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

S$akuni and Revati : — Looseness of limbs which emit a peculiar bird-like* smell arc the indications of an attack of the child by the Jjakuni Graha. The child in such a case starts up in terror and its body is covered with a large number of secreting ulcers (Vrana), or of eruptions of vesicles attended with a burning sensation subsequently suppurating and bursting of themselves. The face assumes a blood-red hue, the stool (as well as the urine) becomes green and the body of the child looks as if of deep yellow or dark brown colour, fever ensues with an infiamation of the mouth, a bruised pain is felt all over the body and the child frequently rubs its nose and ears — these arc the features which mark a sure attack of Revati-Graha. 7-8.

Putand and Andha-putanst : — Looseness of the limbs, disturbed sleep whether by day

* By the wotd (lit. a bird) in is here meant meateating aquatic birds.

Chap. XXVII. ]

UTTRA-TANTRAM.

*43 or at nighc, loose stools, emission of a crow-like smell from the body, vomiting, appearance of goose-flesh on the skin and thirst are the specific symptoms of an attack of the child by the Putanat-Graha. Dislike for the breast-milk as well as an attack of dysentry, (Atisâra), cough, hic-cough, vomiting, fever, discolouring of the complexion, and swelling in the skin as well as an inclination to lie always on the fa:c are the symptoms which arc exhibited in a case of an attack by the Audha-Putanat-Graha. 9 - 10 .

SSita-putana and Mukha mandika Constant and frightened startling up, excessive shivering, comatose sleep, constant diarrheic stools and bloody smell of the limbs arc the symptoms which characterise a case of an attack by S.ta-Putanai. The child in this case cries almost unceasingly, and a rumbling sound is heard in the intestines. Paleness (emaciation) of the body (trunk) and a glossy line (swelling) of the face and the extremities attended with frightfulncss, voracious appetite, appearance of net-like veins on the abdomen and the emission of urinc-likc smell frbm the body are the symptoms of an attack of the child by Mukha-mandiki Graha. 11-12.

Naigamesha Graha : — Frothy vomits, bending of the middle of the trunk, anxious appearance, loud crying, upward gaze of the eyes, constant emaciation (fcvcr-D. R.), a fatty smell in the body and unconsciousness are the symptoms which mark a case of an attack by the Naigamesha. 13.

Prognosis : — A stupified State of the child attended with ana version to breast-milk and constant fits of fainting as well as the full development of all the specific symptoms show the imminent fatal termination of the disease. Otherwise it may prove amenable to medical treatment, if it be not a case of long standing. 14.

p. 144

THE SUSHRUTA SAWHITX. [ Ch*p. X*VH.

Rules to be observed 3— The child should be kept in a clean and purified chamber and its body should be rubbed or anointed with old and matured clarified butter. Mustard seeds should be strewn all over the floor (by a person) in a clean state and a lamp of mustard oil should be kept perpetually burning therein. Libations of clarified butter with the drugs of the Sarvagandhd and Sarvoushadhi * groups and garlands of flowers as well as sandal paste should, be cast into the fire and kept continually burning by reciting the following incantations, “Obeisance to thee, O fire-god, obeisance to thee, O goddess KrittikS, obeisance to thee, O Skanda, obeisance to thee, O lord of the Grahas (which has cast this malignant influence). With head down with deep humility, I supplicate thy favour. Dost thou accept the offerings I have made to thee. May my child get rid of the disease it has been suffering from. Makest it hale and hearty again.” 15.

Thus ends the twenty-seventh chapter of the Uttara-Tantra in the Sus'ruta-Sainhitd which deals with the specific features of an attack by the nine (malignant) Grahas.

* The drugs of the Eladi 'group are known as Sarva-gandha. Sarvaaushadhi drugs here mean Yava t Dka’nya , Tila y etc.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the Therapeutics (and remedial measures) of an attack by Skanda-Graha (Skanda-Graha- Pratishedha). i.