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

194 THE SUSIIRUTA SAMIIITA. [Chap. VII.

(vessels) strengthen -i the other fundamental principles (Dhdtus) of the body, improves the complexion, aids the organ of touch in the proper performance of its functions and produces other functions characteristic of it in the body. Flowing through them in a vitiated condition, it begets diseases which are due to the derangement of the blood. 1 1.

There is not a single Sira (vessel) in the body which carries cither the Vdyu, or the Pitta or the Kapha alone. Hence each of the vessels should be regarded as affording an opportunity for conveying all kinds of the Doshas of the body, for as soon as they are deranged and aggravated they seem to flow through all the S'iras promiscuously. Hence they are called Sai'vavahah. 12.

Specific colours of the ^iras:-The

vessels which carry the bodily Vayu (nerves) have a vermilion (yellowish red) hue and seem to be stuffed with Vdyu. The Pitta-carrying vessels (veins) are coloured blue and felt warm to the touch. The Kaphacarrying vessels are hard, cold to the touch and whitecoloured. The blood-carrying vessels (arteries) are red and neither too hot, nor too cold. 13.

Now we shall describe the Siras (veins) which a surgeon should not pierce or open, inasmuch as it may result in death, or bodily deformity. An intelligent surgeon shall always bear in mind that sixteen out of the four hundred vessels in the extremeties, thirty-two out of the hundred and thirty-six vessels in the trunk and fifty out of the sixty-four vessels in the region above the clavicles, should not be opened or bled on any account. 14-15Of the one hundred vessels in a single leg, the one Jdladhara (which is attached to the connective tissue

Chap. VII.] SARIRA STHANAM. 195

of the Kurchcha-Sirah) as well as the three internal ones, of which two are known as the Urvi-veins and the other as the Lohitdksha, together with the corresponding ones in the other leg and in the two hands, thus making sixteen in all, which are situated in the upper and lower extremeties, should be held unfit for opening. Of the thirty-two veins in the pelvic region (^Sroni), eight such, known as the four)Vitapas (two on each side of the testicles) and the four known as the Katika-tarun as (two on each side) should be considered unfit for bleeding or opening. Of the sixteen veins (eight on each side) at the sides, the one which courses upward from each of the two sides and is attached to the Marma known as the Pa'rsVaSandhi, should be considered unfit for similar purposes. Of the twenty-four Siras which are found in either side of the spinal column, an incision should not be made into any of the two Siras (on each side) known as the Vrihati and which run upward along either side of it (spinal column). Similarly of the twenty-four Siras in the abdomen, the two along each of the two sides of symphis pubis should be held unfit for opening or bleeding. Of the forty veins in the chest, the two in the heart, two in the root of each breast and two in each of the Stana-rohita (muscle of the breast) and one in each of the xApastambhas and Apalapas, making fourteen in all, should not be opened. Thus thirty-two Siras in the regions of the b.ick [i e., the sides and the pelvic regions), the abdomen and the chest should be regarded as unfit for opening or other surgical purposes. 16—21. There are one hundred and sixty-four Siras in the region above the clavicles. Of these the eight and four (making twelve and rcspcctivch^ known as the eight Matrikas, the two Nilas and the two Manyas) out of the fifty-six in the neck and the throat, should be

196 THE SUSMRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. Vlt.

regarded as unfit for opening. Similarly the two veins in the two Krikdtikds and two in the two Vidhuras, should be held unfit for similar purposes ; thus making sixteen in all in the neck. Of the sixteen vessels (eight on each side' of the Hanus (Jaws), the two Siras about each of the joint of the jaw-bones should never be opened. 22.

Of the thiity-six* vessels in the tongue, sixteen are situated in the under-surface of that organ and twenty in the upper surface ; of these the two speech-carrying and the two taste-carrying ones should be held unfit for venesection. Of the twenty-four vessels in the nose, the four adjacent to the nose proper and the one running into the soft palate should be held unfit for similar purposes. Of the thirty-eight vessels in the two eyes, the one situated at each Apanga should not be opened. Of the ten vessels in the two ears, the soundcarrying one in either ear should not be opened. Of the sixty vessels of the nose and eyes coursing through the region of the forehead^ the four vessels adjacent to the sculp proper and the Avarta-Marma should be held unfit for opening or bleeding. One vessel (Sira) in each of the two Avartas and the one in the Sthapani-marma should not be opened (on any account\ Of the ten vessels in the temple, the one about each temple-joint should be held unfit for opening or bleeding. Of the twelve vessels in the head, the one

*Gayi asserts that there are eight each of the Vayu-carrying, Pittacarrying, Kapha-carrying and blood-carrying S'iras in the region of the neck, thus making a total of 32 in place of 36 of the text.