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

General symptoms of rat-poisoning' : — The blood of any part of a human body coming in contact with the semen of any of these different classes of rats or scratched with their nails, teeth, etc., previously besmeared with their semen (S'ukra) is vitiated and gives rise to the appearance of Granthi (nodes), swelling, Mandala, eruptions of circular erythematous patches on the skin, Karnikd (eruptions of patches resembling the calycle of a lotus flower), pimples (pustules) violent and acute erysipelas, Kitima (keloid tumours), breaking pain in the joints, extreme pain (in the body), fever, violent epileptic fits, anemia, aversion to food, difficult breathing, shivering and horripilation. 2.

Specific symptoms and treatment

of rat-poisoning" : — The general symptoms of rat-poisoriing have been briefly described above. Now

Chap. VI.] KALPA STHANAM. 729

hear me specially describe the symptoms of the bites by the different families of rats (Mushika). A bite by a rat of the L^ana class is marked by a copious flow of saliva, hic-cough and vomiting. The patient in such a case should be made to use a lambative made of the roots of Tanduliyaka mixed with honey. A bite by a rat of the Futraka family is marked by a sense of physical langour, yellowness of the complexion and the appearance of nodular glands (Granthi) resembling young rats. A compound of S'irisha and Ingudi pasted together and mixed with honey should be given to the patient as a lambative in this case. A bite by a rat of the Krishna' (black) class in foul weather and more especially on a cloudy day is characterised by the vomiting of blood. A pasted compound of S'irisha fruit and Kushtha with the washings of the ashes of Kims'uka (flower) should be given to the patient in such a case. 3-A.

A bite by a rat of the Hansira species brings on an aversion to food, yawning and horripilation. In such a case emetics should be first given to the patient who should be then made to drink a decoction of the drugs of the Aragvadhddi group. A bite by a rat of the Chikkira class is accompanied by headache, swelling, hic-cough and vomiting. In such a case an emetic consisting of the decoction of Jdlini, Madana fruit and Amkotha should be prescribed. A bite by a venomous Mushika of the Chhuchchhundara (mole) species gives rise to diarrhoea (watery stool), numbness of the muscles of the neck and yawning. In this case an alkaline compound prepared of the ashes of the dry plants of barley (Yava-ndla), Rishahhi (Atma-gupt^) and Vrihati should be prescribed*. 3-B.

* Different readings— A bite by a Mushika of the Chhuchchhundara

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A bite by a rat of the Alasa species is characterised by a numbness of the neck, an upward coursing of the Vdyu, fever and pain at the seat of the bite. In this case the patient should be made to take the Mahigada with honey and clarified butter as a lambative. A bite by a rat of the Kashaya-das'ana species is marked by somnolence or excessive sleep, atrophy (Sosha) of the heart and a general emaciation of the body. In such a case a lambative made of the bark, pith and fruit (seeds) of S'irisha mixed with honey should be given to the patient to lick. A bite by a rat of the Kulinga species is marked by pain, swelling and stripe-like marks about the seat of the bite, the remedy consisting in a lambative made of the two kinds of 5^//^ (Mudga-parniand Mashaparni) and Smdhuvdra pasted together and mixed with honey. 3-C.

A bite by a rat of the Ajita species is characterised by vomiting, epileptic fits (fainting), a catching pain at the heart (Hrid-graha) and blackness of the eyes. The patient in such a case should be made to lick a compound made of (the roots of) Pdlindi (Trivrit) pasted with the milky juice of Snuhi and mixed with honey. A bite by a rat of the Chapala species is marked by vomiting, epileptic fits and thirst, and the remedy in this case should consist of a lambative made of TH-phald, Bhadra-kdshtha (Deva-daru) and fatd-mdnsi (D.R.^Yava) pasted together and mixed with honey. A bite by a rat of the Kapila species is followed by Kotha (putrefaction) of the bite, appearance class produces thirst, vomiting, fever, weakness, numbness of the muscles of the neckj swelling, abscess on the back, loss of the sense of smell and Visuchikd. A compound of Chavya, Haritaki, S'unthi, Vidanga, Pippali, S'vetaka-seeds and the ashes of (the plants of) Vrihati pounded together and mixed with honey should be prescribed in this case. — Gayadis3i

Chap. VL] KALPA STHANAM. f^l

of nodular glands (Granthi) and fever. The remedy consists in the use of a lambative made of Tri-phald, S'vetd* (white Apardjita) snd Punarnavd pasted together and licked with honey. A bite by a rat of the Kokila species is attended with high fever, an intolerable burning sensation in the body and the appearance of nodular glands (Granthi). Clarified butter duly cooked with the decoction of Varshdbhu and Nilitii (Indigo plants) should be administered in such a case. 3-D.