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

In autumn the sun's rays assume a mellow golden tint. Masses of white clouds are seen to sail the dark deep blue of heaven. Ponds are decked with the full blown lotus flowers, agitated by the wings of the diving swans The high grounds become dry, while the lowlands still retain their muddy character. The level plains are covered with shrubs and undergrowths, and plants and trees such as, Vana, Saptahva, Vandhuka, Kasha and Asana, flower in abundance.

The bodily humours such as wind, etc. aie disturbed and aggravated by the contrariety, excess or variations in the characteristic features of the seasons. Hence it is prudent to check the deranged phlegm in spring, to conquer the deranged bile in autumn, and to subdue the deranged bodily wind in the rains, before they develop themselves in any patent or manifest bodily ailment.

Thus ends the sixth chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushruta Sanihit^ which treats of the characteristic features of the seasons and their influence on health and drugs.

C H A P T E R V I I .

Now we shall discuss the Chapter which treats of Surgical Appliances, their Uses and Construction. (Yantra-VicJhimadhya'yam).

Surgical instruments number one hundred and one * in all, of which the hand is the most important, inasmuch as (all of them depend on the hand for • their principal auxiliary) and as none of them can be handled without it ; and further because all surgical operations pre-eminentlj^ require its co-operation. Any foreign or extraneous substance, which finds a lodgment in the Inunan system and becomes painful to the body and the mind alike, is called a Shalyam ; and surgical instruments are the means of extracting it (from its seat or place where it is embedded \

(Surgical Appliances may be divided into six different groups or types, such as the Svastika, the Sandansha, the Tala, the Nadi Yantras, and the Shalakas, besides those that are called the minor or accessory appliances (Upa^yantras).

The Svastika instruments (forceps) in their turn, are divided into twenty-four sub-classes ; the Sandansha instruments (tongsi into two ; the Tala Yantras

* According to certain authorities hundred is here indefinitely used for a large number.

Chap. VII. ] SUTRASTHA'NAM. 5-

• into two ; the Nadi Yantras tubular) into twent)^ ;

and the Shalakas (bougies; into twenty-eight ; while the Upa-yantras admit of being divided into twentyfive different types. These instrumeijts are all made of iron which ma}" be substituted for any other similar or suitable substance where iron would be unavailable.

The mouths of these appliances are usuall}' made to resemble those of birds and beasts, and hence they should be made to resemble the mouths of some particular animal in shape, or otherwise, according to the advice of old and experienced ph3"sicians - surgeons;, or according to the directions as laid down in the Shastras (Medical books of recognised authority, or according to the exigencies of the case, or after the shape and structure of other appliances used on similar occasions.

Metrical texts: — Appliances should be made neither too large nor too small, and their mouths or edges should be made sharp and keen. They should be made with a special eye as to strength and steadiness, and they should be provided with convenient handles.

Appliances of the Svastika class should be made to measure eighteen fingers in length ; and their mouths should be made to resemble those of lions, tigers, wolves, hyenas, bears, cats, jackals, deer, Erv^rukas ;a species of deer, crows, cormorants,

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THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA'. [ Chap. Vll.

Kururas la species of birdi, Hasas (a species of sparrow vultures, falcons, owls, kites, herons, Bhringarajas (a species of bird , Anjalikamas, Avabhanjanas, Nandimukhas, and such like beasts and birds. The two blades or halves of a Svastika should be welded together b}- means of a bolt resembling a Masura pulse 1 lentil; in size, and the handles should be turned inward in the shape of a mace, or an Ankusha. Apphances of this type should be used in extracting an}' thorn or foreign matter which may have entered into the bones.

Sandanshas tongs are divided into two classes as thev are soldered together with or without a bolt. They should he made to measure sixteen fingers in length, and should be used to withdraw any thornlike substance from below the skin, tlesh_, veins or nerves.

The Tala Yautras which measure twelve fingers in length, mav be divided into two classes as the siiigle Tala and the double Tala. The former resemble the scales of fish in shape, while the latter, according to certain authorities, are made to resemble the entire mouth of a fish of the Bhetuli species. These Yantras are used in extracting splinters from inside the nose, ears and other external channels or passages ot the body.

The Nadi Yantras tubular instruments like syringe,s

Chap. VII. ] SUTRASTHANAM. ^o