Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

Chap. IV.] KALPA STHANAM. 705
teristic changes (in the system of the victim) should be
known as the Sarpita bite. A (superficial) puncture (or
punctures) made by the fangs of a snake and the affected
part being attended with reddish, bluish, whitish or
yellowish lines or stripes is called the Radita bite, which
is characterised by the presence of a very small quantity
of venom in the punctured wound. A Nirvisha (non-
venomous) bite is marked by the presence of one or more
fang marks, an absence of swelling and the presence of
slightly vitiated blood at the spot and is not attended
with any change in the normal (physiological) condition
of the person bitten. The contact of a snake with the
body of a naturally timid person may cause the aggra-
vation of his bodily Vayu and produce a swelling of the
part. Such a man is said to be Sarpatngabliihata*
(affected by the touch of a snake). 4.
A bite by a diseased or agitated snake or by an
extremely old or young one, should be considered as
considerably less venomous. The poison of a snake
is inoperative in a country resorted to by the celestial
Garuda (the king of birds;, or by the gods, Yakshas,
Siddhas and Brahmarshis, as well as in one in which
there are drugs of anti-venomous virtues. 5.
Characteristic features of the different
Species of snakes :—Those having
hoods and marked with spots resembling a wheel or a
plough, an umbrella or a cross i^Svastika) or a goad
(Amkus'a) on their heads and are extremely swift,
should be known as the Darvi-kara snakes. Those
which are large and slow and marked with parti-coloured
* It should be noted here that coming in contact with thorns and
nails, etc., if unnoticed, may also produce in the minds of persons the fear
of having been bitten by a snake and may thus produce the effects of
such poisoning.
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