Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c13.60

c13.60

§ 79. Traumas :— The second variety of *vraṇa* which arises from external causes or comes suddenly (*āgantu, śalyavraṇa*) includes wounds of every kind, such as caused by men, cattle, birds, serpents, insects, by a fall, blows, fire, cauterizing substances, poison, acrid substances or wound with a weapon, or an edged object ( Su 4.1.3 ). Thus there are:— 1. *chinna*-cut. 2. *bhinna*-perforation. 3. *viddha*-paracentesis. 4. *kṣata*-superficial cut or crevice, but dangerous to the body. 5. *picchita*-contusion, arising from a stroke or pressure. 6. *ghṛṣṭa*-laceration of skin. In *bhinna* little blood comes out of the wound, but blood is discharged from the urethra, anus, mouth or the nose according to the internal organ that is wounded and there is fever, heat etc. In traumas there are 16 complications in general : St. Anthony's fire, hemiplegia, tetanus, lockjaw, delirium, madness, pain in the wounds, fever, thirst, cough, vomiting etc. (Car 6.25; Su 4.2. 1-23; AS 6.31; AHr 6.26; MN 272-6; Vang 616 ff.). For appeasing the blood and the heat the physician should apply cold remedies containing ghee and honey ( Vṛnda 45.2 ). Blood-appeasing plants already known to the Vedic medicine (cf. Bloomfield, SBE 42,20 f.) are mentioned in large number, mostly with an addition of ghee or oil. Emetic and purgative, fast, diet and blood-letting are also recommended (AHr 6.26.9). In 1-4 there is great loss of blood and there is pain; the physician should give oil internally, externally and as enemata and apply warm poultices around the wound. On the other hand, in 5 and 6 there comes only little blood, whereby heat and pus are produced, so cold ointments and moistenings should be used here. Cut-wounds on the head and on the sides should be sewn and bandaged firmly, similarly a cut off ear should be joined, sutured firmly and moistened with oil. If the trachea is wounded, so that the air rambles through, the parts should be united together, tied up, sutured firmly, sprinkled with goat's urine, the patient should lie on the back, should be bandaged and should eat in this position. Cut off arm or leg should be treated with hot oil, then it should be dressed with *kośa* dressing (cf. § 78) and the wound should be cured (Su 4.2.23 f. cf. Car; AS; AHr; Vang l. c.; Vṛnda 45; Bhāv 2.3).