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

(Vedhya) should be taught on the vein of a dead animal, or with the help of a lotus stem. The art of probing and stuffing should be taught on worm (Ghuna) eaten wood, or on the reed of a bamboo, or on the mouth of a dried Alavu (gourd). The art of extracting should be taught by withdrawing seeds from the kernel of a Vimbi, Vilva or Jack fruit, as well as by extracting teeth trom the jaws of a dead animal. The act of secreting or evacuating should be taught on the surface of a Shalmali plank covered over with a coat of bee's wax, and suturing on pieces of cloth, skin or hide. Similarly the art of bandaging or ligaturing should be practically learned by tying bandages round the specific limbs and members of a full-sized doll made of stuffed linen. The art of tying up a Karna-sandhi (severed ear-lobe) should be practically demonstrated on a soft severed muscle or on flesh, or with the stem of a lotus lily. The art of cauterising, or applying alkaline preparations \^causticsj should be demonstrated on a piece of soft flesh ; and lastly the art of inserting syringes and injecting enemas into the region of the bladder or into an ulcerated channel, should be taught (by asking the pupil) to insert a tube into a lateral fissure of a pitcher, full of water _, or into the mouth of a gourd (Alavu).

Authoritative verses on the subject :— An intelligent physician who has tried his

Chap. IX. ] SUTRASTHANAM. 73

prentice hand in surgery ion such articles of experiment as, gourds, etc., or has learnt the art with the help of things as stated above , or has been instructed in the art of cauterisation or blistering (application of alkali) by experimenting on things which are most akin, or similar to the parts or members of the human body they are usually applied to, will never lose his presence of mind in his professional practice. >

Thus ends the ninth chapter of the SutrasthSnam in the Sushruta Samhit^ which treats of Instructions in Surgical operations.

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C HAPTER X.

Now we sliall discuss the Chapter wliich treats of the essential qualifications of a physician before he formally enters his profession (Vishlkha'- nupravcshaniya-madhya'yam).

A physician haying thoroughly studied the Science of medicine, and fully pondered on and yerified the truths he has assimilated, both by obseryation and practice, and haying attained to that stage of (lucid ) kno^vledge, ^yhich \yould enable him to make a clear exposition of the science (^vhene^■er necessary), should open his medical career conmience practising) with the permission of the king of his country. He should be cleanly in his habits and well shaAed. and should not allow his nails to grow. He should wear white garments, put on a pair of shoes, carry a stick and an umbrella in his hands, and walk about with a mild and benignani look as a friend of all created beings, read}- to help all, and frank and friendly in his talk and demeanour, and neyer allowing the full control of his reason or intellectual powers to be in any way disturbed or interfered with.

A physician, haying met with a messenger of happy augury, or having been encouraged on his journey by the notes of auspicious birds or sights, should go to the house of his patient. [Then, haying entered the

Chap. X. ] SUTRASTHANAM. >jz^

sick room], the physician should \ie\v the bod>' of his patient, touch it with his own hands, and enquire (about his complaint . SeNcral authorities hold that these three, (inspection, touch and questioning; largely form the means of our ascertaining the nature of a disease. But that is not correct, inasmuch as the five senseorgans of hearing, sight, etc. and oral enquiry materially contribute to a better diagnosis.

Diseases, which are to be diagnosed with the help of the organ of hearing, will be fully treated, later on, in the Chapter on Vrana-Srava (secretions from an ulcer). The wind (Vayu), making the blood ebullient, forces it up with a distinctly audible report and thus affects the sense of hearing. But this will be dealt with later on in the abovesaid chapter. The heat and coldness of the body, or the gloss, roughness, hardness, or softness of the skin of the affected part as in fever, or in an oedematous swelling of the body, are perceptible by the sense of touch. Fullness or emaciation of the body (cachexia), state and indications of ^■itality, strength, complexion, etc. are perceived by the sense of sight. Secretions or discharges (from the inflamed mucous membrane of the urethral in Prameha etc., should be tested with the organ of taste.* The characteristic smell emitted

* The .-jwecl, ur an}' olher ta.'^lc of ihe dibcharj^eb should Ijt; inleiicd from the fad of iheir bting or not being swarmed wiili hosts of ants or flies, etc.

p. 76