The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

Several authorities assert that the Srotas (vessels) are innumerable]:, and perform different functions in their different aspects.

The two Srotas (channels) of Prana (bronchi) have their roots in the heart and the Rasa-carrying Dhamanis (pulmonary arteries). An injury to any of these Srotas (vessels) produces groaning, bending down of the body, loss of consciousness (Moha), illusion, and shivering, or may ultimately prove fatal. The foodcarrying Srotas (^Esophagus) have their roots in the Amasaya (stomach) and in the food-carrying Dhamanis (intestines). An injury to or piercing of such a duct (Srota), gives rise to tympanites, colic pain, aversion to food, vomiting, thirst, blindness or darkness of vision, or may even end in death. There are two water-carrying (Udaka-vaha) ducts or channels which have their roots in the palate and the Kloma^ and a pie-cing of any

* Hearing, touch, smell, taste, and sight.

t Eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin.

t But this science does not take any cognisance of them, since the pain incidental to a piercing of, or an injury to, any of these extremely attenuated channels, tnust be slight in its character.

p. 214

t But this science does not take any cognisance of them, since the pain incidental to a piercing of, or an injury to, any of these extremely attenuated channels, tnust be slight in its character.

p. 214

of these makes the patient thirsty and ends in his instantaneous death (/. e , within seven days). The serumcarrying (Rasa-vaha) ducts are two in number and have their roots in (the viscus of) the heart and the serum-carrying Dhamanis (vessels). An injury to or piercing of any of these ducts gives rise to Sosha (consumption) and symptoms identical with those developed by a hurt to the Prana-vaha channels of the body, ending in death. The blood-carrying Srotas (channels) are two in number and have their roots in the spleen and the liver, and the blood-carrying Dhamanis (capillaries in general). An injury to any of these channels is attended with pallor, bluishness of complexion, fever, burning sensations, excessive haemorrhage, and redness of the eyes. The two muscle-carrying Srotas (ducts or channels) have their roots in the (Sndyu), nerves Tvak (serum), and the blood-carrying Dhamanis (capillaries). An injury to any of these channels is characterised by swelling, loss or atrophy of the muscles, appearance of varicose veins or may (ultimately) resu't in death. The fat-carrying Srotas (ducts) are two in number and have their roots in the region of the Kati (waist) and the Vrikkas (kidneys). An injury to any of these bring in (a copious flow of) perspiration, oily gloss of the skin, parched condition of the palate, extensive swelling (of the affected locality) and thirst. The two urine-carrying Srotas (channels) have their roots in the bladder and the penis (urethra). An injury to any of these is marked by constipation or epistaxis in the bladder, retention of urine, and numbness of the genitals. The two stool-carrying Srotas (ducts) have their roots in the Guda (anus) and the Pakvas'aya (intestines) ; an injuiy to any of these is characterised by complete retention of st;ool (in the bo\vels), accom-

Chap. I)?.] SARIRA STHANAM. ^I5

I)?.] SARIRA STHANAM. ^I5

panied by a distention of the abdomen, foul smell and intussusception of the intestine (as in a case of ententes). The two semen-carrying Srotas (ducts) have their roots in the breasts and the testes. An injury to any of them leads to loss of manhood, delayed emission of semen, or blood-streaked character of that fluid. The two Artava- carrying Srotas (ducts) have their roots in the uterus as well as in the Dham.anis which carry the Artava (ovarian product). An injury to any of these brings on sterility, suppression of the menses and incapacity for copulation. A cutting to the Sevan! (median raphe of the perineum) exhibits symptoms identical with those of a case of injured bladder or anus, described before. A physician may take in hand the medical treatment of a case of a Srota which has been pierced, but he shall not necessarily entertain any hope of ultimate success. (But time works wonders, and such a case may sometimes end in recovery). A case of pierced duct, from which the dart (Salya, or the like piercing matter) has been extricated, may be medically treated (without holding out any prospect of recovery to the friends of the patient), according to the direction laid down under the head of ulcer (^Vrana). 11-12.

IVIetrical Text :— The ducts emanating from the cavity of the heart, other than the Siras (veins), Dhaman is (arteries), and found to course through the whole body, are called Srotas (lit. channels or currents). 13.

Thus ends the ninth Chapter of the S'arira Sthanam in the
Sus'ruta Samhita which treats of the descriptions of the arteries,
cucts and nerves.

CHAPTER X.

Now we shall discourse on the Sdriram which treats of the nursing and management, etc., of pregnant women from the day of conception till parturition

(Garbhini-Vyakarana-^ariram). i.