Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

Chap. XIX.] CHIKITSA STHANAM. 447
of four fingers above the instep (Gulpha) should be
opened after an application of Sneha and Sveda *
to the patient. Vastis should be employed when
the patient has been (soothed and) restored to his
former condition (with appropriate and nutritious diet,
etc.). He should be made to take continuously for a
month, a potion consisting of castor-oil mixed with
(an adequate quantity of cow's) urine The patient
should take rice as his diet with milk duly cooked with
S'tmthi. The use of the Traivrita Ghrita as well as
cauterization of the affected part with fire is also recom-
mended in such a case. 23
Treatment of Pittaja ^Iipacla:-ln a
case of Pittaja type of Elephantiasis, the vein ^Sira)
below the instep (Gulpha) should be opened. Medicinal
remedies mentioned in connection with the treatment
of the Pittaja type of tumours (Arvuda) and of Erysi-
pelas i^Visarpa) as well as other Pitta-subduing remedies
and measures should be employed-f-. 24.
Treatment Of Kaphaja ^Iipacla:-in
a case of the Kaphaja type of elephantiasis the principal
vein (Sira) of the first toe should be opened by an
experienced surgeon and the patient should be made
to take at intervals the decoction (of the Kapha-sub-
duing drugs) with honey. As an alternative, the patient
should be advised to take the powders (Kalka) of Abhayd
mixed with any officinal kind of urine. The affected
locality should be constantly plastered with the paste
* Chakradatta reads "^^if^,:^^^]^^' in place of "^^^^,;^tj^ g^'
meaning thereby that suchr Sveda and Upanaha should be applied
before the incision of the vein. Giyadasa alio supports this reading as
is evident from Dailana's commentary. — Ed.
t The panicle '•=^" in the text shows that Kapha-subduing remedies
»nd measures sh^uld also be used in all these cases.