An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita (Bhishagratna ed.)

patients suffering from the effects of poisoning the fine powder [o( the S'iro-Virechana drugs) should (by means of a pipe) be blown into the nostrils of the patient. Sugar, the expressed juice of the sugar-cane, milk, clari- fied butter or an extract of meat should be (similarly) administered in the case of a weak patient or of one suffering from an attack of Rakta-Pitta. 30.

Metrical Texts :— A Sneha (oil or clarified
butter) cooked with the pasted drugs (of the Siro-Vire-
chana group) would be as beneficial as the powder
(Kalka) of those drugs for the purpose of an errhine in
respect of a weak, emaciated, timid^ delicate or female
patient. 31.

Forbidden Cases : -A fasting person, or one who has just taken his meal, or one suffering from an acute catarrh or coryza of a virulent type, an enciente woman, a man found to be still under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or who has taken a Sneha (oleagin- ous substance), water or any other liquid, or one suffering from indigestion or who has been treated with an enema (Vasti), one in an angry and excited state of mind or afflicted with thirst or who is suffering from the effects of any slow chemical poison (Gara) or fatigued or over- whelmed with grief as well as an infant, an old man, one who has voluntarily repressed any natural urging of the body or one about to take a full bath (Sirah-Sndna) should be regarded unfit for treatment with I'any kind of medi- cinal) snuffs (Nasya). Snufflng and smoke inhalation should not be resorted to in the event of the sky being (unseasonably) overcast with clouds at a time when such phenomena do not usually or ordinarily happen. 32-A.

A deficient or an excessive application of snuffs (at one time), or its extreme heat or coldness, a sudden or de layed application of the same (into the nostrils), drooping

666 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. XL.

posture of the head or its movements during the appli- cation, the fact of its being used while the patient would be taking his meals, or its application in any forbidden case may produce such distressing symptoms as thirst eructations, etc., due to the action of the aggravated or decreased Doshas of the body. 32.

IVIetrical Texts :— The evils which are usually
found to attend an abuse of medicinal snuffs (Nasya)
or errhines (S'iro-vireka) may be grouped into two classes
— those incidental to the aggravation (Utklesa) of the
Doshas or to the loss or waste (Kshaya) of the same.
The distempers due to an aggravation of the Doshas
should he remedied with soothing (S'amana)and correct-
ive i^S'odhana) measures and remedies, while those
resulting from the loss or waste of the Doshas should be
remedied with such drugs and remedies as would make
up the decreased Doshas (of the system). 33.

Pratimarsha Nasya when to be used : -The Pratimarsha form of snuff should be resorted to on any of the following fourteen different occasions, z;f>.:— after quitting the bed in the morning, after cleansing the teeth, on the occasion of going out of the house, after having been fatigued with physical exercise, after sexual intercourse and a journey, after defecation and urination, after the use of gargles (Kavala) and collyrium (Anjana), in an empty stomach, after vomiting, just after a day-sleep and in the evening. 34,

Their Effects :— A Pratimarsha snuff used by
a person just after rising from his bed tends to remove
the waxy mucus (Mala) accumulated in the nostrils during
the night and brings on a cheerful state of the mind, when
used after having cleansed the teeth, it imparts a sweet
aroma to the mouth and makes the teeth steady and
firm (in their sockets). When used by a man on the

Cbtp. XL.] CHIKITSA STHANAM. 667

occasion of his going out of the house, it acts as a
safeguard against the troubles of smoke and dust
(assailing him on the road) owing to the consequent
moist mucous secretion in the nostrils. When used
after the exertion of physical exercise, coition or a
journey, it serves to remove the sense of consequent
fatigue, and when used after micturition or defecation
it tends to remove the dulness or heaviness of vision,
When applied after gargling or after an application of
collyrium (along the eyelids) it serves to invigorate
the eye-sight. When applied on an empty stomach, it
cleanses the internal channels of the body and imparts a
lightness to it. Taken after an act of emesis it tends
to cleanse the mucous (S'leshmd) deposit on the beds of
the internal ducts of the body and thus brings on a
fresh appetite for food. When taken after a day-sleep
it tends to remove the sense of drowsiness and physical
heaviness and purges the filthy accumulations (in the
nose, etc.) thus bringing about a concentrated state of
the mind. When taken in the evening it brings on a
good sleep and an easy awakening. 35.

