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

said groups of Panchamulas (viz., the Svalpa and the Vrihat Panchamulas) are possessed of the virtue of destroying the deranged Vata, while the one standing in the bottom of the list (Trina-Panchamula) is endued with the property of killing the deranged Pittam. Those standing third and fourth in order of enumeration (the Valli and Kantaka Panchamulas) subdue the deranged Kapham.

The groups of medicinal drugs and roots have thus been briefly described, which will be more elaborately dealt with later on in the chapter on Therapeutics.

An intelligent physician should prepare plasters, decoctions, medicated oils, Ghritas (medicated clarified butter) or potions, according to the exigencies of each individual case.* The groups enumerated above should be therapeutically used according to the nature of the deranged humours involved in each individual case. Only two, three or four drugs of the same medicinal group, or a similar number of drugs chosen from the the different groups, or a group of medicinal drugs in its entirety, or in combination with another, should be used according to the indications of any particular case, as the physician, in his discretion, would determine.

* Additional Text : — These drugs may be duly culled in all seasons of the year, and should be stored in a room protected from smoke, blasts of cold, wind and rain.

Thus ends the thirty-eighth Chapter of the Sutrasth^nam in the Sushruta Samhit5, which deals with the classification of drugs according to their therapeutical use.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Xow we shall discourse on the Chapter which treats of medicinal drugs possessed of cleansing (cathartic') or soothing effects (Samshodhana-Samshamaniya-madhyaryam).

Emetic Drugs : — The drugs known as Madana fruits, Kutaja, Jimutaka, Ikshvaku, Dhamagarba, Krita-vedhana, Sarshapa, Vidanga, Pippali, Karanjaka, Prapunnada, Kovidara, Korvudara, Arishta, Ashvagandha, Vidula, Vandhujivaka, Shveta, Shanapushpi, Vimvi, Vacha, Mrigervaru and Chitra, etc. are possessed of emetic properties. Out of these the fruits (seeds) of plants preceding Kovidara in the abovesaid list (from the ]\Iadana fruits to those of the Prapunnada) and the roots of plants from Kovidara to its close, should be used.

Purgative Drugs :— The trees, plants, herbs and creepers, etc. known as Trivrita, Shyama, Danti, Dravanti, Saptala, Shankhini, Vishanika, Gavakshi, Chhagalantri, Snuk, Suvarnakshiri, Chitraka, Kinihi, Kusha, Kasha, Tilvaka, Kampillaka, Ranwaka, Patala, Puga, Haritaki, Amalaka, Bibhitaka, Xilini, Chaturangula, Eranda, Putika, Mah^vriksha, Saptachchhada, Arka, and J3''otishmati, etc. are possessed of purgative properties. Of these the roots of plants, which precede

Chap. XXXIX.] StJTRASTHANAM.

p. 359

Tilvaka in the above list, should be used for purgative purposes. The barks of trees from Tilvaka to Patala in the same list should be used for similar purposes. The pollens or dust of the Kampilla seeds, and of the fruits of trees from Eranda to Puga, the leaves of Putika and Aragvadha. and the milky exudations of the remaining members of the list, should be similarly used.

The expressed juice of Koshataki, Saptala, Shankhini, Devadali, or Karavellika is both emetic and purgative.

The Errhincs :— The following drugs, viz. Pippali, Vidanga, Apamarga, Shigru, Siddharthaka, Shirisha, Maricha, Karavira, Vimvi, Girikarnika, Kinihi, Vacha, Jyotishmati, Karanja, Arka, Alarka, Lashuna, Ativisha, Shringavera, Talisha, Tamala, Surasa, Arjaka, Ingudi, Meshashringi, Matulungi, Murangi, Pilu, Jati, Shala, Tala, Madhuka (Maula), Laksha and Hingu, together with such substances as rock-salt, spirits, cow's urine and watery exudation of cow dung should be regarded as errhines (Shirovirechanam . The fruits (seeds) of plants from Pippali to Maricha enumerated in the above-said list, the roots of plants commencing with Karavira and ending with Arka, the bulbs of those whose names precede Talisha in the same list, the leaves of those commencing with Talisha and ending with the Arjaka therein, the barks of Ingudi and Meshashringi, the flowers of Matulungi, Murungi, Pilu and Jati, the essence (Sara) of Shala, Talap. 360 and Maduhka (Maul) trees, the gummy exudation (Niryasa) of Hingu plants and Laksha trees, as well as salts which are but the saline modifications of earth, Madya (wines) which are but the modified products of Asava (fermented liquors), and secretions of cowdung, or cow's urine which should be understood to mean the animal excrements, in their crude or natural state, should be used where errhines are indicated.

Samshamaniya Drugs :— Now we shall enumerate the names of drugs and substances which soothe or pacify the deranged humours or principles of the body involved in any particular disease (Sanshamanani\