* The plants of these should be taken in full i.e. with their leaves, roots, branches, etc. The prepared ash should be dissolved in cow's urine weighing six times the combined weight of the ashes. Dallana says that Gayaddsa does not read "S'irisha, Pichumarda, Kakubha, Arushkara and Madhu-S'igru" in the list.
738 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. VII.
Haridrd and Vachd together with pulverised (dead)
iron (taken in equal parts)* should be added to it. Then
it should be boiled again and preserved in an iron
pitcher after it had been duly prepared in the manner
of an alkali. 2.
Metrical Texts : — Dundhubhis (drums), ban-
ners and the gate ways of houses should be smeared with
this alkaline preparation, hearing the sound as well as
the sight and touch whereof would lead to the complete
elimination of the poison from the system of the
patient. This medicine is known as the Kshsirai-
gada which is equally efficacious in cases of S'arkard
(gravel), stones in the bladder, Haemorrhoids, Vdta-
Gulma, cough, S'ula (colic), Udara (abdominal dropsy),
indigestion, Grahani, extreme aversion to food, general
oedema of the body and violent asthma. The remedy
is applicable in all cases of poisoning of whatsoever
type and acts as a sure antidote to the poison of the
serpents headed by the dreadful Takshaka. 3.
Kalyanaka Ghrita:— An adequate quantity
of clarified better duly cooked with (the decoction and
Kalka of) the drugs known as Vidanga, Tri-phald^
Dantiy Bhadra-ddru^ Harenu^ Tdlis'a-patra^ Manjishthd^
Kes'aray Utpala, Padmaka^ Dddima, Mdlati flower,
the two kinds of Rajani, the two kinds of Sdrivd^
the two kinds of Sthird, Priyangu, Tagara^ Kushtha,
the two kinds of Vrihati^ Elavdluka^ sandal wood and
* The total weight of these powders to be added should be one thirtieth part of the prepared alkalitie solution. Dallana says that Gayadasa counts only thirty and he does not read "Maricha, Soma, Guhd, Lavana, Chakra and Ala in the text. We do not, however, find Chakra and Ala in the text. We have, on the other hand, the names of some more drugs which are believed to be mere interpolations from the marginal notes of some manuscripts.
Chap. VII.] KALPA STHANAM. 739
Gavdkshiy is known as the Kalyainaka Ghrita. The
curative efficacy of this Ghrita extends to cases of
poisoning, Grahdpasmdra (hysteria due to the influence
of malignant stars and planets), Jaundice, Gara dosha
Cslow chemical poisoning), asthma, sluggishness of
appetite, fever and cough. It is commended to con-
sumptive patients, as well as to men suffering from
scantiness of semen and women afflicted with
sterility. 4.
Amrita Ghrita:— An adequate quantity of
clarified butter duly cooked with the seeds of Apdmdrga
and of the two kinds of S'vetd, S'iriskay and Kdkamdchi
(previously) pasted with the urine of a cow is known
as the Amrita-Ghrita. It embraces within the pale of
its therapeutic virtues all cases of poisoning and is
capable of bringing back an apparently dead man to
life. 5.
Maha-sugandhi Agada :— The follow-
ing drugs viz., (red) sandal wood, Aguru, Kushtha^
Tagara, Tila-parnika^ Prapaundarika^ Nalada, Sarala^
Deva-ddrUy Bhadra-s'ri (white sandal wood), Yava-
phald, Bhdrgi, Nili, Sugandhikd, Kdleyaka, Padmaka^
Madhuka, Ndgara^ Jatd (a variety of Jatd-mdmsi),
Punndga, Eld, Elavdlu, Gairika, Dhydmaka, Bald,
Toya^ Sarjarasay Mdmsi, Sita-pushpdy Harenukd, Tdlis'a'
pair a, small Eld^ Priyangu, Kutannata, S'dilapushpa,
S'aileya, Patra, Kdldnu-Sdrivd, Tri-katu^ S'ita-s'iva^
Kdsmarya^ Katu-rohini, Soniardji\Ati'visha, Prithvikdy
Indra-vdrunh Us'ira, Varunay Musta, Nakha, Kustum-
burn, the two kinds of S'vetd, f the two kinds of
* Dallana explains "S'ita-s'iva" to mean ••camphor". Others explain it to mean *'S'ami."
t The text has "S'vetd" in the dual number meaning the two kinds of ••S'vetd' 2//?; white Vacha and white Apardjitl Dallana gives only
740 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. VII.