Metrical Texts :— The quantity of Sneha
which, being lightly snuffed in, reaches down into the
cavity of the mouth, should be deemed adequate for a
dose of the Pratimarsha (kind of snuff*). The benefit
of using a snuff may be perceived in a variety of ways,
as it tends to cure the diseases peculiar to the super-
clavicular regions of the body, removes the cloudening

* One drop or two, or the quantity necessary to bring about a disruption of the Doshas, is the dose of a Pratimarsha Nasya according to Vriddha-Vagabhata.

The four forms of Nasya-Karma (medicinal) snuffs, should be prescribed for patients above seven years of age. Pratimarsha is reconi* friended in Gulma.— A>zV/^w^/r<;>'a,

668 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. XL.

or dulness of the sense-organs, imparts a sweet aroma to
the mouth, and strength to the teeth, jaw bones,
head, neck, Trika, arms and the chest, and guards
against an attack of baldness, Vyanga, premature grey-
ness of the hair and the premature appearance of
wrinkles or furrows. 36-37.

Specific use of Sncha-Nasya :— This

snuff should consist of oil in a case marked by (the con- certed actions of the deranged) Kapha and Vdyu, while it should consist of Vasfik (lard) in a case involving the action of the V^yu alone. Similarly clarified butter should be used as a snuff in a case of a Pittaja disorder, while the snuff should consist of Majja( (marrow) in a case marked by (the concerted actions of the deranged) Vdyu and Pitta. The four different modes of using snuff have thus been described in all of which oil may be used as not being hostile in its action as regards the seats of Kapha within the organism. 38.

Kavala-graha :— Now we shall describe the
process of using medicinal gargles (Kavala) which may
be divided into four kinds, viz. : — The Snehi (oleaginous),
Prasddi (soothing), Sodhi (purifying) and the Ropana
(healing). The oleaginous (Snehi) gargle should be
surcharged with any oleaginous substance and should
be prescribed tepid in a case marked by the action
of the deranged Vdyu, while cold and sweet articles
should be employed in preparing a soothing (Pras^di)
gargle and should be prescribed in cases of the de-
ranged Pitta. The purifying (Sodhana) gargles should
be composed of acid, pungent and saline drugs which
are parching and heat-making* in their potency and

* Vrinda does not include 'parching' while Chakradatta does not include 'heat-making' as the qonditiqi^s of this kind of Kavala in thejr jespective collection?.

Chap. XL.] CHIKITSA STHANAM. 669

should be employed lukewarm (for corrective purposes)
in diseases due to the action of the deranged Kapha.
The healing (Ropana) gargles should be composed of
bitter, astringent, sweet, pungent heat-making* articles
and should be employed in cases of ulceration (of the
mouth). The therapeutic virtues and applications of the
four different kinds of gargle (Kavala) have thus been
described (above). 39-40.

The neck, cheeks and the forehead of the patient to
be treated with gargles should be ^first) fomented and
softened and he should be made to take (into his mouth)
Trikatu^ Vacha^ mustard -seeds, Haritaki and rock-salt
pasted together and dissolved in any of the follow-
ing articles, z;/<sr : — oil, Sukta, Surd, alkali, (cow's) urine
or honey, and made lukewarm (before use as a
gargle). 41.

Kavala and Gandusha-distinguish-

Cd (IVI. T-) : — The quantity which can be easily and
conveniently rolled out in the mouth is the proper dose
in respect of a Kavala, whereas the one which cannot be
so (easily and conveniently) rolled out in the mouth is
called a Gandusha. 42.

