Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

Chap. VIII.] KALPA STHANAM. 751
serpent whose fecal matter, etc. they originate from.
A bite by a scorpion of this species is accompanied
by a swelling of the tongue, an incapacity of deglutition
and violent epileptic fits. 40.
Tikshna-visha Scorpions :—The keen-
poisoned (Tikshna-visha) scorpions are either white or
parti-coloured (Chitra) or blackish (S'yamala) or reddish
white (Rakta-s'veta) or red-bellied or blue-bellied or
reddish or bluish yellow or reddish blue or bluish
white; others are reddish brown and are (further divided
into four classes), viz., three-jointed (like those of the
previous class) or one-jointed or two-jointed or jointless.
The poison of this group of scorpions, varying in colour
and shape, is extremely dreadful and should be regarded
as the veritable robber of vitality. They germinate from
the putrified dead body of a snake or any poisoned
animal. A bite by a member of any of these families
produces those physiological transformations in the
body of its victims which mark the different stages of a
snake-bite, and gives rise to pustular eruptions (Sphota)
on the skin accompanied by vertigo, a burning sensation
(in the body), fever and excessive discharge of black-
coloured blood from the channels (mouth and nostrils,
etc.). And hence their bite proves so rapidly fatal. 41.
Treatment of Scorpion-bites :—
bite by a scorpion of the middle-venomed or strong-
venomed class should be treated as a case of snake-
bite to all intents and purposes. In a case of a bite by
a mild-venomed one, the affected seat should be sprink-
led over with the Chakra-Taila or with a tepid oil duly
cooked with the drugs of the Viddryddi group. The
affected locality should be (repeatedly) fomented with
the application of poultices in the Utkdrikd form pre-
pared with anti-venomous drugs (.S'irisha, etc.). The seat