Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c11.33

c11.33

If the death of the foetus is known by the symptoms mentioned in § 45, three procedures are possible according to Car 4.8.30 : The same methods as those for the extraction of placenta should be applied (cf. § 42), or a procedure with incantations etc. according to the scriptures of the Atharvaveda, or the foetus should be extracted by a skilful surgeon (*śalyahartṛ*). After the removal of the foetus, the woman should be given to drink a large quantity of any spirituous drink in order to cleanse the uterus thereby, to make her forget her pains and to exhilerate her. Then she should be given rice-gruel prepared with fat and other substantial and nutrient articles of food; in case the foetus was undeveloped, also enemata etc. If the foetus was developed, she should be given nutrient diet on the same day. In AS 2.4.217 the three procedures are especially referred to in the case of *mūḍhagarbha* (cf. § 47) and Su 4.15 chiefly deals with the operative removal of a *mūḍhagarbha*; he even advises the quickest removal of a dead foetus in general, as it would otherwise kill the mother quickly. The incision is to be taken with a rounded surgical knife (*maṇḍalāgra*), as an edged lancet (*vṛddhipattra*) might wound the mother. If the placenta has not come out, the surgeon should pull it out in the manner already described, or should pull it out with the hand, while he presses the woman on both her sides after applying oil to the genitals and shake her severely. After the delivery he should sprinkle lukewarm water on her, anoint her and pour oil in the vagina whereby it becomes soft and the pain is reduced. She should be given to drink a mixture of oil with various powders and in the evening she should be given spirituous drinks. When the woman is cured and four months have passed after her delivery, she may give up this diet (Su 4.15.13-28). According to AHr 2.2.24 ff. if the symptoms of the death of the foetus are present, the woman should be sprinkled with lukewarm water, her vagina should be smeared with pounded sugar, fermenting stuff and salt, then it should be filled with butter and resin and verses related to the coming out of the foetus should be recited.