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

lYI ad hura- Groups :— The drugs forming the groups known as the Kakolyadi-Gana, as well as thickened milk. Ghee, lard, marrow. Shall and Shashtika rice, Yava, Godhuma, Masha pulse, Shringataka, Kasheruka, Trapusha, Erv^ruka. Alavu, Kalaukata Ankalodya,_ Piyala, Pushkara, Vijaka, Kashmarya, Madhuka (Moula), Draksha, Kharjura, Rajadana, Tala, Narikela, modifications of the expressed Juice of Ikshu (Sugarcane), Vala, Ativala, Atmagupta, Vidari, Pyash5^a, Gokshuraka, Kshiramorata, Madhulika, and Kushmanda etc. are generally included within the Madhura gi'oup.

Acid Groups :— The fruits known as Dadima, Araalaka, Matulanga, Amrutaka, Kapittha, Karamarda, Vadra, Kola, Prachina-Amalaka, Tintidhi,

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Koshamra, Bhavya, Paravata, Vetraphala, Lakucha, Amla-Vetash, Dantashatha and curd, whey, Sura, Shukta, Sauvira, Tushodaka and Dhanyamla, etc. are generally included within the acid group.

Saline Group :— The different kinds of salt such as, Saindhaba, Sauvarchala, Vida, Fakya, Romaka,. Samudraka, Paktrima, Yavakshara (nitrate of potash), Ushara and Suvarchika collectively form the Saline group.

Pungent Group : — The component drugs which form the groups known as the Pippalyadi and the Surasadi-Ganas and Shigru, Madhu-sigru, Mulaka, Lashuna, Sumukha, Shitashiva (camphor, Kushtha, Devadaru, Harenuka, Valguja-phalam, Chanda, Guggula, Mustha, Langalaki, Shukanasa and Pilu etc. and the components of the group known as Salasaradi gana collectively form the pungent group.

Bitter Group :— The component members of the groups of medicinal drugs known as the Aragvadhadi-Gana and the Guduchyadi-Gana together with Mandukparni, Vetra-karira, Haridra, Daruharidra, Indra-yava, Varuna, Svadu-kantaka, Saptaparna, Vrihati, Kantakari, Shankhini, Dravanti, Trivrit, Kritavedhana, Karkotaka, Karavellaka, Vartaka, Karira, Karavira, Sumanah, Sankha-pushpi Apamarga, Trayamana, Ashoka, Rohini, Vaijayanti, Suvarchal^,

392 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. I Chap. XUI.

Punarnava, Vrishikali and Jyotishmati, etc. collectively constitute the bitter group.

Astringent Group :— The component members of the groups known as the Nyagrodhade-Gana, the Amvashtadi-Gana, and the Priyangvadi and the Rodhradi Ganas, Triphala, Shallaki, Jambu, Amra, Vakula, Timduka fruits, Katakha fruits, Shaka fruits, Pashanabhedaka, the fruits of trees known as the Vanaspatis (lit : lords of the forest, such as the Vata, the Ashvattha etc.) and most of the component members of the group known as the Salasaradi Gana, as well as Kuruvaka, Kovidaraka, Jivanti, Chilli, Palanka and Sunishanuaka, etc. and grains and pulse of the Nevara and Mudga species, collectively form the astringent group.

These .tastes, in groups of different combinations, number sixty-three in all ; as for example, fifteen, computed b}" taking two at a time ; twenty, computed by taking three at a time ; fifteen, computed by taking four at a time ; six, computed by taking five at a time and six, being severally computed, thus making up an aggregate of sixty-three.

Authoritative verse on the subject : — The man, who gradually habituates himself to the use of each of the six aforesaid tastes,

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enjo5''s a sort of immunity from their injurious action in the same manner as, a strong man, who makes himself successively accustomed to the action of the three deranged humours of his bod)", is not easily affected by their pathogenetic properties.

Thus ends ihe forty-second Chapter of the Sutrasthinam in the Sushruta SamhitS, which treats of the specific properties of flavours.

CHAPTER XLIII.

Xow we shall discourse on the Chapter, which treats of the mode of administering emetics

(Vamana-Dravya- Vikalpa-Vijna'niyamadhya'yam).

Of all emetic fruits the Madana (seeds) should be deemed as the best (most active). Madana fruits should be dried in the sun and powdered. Then a Pala weight (eight tolas'^ of the powder should be stirred in a decoction of Pratyakpushpi, Sada-Pushpi, or Nimva, and given to the patient with honey and Saindhava salt, for emesis. As an alternative, a potion consisting of the powders of raw Madana fruits, stirred in a decoction of Vakula and Ramyaka, and heated in fire, should be' administered with the addition of honey and rock-salt. A gruel, consisting of sesamum rice and powders of green Madana fruits, boiled together, should be given to the patient. Likewise matured though not ripe Madana fruits should be stored in a box made of the blades of Kusha grass. The box should be plastered over with a composition of cowdung and clay and kept buried in a bushelful of Yava, Tusha, Mudga, Masha pulse or Shali rice for eight consecutive nights. Then having extracted them, fully burst out, with the heat of the covering grain, their kernels should be separated from

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