Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

203 THE SUSHRUTA SAMIIITA. [Chap. VI tr.
and successfully pierced vein bleeds in streams (almost
simultaneously with the thrusting of the knife) and
spontaneously stops after a Muhurta (a little while). The
vitiated blood is seen first to flow out of an opened
vein, like the drop of yellow pigment first coming out of
a Kusunihha flower. Blood does not flow out from an in-
cision made into a vein of an unconscious (Murchchhita),
much frightened, or a thirsty patient. An incision of a
vein without proper bandaging and raising up is attend-
ed with a similar result. 20-23.
A weak person, or one affected with the unusual
derangement of the bodily Doshas etc., or one fainted
(under operation), should not be subjected to a measure
of continuous blood-letting at a time ; instead of that,
the vein should be opened afresh in the same afternoon
or on the following day, or on the third day (as the exi-
gency requires). An intelligent surgeon should not
allow the flow of blood to an excess but should stop
the flow even with a remnant of the diseased blood in
the system and administer soothing internal remedies
(Sams'amana) for the purification of the diseased rem-
nant. Bleeding to the quantity of a Prastha* measure
should be deemed sufficient for a strong and adult patient,
stuffed with a large quantity of the deranged Doshas (in
the body). 24-26.
The vein should be incised with a Vrihimukha instru-
ment at a distance of two fingers above the seat
of the Kshipra-marma in such diseases as Padadaha,
Pada-harsha, Ava-vahuka, Chippa, Visarpa, Vata-rakta,
Vata-kantaka, Vicharchika, Padadari etc. The mode
of opening a vein in the case of Slipada (Elephantiasis)
* In medicinal preparations, a Prastha measure is understood to be
four seers in the casj of liquids, but in cases of excreta due to emetic and
piLjgalive measures and of blood-letting, •
thirteen Palas and a half only.
a Prastha U meant to be