The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

An incised vein, unattended with any bleeding owing to the patient's fright, coldness or loss of consciousness, is called Aprasrulai (unbleeding).

2o6 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. VIII.

A vein with a large incision in its body made with a sharp and flat-edged instrument, is called Atyudirnat (improperly wide-incised). An opened vein in which blood oozes out in small quantity is called Anteabhihatat (struck in the interior). An opened vein in an anaemic patient (marked by a total absence of bleeding and) stuffed with Vayu (lit., as if the flow has been dried up by the Vayu), is called Paris'ashkaL (dried up). A vein opened but to a quarter part of the proper length and attended with a scanty outflow of blood, is called Kunitai (partially incised). A vein which trembles owing to its being bandaged at a wrong place and from which blood does not flow out in consequence, is called VepitaL (quivering i. A vein incised without being previously properly raised up and attended with a similar result (ie., absence of blood), is called Auutthita-viddha^. A vein cut into two and attended with excessive bleeding and inoperativeness of the organ is called Sastrahata' (knife-cut). A vein incised with an instrument applied slantingly and (consequently) not fully opened, is called Tiryagf-viddha' (obliquely incised), A vein incised several times and (every time) with an improper instrument, is called Apaviddhat (wrongly incised) A vein unfit for opening {i,e., whose opening has been forbidden in the Sastras\ is called Avyskdhyai (unfit for opening), A vein opened carelessly and hastily is called Vidrutai (erratic). A vein bleeding continuously owing to its being repeatedly pressed and successively opened, is called Dhenuksi. A vein variously cut owing to its being pierced into the same part with an extremely slender-pointed instrument, is called Panah-punarvidahsi (repeatedly incised). If a vein in the Sn^yu-marmas, the Asthi-marmas, the SirA-marmas or the Sandhi-marmas be opened, it is

Chap. Vllt.] SARtRA STIIANAM. 20/

called Marma-viddhai and in such cases severe pain, emaciation (Sosha) deformity or (even) death may be the result. 54.

Memorable Verses : —Practice (even) docs

Vllt.] SARtRA STIIANAM. 20/

called Marma-viddhai and in such cases severe pain, emaciation (Sosha) deformity or (even) death may be the result. 54.

Memorable Verses : —Practice (even) docs

not give the necessary skill in surgical operation of the veins etc., as they are naturally unsteady and changing like fishes. Hence a vein should be opened with the greatest care. An opening into the body, made by an ignorant and unskilful surgeon, is attended with the aforesaid dangers and many other distresshig symptoms. An act of venesection, properly performed, gives more speedy relief than that derived from the application of medicated oil &c., or of plaster as well. Venesection (bleeding) properly performed is half of the treatment described in surgery like the application of Vastikarmas (enematic measures) in therapeutics. 55.

A man medically anointed (Sneha-karma), diaphorised (Sveda\ vomited (Vamana), purged (Virechana), or treated with both the Vasti-karmas (Anuvasana and Asthdpana) or bled shall forego anger, physical labour, sexual intercourse, sleep in the day time, excessive talking, physical exercises, riding or driving etc., sitting on his haunches, frequent ramblings, exposure to cold, winds and the sun, hardly digestible, uncongenial and incompatible food until the strength is perfectly restored or, according to some authorities, for a month. These subjects will be fully dealt with later on Aturopadrava-chikitsa, ch. — 39). 56.

Memorable Verses :— The vitiated blood

incarcerated in any part of the body should be abstracted therefrom by scarifying it, by cupping it with a Sira (pipe), a horn, a gourd, or leeches, or by the opening of a vein respectively, according to the density of the blood. (Others assert that) leeches should be applied inp. 208 the case of the (vitiated) blood being confined deep into the body, scarification with a surgical instrument should be made in the case of clotted blood, with a pipe in the case of extensive vitiation of the blood throughout the body and with a horn or a gourd in the case of the deranged blood having been seated in the skin. 57-58.

Thus ends the eighth Chapter of the S'arira Sihanam in the Sus'ruta
Samhita which treats of venesection.

CHAPTER IX.

Now we shall discourse on the Sctriram which treats of the description of the arteries, nerves and ducts, etc.*

(Dhamani-Vyakarana-^ariram). r.

CHAPTER IX.

Now we shall discourse on the Sctriram which treats of the description of the arteries, nerves and ducts, etc.*

(Dhamani-Vyakarana-^ariram). r.

There are twenty-four Uhamanies (ducts) in all, and all of them have their origins in the naval region (which includes the whole abdominal region*|-). Several authorities assert that no arbitrary distinctions should be made among the Siras (veins), Dhaman is (arteries), and the Srotas, (channels), since Dhamanis and Srotas are but different modifications of one original kind of Sira (vessels). But this opinion is not a sound one inasmuch as they have got different natures, origins and functions and as being described so in the Ayurveda. But owing to their adjacent positions, the existence of several authoritative dicta (Apta-vak) regarding the oneness of their character, similarity of their functions, and the minute nature of their shape, they appear to be homologous in their action, even amidst the real diversities in their work and office. 2.

Of the twenty-four Dhamanis, which (originally) have their roots in the naval region (Nabhi), ten have upward course, ten have downward course, and four flow laterally or transversely. 3.

Functions of the up-coursing Dhamanis:— The ten up-coursing Dhamanis (nerves)

* Sans. Dhama— to be filled with air, so called from the fact of their being distended with air after death.

t So far, as in foetal' life, allantoic arteries and ihe unbilical veins subserve the purposes of nutrition, excretion, etc , and reflects the rudimentary vascular system.

2;

210 THE SUSHRUtA SAMHITA. [Chap. IX.