An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. I: Sutrasthanam — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1907)

Dhupanam : — A wise physician should fumigate (Dhupanam) an ulcer with the fumes of a compound consisting of Sriveshtaka, Sarjarasa, Sarala, Devadaru, and the drugs belonging to the Salsaradi group, pulverised together and made into an raseptici fumigating compound.

A cold infusion (Shhita-Shritam) of trees (Vata, Audumvara, Ashvattha, etc.) which are cooling and astringent in their virtue, should be used in healing or setting up a process of granulation in an ulcer.

The Ropana-Varti :— Plugs of drugs such as Soma, Amrita (Gulancha), and Ashvagandha, or of those belonging to the Kakolyadi group, or of the sprouts of milk-exuding trees (Kshirivrikshas such as, Vata, Audumvara, etc.) and inserted into an ulcer tend to help its granulation (Ropana). A paste (Kalka) of Samanga, Soma, Sarala wood, Soma-Valka, (red^

* The process consists in mixing the drugs wiih water weighing eight or sixteen times their combined weight, and then boiling them down to an eighth or sixteenth part of the entire quantity.

p. 334

Chandana, and drugs belonging to the Kakol)'adi group, is recommended for the healing of an ulcer.

A medicated Ghritam, prepared with the Prithakparni, Atmagupta, Haridra, Daruharidra, Malati, Sita, and drugs belonging to the Kakolyadi group, is renowned for its healing properties. A medicated oil prepared with Kalanusari, Aguru, Haridra, Daru- Haridra, Devadaru, Priyangu, and Lodhra, is possesed of a similar efficacy.

A pulverised compound consisting of Kanguka, Triphala, Lodhra, Kasisam, Shravana and the barks of Dhava and Ashvakarna powdered together, is possessed of a similar healing property. The use of a pulverised compound consisting of Priyangu, Sarjarasa, Pushpa-kasisa, Tvaka, and Dhava powdered together is commended for the healing of an ulcer. A condensed extract ( Rasakriya ) of the bark of milk-exuding trees ( such as Vata, Ashvattha etc. ) and the drugs known as the Triphala, should be successively used for the healing of an ulcer.

Utsardanam : — The drugs known as Apam^rga, Ashvagandha, Talapatri, Suvarchhala and those belonging to the Kakolyadi group, should be used for the growth of flesh in an ulcer ( Utsadana ).

Avasa'danam : — A compound consisting of K^sisa, Saindhava ( rock salt ), Kinvam, Kuruvinda,

Chap. XXXVI.] SUtRAStHi^NAM. 335

Manalishila, the shell of a hen's egg, the blossoms of Jati flowers, the seeds of .Shirisha, and Karanja, and powders of the abovesaid metals ( Dhatus ) mixed together, should be used in destroying the fleshy supergrowths of an ulcer { Avasadanam ).

A wise physician should use all the drugs and substances as have been enumerated in connection with the healing or establishing of suppuration, etc. in an ulcer, or as many of them as would be available at the time.

Thus ends ihe ihirly-sixlh Chapter of ihe Sulrasthdnam in the Sushruta Sanihitd which treats of miscellaneous remedies for inflammatory swellings.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Now we shall discourse on the Chapter, which deals with the distinctive traits of the different classes of soil commended for the growth or culture of medicinal herbs (Bhumi-Pravibha'ga-Vijna'niyamadhyaryam).

These are the general features of a ground which is recommended for the culture of medicinal plants or herbs. A plot of ground, whose surface is not broken or rendered uneven by the presence of holes, ditches, gravel and stones, nor is loose in its character, and which is not disfigured by ant-hills, nor used for the purposes of a cremation or execution ground, and which does not occupy the site of a holy temple, is favourable for the growth of medicinal herbs. A ground which possesses a soil which is glossy, firm, steady, black, yellowish or red and does not contain any sand, potash or any other alkaline substance, and is favourable to the germination of plants and easily pervious to the roots of plants growing thereon, and which is supplied with the necessary moisture from a close or adjacent stream or reservoir of water, is recommended for the growth of medicinal plants and herbs. Plants should be regarded as partaking of the virtues of the ground they grow upon. A plant, growing in such a commendable site, should be examined as to its being infested with worms

Chap. XXXVII. ] SUTRASTHANAM. 337

or insects, or as to its being anywise infected with poison, or cut with an arm, or affected by winds, atmospheric heat, or an animal's body. It should be culled or uprooted in the event of it being found sound, healthy, deep-rooted, full-bodied, and of matured sap. The gatherer should look towards the north at the time of culling.

A plot of ground with a pebbly, steady, heavy, dusky or dark coloured soil, and which conduces to the growth of large trees, and yields rich harvests of corn, should be regarded as permeated with the specific virtues of essential Earth-matter.