An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Vol. III: Uttara-tantra — trans. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (1916)

36 THE SUSHRUfA SAMHUX. [Chtp.lt very effective. Gairika-e arth, Saindkava , Ktishnd , (Pippali) and S'unthi— the quantity of each subsequent one being double of that of the one preceding it * in the order of enumeration, should be pasted together with water, made into Gutiki (a large pill) and be likewise applied (to the eye) in the manner of the application of an Anjana. The use of Snaihika (lardacious) Anjana (Collyrium) is beneficial in such cases. These will be duly dealt with later on. 2.

Physicians should likewise adopt this method in treating cases of Anyato-vafta and Vdta-paryaya. Draughts of (medicated) clarified butter and of milk before the meal, are highly efficacious. Clarified butter duly cooked with (two parts of) Vnkshddani , Kapittha and major Pancha-mula , (one part of) the expressed juice (or decoction) of Karkata and (one part of) milk should be taken in such cases*. In the alternative, Ghrita duly cooked with (the decoction of) Pattura . , Agnika (Ajamodd) and Artagala and with milk, or clarified butter duly cooked with milk and (the decoction of) Mesha-s* ringi, or of Viratara should be similarly taken. 3.

Saindkava, Devaddru and S'untki and the expressed juice of Mitulunga, water, breast-milk and clarified butter mixed together and duly prepared (in the manner of Rasa-kriyA) should be prescribed as an Anjana in cases of iâishkrfkshi-prfka- The taking of clarified

* According to Dallana and Gayadasa, this Ghrita should be prepared without any Kalka. S'rikanta holds that the drugs Vrikshaddni , Kapittha and the Pancka-mula should be taken as Kalka and the Ghrita * prepared with three parts of milk, S'ivaddsa also seems to support this view.

3 7 2butter cooked with the drugs of the Jivaniya group and the filling of the cavity of the eye with the same, as well as snuffing with the Anu-taila* are also efficacious in such cases. Washes composed of cold milk with the admixture of Saindhava salt or of milk cooked with Rajani and Deva-ddru and mixed with (a little quantity of) Saindhava are efficacious. Mahaushadha (Sunthi) rubbed over a stone-slab with clarified butter and breastmilk is also recommended as an Anjana (eye-sal ve)f. The Vasa (essence of the flesh) of aquatic animals or of those which frequent swampy grounds, mixed with a little quantity of powdered S’unthi and Sanidhava salt (and rubbed on stone-slab) should be applied to the eyes as an Anjana (collyrium) in a case of Sushkâkshipâka (Non-secreting type of conjunctivites). Let the intelligent physician treat the sight-destroying VAtaja affections of the eye of what-soever kind in accordance with the principle herein inculcated. 4-5.

Thus ends the ninth Chapter of the Uttara-Tantra in the Sus'ruta Samhitd which deals with the medical treatment of Vdtaja Abhishyanda.

t This couplet may also be translated as follows Anjana (blackantimony) rubbed over a stone-slab with clarified butter and breast-milk is also recommended as a best remedy in such cases.

Now we shall discourse on the curative treatment of Abhishyanda (Ophthalmia) due to the action of deranged

Pitta (Pitt^-bhishyanda-Pratishedha). i. General Treatment Blood-letting and 3purgatives, eye-washes and plasters round the eyes, medicinal snuffs and Anjana (collyrium), as well as the remedial measures for Pittaja-Visarpa (Erysipelas) should be employed in a case of Pittaja Abhishyanda (Ophthalmia) and Pittaja Adhimantha (Conjunctivites). 2.

Clarified butter or goat’s milk duly cooked with Gundrdy S'Ali (paddy), S’aivdla, S' aila-bheda, Ddru* karidrdy Eld, Utpala , two parts of Lodhra , Abhra (Mus - taka), Padma-leaLves , sugar, Durvd , Iksku , Tdla y Vetasa , Padmaka, Drdkshi, honey, (red) Chandana , YashtimadhUy breast-milk, Haridrd and Ananta-mula, should be employed as a Tarpana measure* or as a wash or snnff in the present case. As an alternative, all the preceding drugs or as many of them as would be available should be daily used in the manner of any of the four forms of Nasyaf. 3.

Anjanas : — All the Pitta-subduing measures, may be employed in such cases. Application of medicinal snuffs (as well as eye-drops, etc.) with Kshira - Sarpih (clarified butter churned from milk) at the interval of three days, as well as that of Anjana (collyrium) with the expressed juice of Palds'a or of S'allaki^ mixed with honey and sugar, should be likewise resorted t The four forms of Nasya are (i) Pratimarsha. (2) Avapida (3) Nasya (snuff) and (4) S'iro-virechana.

to. The thick liquid extract (Rasa-Kriy£)* of Pdlindi or Yashti-madhu mixed with honey and sugar, should be likewise employed. As an alternative, a compound consisting of Musta> Samudra-phena , Utpala, Vidanga, Eld, Dhdtri and Vijaka and prepared in the manner of Rasa-kriyi should be employed (as an Anjana). 4.