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

agent should consist of Tila, Tejohvd, Danti, Svarjikd and Chitraka roots. An ulcer brought on owing to the presence of the virus of Meha or Kushtha in the system, measures and remedies mentioned under the treatment of Dushta-vrana should be adopted and used. 64 — 68.

The recognised school of physicians, which recognises these six types of traumatic sores, does not add to the list, herein mentioned, other types of ulcers, whereas vain pedagogues try to swell it with a larger number of types by adding connotative prefixes and suffixes to the names of the aforesaid six. It is mere vain-gloriousness on their part to say so, since all the other types that they can devise are but single instances and can be made to fall under one of these six general heads. Hence there should be only six kinds (of traumatic sores) and not more. 69.

Thus ends the second Chapter of the Chikitsita Sthanam of the Sus'ruta Samhita which deals with the treatment of Sadyo-vrana (traumatic sores).

CHAPTER III.

Now we shall discourse on the medical treatments of fractures and dislocations (Bhagnas). i.

IVIetrical Texts :— A fracture or dislocation (Bhagna) occurring in a person of a Vatika temperament, or of intemperate habits, or in one who is sparing in his diet, or is affected with such supervening disorders (as fever, tympanites, suppression of the stool and urine, &c.) is hard to cure.* A fracture-patient must forego the use of salt, acid, pungent and alkaline substances and must live a life of strictest continence, avoid exposure to the sun and forego physical exercises and parchifying (devoid of oleaginous) articles of food. A diet consisting of boiled rice, meat-soup, milk, f clarified butter, soup of Satiiia pulse and all other nutritive and constructive food and drink, should be discriminately given to a fracture-patient. The barks of Udumbara, Madlmka, As'vattha, Palds'a, Kakubha, Bamboo, Vata or Sdla trees should be used as splints (Kus'a). Manjishthd, Madhuka, red sandal wood and Sdli-ncQ mixed with S'ata-Dhauta clarified butter (i.e., clarified butter t As a general rule, milk should not be prescribed to a patient suffering from an ulcer (Vrana) in general ; but a case of fracture forms an exception thereto. Some authorities hold that tepid milk may be given to a fracture-patient, if there be no ulcer (Vrana). Others, on the contrary, are of opinion that milk should not, in any case, be given to a fracture-patient for fear of suppuration and the setting in of pus.

* Jejjata does not read the first verse, but Gayi does.

Others, however, take "Kshuasarpih" to be a compound word and explain the term to mean the clarified butter prepared from milk (as distinguished from that prepared from curd).

But experience tells us that in cases of excessive weakness or emaciatiun, milk may be given without any hesitation— Ed.

28o THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. lit.

washed one hundred times in succession) should be used for plastering the fracture. 2-6.

Bandag'e : — Fractures should be (dressed and) bandaged once a week in cold weather, on every fifth day in temperate weather {i.e., in spring and autumn), and on every fourth day in hot weather {i.e., in summer), or the interval of the period for bandaging should be determined by the intensity of the Doshas involved in each individual case. An extremely loose bandage prevents the firm adhesion of a fractured bone, a light bandage gives rise to pain, swelling and suppuration of the local skin, &c. Hence in cases of fractures, experts prefer a bandage which is neither too tight nor too loose. 7-8.

Washing's :— A cold decoction of the drugs of the Nyagrodhddi group should be used in washing (the affected part), whereas in the presence of (excessive) pain, (the part) should be washed with milk boiled with the drugs of the (minor) Pancha-mula, or simply with the oil known as the Chakra-taila made lukewarm*. Cold (or warm) lotions and medicinal plasters (Pradehas)ofDoshasubduing drugs should be prescribed with due regard to the nature of the season and the Doshas involved in each case. 9-10.

A preparation of milk f from a cow, delivered for the first time, boiled with the drugs of the Madhurddi group and mixed with powdered shellac and clarified butter (as an afterthrow) should be given (when cold) to a fracturepatient as a beverage every morning. In a case of t Consisting of the drugs of the Kakolyadi group weighing two Tolas, milk si^iteen Tolas, water sixty-four Tolas, boiled together with the water entirely evaporated.

* In winter and where the aching pain is present due to Vayu and Kapha.

Ch»p. III.] CHIKITSA STHANAM. 28 1