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

* There should be three parts of sesamum powder and one part of (he powders of Kakolyadi, Yashti-madhu, Manjishtha, etc. (combined). But s'iva Dasa says that four parts of sesanium-powders should be taken.

288 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. IIL fragrance to the breath. It is one of the most powerful remedial agents in disorders of the aggravated Vdyu (diseases of the nervous system). It may be used even by kings and for them it should be specially prepared. 44-45.

The expressed oil of the seeds of the Trapusha, Aksha and Piydla should be cooked with a decoction of drugs of the Madhura group (Okolyddi gana) and with ten times the quantity of milk. A quantity of lard if available, should be poured into it (during the process of cooking). It is an excellent medicated oil and used as a potion for anointing, and as an errhine, Vasti-karma and washes, it speedily brings about the union of fractured bones. 46.

A physician should exert his utmost to guard against the advent of any suppurative setting in in a fractured bone, since a suppuration of the local veins, nerves and muscles is difficult to cure. A complete union of a fractured joint should be inferred from its painless or unhurt character, from its full and perfect development (leaving no detectable signs of its once fractured condition)^ from the absence of all elevation (unevenness) and from its perfect freedom in flexion and expansion, etc. 47-48.

Thus ends the third Chapter of the Chikitsita Sihanam in the Sus'ruta Samhita which deals with the medical treatment of fractures and dislocations.

CHAPTER IV.

Now we shaH discourse on the medical treatment of nervous disorders (Vata-vyadhl). r.

IVIetrical Texts ; — The patient having been made to vomit in the event of the deranged Vayu being incarcerated (lodged) in the Amas'aya (stomach), a pulverised compound known as the Shad-Dharana-yoga (a compound of six Dharanas or twenty-four MashA weight) with tepid water should be administered to him for seven days. A compound made up of Chitraka, Indra-yava^ Pdthd, Katiika, Ativishd, Abhavd (taken in equal parts) together is known as the ShadDharana-yoga* and contains the properties of subduing an attack of Vdta-vyadhi. 2-3.

In the event of the aggravated Va} u being incarcerated in the Pakvas'aya intestines), purgatives of fatty matters (Sneha-Virechana, i.e ,Tilvaka-Sarpih,ctc.), and Sodhana- Vasti of purifying drugs (with decoctions and Kalka of fatty matters) and diet (Pras'a) abounding in salt*}* or saline articles should be prescribed. In the case of the aggravated Vayu being incarcerated in the Vasti (urinary bladder), diuretic (lit. bladder-cleansing) measures and remedial agents should be resorted to. Anointing with medicated oils, Ghritas, etc., application of poultices (Upanaha) compounded of Vayu-subduing drugs, massage, and plasters (Alepa) of similar properties are the remedies in cases where the aggravated Vayu is lodged in the internal ducts or channels such

* One Dharana is equal to four Mashas. t Sneha-Lavana and Kanda-Lavana, elc.

p. 17

p. 290

as the ears, etc, of the body. Blood-letting (venesection) is the rem edy where the aggravated Vayu would be found to be confined in the skin, flesh, blood or veins (Sirds). Similarly, application of fatty matters iSneha), actual cauterization, massage, application of poultices and binding of ligatures should be the remedies where the aggravated Vdyu would be found to have become involved in the Saaiyu (ligaments), joints and boaes Where the aggravated Vayu would be found to have become situated in the bone, the skin and flesh of that part of the body should be perforated with a proper surgical instrument (Ara-Sastra) and the underlying bone should be similarly treated with an awl. A tube open at both ends should be inserted into the aperture, thus made, and a strong physician should suck the aggravated Vayu from out of the affected bone by applying his mouth to the exteiior open end of the tube. 4-9.

In the case of the aggravatd V^yu having contaminated the semen, measures and remedies for seminal disorders (Sukra-dosha)* should be employed. The intelligent (physician) would take recourse to measures, such as blood-letting, immersion or bath in a vessel (full of Vayusubduing decoctions), fomentation with heated stones, as well as in the manner of Karshu-Sveda, vapour-bath in a closed chamber (Kuti sveda), anointment, VastiKarmas, etc., in the event of the aggravated Vayu having extended throughout the whole organism ; whereas bleeding by means of a horn (cuffing) should be regarded as the remedy when the aggravated Dosha

* Treatments, such as, the purification of the semen, etc, and the use ol meiiicin -s for making Aphrodisia (Vaji-karana) and for the remedy of ihe dibordereil urinary organ (Mutra-dosha) should be adopted and employed. ^