The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

And lastly, a plaster composed of Sulphate of iron, and tender Karanja leaves pasted with the expressed juice of Kapittha, would be attended with the same result. 88 — 90.

Hair-dcpilators '.—The hair of an ulcerated part of the body found to interfere with the satisfactory healing up of the ulcer, should be shaved with a razor or clipped with scissors, or rooted out with the help of forceps. As an alternative, an application of a plaster consisting of two parts of pulverised (burnt ashes of) conch-shell and one part oi Haritdla (yellow orpiment or yellow oxide of arsenic) pasted with Sukta (an acid gruel) over the desired spot, would be attended with the same result A compound made of the oil of Bhallattaka mixed with the milky exudation of Snuhi, should be used by an intelligent physician as a depilatory measure. As an alternative, the burnt ashes of the stems of plantain leaves and Dirghavrinta (Syondka) mixed with rock-salt, Haritdla and the seeds of Sami,

* This also is a remedy for giving a natural colour to the skin.

26o THE SUSHRtJTA SAMHITA. [Chap. I.

pasted with cold water, should be deemed a good hairdepilatory.* A plaster composed of the ashes of the tail of a domestic lizard, plantain, Haritala (oxide of arsenic), and the seeds of Ingudi burnt together: and pasted with oil and water, and baked in the sun may also be used for the eradicating of hair in the affected locality. 94-95.

Vast! -Karma :— A medicated Vasti (enema) should be applied to the rectum in the case of an ulcer marked by an aggravated condition of the deranged Vayu which is extremely dry and is attended with an excruciating pain occurring specially in the lower region of the body. A measure of Uttara-vasti (Vaginal or Urethral syringe) should be adopted in the cases of strictures and other disorders connected with urine, semen and menstruation, as well as in cases ot gravel ^ in case these are due to an ulcer. An ulcer is purified, softened and healed up by bandaging leaving no room for the apprehension of a relapse. Hence bandaging is recommended. 96-98.

An ulcer is purified, softened and healed up by bandaging leaving no room for the apprehension of a relapse. Hence bandaging is recommended. 96-98.

Patradana (application of leaves on an ulcer) : — Leaves possessed of proper medicinal virtues taking into consideration the particular Dosha and season of the year should be tied (over the medicinal plaster applied) over an ulcer of non-shifting or non-changing character and not affecting a large depth of flesh and which refuses to be healed up owing to its extreme dryness. An ulcer of the deranged Vayu should be tied over with the leaves of the Eranda, Bhurfa, Putika, or Haridrd plants as well as with those of the Upodikd and Gdmbhdri. An ulcer marked by an aggravated condition

* According lo seme this may be used internally for the purpose.

t D. R. Some read "Tathaiiiile" in place of ♦•As'mari-vrane."

."Taiharjile" means and in cases of (aggravated) Vayu.

Chap. I.] CHIKITSA STHANAM. 26l

of the deranged Pitta, or incidental to a vitiated condition of the blood, should be tied in the aforesaid manner with the leaves of the Kds'mari, the Kshira trees (milkexuding trees), and aquatic plants. An ulcer due to the deranged and aggravated Kapha, should be tied over with the leaves of the Pdthd, Murvd, Guduchi, Kdkamdchi, Haridrd or of the S'ukandsd, Only those leaves which are not rough, nor putrid, nor old and decomposed, nor worm-eaten and which are soft and tender should.be used for purposes of Patradana.* The rationale of such a procedure (Patra-vandha) is that the leaves tied by an intelligent physician in the manner above indicated serve to generate heat or cold and retain the liniment or medicated oil in their seat of application. 99-102.

Vermifugal :— The germination of worms due to flies in an ulcer is attended with various kinds of extreme pain, swelling and bleeding in case the worms eat up the flesh. A decoction of the drugs of the Suras ddi gana proves efficacious as a wash and healing medicine in such a case. The ulcer should be plastered with such drugs as the bark of Saptaparna, Karanja, Afka, Nimba, and Rdjddana pasted with the urine of a cow, or washed with an alkaline wash (for expelling the vermin from it). As an alternative, the worms should be brought out of the ulcer by placing a small piece of raw flesh on the ulcer. These vermin may be divided into twenty groups or classes, which will be fully dealt with later on. (Uttara-Tantram- ch. 54). 103.

As an alternative, the worms should be brought out of the ulcer by placing a small piece of raw flesh on the ulcer. These vermin may be divided into twenty groups or classes, which will be fully dealt with later on. (Uttara-Tantram- ch. 54). 103.

Vrinhanam (use of restorative and constructive tonics) : — All kinds of tone-giving and constructive measures should be adopted in the case of a patient

The leaf which does not poison the Sneha and the esserxe of the medicinal drugs placed in a folded piece of linen (and applied over an ulcer is the proper leaf and) should be used for tying over the paste.

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weak and emaciated with the troubles of a long-standing sore, taking full precaution not to tax his digestive powers. Anti-toxic (Vishaghna) medicines and measures and symptoms of poisonings will be described under their respective heads in the Kalpa-Sthanam. 104-105.

^iro-vircchana and Nasya :-S'iro-virechana measures (errhines) should be resorted to by skilful physicians in respect of ulcers situated in the clavicle regions and marked by itching and swelling. The use of medicated (fatty) snufF (Nasya) is recommended in cases where the ulcers would be found to be seated in the regions above the clavicles and marked by an aggravated condition of the deranged Vayu, pain, and absence of the oily matter. 106-107.

Kavala-dharana :— Medicated gargles (^consisting of decoctions of drugs) of purifying or healing virtues either hot or cold * (according to requirements) should be used in the case of an ulcer in the mouth, for the purpose of alleviating the Doshas therein, for allaying the local pain and burning, and for removing the impurities of the teeth and the tongue. 108.

Dhuma-pana : —inhaling of smoke or vapours (of medicated drugs) should be prescribed in cases of ulcers of the deranged Vayu and Kapha attended with swelling, secretion and pain and situated in the region above the clavicles. Application of honey and clarified butter, separately or mixed together should be prescribed in cases of extended or elongated ulcers which are traumatic or incidental in their character (Sadyo-Vrana) for allaying the heat of the ulcer and for bringing about its adhesion . Surgical instruments should be used in connec-

* Hot gargles are recommended in cases of ulcers of the deranged Vayu and Kapha while cold ones in cases of ulcers of the aggravated Pitta and blood.

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