The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

4.

IVIemorable Verses :— The first three types of seminal derangements or defects should be corrected by an intelligent physican with an application of medicated oil etc. ^Sneha-karma), diaphoric measures etc* or uretheral injections ^Uttara-vasti). A medicated Ghrita prepared with a (decoction and Kalka of; Dhdtaki flowers, Khadira^ Dddima and Arjuna barks should be given to drink to a man whose semen em'ts a cadaverous smell (Kunapa\ As an alternative, a medicated Ghrita prepared with (a decoction and levigated paste or Kalka of) the drugs forming the S^dlasdrddi group should be given to him. In a case of

* The word " Adi " in the text inclutles emelic>, purgatives, Anuvasanam and Aslhapanam meai^ures according to their specific Doshas.

124 THE SUSIIRUTA SAMIIITA. [Chap II.

clotted and shreddy semen (Granthi), the patient should be made to drink a medicated Ghrita prepared with a (decoction and Kalka of) S'athi, or with an alcaline solution prepared from the ashes of the burnt P aids' ha wood. In the case of a pus-like appearance of the fluid the patient should be treated with the medicated Ghrita prepared with (a decoction and Kalka of) the drugs included within the groups of Parushakddi and Vatddi (Nyagrodhadi) Ganas, In a case of thin semen, measures laid down under the same head before, as w^ell as those to be hereafter described should be resorted to. Similarly a medicated Ghrita, prepared with (a decoction and Kalka of) Chiti^akk roots ^ Ushira roots and Hingu, should be drunk in a case of the semen smelling like urine or fecal matter. In all cases of seminal disorders as well as in menstrual anomalies, Uttara- Vssti (uretheral or vaginal injection) should be made after having recourse to the application of medicated oil etc. (Sneha-karma\ purgatives, emetics, Asthapana and Anuvasana measures. 5 — 12

Treatment of derang^ed Artava:— In

all the four cases when the catamenial blood would be found to be vitiated (by the deranged Vayu, Pittam, Kaphah or Sonita), the preliminary remedial measures of the application of oil etc. purgatives etc. (Pancha-karma) should be first employed and then the following measures should be undertaken viz. application of Kalka, (levigated paste of drugs), Pichu (medicated plugs— pecharies etc.), Pathya (diet) and Achamaua ^vashes with decoctions) as described under the treatment of Gyonoecological cases etc. Appearance of clots of blood (Granthi) in place of the healthy menstrual fluid would indicate, decoction or a pulverised compound of P^th^, Trushuna and Vrikshaka (Kutaja).

Appearance of clots of blood (Granthi) in place of the healthy menstrual fluid would indicate, decoction or a pulverised compound of P^th^, Trushuna and Vrikshaka (Kutaja).

Chap. II.] NIDANA STIIANAM. 125

A decoction o^ B/iadras^'rifam'^ and Chandanam is indicated in the case when the menstrual fluid would smell like fetid pus, or contain marrow. The remedies described under the head of seminal disorders, should be likewise prescribed in cases of menstrual anomalies caused by the action of the deranged Vdyu, Pittam and Kaphah according to the requirements of each individual case under treatment. Sdli-rice, barley, wine and meat with cholagogue properties should be deemed as a wholesome diet in these cases. 13 — 16.

Traits of pure and healthy semen and menstrual blood : — Semen which is transparent like crystal, fluid, glossy, sweet and emits the smell of honey ; or like oil or honey in appearance according to others, should be considered as healthy. The catamenial blood (Artava) which is red like the blood of a hare, or the washings of shellac and leaves no stains on cloths (which may be washed off by simply soaking them in water) should be considered as healthy. 17—18.

Asrig'dara (Menorrhagia) :— An abnormal or excessive discharge of the menstrual blood (Artava), or its long persistence even after the wonted time, or its appearance at a premature or unnatural period (as well as contrarity in its colour or properties) is called Asrigdara. All types of the disease (Asrigdara) are attended with an aching in the limbs and a painful flow (of the catamenial fluid). In case of excessive hoemorrhage (from the uterus), symptoms such as weakness, vertigo, loss of consciousness, darkness of vision, or difficult breathing, thirst, burning (sensation of the body), delirium, palour, somnolence and other Vataja

* Bhadras'riyam is 8'richandanam according to Dallana or white Sandal \vood according Gayadasj^.

p. 126

troubles (convulsion, hysteria etc.) may set in. A physician should treat a case of Asrigdara with measures and remedies as laid down under the head of R^kta-pittam (hoemorrhage) in a case when the patient is young (of sixteen years), careful in her diet, and the disease unattended with severe complications. 19 -2t.

19 -2t.

Amcnorrhoe : -In a case of suppression of menstruation (Amenorrhoe) caused by the obstruction of the deranged Doshas (Vayu and Kapham) in the passage, the patient should be advised to take fish, Kulattha pulse, Masha pulse, Kanjikam fermented sour gru 1 etc.), Tila, wine (Sura), cow's urine, whey, half diluted Takra, curd and S^uktam for her diet. The symptoms and treatment of thin and scanty menstruation have been described before. Still in such a case measures laid down for the treatment of Nashta-Rakta (amenorrhoe) may be adopted. Under a course of treatment described as before, the semen or the catamenial blood of a person would be resorted to their healthy and normal condition. 22 — 23.

A woman with (healthy) catamenial flow should forego the bed of her husband during the first three days of her uncleanness, as well as day sleep and colly rium. S'le shall not shed tears nor bathe, nor smear her person (with sandal paste etc.\ nor anoint her body, nor pare her nail, nor run, nor indulge in loud and excessive laughter and talk, nor should she hear loud noise, nor comb her hiir, nor expose herself to droughts, nor do any fatiguing work at all ; because if a woman sleeps in the day time (during the first three days of her period) her child of subsequent conception becomes sleepy or somnolent. The woman who applies collyrium along her eyelids (during those days), giv^esCliap. il.] SARIRA STHANAM. 1 27 birth to a blind child ; by shedding tears (during her period) a woman gives birth to a child of defective eyesight ; by bathing or smearing her body (with sandal paste etc.) a miserable one ; by anointing her body a leper (Kushthi) ; by paring her nails a child with bad nails ; by running a restless one ; by indulging in excessive laughter, a child with brown (S>ava) teeth or palate or tongue ; by excessive talking a garrulous child or one of incoherent speech ; by hearing loud sounds, a deaf child ; by combing her hair, a bald one ; whereas by exposure to the wind or by doing fatiguing work (during the first three days of her period) she gives birth to an insane child (conceived immediately after it >. Hence these acts (day sleep etc) arc to be avoided. 24

Regimen to be observed in her