The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

All these are

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slow poisons proving fatal only after a considerable length of time. 13.

Effects of Bulb-poisons:— Now we shall

describe in full the respective effects of the bulb-poisons which are very strong (Tikshna) in their actions The bulb-poison known as the Kailakuta produces complete anesthesia, shivering and numbness. Paralysis of the neck and yellowness of the stool, urine and of the eye-balls are the symptoms produced in a case of Vatsanatbha-poisoning. Retention of stool and urine (Andha), disorders of the palate and the appearance of glands are the effects of a case of Sarshapa poisoning. Loss of speech and weakness of the neck are the symptoms in a case of Pailaka poisoning. Water-brash loose stools (diarrhoea) and a yellowness of the eyes mark a case of Kardamaka-poisoning. Pain in the limbs and diseases of the head are produced in a case of Vaira(taka-poisoning. Shivering and a numbness of the limbs are the effects of a case of Mustaka-poisoning. Lassitude, a burning sensation in the body and an enlargement of the abdomen mark a case of S'ringi-vishapoisoning. An enlargement of the abdomen and redness of the eyes are the symptoms of Pundarikapoisoning. A discolouring of the complexion, vomiting hic-cough, swelling and a loss of cousciousness are the effects of the Mulaka-poison. Difficult breathing and a tawny brown colour of the skin mark a case of Haflaihala-poisoning. Aneurysm (Granthi) on the region of the heart and a piercing pain in the same are the symp toms in a case of Maha(-visha-poisoning; while a case of Karkataka-poisoning is marked by laughing, gushing of the teeth and jumping up (without any cause). 14

Specific properties of the abovenamed BuIb-poiSOns:~These thirteen kinds ofp. 688 bulbous poisons should be deemed as very strong* in their potency and they possess the following tea properties in common. They are parching (Ruksha) and heat-making (Ushna. in their potency. They are sharp (Tikshna) and subtle (Sukshma> i,e.^ have the power of penetrating into the minutest capillaries of the body and are instantaneous (A^u) in their efifects. They first permeate the whole organism and become subsequently digested (Vyavdyi) and disintegrate the rootprinciples of the body (Vikis'i). They are non-viscid (Vis'ada), light in potency (Laghu) and indigestible (Apdki). 15.

They first permeate the whole organism and become subsequently digested (Vyavdyi) and disintegrate the rootprinciples of the body (Vikis'i). They are non-viscid (Vis'ada), light in potency (Laghu) and indigestible (Apdki). 15.

A poison aggravates the bodily V^yu in virtue of its parching quality and vitiates the blood and the Pitta through its heat-generating property. It overwhelms the mind (produces unconsciousness) and tends to disintegrate the limbs and muscles in virtue of its sharpness and penetrates into and deranges the minutest capillaries owing to its extreme subtile essence. It proves speedily fatal owing to its speedy activity and spreads through the entire organism (which is the very nature of a drug) on account of its rapid permeating or expansive quality. It annihilates the root-principles (Dhatus) as well as the Doshas and the Malas (excreta) of the body through the power of disintregation, and does not addhere to any spot therein owing to its non-viscidness. It baffles the efficacies of other drugs and thus becomes unremediable on account of the extreme lightness (of its potency), and it cannot be easily assimilated owing to its innate indigestibility. It thus proves troublesome for a long time. 16.

* The text has **Ugra-viryani" (strong in potency). Gayi reads **Agra-ViryAni" (of great potency),

I

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A poison of whatsoever sort, whether animal, vegetable, or chemical, which proves almost instantaneously fatal (within a day) should be regarded as possessed of all the ten aforesaid qualities. 17.

Definition of Dushi-visha (weak and

slow poison): — A poison whether animal, vegetable or chemical, not fully eliminated from the system and partially inherent therein, enfeebled, of course by anti-poisonous remedies, is designated a Dushi-visha (weak and slow poison) which is even extended to those the keenness of potency whereof is enfeebled by the sun, the fire and the wind, as well as to those which are found to be naturally devoid of some of the ten aforesaid natural qualities of a poison. A Dushi-visha, owing to its enfeebled or attenuated virtue and as a necessary consequence of its being covered over with the bodily Kapha, ceases to be fatal though retained in the system for a number of years. 18.

Sy m ptoms of weak and slow poison -

18.

Sy m ptoms of weak and slow poison - ing : — A person afflicted with any sort of DusM- Visha develops such symptoms as, looseness of stool (diarrhoea), a discoloured complexion, fetor in the body, bad taste in the mouth, thirst, epileptic fits, vomiting (D. R. — vertigo), lassitude, confused speech and all the symptoms of Dushyodara.* A Dushi- Visha lodged in the Am^isaya (stomach) gives rise to diseases due to the combined action of the V^yu and Kapha; seated in the Pakvas'aya (intestines) it brings on diseases due to the deranged condition of the V^yu and Pitta and leads to the falling off of the hair. The patient becomes rapidly atrophied, and looks like a wingless bird. When it attacks the Rasa, etc.f of the system t These are the seven fundamental principles of the body,

* See Chapter VII. para 10, Nid^na-sthdna,

^769b THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. CChap. 11. it produces the diseases* peculiar to the root or vital principles of the body. Its action on the body becomes aggravated on a cloudy day and by exposure to cold and wind. 19-21.

Premonitory Symptoms of Dushl-

ViSha poisoning' : — Now hear me first describe the premonitory symptoms (of its aggravation). They are as follow : —Sleepiness, heaviness (of the limbs), yawning, a sense of looseness (in the joints), horripilation and aching of the limbs. These are followed by a sense of intoxication after meals, indigestion, disrelish for food, eruptions of circular patches (Mandala) on the skin, urticaria (Kotha), fainting fits, loss of the vital principles of the organism (D. R — loss of flesh\ swelling of the face and the extremities (D.R, — Atrophy of the hands and legs), ascites (Dakodara), vomiting, epileptic fits, Vishama-jvara, high-fever and an unquenchchable thirst. Moreover, some of these poisons produce insanity. Some of them are characterised by an obstinate constipation of the bowels (Andha), others, by an involuntary emission of semen while a few others produce confused speech, Kushtha (leprosy), or some other similar disease. 22.

Derivative Meaning of ** Dushi-

ViSha " :^A constant use of some particular time,f place and diet as well as constant and regular day-sleep tends (slowly) to poison the fundamental root-principles

* See Chapter xxvii, Sutra Sthana.