Haridrd, Sthauneya^ Ldkshd, the five kinds of officinal
salts, Kumuda, Utpala^ Padtna^ flower of Arka^ flowers
and fruits of Champaka, As'oka^ Sumanas^ Tilaka
(sesamum), Pdtali^ Sdlmali^ S'elu^ S'irisha^ Surasi^
Trina-suli and of Sindhuvdra, flowers of Dhava, As'va-
karnUj and Tinisa, Guggula^ Kumkuma, Vimbi, Sarpd-
kshi and Gandha-Ndkuli should be carefully collected
and pasted with honey, clarified butter and the bile
of a cow and should be kept inside a horn (or a
receptacle made of that material). This medicine, which
is the best of all anti-venomous medicinal preparations,
would rescue from the jaws of death, a patient even
with drooped down shoulders and sunk and upturned
eyes. It is capable of destroying in a moment the
irresistible fire like poison even of the dreadful infuriated
Vdsuki, the king of serpents. This Agada which con-
sists of eighty-five ingredients is callei the Mahai-
sugandhi Agada and is the most potent of all anti-
venomous remedies. It should constantly be in the
possession of a king. Smeared with the present
preparation he is sure to be a favourite with all his
subjects and to shine with his sovereign majesty even
amidst his enemies. 6.
A physician well versed in the natures of poisons,
should adopt all remedial measures excepting the heat-
engendering ones in all types of poisoning. But this
rule would not be applicable in a case of insect- bite in-
asmuch as the poison of an insect is cool in its potency
and hence would be aggravated by the application of
any cooling measures. 7.
"Vachd." as its synonym, which shows he takes the word in the singular number and not in the dual as in the printed text. This appears to be th9 correct reading, for otherwise the number of the drugs in the list would be more than eighty-five.
Chap. VII.] KALPA STHANAM. ^41
Rules of diet and conduct :— Whole-
some diets which have been enumerated in the chapter
on Anupdna-Vidhi, should be prescribed in cases of
poisoning after a due consideration of the nature, habit,
and temperament of the patient who should be warned
against the use of unwholesome ones. The use of
Phdnita (liquid treacle), S'igru, Sauvira^ the taking of
meals before the digestion of the previous ones, the
group of Nava-Dhdnya (unmatured corn), wine, sesa-
mum, oil and Kulattha-'^uh^, sleep in the day time,
sexual intercourse, physical exercise, fits of anger and
exposure to the sun are forbidden in the case of a
poisoned patient. 8.
Symptoms of elimination of poison :
— The restoration of the deranged Doshas and of the
vital principles (Dhdtus of the body) to their normal
state, a natural craving for food and drink, the normal
colour and condition of the tongue and of the urine
and the normal state and functions of the mind and of
the sense-organs in a poisoned patient would indicate
the full and complete elimination of the poison from
his system. 9.
Thus ends the Seventh Chapter of the Kalpa-Sthana in the Sus'ruta Samhita which treats of the sounds of medicated drums, etc.
Now we shall discourse on insects, i,e, the measures, etc. to be adopted in cases of insect-bite, etc. (Klta.**
Kalpa). I.
Various kinds of worms and insects (Kita) germi-
nate from the semen, fecal matter, urine, putrid eggs
and putrid carcases of serpents which are marked by
Vataja, Pittaja (Agneya) and Kaphaja (Ambuja) tem-
peraments. The poisons of these vermin which are
nothing but insects (Kita), are apt to be most dangerous
in the long run on account of their being acted upon by
the Doshas and may be divided into four* groups. 2.
Insects of VsCtaja Temperament :—
The eighteen classes of insects known as the Kumbhi-
nasa, Tundikeri, Sringi, Sata-Kuliraka, Uchchitinga,
Agnindma, Chichchitinga, Mayurikd, Avartaka,
Urabhra, Sarikd-mukha, Vaidala, Sardva-kurda,
Abhirdji, Parusha, Chitra-sirshaka, Sata bahu and
the Rakta-raji are possessed of a Va^taja temperament
and their poison tends to aggravate and derange the
bodily Vaiyu and produce the specific diseases due
thereto. 3.
Insects of Pittaja Temperament:—
The twenty-four families of insects known as the Kaun-
dilyaka, Kanabhaka, Varati (asp), Patra-vrischika,
Vindsikd, Brahmanika, Vindula (D.R.-Viluta), Bhramara,
* Dallana says that the four groups are to be determined according to the origin of the insects from the semen, etc. of a Darvi-kara, Mandali, Rdjila, or a Vaikaranja serpent. To us it seems, however, that the groups should be Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja and Sannipataja.
Chap. VIII.] KALPA STHANAM. 743
V^hyaki, Pichchita, Kumbhi, Varchah-kita, Arime-
daka, Padma-kita, Dundubhika, Makara, Sata-p^daka
(centipede), Panchdlaka, P^ka-matsya, Krishna-tunda,
Gardabhi, Klita, Krimi-Sarai and the Utkles'aka are of
a fiery i. e. Pittaja temperament and their poison tends
to derange and aggravate the bodily Pitta and produce
the specific diseases due to the derangement of that
Dosha. 4.
