The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

** The text runs "Vriherashtadashabhaga," which means eighteen (or so mnny) parts of a Vrihi ; and Dalian comments that "Vrihi" stands for a measure equal to the twentieth division of a Vrihi or rice grain.

Chap, IV.] SARIRA STHANAM. I45

kantaka etc. The second fold (from the surface) is called Lohitai ; it measures a sixteen-twentieth of a Vrihi and is the seat of such (cutaneous affections; as Tilakilaka, Nyachcha and Vyanga etc. The third fold or layer is called S'/^ti which measures in thickness, a twelve-twentieth of a Vrihi, and forms the seat of such diseases as Aj.igalli, Charmadala, and Mas'aka etc. The fourth fold or layer is called Tstmrak measuring an eight-twentieth of a Vrihi and forms the seat of such diseases as the various kinds of Kilasa and Kushtha etc. The fifth fold or layer is called Vedini, measuring in thickness a five-twentieth of a Vrihi and forms the seat of Kushtha, Visarpa, etc. The sixth fold or layer is called Rohini, which is of equal thickness as a Vrihi (grain), and is the seat of Granthi, Apachi, Arvuda, SHpada and Gala-ganda etc. The seventh fold or layer is called Matasa-dhara( twice a Vrihi in thickness and is the seat of Bhagandara, Vidradhi, and Ars'a etc. These dimensions should be understood to hold good of the skin of the fleshy parts of the body, and not of the skin on the forehead, or about the tips of the fingers, inasmuch as there is a surgical dictum to the effect that an incision as deep as the thickness of the thumb may be made into the region of the abdomen with the help of a Vrihi-mukha (instrument). 3.

The Kala(s too number seven in all and are situated at the extreme borders (forming encasement and support) of the different fundamental principles (Dhatus) of the organism. 4.

Memorable Verses : — As the duramen or core of a piece of wood or stem becomes exposed to view by cutting into it, so the root principles (Dha'tus) of the body may be seen by removing the successive layers or

p. 19

146 THE SUSHRUTA SAMlilTA. Chap. IV. J tissues of its flesh. These Kalds are extensively supplied with Snayus (fibrous tissues), bathed in mucous, and encased in a membranous covering. 5-6.

lYIansadhara-Kala: - Of these Kalas,the first is named Ma^nsadhara (fascia), in the contained flesh (bodily substance of the Kala) of the Sira (veins), Snayu (fibrous tissues), Dhamani (arteiies) and other Srotas (channels; are found to spread and branch out. 7.

7.

lYlemorable Verse : — As the roots and stems of a lotus plant respectively situated in the ooze and water (of a tank;, do si.nultaneously grow and expand, so the veins etc situated in the flesh, grow and ramify. 8.

Raktadhara- Kala : -The second Kald is called Raktat-dharai (Vascular tissue of the blood vessels etc.). The blood is contained in these inside the flesh and specially in the veins (Sira) and in such viscera of the body as the liver and spleen. 9.

IVIemorable Verse:— As a piant containing latex in its tissues, when injured or pricked, exudes milky juice, so blood oozes out instantaneously on the flesh of the body (supplied with the Raktadhara-kala) being injured. 10.

lYIedadhara-Kala :— The third Kald is called Medadharai (adipose tissue). Meda (fat) is present (chiefly) in the abdomen of all animals, as well as in the cartilages (small bones). The fatty substance present in large bones is called Majjai (marrow), ir.

lYIemorable Verse :— Marrow is found inside large bones, whereas a substance similar in appearance and found inside other bony structures (cartilages) should be considered as Meda, mixed with blood. The fats, present in purely muscular structures, go by the name of Vassi (muscle-fat). 12-13.

[Chap. IV. SARIRA STHANAM.

p. 147

dleshmsLdhar^C-Kala :— The fourth Kala is called Sleshmaidharai (Synovial tissues) and is present about all the bone-joints of animals. 14.

IVIemorable Verse : -As a wheel easily turns upon a well greased axle, so the joints moistened by the mucous (Sleshma) contained in these sacs admit of easy movements, i^.

Purishadhara-Kala :— The fifth kala is

called Purishadharai and being situated in the Kostha (abdomen) serves to separate the faecal refuse in the (Pakvasaya) lower gut (from other ingested matters). 16.

Memorable Verse : —This Kala extends about the liver, upper and lower intestines and other abdominal viscera and keeps the foeces in the lower intestines (Undukam) separate and hence is called Maladhara-kald 17.

Pittadhara-Kala:— The sixth Kald is called Pittapharat-kalSL ; it holds (the chyme derived from) the four kinds of solid and liquid foods (in the Pitta-sthanam or biliary region; propelled from the stomach (Amds'aya or Grahani-Nadi) and on its way to the (Pakasaya) intestines (for the proper action of the digestive juices upon it) 18.

IVIemorable Verse :— The four kinds of food,

IVIemorable Verse :— The four kinds of food, viz. those that are chewed, swallowed, drunk, or licked, and brought into the intestines (Kostha) of a man, are digested in proper time through the heating agency (action) of the Pittam 19.

^Ukradhara-Kala :-Thc seventh Kala is called S'lkradharsi (semen-bearing), which extends throughout the entire body of all living creatures. 20.

Memorable Verse : -The physician should

know that like fat (Sarpi) in the milk, or sugar in the expressed juice of sugar-cane, the (seat of) semen is coextensive with the whole organism of a man (or animal).

p. 148

The semen passes through the ducts situated about two fingers' breadth on either side (vas deferens) and just below the neck of the bladder and finally flows out through the canal. The semen of a man during an act of sexual intercourse with a female under exhilaration comes down from all parts of his body owiiig to the extreme excitement (engendered by the act). 21-33.

The orifices of the Artava— carrying channels (vessels of the uterine mucosa) of a pregnant woman are obstructed by the foetus during pregnancy and hence there is no show of menses (during gestation). The menstrual blood thus obstructed in its downward course ascends upwards ; a part of it accumulates and goes to the formation of placenta (Apara' , while the rest ascends higher up and reaches the breasts ; this is the reason why the breasts of a pregnant woman become full and plump. 24.

The spleen and liver of the foetus are formed out of blood ; the lungs are made of the froth of the blood ; and the Unduka or faecal receptacle, of the refuge matter (Mala) of the blood. 25,

Metrical Texts :— The intestines (Antra), the bladder (Vasti), and the anus (Guda) of the foetus are formed out of the essence of the blood and Kapham, baked by the Pittam into which VAyu enters as well. As fire fed by draughts of air refines the dregs of golden ore and transforms it into pure metal, so blood and Kapham acted upon by the heat of the Pittam are transformed into the shape of the intestines etc. in the abdomen. The tongue is made of the essence of the flesh, blood and Kapham. The Vdyu, combined with heat (Pittam) in adequate proportion, rends through the internal channels into the flesh and transforms them into muscles (Pesi). The Vdyu, by taking off

p. 149