Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

750 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITA. [Chap. VIII.
while those which originate from the dccmposed carcase
of a snake or from any other poisonous putrid organic
matter are Tikshna-visha (strong-poisoned). The first
group of scorpions includes twelve different species,
the second three and the third and last fifteen, thus
making thirty* species in all. 37-3^-
Specific traits and Characteristics
of mild-poisoned Scorpions :— Scorpions
which are black (Krishna) ordark-brown (S'y^va) or of
variegated colours (Karbura) or yellow (Pandu) or
coloured like the urine of a cow or rough or dark blue
(Mechaka) or white or red or greenish (S'ddvala) or
red mixed with white (Rakta-s'veta)i- or provided with
hair on their bodies (Romas' a) should be regarded as
Manda-visha ( mild poisoned ones). A bite by a
scorpion of this species is accompained by pain (in the
seat of the bite), shivering, numbness of the limbs and a
flow of blackish blood (from the punctures of the bite).
In the case of a bite at any of the extremities, the pain
courses upward, accompained by a burning sensation,
perspiration, swelling of the bitten part and fever. 39
IVIadhya-visha Scorpions :—Scorpions of
the Madhya-visha (mild-poisoned) class are red (Rakta)
or yellow (Pita), or tawny (Kapila). All of them are
ash-coloured in their belly and provided with three
joints or links. They germinate from the stool, excreta,
eggs and putrid carcases of the three (aforesaid) groups
of snakes and respectively partake of the nature of the
* According to Gayaddsa the total number of the three classes of
scorpions would be twenty-seven, of which the first (mild-poisoned) class
consists of eleven, the second consists of three and the third of thirteen.
t In place of "white, red and whitish red" some read "white, red
and little red" (Arakta)," while others make it "white in the abdomen
(S'vetodara), red and white."