History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c21.s4.t5.3

v1.c21.s4.t5.3

Similarly, in cases of perforation of the intestines, after removing the foreign body and cleansing the intestinal discharges, the edges of the hole in the intestine having been brought together should be got bitten by black ants. When the ants have bitten the intestines their body should be chopped off and removed having the heads behind. Then the suturing should be done as before and other reparative measures should also be taken as described earlier. Black clay mixed with *madhuka* should then be pasted and bandaging completed. Thereafter, the surgeon should cause the patient to be removed to a chamber protected from draught and post-operative instructions should be issued. The patient should be made to sit in a vessel full of oil or *ghṛta* and his diet should consist only of milk.