Kavala— how long it should be re-
tained : — A gargle (Kavala) should be so long heldt
in the mouth by a patient till the aggravated DoshaJ
would accumulate in the regions of the cheeks§
and would secrete copiously through the nostrils and

* Chakradatta does not include 'pungency' and 'heat-making potency' as conditions of this kind of Kavala.

t Vrinda here reads *'^r^Kf^I?To?r?sr", ».^., *and should be rolled out (in the mouth)'.

X "Dosha" here means 'Kapha'.

§ Vrinda reads "^M^MMRijW?Tt!f^lMHt^i^" which means till the Posha accun^ulates in the regions of the throat and the cheej^s,

670 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. XL.

the eyes, after which the gargle (Kavala) should be every
time removed and fresh ones should be taken and kept
(similarly) in the mouth. The patient should during
the use of a Kavala sit in an erect posture without
allowing the mind to be in the least distracted. 43.

Metrical Texts : — Gargles (Kavala) should be
similarly prepared with Sneha, milk, honey, curd, urine,
meat-juice or Amla (Kdnjika) mixed with the decoction
(of any drug) or hot water prescribed according to the
nature and intensity of the bodily Dosha or Doshas
involved in the case. An amelioration of the disease,
a sense of lightness and of purity in the mouth, a
cheerful frame of mind and an exhilarating vigour in
the organs of sense are the features which mark an
act of perfect or satisfactory gargling (Kavala),
whereas a sense of physical lassitude, salivation and a
(consequent) defect in the sense of taste are the traits
which mark deficient gargling. Thirst, an aversion
to food, dryness of the mouth, a sense of fatigue and an
inflammation of the mouth are the symptoms which
attend an act of excessive gargling. These symptoms
undoubtedly arise in due proportion to the nature and
intensity of the corrective drugs used. 44-45.

Sesamum, Nilotpala, clarified butter, sugar, milk
and honey* used as a gargle (Gandusha) alleviates
the (consequent) burning sensation of a burn inside the
mouth. 46.

The process of using medicinal gargles (Kavala) in general have thus been briefly described.

* Commentators, on the authority of Videha, hold that gargles should be used with these articles either collectively or separately in cases of burning in the mouth by an ejjcessive use of an ?ilkali or sqch other articles,

Chap. XL.] CHIKITSA STHANAM. 671

Pratisdrana :— A Pratisdrana remedy may be of four kinds, viz.^ that prepared with a Kalka (paste), Rasa-kriyi^, honey and with powders. Prepared with the appropriate drugs, such a compound should be rubbed gently with the tip of a finger in a case of an affection of the mouth. An intelligent Physician may exercise his discretion in selecting the drugs to be used in the pre- paration of such a remedy. The symptoms of a satisfac- tory or unsatisfactory Pratisdrana should be respectively identical with those of a Kavala. The ranges of thera- peutic applications are also co extensive in both the cases. In other words the diseases of the mouth which yield to the use of medicinal gargles, equally prove amenable to that of Pratisdrana remedies. The diet in both the cases should be composed of light and non- phlegmagogic articles of food. 47.

Thus ends the Fortieth Chapter of the Chikitsita Sthinam in the Susruta Samhita which deals with the inhalation of medicinal fumes, snufTs, and gargles.

Here ends the Chikitsita Sth^nam.

Sushruta Samhita

Kalpa-Sthanam

(Section on Toxicology).

Now we shall discourse on the mode of preserving food and drink from the effects of poison (Anna-

p^na-Raksha-Kalpa). I

Dhanvantari, the King of Kds'i, the foremost in
virtue and religion and whose commands brook no
disobedience or contradiction, instructed his disciples,
Sus'ruta and others (in the following words). 2.

Powerful enemies and even the servants and rela- tions of the sovereign in a fit of anger to avenge them- selves on the sovereign sometimes concoct poisonous compounds and administer the same to him, powerful though he may be, by taking advantage of any defect or weak point in him. Sometimes the ladies (of the royal house-hold) are found to administer to the king various preparations (of food and drink), which often prove to be poisonous^ from a foolish motive of securing his affection and good graces thereby, and sometimes it is found that by the embrace of a poisoned girl (Visha-Kanyai),*