The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

The case in which thick, long lumps of mucus are expectorated accompanied by bleeding from both the upward and the downward orifices of the body with distinct impression of all the fangs on the bitten part, should be given up by the physician. 23.

A case of snake-bite marked by the symptoms of an insane state like that of a drunkard and accompanied by severe distressing symptoms (Upadrava), as well as loss of voice and complexion and an absence of the circulation of blood* and by other fatal symptoms should be abandoned and no action need be taken therein. 24.

Thus ends the third Chapter of the Kalpa-Sthana in the Sus'ruta
Samhiia which treats of animal poisons.

* The text has "Avegi". Kartika explains it to mean "with suppression of the natural urgings, ie,. of stool, urine, etc.

CHAPTER IV.

Now we shall discourse on the Chapter which treats of the specific features of the poison of a snakebite (Sarpa-dashta-Visha-ViJnsCniya). i.

Having laid himself prostrate at the feet of the holy and wise Dhanvantari, the master of all the S'istras, Susruta addressed him as follows :-» "Enlighten and illumineus, O Lord, on the number and classification of snakes, on the nature of their poison and on the distinguishing marks of their respective bites", whereupon Dhanvantari, the foremost of all physicians replied as follows : — Innumerable are the families of serpents, of which Takshaka and Vdsuki are the foremost and the most renowned. These are supposed to carry the earth* with the oceans, mountains and the islands on their heads and are as powerful and furious as the blazing fire, fed upon the libations of clarified butter. 1 make obeisance to those who constantly roar, bring down rain, scorch the whole world (with the heat of their hundred-headed venom) and are capable of destroying the universe with their angry looks and poisonous breath. It is fruitless, O Susruta, to enter into a discourse on the treatment of their bites as they are beyond the curative virtues of all terrestrial remedies. 2-A.

Classification : — I shall, however, describe in due order, the classification of the terrestrial snakes whose poison lies in their fangs wherewith they bite the human beings (and other animals). They are eighty in number, classified into five main genera, namely, the

* In the Hindu mythology the earth is supposed to rest on the heads of snakes, the inmates of the infernal region*

^04 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. IV.

They are eighty in number, classified into five main genera, namely, the

* In the Hindu mythology the earth is supposed to rest on the heads of snakes, the inmates of the infernal region*

^04 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. IV.

Darvi-kara (hooded), Mandali (hoodless and painted with circular patches or rings of varied colours on their skin), Rsiijiinsta (hoodless and striped), Nirvisha (non-venomous or slightly venomous) and Vaikaranja (hybrid species). The last named is also, in its turn, divided into three sub-divisions only, viz,, the Darvi-kara (hooded), the Mandali (hoodless and ring-marked) and the Rdjimdn (striped ones). 2.

Of these there are twenty six kind? of Darvi-kara snakes, twenty-two of the Mandali species, ten of the Rdji-mdn class, twelve of the Nirvisha (non-venomous) species and three of the Vaikaranja (hybrid) species. Snakes born of Vaikaranja parents are of variegated colours (Chitra) and are of seven different species (three of these being Mandali (marked with rings) and (four) R^jila (marked with stripes). 3.

Classification of snake-bites :— A

snake trampled under foot, or in a fit of anger or hunger, or anywise terrified or attacked, or out of its innate malicious nature, will bite a man or an animal. The bites of these snakes highly enraged as they are, are grouped under three heads by men conversant with their nature, viz., Sarpita (deep-punctured), Radita (superficially punctured) and Nirvisha (non -venomous) bites. Some of the authorities on snake bites, however, add a fourth kind viz^ Sarpdngdbhihata (coming in contact with the body of a serpent}. 4* A.

Their specific Symptoms :— The bite in which one, two or more marks (punctures) of fangs of considerable depth are found on the affected part attended with a slight bleeding as well as those which are extremely slender and owe their origin to the turning aside and lowering of its mouth (head) immediately after the bite and are attended with swelling and the charac-

Chap. IV.] KALPA STHANAM. 70$

IV.] KALPA STHANAM. 70$

• teristic changes (in the system of the victim) should be known as the Sarpita bite. A (superficial) puncture (or punctures) made by the fangs of a snake and the affected part being attended with reddish, bluish, whitish or yellowish lines or stripes is called the Radita bite, which is characterised by the presence of a very small quantity of venom in the punctured wound. A Nirvisha (non-venomous) bite is marked by the presence of one or more fang marks, an absence of swelling and the presence of slightly vitiated blood at the spot and is not attended with any change in the normal (physiological) condition of the person bitten. The contact of a snake with the body of a naturally timid person may cause the aggravation of his bodily V^yu and produce a swelling of the part. Such a man is said to be Sarpj^ngfikbhihata* (affected by the touch of a snake). 4.

A bite by a diseased or agitated snake or by an extremely old or young one, should be considered as considerably less venomous. The poison of a snake is inoperative in a country resorted to by the celestial Garuda (the king of birds), or by the gods, Yakshas, Siddhas and Brahmarshis, as well as in one in which there are drugs of anti-venomous virtues. 5.

Characteristic features of the different Species of snakes :— Those having hoods and marked with spots resembling a wheel or a plough, an umbrella or a cross (Svastika) or a goad (Amkus'a) on their heads and are extremely swift, should be known as the Darvi-kara snakes. Those which are large and slow and marked with parti-colouredp. 89p. 706 ring-like or circular spots on their skin, and have the glow of the sun or fire should be known as Mandali snakes, while those which are glossy and whose bodies are painted with parti-coloured horizontal, perpendicular and lateral stripes, should be known as the Ri^jiman species. 6.

* It should be noted here that coming in contact with thorns and nails, etc., if unnoticed, may also produce in the minds of persons the fear of having been bitten by a snake and may thus produce the effects of such poisoning.

Features of the different Castes