The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

Thus we have described the seven hundred Sirds with their branches. 7.

Memorable Verses— The Vdyu-carrying

Sirds : —The Vdyu in its normal state and coursing through its specific Siras (vessels) helps the unobstructed performance of its specific functions viz.^ expansion, contraction, speech, &c., and produces the clearness and non-illusivencss of Buddhi ( intellect ) and the senseorgans, whereas a coursing of the said Vayu in a deranged condition through the aforesaid Sirds (vessels), gives rise to a host of such diseases as are due to the derangement of Vdyu. 8.

The Pitta-carrying ^iras:— The Pitta in

its normal state and coursing through its specific S'iras (vessels) produces the healthy glow of complexion, relish for food, kindling of the appetite, healthfulnoss and other good effects, characteristic of the Pitta, which however being aggravated and coursing through them gives rise to a host of Pittaja diseases. 9.

The Kapha-conveying firsts:— The

Kapha in its normal state and coursing through its specific Sirds (vessels) smoothes and contributes to the firmne33 of the limb3 and joints, improves the strength and produces all other good effects specially belonging to it, whereas the same Kapha, flowing through them in an aggravated condition, ushers in a large number of the Kaphaja distempers of the body. 10.

The Rakta-carryi ng ^i rsis : —The blood in its normal state and flowing through its specific S'irdsp. 25 t94 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. VII.

(vessels) strengthens the other fundamental principles (Dhatus) of the body, improves the complexion, aids the organ of touch in the proper performance of its functions and produces other functions characteristic of it in the body. Flowing through them in a vitiated condition, it begets diseases which are due to the derangement of the blood, ii.

There is not a single Sira (vessel) in the body which carries either the Vayu, or the Pitta or the Kapha alone. Hence each of the vessels should be regarded as affording an opportunity for conveying all kinds of the Doshas of the body, for as soon as they are deranged and aggravated they seem to flow through all the Sirds promiscuously. Hence they are called Sarvavahah. 12.

Specific colours of the ^iras:-The

Hence they are called Sarvavahah. 12.

Specific colours of the ^iras:-The

vessels which carry the bodily Vayu (nerves) have a vermilion (yellowish red) hue and seem to be stuffed with Vdyu. The Pitta-carrying vessels (veins) are coloured blue and felt warm to the touch. The Kaphacarrying vessels are hard, cold to the touch and whitecoloured. The blood-carrying vessels (arteries) are red and neither too hot, nor too cold. 13.

Now we shall describe the Siras (veins) which a surgeon should not pierce or open, inasmuch as it may result in death, or bodily deformity. An intelligent surgeon shall always bear in mind that sixteen out of the four hundred vessels in the extremeties, thirty-two out of the hundred and thirty-six vessels in the trunk and fifty out of the sixty-four vessels in the region above the clavicles, should not be opened or bled on any account. 14-15-

Of the one hundred vessels in a single leg, the one Jdla<ihard (which is attached to the connective tissue

Chap, vn.] SARIRA STHANAM. ,lg5

14-15-

Of the one hundred vessels in a single leg, the one Jdla<ihard (which is attached to the connective tissue

Chap, vn.] SARIRA STHANAM. ,lg5

of the Kurchcha-Sirah) as well as the three internal ones, of which two are known as the Urvi- veins and the other as the Lohitiksha, together with the corresponding ones in the other leg and in the two hands, thus making sixteen in all, which are situated in the upper and lower extremeties, should be held unfit for opening. Of the thirty-two veins in the pelvic region (Sroni), eight such, known as the four)Vitapas (two on each side of the testicles) and the four known as the Katika-tarun as (two on each side) should be considered unfit for bleeding or opening. Of the sixteen veins (eight on each side) at the sides, the one which courses upward from each of the two sides and is attached to the Marma known as the Patrs'va- Sandhi, should be considered unfit for similar purposes. Of the twenty-four Siras which are found in either side of the spinal column, an incision should not be made into any of the two Siras (on each side) known as the Vrihati and which run upward along either side of it (spinal column). Similarly of the twenty-four Siras in the abdomen, the two along each of the two sides of symphis pubis should be held unfit for opening or bleeding. Of the forty veins in the chest, the two in the heart, two in the root of each breast and two in each of the Stana-rohita (muscle of the breast) and one in each of the Apastambhas and Apalapas, making fourteen in all, should not be opened. Thus thirty-two Siras in the regions of the back (i. e., the sides and the pelvic regions), the abdomen and the chest should be regarded as unfit for opening or other surgical purposes. 16—21. There are one hundred and sixty-four Sirds in the region above the clavicles. Of these the eight and four (making twelve and respectively known as the eight Matrikas, the two Nilas and the two Manyas) out of the fifty-six in the neck and the throat, should . bep. 196 regarded as unfit for opening. Similarly the two veins in the two Krik^tikds and two in the two Vidhuras, should be held unfit for similar purposes ; thus making sixteen in all in the neck. Of the sixteen vessels (eight on each side) of the Hanus (Jaws), the two Siras about each of the joint of the jaw-bones should never be opened. 22.