The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

CChap. X.

the child her breast. (This rule should be observed at the time of tending the child every day). 13-14.

Treatment of the mother:— The body

of the mother should be anointed (after parturition) with the Vald-Taila and treated sboth internally and externally) with a decoction of Vayu-subduing drugs (such as the B hadra-D drv ddi gvou^, etc.). If still there be any abnormality in the condition of the Doshas (the discharge of vitiated blood / e., lochia), the mother should be given to drink a luke-warm solution of treacle mixed with powders of Pippali, Pippali roots, Hasti-pippali, Chitraka and S'ringavera, and the medicine should be continued for two or three days or longer, (if necessary), till the disappearance of the vitiated blood (lochia). When the discharge gets normal (i e., on the appearance of healthy lochia), the mother should be made to take for three days a gruel (Yavdgu) prepared with the decoction of the drugs constituting the Viddri-Gandhddi Gana and mixed with (a good quantity of; clarified butter or a Yavagu prepared in milk. After that a meal of boiled Sali-rice and a broth made from the meats of Jangala animals boiled with barley, Kola and Ktdattha pulse, should be prescribed for her, taking into consideration the strength and the condition of her appetite (Agni or digesting power). The mother should observe this regimen of diet and conduct for one month and a half (after delivery). After this period she may be at liberty to choose any food to her liking and revert to her natural mode of living. According to several authorities, however, a woman does not regain her natural temperament of body till the reappearance of the healthy menstruation (after parturition). 15.

A strong but newly delivered woman, born and

Chap. X.] SARIRA STIIANAM. 223

15.

A strong but newly delivered woman, born and

Chap. X.] SARIRA STIIANAM. 223

bred up in a Jdngala country should be given to drink, for three or five nights, either oil or clarified butter in an adequate quantity with an after-potion consisting of the decoction of drugs constituting the group known as the Pippalyddi Gana. She should be daily anointed with oil, etc. If, however, of delicate health, she should be made to take, for three or five nights in succession, a medicated Yavagu (gruel) as described in the last para. Thenceforth a diet of demulcent properties should be prescribed for her and her body should be regularly washed with a copious quantity of tepid water. A mother, after parturition, should forego (for a considerable time) sexual intercourse, physical labour and indulgence in irascible emotions/ etc. 1 6 lYIemorable Verses :— Any disease acquired by a newly delivered mother (Sutika) by her injudicious conduct of life soon lapses into one of a difficult type (hard to cure) ; and it becomes incurable if it be due to too much fasting. Hence a wise physician should treat her with such measures as are natural and congenial to her temperament, the time, the place and the nature of the disease, so that she may not be afflicted with any evil effect. 17.

A placenta retained in the uterus causes constipation (Anaha) of the bowels and distention of the abdomen (^tympanitesX Hence in such a case her throat should be tickled with a finger covered with hair ; or the exterior orifice of the vagina should be fumigated with the fumes of the cast-off'skin of a snake, Katuka, Aldvu, Kritavedhana and mustard seeds mixed with mustard oil. In the alternative, a plaster of Ldngali

* Fifteen kinds of emotions as described in the thirty-ninth chapter of ihe Chikitsa-sthanap,!,

224 THE SUSHRUTA SAMIIITA. [Chap. X.

In the alternative, a plaster of Ldngali

* Fifteen kinds of emotions as described in the thirty-ninth chapter of ihe Chikitsa-sthanap,!,

224 THE SUSHRUTA SAMIIITA. [Chap. X.

roots should be applied to the palms and soles of her hands and feet ; or the milky juice of Snuhi tree should be applied over her scalp ; or a compound made of pasted Ldngali roots and Kushtha mixed with either wine or the cow's urine should be given her for drink. A Kalka either of S'dli roots or of the drugs constituting the Pippalyddi Gana mixed with wine (Sura) should be given her for the purpose In the alternative, an Asthapana (enema) of white mustard seeds Kushtha (Kuda), Ldngali, and the milky juice of MahdvriksJia, mixed with Sura-manda should be prescribed. (If the above measures fail) an Uttara-Vasti (uterine douche) prepared with the aforesaid drugs and boiled in mustard oil should be applied ; or else the placenta should be removed by the hand lubricated with an oleaginous substance and with the nails clipped off. i8.

IVIakkalla and its Treatment :— The

lochia of a newly delivered woman whose organism has become excessively dry on account of profuse use of absorbants or deranged by any other causes, — the lochia being obstructed in its exit by the local Vayu, — gives rise to Granthis (nodules) which may appear below the navel, on the sides of the pelvis about the region of the bladder or of the pubis. Severe piercing pain (Sula) is felt about the region of the navel, the stomach and the bladder and a sensation of pricking with needle and cutting pain in the intestines. At the same time the abdomen becomes distended with the retention of urine. These are the symptoms of Makkalla. In such a case, a decoction of the drugs of the Viratar-vddi 6^<^;/^ mixed with a powdered compound of the Ushakddt Gana should be given her. In the alternative, a potion of carbonate of potash [Yavakshdra) dissolved in tepid water or in clarified butter ; of rockp. 225salt dissolved in the decoction'of the Pippalyddi Gana ; of a compound made of the powdered drugs of the latter Gana with Surd-manda ; of the powders of cardamom and PancJici-kolas dissolved in the decoction of the drugs of the Vaninddi Gana ; of the powders of pepper and Bhadraddrii dissolved in the decoction of the Prithakparnyddi Gana ; or of pulverized Trikatu^ Chaturjdtaka and Knstiimhuru mixed with old treacle ; or of simple Arishta, should be prescribed. 19.

Management of the Child:— The baby