IVIemorable Verses :— All the Siras (vessels)
that are found in the organisms of created beings, ori-
ginate from the umbilical region (Nabhi)-)* and thence
they spread all over their bodies. The life of an or-
ganic animal is seated in the vessels surrounding its
navel which forms their starting point. The navel in
its turn rests on or is attached to the Pranas (the life-
carrying vessels — nerves attached to it) in the same
* The Sanskrita term S'ira denotes veins, nerves, arteries and lympha- tic vessels as well. Some read S'ird- Varna (different colours of the Siras) in lieu of S'ira-varnana (description of S'iras).
t Most probably the idea is derive! from the appearance of the S'iras in their foetal state.
192 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. tChap. Vll.
manner as the nave of a wheel supports the spokes, and the spokes in their turn support the nave. 3-4.
Principal ^iraS:-Of these Siras (vessels), forty are principal ones, of which ten are Vayu-carrying Siras (nerves), ten are Pitta-carrying Siras (veins), ten convey Kapha (lymphatic vessels?) and ten are blood- carrying Siras (arteries). Of these the Vayu-carrying Siras, situated in the specific receptacle of that bodily principle (Vata), are again found to branch out in one hundred and seventy five smaller branches (ramifications). Similarly, each of the remaining Pitta-carrying, Kapha- carrying and blood-carrying vessels (Sirds) situated in their specific receptacles, {ie , in the receptacles of Pitta, Kapha and spleen and liver respectively) are found to branch out in as many numbers (one hundred and seventy-five), — thus making a total of seven hundred in all. 5.
Their Specific Locations :- There are
twenty-five Vayu-carrying Siras (nerves) in one leg and the same count applies to the other. Similarly there are twenty five Vatyu-carrying Siras (vessels) in each of the hands. There are thirty-four Vayu-carrying vc^ssels in the Koshtha trunk) ; of these eight occur in the pelvic regions attached with the anus and the penis ; two in each of the sides, six in the back, six in the Udara (cavity of the abdomen), and ten in the region of the chest. There are forty-one Vayu-carrying Sira's (ves- sels) situated in the region above the clavicles. Of these fourteen occur in the neck ; four in the two ears ; nine in the tongue ; six in the nose and eight in the two eyes. Thus we have finished the description of the one hundred and seventy-five Siras that carry Vayu. 6. What has been said of these Vayu-carrying vessels (Siras) will also hold good to the rest (in blood-carrying,
Chap. VII.] SARIRA STHANAM. 193
Pitta-carrying and Kapha-carrying channels in the res-
pective regions of the body), with the exception that
in these three cases, ( Pitta, Kapha and blood ) ten
occur in the eyes and two in the ears in lieu of eight
and four respectively, as in the case of VAyu-carrying
Siris (vessels). Thus we have described the seven hun-
dred Sirds with their branches. 7.
Memorable Verses— The Vdyu-carrying
Sirds : —The Vdyu in its normal state and coursing
through its specific Siras (vessels) helps the unobstructed
performance of its specific functions viz.^ expansion,
contraction, speech, &c., and produces the clearness and
non-illusivencss of Buddhi ( intellect ) and the sense-
organs, whereas a coursing of the said Vayu in a de-
ranged condition through the aforesaid Sirds (vessels),
gives rise to a host of such diseases as are due to the
derangement of Vdyu. 8.
The Pitta-carrying ^iras:— The Pitta in
its normal state and coursing through its specific S'iras (vessels) produces the healthy glow of complexion, relish for food, kindling of the appetite, healthfulnoss and other good effects, characteristic of the Pitta, which however being aggravated and coursing through them gives rise to a host of Pittaja diseases. 9.
The Kapha-conveying firsts:— The
Kapha in its normal state and coursing through its specific
Sirds (vessels) smoothes and contributes to the firmne33
of the limb3 and joints, improves the strength and pro-
duces all other good effects specially belonging to it,
whereas the same Kapha, flowing through them in an
aggravated condition, ushers in a large number of the
Kaphaja distempers of the body. 10.
The Rakta-carryi ng ^i rsis : —The blood
in its normal state and flowing through its specific S'irds
t94 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. VII.
(vessels) strengthens the other fundamental principles
(Dhatus) 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 de-
rangement of the blood, ii.
There is not a single Sira (vessel) in the body
which carries either the Vayu, 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 Sirds promiscuously. Hence they are called Sarva-
vahah. 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 Kapha-
carrying vessels are hard, cold to the touch and white-
coloured. 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. 14-15-
Of the one hundred vessels in a single leg, the one Jdla<ihard (which is attached to the connective tissue
Chap, vn.] SARIRA STHANAM. ,lg5
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 Lohitiksha, together with the correspond- ing 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 Patrs'va- Sandhi, 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 Apastambhas and Apalapas, making fourteen in all, should not be opened. Thus thirty-two Siras in the regions of the back (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 Sirds in the region above the clavicles. Of these the eight and four (making twelve and respectively 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 SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. tChap. Vll.
regarded as unfit for opening. Similarly the two veins
in the two Krik^tikds 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 thirty-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 sound-
carrying 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 (Sird) 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, Pitta- Carrying, 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.
He also holds that there are 28 in place of 36 S'irds in the tongue, 16 in place of 24 in the nose, 24 in place of 38 in the eyes, 16 in place of 10 in the ears and 8 in place of 10 in the temple. In the counting of the S'iras situate in the other parts of the body, he, however, does not differ fiom the text.
Chap. Vlt] SARIRA STHANAM. TQ;
in each of the two Utkshepa-Marmas, one in each of the
(five) Simanta-Marmas and one in the Adhipati-Marma,
should be held unfit for the purpose. No incision or
opening should be made into any of these fifty vessels
situated in the region above the clavicles. 23-31.
Memorable verses :— As the stem and leaves
etc, of a lotus plant, originated from its bulb, spread
over the whole surface of a pool or tank (lit : water),
so the vessels emanating from the umbilicus of a man
spread over his whole organism. 32.
Thus ends the seventh Chapter of the S'arira Slhanam in the Sus ruta Samhila which treats of the description and classification of S'iras (vessels).
Now we shall discourse on the Sariram which treats of the method of Venesection etc. (^ira-Vyadha-
Vidhi-^ariram). i
Persons unfit for Venesection:— The
vessel or vessels (Sira) of an infant, an old man, a per- ched man, one fatigued and emaciated with endocarditis (Kshata-kshina), a person of timid or coward disposition, a person used up with excessive drinking or sexual enjoyments or tired with the troubles of long journey, an intoxicated person, a patient who has been treated with purgatives, emetics or with Anub^isana and Asthdpana measures (enemas), a man who has passed a sleepless night, an impotent (Kliva) or emaciated person, an enceinte, or one afflicted with cough, asthma, high fever, phthisis convulsions, paralysis, thirst, epilepsy, or effects of fasting, should not be pierced or opened. Incisions should not be made into those veins (Siras) which are not fit for opening, or into the fit ones, if invisible ; it should be the same with those which cannot be properly ligatured or even if ligatured cannot be raised up. 2.
Diseases which are amenable to acts of venesection
have been described before (Sonita-Varnaniya-Adhydya).
Venesection may be performed in the said diseases as
well as in those which have not been enumerated in
connection with them and also in other cases whether
suppurated or unsuppurated, if such a proceeding is
deemed necessary and after the application of Sneha and
Sveda. Venesection should be made even in the cases
declared unfit for it (such as in an infant etc.) in cases of
Chap. VIII.] SARIRA STHANAM. 1 99
blood-poisoning (such as snake-bite etc.) and in fatal diseases (Vidradhi etc.). 3-4.