Insects of Kaphaja Temperament :
—The thirteen families of insects known as the Visvam-
bhara, Pancha-s'ukia, Pancha-krishna, Kokila, Saireyaka
Prachalaka, Valabha, Kitima, Suchi-mukh^, Krishna-
Godha, Kashdya-Vdsika, Kita-gardabhaka and the
Trotaka are possessed of Saumya i.e.^ Kaphaja tempera-
ment, and their poison aggravates and deranges the
Kapha and produces the specific diseases which owe
their origin to the deranged condition of that Dosha. 5.
Insects of SannipsCtika Tempera-
ment : — The twelve kinds of insects known as the
Tungi-ndsa, Vichilaka, T^laka, Vdhaka, Koshthdgiri,
Krimikara, Mandala-Puchchhaka, Tunga-n^bha, Sarsha-
pika, Avalguli, Sambuka and the Angi-kita are danger-
ously fatal in their bite. A person or an animal bitten
by any of these dangerous insects exhibits stages and
symptoms similar to those of a case of a snake-bite and
their poison tends to derange and aggravate the three
Doshas (Sadmipsitika) of the body and produce the
specific symptoms thereof. 6-A.
Symptoms of their bite:— The seat of
the bite seems as if on fire or being burnt with strong
alkali and is characterised by a red, yellow, white or
Vermillion colour. The symptoms which are developed
in the entire course of the poisoning (or are found to
supervene) in cases of their bites are fever, breaking
744 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. VIII.
and aching pain (in the limbs), horripilation, vomiting, thirst, a burning sensation in the body, loss of conscious- ness, yawning, shaking of the limbs, difficult breath- ing, hic-cough, (sometimes) a burning and (at others) a cold sensation {in the seat of the bite), eruption of pustules, swelling (in the affected locality), appearance of nodular glands (Granthi), circular erythematous patches (Mandala) on the skin, ring-worm, Erysipelas, Kitima (Keloid Tumour) and Karnikd (round about the seat of the bite) as well as any other symptoms peculiar to the Dosha aggravated by the poison of each species. 6.
The other characteristic features of the poison of
these (fatal and strong-poisoned) insects should be
speedily ascertained by comparing the symptoms of
aggravation of the Dushi-Visha (consequent thereon)
and by examining the effets of the application of
different anti-poisonous plasters as well. 7.
These are the characteristic features of sharp-poison-
ed insects ; now hear me describe those of the mild-
poisoned ones. The symptoms which are manifest in
the case of a bite by such an insect are salivation
(Praseka), an aversion to food, vomiting, heaviness in
the head, a slight sensation of cold and the appearance of
pustules and urticaria according to the deranged Dosha
aggravated by the species of the biting insect. 8
The pulverised bodies of these insects possessing, as
they do, the characteristic features of Dushi-Visha or
enfeebled poison (lying inherent in a human system) is
turned into a Gara or chemical (combinative or resultant)
poison, if administered (internally) with any medicine
or externally with any plaster. 9.
We shall henceforth describe the distinctive traits of one insect from another of the same species according
Chap. VIII.] KALPA STHANAM. 745
to the classification and general characteristics and incurability of their bites. 9.
The Kanabha class of Insects:— The
Trikantaka, Kuni, Hasti-kaksha and the Aparajita are
the four kinds of insects that belong to the Kanabha
group and are extremely painful in their bites giving
rise to swelling, aching in the limbs, heaviness of the
body and a black aspect at the seat of the bite. 10.
The Gaudheyaka class of Insects:—
The five kinds of insects known as the Prati-surya,
Pinga-bhdsa, Bahu-varna, Mahd-s'iras and the Nirupama
belong to the Gaudheyaka class. The stages and the
symptoms of a bite by an insect of this group are often
identical with (or mistaken for) a snake bite and are
marked by all its characteristic pain and the appearance
of dreadful Granthis (nodular glands) of varied colours
and shapes. 11.
The six kinds of insects known as the Gala-goli,
S'veta-krishn^, Rakta-rdji, Rakta-mandala, Sarva-s'veta,
and the Sarshapika belong to one and the same species,
A bite by any of these insects excepting by a Sarshapikd
is attended with a burning sensation and slimy exud-
ation from and swelling in the seat of the bite, that of
the Sarshapika being accompanied by an attack of
dysentery (Atisdra) and pain at the heart. 12.
^ata-padi (centipede): — The S'ata-padi (centi- pede) species is divided into eight kinds, viz.^ the Parusha (rough), Krishna (black), Chitra (of variegated colours), Kapilika (tawny brown), Pitaka (yellow), Rakta I. red), S'vetd (white) and the Agni-prabhd (resembling, fire in virtue). A bite by any of these insects is attended with swelling, pain and a burning sensation in the heart. A bite by one of the Sveta or the Agni-prabhd species is marked by all the aforesaid symptoms as well as by
746 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. VIII.
