted with honey, should be kept for a fortnight inside a cow's horn covered with a lid of the same material. This anti venomous compound (Agada) is known as the Ajita^gada and is efficacious in cases of both vegetable and animal poisoning. 22.