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

* Commentators, on the authority of Videha, hold that gargles should be used with these articles either collectively or separately in cases of burning in the mouth by an excessive use of an alkali oj such olhcT (irticles,

p. 671

Pratisarana :— A Pratisdrana remedy may be of four kinds, viz.^ that prepared with a Kalka (paste), Easa-kriy^, honey and with powders. Prepared with the appropriate drugs, such a compound should be rubbed gently with the tip of a finger in a case of an affection of the mouth. An intelligent Physician may exercise his discretion in selecting the drugs to be used in the preparation of such a remedy. The symptoms of a satisfactory or unsatisfactory Pratisirana should be respectively identical with those of a Kavala. The ranges of therapeutic applications are also co extensive in both the cases. In other words the diseases of the mouth which yield to the use of medicinal gargles, equally prove amenable to that of Pratisarana remedies. The diet in both the cases should be composed of light and nonphlegmagogic articles of food. 47.

Thus ends the Fortieth Chapter of the Chikitsita Sthinam in the Susruta Samhita which deals with the inhalation of medicinal fumes, snuffs, and gargles.

Here ends the Chikitsita SthsCnam.

THE

SUSHRUTA SAMHITA

KALPA-STHANAM

(Section on Toxicology).

CHAPTER I.

Now we shall discourse on the mode of preserving food and drink from the effects of poison (Anna.-"

p^na-Raksha-Kalpa). I

Dhanvantari, the King of Kas'i, the foremost in virtue and religion and whose commands brook no disobedience or contradiction, instructed his disciples, Sus'ruta and others (in the following words). 2.

Powerful enemies and even the servants and relations of the sovereign in a fit of anger to avenge themselves on the sovereign sometimes concoct poisonous compounds and administer the same to him, powerful though he may be, by taking advantage of any defect or weak point in him. Sometimes the ladies (of the royal house-hold) are found to administer to the king various preparations (of food and drink), which often prove to be poisonous, from a foolish motive of securing his affection and good graces thereby, and sometimes it is found that by the embrace of a poisoned girl (Visha-Kanya),*p. 85p. 674 he dies almost instantaneously. Hence it is the imperative duty of a royal physician to guard the person of the king against poisoning. 3.

* A girl slowly habituated to taking poison or poisoned food is called a Vislia-Kanyi, such a girl presented to a king by a pretending friend of the stale often managed to hug her royal victim into her fatal embrace. The poison operates through the perspiration, proving almost instantaneously fatal through the act of dalliance*

The minds of men are restless and uncontrollable like an unbroken horse. Faith is a rare thing in the human society and hence a crowned head should never believe any one* in this world. 4,

The necessary Qualifications of a Superintendent of the Royal Kitchen :

— -A king should appoint a ph)'sician for the royal kitchen (to superintend the preparations of the royal fare). He should be well-paid and possess the following qualifications. He should come of a respectable family, should be virtuous in conduct, fondly attached to the person of his sovereign, and always watchful of the health of the king. He should be greedless, straight-forward, god-fearing, grateful, of handsome features, and devoid of irascibility, roughness, vanity, arrogance and laziness. He should be forbearing, self-controlled, cleanly, compassionate, wellbehaved, intelligent, capable of bearing fatigue, wellmeaning, devoted, of good address, clever, skilful, smart, artless, energetic and marked with all the necessary qualifications (of a physician) as described before. He should be fully provided with all kinds of medicine and be highly esteemed by the members of his profession. 5.

The necessary features of a Royal kitchen ; — The Royal kitchen should be a spacious chamber occupying an auspicious (south-east) corner of the royal mansion and built on a commendable site. The vessels and utensils (to be used in a royal kitchen) should be kept scrupulously clean. The kitchen should

* A Royal Physician is an honourable exception in this respect.

p. 675