The Sushruta Samhita — trans. Bhishagratna

Others, on the contrary, are of opinion that milk should not, in any case, be given to a fracturc'patient for fear of suppuration and the setting in of pus.

Others, however, take "Kshirasarpih" to be a compound word and explain the term to mean the clarified butter prepared from milk (as distinguished from that prepared from curd).

But experience tells us that in cases of excessive weakness or emaciation, milk may be given without any hesitation— Ed.

28o THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA- [Chap. lit.

washed one hundred times in succession) should be used for plastering the fracture. 2-6.

Bandag'e : — Fractures should be (dressed and) bandaged once a week in cold weather, on every fifth day in temperate weather {i.e., in spring and autumn), and on every fourth day in hot weather {t.e., in summer), or the interval of the period for bandaging should be determined by the intensity of the Doshas involved in each individual case. An extremely loose bandage prevents the firm adhesion of a fractured bone, a light bandage gives rise to pain, swelling and suppuration of the local skin, &c. Hence in cases of fractures, experts prefer a bandage which is neither too tight nor too loose. 7-Z,

Washings :— A cold decoction of the drugs of the Nyagrodhddi group should be used in washing (the affected part), whereas in the presence of (excessive) pain, (the part) should be washed with milk boiled with the drugs of the (minor) Pancha-mula, or simply with the oil known as the Chakra-taila made lukewarm*. Cold (or warm) lotions and medicinal plasters (Pradehas)ofDoshasubduing drugs should be prescribed with due regard to the nature of the season and the Doshas involved in each case. 9-10.

A preparation of milk f from a cow, delivered for the first time, boiled with the drugs of the Madhurddi group and mixed with powdered shellac and clarified butter (as an afterthrow) should be given (when cold) to a fracturepatient as a beverage every morning. In a case of t Consisting of the drugs of the Kakolyadi group weighing two Tolas, milk sixteen Tolas, water sixty-four Tolas, boiled together with the water entirely evaporated.

* In winter and where the aching pain is present due to Vayu and Kapha.

Ghap. III.] CHIKITSA STHANAM. 2^1

fracture attended with ulcer on the part, an astringent plaster plentifully mixed with honey and clarified butter should be applied ; and the rest (diet and regimen of conduct) should be as laid down in the case of a (simple) fracture. 11-12.

2^1 fracture attended with ulcer on the part, an astringent plaster plentifully mixed with honey and clarified butter should be applied ; and the rest (diet and regimen of conduct) should be as laid down in the case of a (simple) fracture. 11-12.

PrOgTIO^iS : -A case of fracture occurring in a youth or a person with slightly deranged Doshas or in winter, is held to b3 easily curable (with the help of the aforesaid medicines and diet). A fractured bone in a youth is joined by the aforesaid treatment in the course of a month, in two months in the case of a middleaged man and in three months in one of old age. 13-14.

An elevated and fractured joint should be reduced by pressing it down, while one hanging down should be set by raising it up, by pulling it in the case of its being pushed aude, and by reinstating it in its upward (proper) position in the event of its being lowered down. An intelligent physician should set all dislocated (Bhagna) joints, whether fixed or movable, by the mode of reduction, known as Anchhana, Pidana, (pressure), Sankshepa and Vandhana (bandaging). 15-16.

Treatment :— A crushed or dislocated joint should not be shaken (/.6'., should be kept at rest) and cold lotions or washes and medicated plasters (Pradeha) should be applied to the part. A joint is spontaneously reset to its natural or normal state or position after the correction of its deformity incidental to a blow or hurt having been effected. The fractured or dislocated part should be first covered with a piece of linen soaked in clarified butter. Splint should then be placed over it and the part properly bandaged. 17-19.

Treatment of fractures in particular

limbs : — Now we shall discourse on the measures to be adopted in fractures occurring in each particular

p. 36

282 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. HI.

17-19.

Treatment of fractures in particular

limbs : — Now we shall discourse on the measures to be adopted in fractures occurring in each particular

p. 36

282 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. HI.

limb. In the case of a nail-joint, being in any waycrushed or swollen by the accumulation of the deranged blood (in the locality), the incarcerated blood should be first let out with the help of an awl (Ard) and the part should be plastered with a paste of S^li-rice. A finger or phalanx bone put out of joint or fractured should be first set in its natural position and bandaged with a piece of thin linen and should be then sprinkled over with clarified butter. In the case of a fracture in the foot the fractured part should be first lubricated with clarified butter, then duly splinted up, and bandaged with linen. Such a patient should forego all kinds of locomotion. In the case of a fracture of the knee-joint or thigh-bone the affected part should be lubricated with clarified butter and carefully pulled straight, after which it should be splinted with barks (of Nyagrodha, etc.) and bandaged with clean linen. In case of the fracture projecting out a thigh-bone should be reset with the help of a circular splint and bandaged. In the case of Sphutita (cracked) or Pichchita (bruised) thigh-bone, the part should be also bandaged in the aforesaid manner. 20-24. In a case of a fracture in the Kati (Ilium-bone), it should be reduced by the fractured bone being raised up or pressed down (as the case may be) and the patient should then be treated with Vasti (enematas of medicated oils or Ghritas*;. In the case of a fracture of one of the rib-bones (Parsaka), the patient should be lubricated with clarified butter. He should then be lifted up (in a standing posture) and the fractured rib (bone), whether left or right, should be relaxed by being rubbed with clarified butter. Strips of bamboo or pad

* In the Niddna-Sthana—Chap. XV., 9— it is stated that a case of fracture in the Kati should be given up (Varjjayet). Jejjata, however, explains "Varjjayel" as "hard to cure."

Chap. III.] CHIKITSA STHANAM. 283