An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. II — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1911)

lochia of a newly delivered woman whose organism has become excessively dry on account of profuse use of absorbants or deranged by any other causes, — the lochia being obstructed in its exit by the local Vayu, — gives rise to Granthis (nodules) which may appear below the navel, on the sides of the pelvis about the region of the bladder or of the pubis. Severe piercing pain (Sula) is felt about the region of the navel, the stomach and the bladder and a sensation of pricking with needle and cutting pain in the intestines. At the same time the abdomen becomes distended with the retention of urine. Theic arc the symptoms of Makkalla. In such a case, a decoction of the drugs of the Virataj-oddi 6^rt/z<^ mixed with a powdered compound of the Ushakddi Gana should be given her. In the alternative, a potion of carbonate of potash [Yavakshdrd) dissolved in tepid water or in clarified butter ; of rockChap. X.] p. 225 salt dissolved in the decoction >f the Pippalyddi Gana ; of a conipound made of the powdered drugs of the latter Gana with Sura-manda ; of the powders of cardamom and PanchiZ-kolas dissolved in the decoction of the drugs of the Varunddi Gana ; of the powders of pepper and Bhadraddru dissolved in the decoction of the Prithakparnyddi Gana ; or of pulverized T^'ikafu, Chaturjdtaka and Kiistumbuni mixed with old treacle ; or of simple Arishta, should be prescribed. 19.

IVIanagcment of the Child: -The baby

being wrapped up in silk should be laid on a bed covered with a silken sheet ; it should be fanned with the branches of a Pilu, Nimha, Vadari, or Parushaka tree. A (thin") pad (Pichu) soaked in oil should be constantly kept on the head of the child, and its body should be fumigated with the fumes of drugs {e,g., Vacha, mustard, etc.) potent enough to keep off the (evil) influences of demons and evil spirits. The same drugs should be tied round the neck, hands, legs and head of the infant and the floor of the lying-in room should be kept strewn over with pounded sesamum, mastard, linseed [Atasi). A fire should also be kept kindled in the chamber. Measures laid down in the chapter on the nursing of an Ulcerpatient (chapter IX. Sutra.) should be observed in the present case as well. 20.

Then on the tenth day of its birth the parents having performed the necessary rites of benediction and celebrated the occasion with suitable festivities, shall give the child a name of their own choice or one determined by its natal a'trism, etc. 21.

Lactation and selection of a wetnurse : -For the healthy grovth of the child a wetnurse should be selected from among the matrons of its own caste (Varna\ and possessed of the following

p. 29

p. 226

necessary qualifications. She sliould be of middle stature, neither too old nor too young (middle-aged), of sound health, of good character (not irascible or easily excitable), not fickle, ungreedy, neither too thin nor too corpulent, with lips unprotruded, and with healthy and pure milk in her breasts which should neither be too much pendulent nor drawn up. It should be carefully observed that her skin is healthy and unmarked by any moles or stains, she being free from any sort of crime (such as gambling, day-sleep, debauchery, etc.). She should be of an affectionate heart, and with all her children living.

She should be of respectable parentage and consequently possessed of many good qualities, with an exuberance of milk in her breasts, and not in the habit of doing anything that degrades woman in life. A "SyAma" girl possessed of the aforesaid qualities makes a good wet-nurse, A child nursed at the breast of a woman with upturned or unprominent nipples is apt to be deformed (Karala) in features, while extremely pendulous (large and flabby) breasts may suffocate the child by covering its mouth and nostrils. Having chosen a wet-nurse of the commendable type, the child with its head well-washed should, on an auspicious day, be laid on her lap wrapped in a clean and untorn linen. The face of the child should be turned towards the north, while the nurse should look to the east at the time. Then, after first having a small quantity of the milk pressed out and the breast washed and consecrated with the following Mantras (incantations) the child should be made to suck her right breast. 22.

IVIetrical Texts :— "O, thou beautiful damsel, may the four oceans of the earth contribute to the secretion of milk in thy breasts for the purpose of imChap. X.] SARTRA STHANAM. 22^