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

of its being a preparation of paddy. As a plaster, it alleviates the burning sensation of the skin, and as a potion it subdues the V^yu and Kapliam, and alla3's thirst. Used as a gargle it forms one of the best remedies for reducing Kapham owing to its keenness. It is light of digestion, acts as a deodorant, removes the sense of exhaustion and bad taste from the mouth, allays thirst, acts as a good appetiser and dissolvent, is possessed of purgative virtues, and is advantageously used as an enemata (Asthapanam). It is very wholesome to seafaring men.

The Urine Group :— The urine of cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, mules, horses, and camels* are commonly hot and bitter, and leave a saline after-taste. They are light and are used as piu-ifying agents, and will prove curative in diseases due to the derangement of the Vayu or Kapham, as well as in worms in the intestines, obesity, poisoning, abdominal glands, piles, ascites, cutaneous affections, oedema, non-relish for food, and jaundice. In general they act as cardiac stimulants (Hridyam) and appetisers.

Authoritative verses on the Subject :— They are all pungent, strong, hot, light and have a saline after-taste. They act as blood- piu-ifiers or disinfecting agents, reduce corpulency, act as vermip. 467fiiges and are anti-toxic. They subdue the deranged Vayu and Kapham. They prove beneficial in cases of piles, ascites, abdominal tumours, oedema and non- relish for food. They prove beneficial in jaundice, and act as cardiac stimulants, and are possessed of appetising, purgative and stomachic virtues.

* The urine of a cow, she-buffalo, ewe and she-goat should be taken and used, while similar secretions of the male should be taken where man, camel and elephant should be indicated.

The urine of a cow is pungent, strong and hot, and does not generate Vayu on account of its being saturated with alkali. It is light, stomachic, slightly generates the Pittam^ and subdues the Vayu and Kapham. It proves beneficial in cases of colic, abdominal glands, ascites and distention of the abdomen, and is used for the purposes of purging and enematas (Asthdpananr. In cases, which prove amenable to the use of urine, the urine of a cow should be used to the exclusion of that of any other animal, even to that of an ox.

The urine of a (she) baffalo proves beneficial in piles, abdominal dropsy, colic, cutaneous affections, Meha, imperfect action of emetics or purgatives, constipation, oedema, abdominal glands, and jaundice.

The urine of a (she) goat has a pungent, bitter taste. It slighly agitates the bodily Vayu and proves curative in cases of cough, dyspnoea, consumption, jaundice and chlorosis. The urine of a ewe contains alkali, and has a bitter pungent taste. It subdues the deranged Vayu, and is heat-making in its potency. It proves beneficial in cough, enlarged spleen, abdomi468 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [ Chap. XLV.

nal dropsy, dyspnoea, consumption and in obstinate constipation of the bowels. The urine of a horse is appetising and pungent in taste, strong^ and heat-making in its potency. It subdues the deranged V^yu and Kapha'm, and cures mental aberrations. It is usuall}^ recommended in cases of ringworm and worms in the intestines. The urine of an elephant has a bitter and saline taste. It is keen and purgative, and subdues the Vayu and enrages the Pittam. It is commonly used in the treatment of (KiUsa) leucoderma and in the preparation of alkalies.

The urine of an ass tends to neutralise the effects of poison generated through the chemical action of two different substances in the organism. It is strong and proves curative in cases of chronic d5'sentery. It is a vermifuge and subdues the Vayu and Kapham, and is appetising. The urine of a camel proves beneficial in cases of oedema, leprosy, abdominal dropsy, insanitv, worms in the intestines, piles and in diseases due to the action of the deranged Vayu. Human urine is strong anti-toxic.

I have now briefly described the properties of all kinds of liquid food or drink. An experienced physician should prescribe them for the use of his king according to the nature of season and the country in which they are to be applied.

Thus ends tlie forty-fifth Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushruta Samhitd which treats of liquids.

CHAPTER XLVI.

Now we shall discourse on the Chapter which treats of food and drink (Annapa'na-Vid'himadhya'yam).