Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

CHAPTER III.
Now we shall discourse on the medical treatments
of fractures and dislocations (Bhagnas). i.
IVIetrical Texts :—A fracture or dislocation
(Bhagna) occurring in a person of a Vatika tempera-
ment, or of intemperate habits, or in one who is sparing
in his diet, or is affected with such supervening disorders
(as fever, tympanites, suppression of the stool and urine,
&c.) is hard to cure.* A fracture-patient must forego
the use of salt, acid, pungent and alkaline substances
and must live a life of strictest continence, avoid expo-
sure to the sun and forego physical exercises and parchi-
fying (devoid of oleaginous) articles of food. A diet
consisting of boiled rice, meat-soup, milk, f clarified
butter, soup of Satiiia pulse and all other nutritive and
constructive food and drink, should be discriminately
given to a fracture-patient. The barks of Udumbara,
Madlmka, As'vattha, Palds'a, Kakubha, Bamboo, Vata
or Sdla trees should be used as splints (Kus'a). Manji-
shthd, Madhuka, red sandal wood and Sdli-ncQ mixed
with S'ata-Dhauta clarified butter (i.e., clarified butter
* Jejjata does not read the first verse, but Gayi does.
t As a general rule, milk should not be prescribed to a patient
suffering from an ulcer (Vrana) in general ; but a case of fracture forms
an exception thereto. Some authorities hold that tepid milk may be
given to a fracture-patient, if there be no ulcer (Vrana). Others, on the
contrary, are of opinion that milk should not, in any case, be given to a
fracture-patient for fear of suppuration and the setting in of pus.
Others, however, take "Kshuasarpih" to be a compound word and
explain the term to mean the clarified butter prepared from milk (as
distinguished from that prepared from curd).
But experience tells us that in cases of excessive weakness or emacia-
tiun, milk may be given without any hesitation— Ed.