Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

Chap. VI. CHIKITSA STHANAM. 32
operation in the present disease should be effected by
introducing the Yantra (speculum) into the rectum (with
the utmost care, inasmuch as an error happening in any
of these cases may bring on impotency, swelling (Sopha),
a burning sensation, epilepsy, rumbling in the intestines,
retention of stool and urine, dysenteiy, diarrhoea, or may
ultimately end in death. 8.
Rectal Speculum :— Now we shall describe
the dimensions of the Yantras (and the materials of
which they are made of). The instrument may be
made of iron, ivory, horn or wood. It should be made
to resemble the teat of a cow. In the case of a male
patient, it should be four fingers in length and five
fingers in circumference ;
whereas in the case of a female
patient, the length should be commensurate with that of
the palm of the hand (of the same length as before
D. R.) and six fingers in circumference. The instrument
should be provided with two separate apertures in its
inside, one for seeing the interior of the rectum and the
other for applying an alkali, or actual cautery (Agni) to
the polypus, since it is impossible to apply fire and
alkali through the same aperture. The circumference
of the aperture in the upper three fingers of the instru-
ment should be like that of a thumb. There should
be a bulb-like protrusion of the same width, at the
bottom, and above it a space of half a finger's width.
Thus we have briefly described the shape of the
instrument. 9-10.
Ale pa (plasters) :—Now we shall describe the
plasters to be applied to the haemorrhoids (to cause
their spontaneous dropping off). The first consists of
pulverised turmeric mixed with the milky exudation of
the Snuhi tree. The second contains of the cock-
evacuations and pulverised Gunjd, turmeric and Pippali
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