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

A compound, consisting of one part of powdered Nili fruit, one part of powdered Tvak and Ela, and two parts of pulverised Trivrit, and mixed with an adequate quantity of sugar, and taken with honey and the juice of Amlaphalam, should be regarded as a purgative remedy possessed of the virtue of destroying the concerted action of the three deranged humours of the body.

A compound, consisting of equal parts of powdered Trivrit, Shyama (Vriddhadaraka), Pippali and Triphal^ and made into a confection ( Modaka) (with the addition of honey and sugar), should be regarded as one of the most potent cures (purgatives) for S^nnipata (simultaneous derangement of the three vital humours), haemoptysis and fever.

A compound consisting of three parts of Trivrit,

* The weight of honey and pulverised Trivrit should be equal to a fourth part of the entire quantity of medicine taken at a time*

4o6 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [ Chap XLIV.

one part of Triphala, one of Yavakshara, one of Krishna (Pippali), and one of Vidanga, pounded together and used as an electuary with the addition of honey and clarified butter, or made into bolases (Gutika) with treacle, proves curative in cases of enlarged spleen, in Gulmas due to the action of the deranged Kapham and Vayu, in Halimaka .Chlorosis), as well as in cases of abdominal dropsy, etc. The present remedy (purgative) is one of the most harmless purgative compounds (of our pharmacopoeia}. A purgative compound consisting of Shyama (Vriddhadaraka), Trivrit, Xili, Katvi, Musta, Duralabha, Chavya, Indrayava and Triphala, administered through the vehicle of clarified butter, essence of meat, or water, is commended to persons of dry temperament.

Preparations of Purgative Asavas (Wines): — All purgative drugs* should be duly boiled in water. Three parts of the decoction thus prepared should be mixed with two parts of cold powdered barley (Phanitam) and again boiled over a fire. Then after boiling it, it should be taken down from the oven, cooled and poured into a pitcher previously coated inside with a special plaster.t Then according to the difference of the season (cold or hot), t A new earthen pitcher is first washed with water and dried in the shade. Then its inside is coated with a plaster of honey and powdered Pippali and is fumigated with the fumes of Aguru (Eagle wood).

* Several authorities exclude the plant known as Sudh^ (ManasS), while others stick to Trivrita alone in exclusion of all other drugs.

Chap. XLIV. ] SUTRASTHANaM. 407

the pitcher should be kept buried in a heap of paddy for a month, or a fortnight. It should be taken out and understood to be ready for use as soon as it would emit a winy or fermented odour. Asavas (fermenting liquours) of animal urines and alkaline substances should be likewise prepared in the foregoing manner.

Preparations of purgative rice Surar

(Wines) etc. : — Quantities of Masha pulse and Shali rice should be respectively first soaked and washed in a decoction of purgative roots. Then they should be dried and pounded together and made into balls, which should be subsequently dried in the sun and again pulverised.* After that a separate quantity of Shali rice steamed in the vapours of the aforesaid decoction, and kept apart, should be made into cakes. Then three parts of these cakes should be mixed with one part of the aforesaid powdered ball. The compound thus obtained should be soaked in an adequate quantity of that purgative decoction previously kept apart in an earthen pitcher of the plastered type, described before. The Sura should be deemed ready for use, as soon as it would emit the peculiar honey-like smell. Suras of emetic drugs should be likewise made in the same manner.

Preparations of purgative Souvirakas (Barley Wines) ;~-Trivrit roots and drugs

* For imparting to it liie necessary Enzyme,

4o8 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [ Chap. XLiv.