An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. I: Sutrasthanam — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1907)
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The translator’s English as printed (Kunja Lal Bhishagratna). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
Countries have been divided into Jangala or A'nr.pa according as their physical features partake of the character of a dry plateau or of a swamp or marsh, a Sadharana one possessing features, which are common to both. Diseases, which are natural or are spontaneously relieved in each of these kinds of countr}- have been treated with that scientific insight which marks modern medical works on sea-side or spring sanitariums. The virtues of the waters of different rivers of India were ascertained for the purposes of practical therapeutics. The therapeutic properties of the milk of a she-goat, she-buflFalo, mare, cow-elephant, or woman, as well as of any of their modifications such as curd, whey &c. together with the properties of the flesh and urine of the several groups of she-animals, which are indigenous to the land, were studied and analysed, thus placing at the disposal of a practical physician a list of dietarv in different diseases to soothe the taste of the most fastidious patient, and which is at the same time potent enough to cure the distemper he is suffering from without the help of anj?^ special medicine. Thus it is that we find our Vaid\'as prescribing" the flesh of many carnivorous animals as a diet in consumption, goat's meat in phthisis, goat's milk in colitis and Tittira's flesh in fever &c.
Diseases of the Kidneys and Bladder: — In treating of the diseases of the kidneys, blatlder and the urethra, Sushruta has described the symptoms and the colour of the urine irii each specific variety without laying down any mode of testing the urine. But we know that Sn^hruta has enjoined his readers at the ver}- outset of his work to refer to other allied branches of the science for information which is not contained in his book. In the same manrier
INTRODUCTION'. Ixvii
we can account for the absence of.^ any instiuctions as regards the feeling of the p'j'>se as an important auxiliary in making a correct diagnosis. We need but repeat -.the statement that the readers of this Samhita must look for this information in the Kanada's Nadi Vijnanam, which has made our Vaidyas such expert sphygmologists.
Kalpa: — In the Kalpasth:inam of his Samhita, Sushruta has described the symptoms of hydrophobia and snake bites, etc as well as those developed in cases of vegetable poisoning, together with their therapeutical treatment and remedies, wkich, if rightly studied and investigated, may yet throw a new liglit upon the subject.
Sushruta as an Observer :— It has been lately discovered by a German physiologist that tubercular bacilli do not thrive in goat's blood. The importance of goat's milk in colitis as an efficient agent in checking ferment in the intestines, or of the close contact of a goat as a powerful auxiliary in curing tuberculous phthisis was first demonstrated by Sushruta. Not onl}' this — but the inhalation of the air of a cattle-shed and especially the fact that exhalations of goats, bodies tend to destroy the phthisis germs did not fail to attract the attention of the Indian Rishis ; the fumigation of tlie sick-room with antiseptic preparations such as isT^T^wq (Asthanga dhupas) is purely Indian in its origin and in no way inferior to the modern introduction of Cogghill's respirators. The microscopic germs that are said to propagate septic fever otherwise called ^^^crrfvf q^'lsj f^^^j^ are found very often to disappear under this Indian device where no medicines produce any impression. Thus many a wonderful discovery like the above hails from the dimness of a bygone age. Manj' truths lie embedded in the vast medical literature of the Brajimanas which claimed close attention and devout study, even by the western savants. We have not laboured in vain if these pages can help a little to reviVe the old genius of the Ayurveda, or help the progress of human Science one step onward towards the attainment of its goal.
PLATE No. I,
1. An^uli yantra.
i '^ 3 . Ashmaryaharna yantra
S-Bhrin^amuklia yantra.
Z.Arsho yantra.
M^HP^^PKf^^P^^H^
4. Basti yantra.
6 . Darvyakritislialaka.
7. Garbhashanlcu yantra.
8. Jalodar yantra.
9 . Kakamuklia yantra.
10 . Kankamukha yantra.
ILMuclititi yantra.
12. Nadi yantra.
13 . Riksliaraukha- yantra.
14-. Sadansha yantra.
SEE CHAPTER VII.
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