Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

CHAPTER VIII.
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 Anubasana and
Asthapana 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