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

that the •§perm led into a healthy and well-developed uteru5 through the agency of the Vayu (increased activity of the-^ local nerves) meets the 'maternal element (ovum) in tViat viscus. Then the impregnated matter undergoes a process of fission, and takes shape after the pattern of its father's species. • When we think of so many idle speculations as regards the proces% of fertilisation, which obtained credence so late as the beginning of the i8th century in Europe, and the controversies that arose between the Ovists, Performists and Animalculists (i), we cannot help regretting that the Ayurvedic Embryology, which started under such h'appy auspices, could not fully solve the problem of fertilisation even before the advent of the Tantrik age. The fundamental principles with which the Embryology of the Acharyayas (Sushruta, Dhanvantari, etc.) was started are substaritially the same as have now been discovered by the researches of the Western workers. Sushruta in his dissertation on the subject showed the illegitimacy which lay at the root of his predecessor's theory ( Sharirasthanam Chap. II. ) and took up research exactlv where the Vedic Rishis had left off. He clearly demonstrated the fact thai "by a physiological process known as Rasapika (metabolism) the hmph chyle is metamorphosed into sperm in men, or into ovum in women, in the course of a month. The catamenial fluid is carried down into the uterus through its proper ducts. The sperm or ovum is thus the quintessence of a man's or a woman's body. The sperm meets the ovum (Artavam) in the ute;-us, which resembles a lotus-bud in shape, and whose aperture is shut up with a mucous deposit as soon as fecundation takes place. The most favourable time for fecundation is between the fourth and twelfth day after the af)pearance of the flow (Garbhakala)" as has

(») For a short history of tlie Theories of Fertilisation, Vide Evolution of Sex (Prof. P. Geddes and J. A. Thompson) Chap. XII. pp. 169— 171.

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been lately demonstrated by 'the researches ''of Prof. Von Ott. (I).

Sexual Diamorphism :— Some light is thrown on the relative preponderance of the sperm and ovum in the Birth of a female child. "When the maternal element preponderates the child is female ; when the 'fraternal element is stronger the child is malfe. When both the elements are equal, the child is of no sex.'" In theory at least Sushruta admits the possibility of the birth of many children at a single conception. "When the seed is divided into two by its inherent force (Vayu), twins are born in the womb" — a statement which points to the 'irresistible conclusion that multiplicity of birth is the outcome of the multifarious fission of the seed in the womb under certain abnormal conditions. Sushruta gives a reason for believing that, in exceptional circumstances, and without sexual union, the unfertilised ovum may give rise to perfect oflTspring, thus giving a prevision of the modern theory of parthenogenesis. Pathological parthenogenesis has occasionally been noticed in higher animals. Oellacher has noted this in respect of hen's eggs, and Janosik has observed it in the ovarian ova of many mammals such as the guinea-pig, etc. (2) Sushruta extends the probability to the human ova under certain conditions. He admits the possibility of conception without the admixture of the male germinal element, though he observes that like all asexual genesis" the development dots not proceed far in the case." From such a hypothesis it is but one step to the theory which enunciates the possibility of conception withou? proper sexual union.

But to understand his theory of sexual diamorphism, it

(1) Vide ihe chari of menstrual wave prepared by V*n Ou given in ilan and Woman '(Havelock and Ellis) Chap. XL

(2) The Evolution of Sc.k Ch. XIII. P. 1S5. , rn>/. p. r,eihlclfn,(} J. A, Thnmps.m.

XXxii «- INI^RODUCTION.

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