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

A plaster composed of Tugakshiri, Plaksha, Chandana, Gairika, and Amritam Guduchi), pasted together with clarified butter, should be applied over a bum of the Samyag-Dagdha type, or the flesh of domestic or aquatic or amphibious animals should be pasted and plastered over the affected part. A burn ol the present type, marked by excessive burning, should be medicinally treated in the same manner as a case of bilious abscess (Pitta-vidradhi).

In the case of a burn of the Ati-Dagdha (over-burnt i t3^pe, the loose or the dangling integuments (skin) and flesh should be removed, and cold applications should be made over the ulcer. Then the affected part should be dusted over with pulverised Shali rice, or a plaster composed of the pulverised skin of Tinduki and clarified butter pasted together, should be applied over its surface.! The affected part should be covered over with the leaves of Guduchi, or of lotus, or other aquatic plants, and all measures and remedial

* Cold applications and cooling measures should be resorted to in the case of a deep and excessive burn, while the contrary should be held as the correct remedy in the case of a slight and superficial one.

•)• Several authorities prescribe Tinduki bark and human cranium powdered together and mixed with clarified butter, while others prescribe a decoction of Tinduki bark.

Chap. XII. ] SUTRASTHANAM. 95

agents, indicated in the case of a bilious erysipelas, should be resorted to in the present instance as well.

A plaster composed of bee's wax, Madhukam, Sarjarasa, Manjistha, (red) Chandanam and Murva pasted together and boiled with clarified butter should be regarded as beneficial to burns of all types to promote rapid healing.

In the case of a burn from boiling oil, clarified butter or such like substances should be externally applied and all measures which promote dryness of the part (Ruksha) should be adopted without the least hesitation.

Now we shall describe the s5''mptoms which become manifest in a person [whose nostrils and larynx] are choked with smoke. — The respiration becomes laboured and hurried and the abdomen is distended accompanied by constant sneezing and coughing. The eyes look red and seem as if burning. The patient breathes out smoke and fails to catch any other smell than that of it. The sense of hearing is considerably affected ; the sense of taste becomes inert ; fever, thirst and a burning sensation supervene ; and the patient drops down utterly unconscious.

Now hear me discourse on the course of medical treatment to be adopted in the case of one g6 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA'. [ Chap. XII.

over-powered with smoke.— Emetics in the shape of clarified butter mixed with sugarcane juice or milk saturated with the juice of grapes, or lumps of sugar- candy dissolved in an adequate quantity of w^ater, or any acid potion slightly sweetened, should be administered to th.e patient. The contents of the stomach are speedily discharged by vomiting ; the distension of the abdomen is removed ; the smell of smoke in the breath is mitigated, and the accompanying fever with (its concomitants) of sneezing, languor, thirst, cough, laboured breathing etc. is abated, and the patient is restored to consciousness. Gargles having a sweet, saline, acid or pungent (katu) taste restore the senseperception of the patient, and gladden his mind. Medicated snuffs in adequate quantities should be administered by a well-read physician to such a patient, whereby his head, eyes and neck would be able to resume their normal functions. And a course of diet, which is light, emollient and not acid in its reaction, should be prescribed.

Cooling measures or applications should be prescribed or made in the event of any part of the body being scorched by excessive heat, or by being exposed to a draught of hot and parched wind. Similarly, hot and emollient measures or applications should be resorted to where any part of the body has become frozen or shrivelled by snow or cold winds. A person struck

Chap. XII. ] SUTRASTHA'NAM. gy

by lightning should be regarded as beyond the pale of medicine.*

* Additional texts :— \\Tieie the scorching would be found to be considerably extensive ; otherwise such measures as lubrication with medicated unguents etc. should be adopted in a case where the patient is picked up alive.