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

PandU-karana : — The natural and healthy colour (Pdndu) of the surrounding skin should be imparted to a cicatrix which has assumed a black colour owing to the defective or faulty healing up of the sore in the following manner. The fruit of the J?6'/^/;22* should be immersed in goat's milk for seven nights and, afterwards finely pasted with the same milk, should be applied to the skin. This measure is called Pandu-karana (imparting a yellow or natural skin-colour to the cicatrix). To attain the same result, the powder of a new earthen pot, Vetasa roots, S'dla roots, Sulphate of iron, and Madhiika (Yashti-madhu) pasted together with honey may be used. As an alternative, the hollow rind of the Kapittha fruit, from which the pulp has been removed, should be filled with the urine of a goat together with Kdsisa (Sulphate of iron), Rochand, Tuttham (Sulphate of copper). Hariidla, Manahs'ild, scrapings of raw bamboo skin, Prapunnada (seeds of Chakunde), and Rasanjana and buried a month beneath the roots of an Arjuna tree after which it should be taken out and applied to the black cicatrix. The shell of a hen's egg, Kataka, Madhuka, (Yashti-madhu), sea-oysters and crystals-j- (pearls according to Jejjata and Brahmadeva) taken in equal parts should be pounded and pasted with

• Rohini, according to some cornmentators, means a kind of Plaritaki ; according to others, it means Katu-tumbi.

t Burnt ashes of sea-oysters and pearls etc., should be used.

p. 259

the urine of a cow and made into boluses which should be rubbed over the cicatrix* 84-87.

Roma-Sanjanana— hair-producers :— The

burnt ashes of ivory and pure Rasdnjana (black antimony) pounded (and pasted with goat's milk) should be applied to the spot where the appearance of hair (JLomotpatti) is desired. An application of this plaster would lead to the appearance of hair even on the palms of the hands. Another alternative is a pulverised compound consisting of the burnt ashes of the bones, nails, hair, skin, hoofs and horns of any quadruped, over a part of the body, previously anointed (rubbed) with oil, which would lead to the appearance of hair in that region. And lastly, a plaster composed of Sulphate of iron, and tender Karanja leaves pasted with the expressed juice of Kapittha, would be attended with the same result. 88 — 90.

Hair-depilators :— The hair of an ulcerated part of the body found to interfere with the satisfactory healing up of the ulcer, should be shaved with a razor or clipped with scissors, or rooted out with the help of forceps. As an alternative, an application of a plaster consisting of two parts of pulverised (burnt ashes of) conch-shell and one part of Haritdla (yellow orpiment or yellow oxide of arsenic) pasted with Sukta (an acid gruel) over the desired spot, would be attended with the same result A compound made of the oil of Bhalla^taka mixed with the milky exudation of Snuhi, should be used by an intelligent physician as a depilatory measure. As an alternative, the burnt ashes of the stems of plantain leaves and Dirghavrinta (Syonaka) mixed with rock-salt, Haritdla and the seeds of Sami,

* This also is a remedy for giving a natural colour to the skin.

26o THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. 1.

pasted with cold water, should be deemed a good hairdepilatory.* A plaster composed of the ashes of the tail of a domestic lizard, plantain, Haritala (oxide of arsenic), and the seeds of Ingudi burnt together and pasted with oil and water, and baked in the sun may also be used for the eradicating of hair in the affected locality. 94-95Vast! -Karma :— A medicated Vasti (enema) should be applied to the rectum in the case of an ulcer marked by an aggravated condition of the deranged Vayu which is extremely dry and is attended with an excruciating pain occurring specially in the lower region of the body. A measure of Uttara-vasti- (Vaginal or Urethral syringe) should be adopted in the cases of strictures and other disorders connected with urine, .semen and menstruation, as well as in cases ot gravel "f in case these are due to an ulcer. An ulcer is purified, softened and healed up by bandaging leaving no room for the apprehension of a relapse. Hence bandaging is recommended. 96-98.

Patradana (application of leaves on an ulcer) :— Leaves possessed of proper medicinal virtues taking into consideration the particular Dosha and season of the year should be tied (over the medicinal plaster applied) over an ulcer of non-shifting or non-changing character and not affecting a large depth of flesh and which refuses to be healed up owing to its extreme dryness. An ulcer of the deranged Vayu should be tied over with the leaves of the Eranda, Bhurja, Putika, or Haridrd plants as well as with those of the Upodikd and Gdmbhdri. An ulcer marked by an aggravated condition i D. K. Some read "Tatha^nile" in place of "As'mari-vrane."

* According to seme this may be used internally for the purpose.

."Taihanilt" means and in cases of (aggravated) Vayu.

Chap. I.j CHIKITSA STHANAM. 26l