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

sesamum, Stwarchikd, Haritdla and rock-salt, pounded together and mixed with honey, clarified butter and an abundant quantity of Yava-kshara, should be applied to the incidental wound for purifying purposes. Oil, cooked with the two kinds of Karanja, Gunjci, the green scrapings of bamboo, Ingudi and the urine * of a cow, should be used to heal the ulcer. lo-ii.

Treatment of Apachi :— Clarified butter cooked with the fruit of Jimiitaka and Kosha-vati, and with (the roots of) Danti, Dravanti and Trivrit, is a very powerful and efficacious remedy.-f Administered internally as well as externally, it leads to the cure of the advanced cases of Apachi. 12.

A strong emetic composed of Nirgundi, Jdti (flower) and Varihistha (Vala) together wxih Jmititaka , profusely mixed with honey and Saindhava, should be given warm to the patient. It is a very powerful emetic, and leads to the recovery of even a malignant form of Apachi. An oil, cooked with the pastes (Kalka) of Kaitaryya, \ Vinibi and Karavira, may be profitably used as an errhine (Siro-virechana). Oil cooked with the expressed juice of S' akJioiaka may also be used profitably as an errhine. § Avapida errhines (used in drops

* Cow's urine measuring four times the oil should be taken in the preparation of this medicated oil.

t In preparing this medicated Ghrita, the quantity of ciariSed butter should be taken four times as much as the combined weight of the Kalka (paste). These should be boiled with water, taken four times as much as the quantity of clarified butter. Some authorities, however, are of opinion that both the paste (Kalka) and the decoction of the drugs are to be taken in its preparation.

X Some read 'Nirgundi' after it.

§ This medicated oil should be cooked without any Kalka. But some are of opinion that both the decoction and the Kalka of S'akhotaka should be used.

43^ THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. TChap. X III.

into the nostrils should be applied with Madhuka-sdra, S't^ni-seeds and Apdmdrg'a- seeds* 13-15.

A glandular swelling ^Granthi), occurring in any part of the body other than a Marma, should be opened in its non-suppurated stage and cauterized with fire ; f or it should be rubbed with an alkali I after scarification as already advised. 16.

A length of twelve fingers should be measured (Mitvd) from and above the Pdrshni, i.e., the posterior side of the ankle (and the space of Indra-vasti above this part should be ascertained). The Indra-vasti (occupying a space of half a finger, or, according to others, two fingers) having been carefully avoided, an excision (on the opposite side of the affection) should be made and the spawn-like glands having been removed (therefrom\ the excisioned part should be cauterised with fire.

Others say that the excision should be made straight above the ankle iGhona) after carefully avoiding the space of Indra-vasti, measuring two fingers (and to make sure an additional space of half a finger should be left out), which would be found out by taking oneeighth part (of the Jangha, z>,, the leg —excluding the foot and measuring twenty fingers) from the Khulaka (ankle-joint) of which the (two) Gulphas (ankles) look like the (two; ears. § 17-18.

* Madhuka-sara mixed with tepivi water and the expressed juice of S'igru-seeds and of Apamirga-seeds should be used.

t In cases of the preponderance of Vayu and of Kapha.

J In cases of the preponderance of Pitta.

§ There is a good deal of difference as to the reading and ex,'!anation of this passage amongst the different commentators. The different explanations arise from the different interpretations put upon the word *'j}f?T"

in the Text, "qif%* t|f% IR^ '^n^lf^, etc." The words "^^!^ fl1%"

p. 433

As an alternative, the region of the wrist (Manibandha) should be branded by a physician with three mark lines, one finger apart, for a radical cure of Apachi. 19.

may mean either of the following. (i)On the opposite side of the Parshni. Vagbhata subscribes to this view. (2) On the opposite (/.if., the other) Parshni, that is to say, if the affection be on the right side of the body the operation should be made on the Parshni of the left leg and so on. Vriddha Vagbhata subscribes to thi- interpretation in the clearest language. (3) In the region of the Parshni, i.e., on the dorsal side of the leg.

The different commentators, again, do not agree as to the seat and extent of the excision. Some say that the operation should be made above the Indra-vasti and the extent should be two fingers in length. Vagbhata seems to subscribe to this view. Others hold that the operation should be made below the Indra-vasti and the extent should be two fingers' length: Dallana is of this opinion. A third class of commentators assert that the whole extent of the length from above the Parshni up to the Indra vasti should be opened.