Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

CHAPTER VIII.
Now wc shall discourse on insects, i.e. the measures,
etc. to be adopted in cases of insect-bite, etc. (Kita-
Kalpa). I.
Various kinds of worms and insects (Kita) germi-
nate from the semen, fecal matter, urine, putrid eggs
and putrid carcases of serpents which are marked by
Vdtaja, Pittaja (Agneya) and Kaphaja (Ambuja) tem-
peraments. The poisons of these vermin which are
nothing but insects (Kita), arc apt to be most dangerous
in the long run on account of their being acted upon by
the Doshas and may be divided into four* groups. 2.
Insects of Vataja Temperament :—
The eighteen classes of insects known as the Kumbhi-
nasa, Tundikeri, Sringi, Sata-Kuliraka, Uchchitinga,
Agnindma, Chichchitinga, Mayurikd, Avartaka,
Urabhra, Sarikd-mukha, Vaidala, Sardva-kurda,
Abhirdji, Parusha, Chitra-s'irshaka, Sata bahu and
the Rakta-raji are possessed of a Vzitaja temperament
and their poison tends to aggravate and derange the
bodily Vaiyu and produce the specific diseases due
thereto. 3.
Insects of Pittaja Temperament:—
The twenty-four families of insects known as the Kaun-
dilyaka, Kanabhaka, Varati (asp), Patra-vris'chika,
Vinasika, Brahmanika, Vindula (D.R.-Viluta), Bhramara,
* Dallana says that the four groups are to be determined according
to the origin of the insects from the semen, etc. of a Darvi-kara, Mandali,
Rajila, or a Vaikaranja serpent. To us it seems, however, that the groups
should be Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja and Sannipataja.