Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c13.59

c13.59

The curing methods for *vrana* tally very much with those for *sotha* and *sopha* (cf. § 69). Su 4.1.8 mentions 60 curing methods for *vrana*, viz. diet, anointing, bath, keeping warm, softening, nourishing, emetic, purgative, perforating, cutting open, probing, poultice, smearing with oil and butter, sprinkling, fumigation, smearing, helping scab-formation, cauterizing, branding, enemata, dressing, nasal remedy etc. According to Susruta (1.18.3) thick ointments are first to be applied to the *vrana*. He distinguishes *pralepa* that are cold and thin, *pradeha*, i.e. poultices and *ālepa* that are specially recommended and are of medium consistency, like a wet buffalo-skin and consist of a mixture of fat or oil and medicinal substances. Then come bandages (*bandha*) of which there are 14 kinds named mostly according to their form :- *kosa*—sheath or egg, a bandage full of medicinal substances on the joints of the thumb and other fingers, *swastika*—having the form of a *swastika* (cross-formed), on the joints, eye-brows, ears etc., *mandala*—circular, on round parts of body, *yamala*—duel, when there are two ulcers. Linen, cotton, wool, silk, inner bark of trees, iron-plates etc. serve as the material for bandage. There are tight, medium tight and loose bandages. On the application of the ointment comes first a compress (*kavalikā*), on this a smooth, soft bandage material should be tied fast in such a manner that the knot may not come on the ulcer. The pressing of the abscess is done with a flat hand, once or repeatedly according to the requirement. According to Su 1.19 the patient must lie on a spacious and convenient bed in a room that is clean and exposed neither to sunheat nor to wind, with a weapon side by (to overcome evil spirits), surrounded by friends who make him forget his pains by talking. He should avoid heavy food, spirituous drinks, movements, cold wind etc., fan the ulcer allowing it to rest, should not injure or press it. Cf. Car; AS; AHr; Bhāv l. c.; Su 4.1; Vang 609 ff.