Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c9.46

c9.46

Of the eight above-mentioned operations, the excision is prescribed in fistula of the anus, unripe growths caused by Kapha, dark moles, edges of the wounds, tumours, hemorrhoids and similar growths (*carmakīla*), foreign matters in the bones or in flesh, hairy moles, fleshy growths (in the palate), swollen tonsils, rotten ulcers on the penis (*śatapoṇaka*), a red tumour on the palate (*adhruṣa*), abscesses on penis, flesh-tumour (in vagina?), tumour on wisdom-tooth. Incisions are suited to deep going abscesses, growths, erysipelas, swelling of testicles, abscess on testicles or axillary cavity, carbuncles created by diabetes, tumour (*śopha*), diseases of the mammary glands, pustule on penis, cysts on eyelids, ulcers on the foot, fistula, throat-inflammation (*vṛnda* and *ekavṛnda*), the ulcer of the penis (*puṣparikā* and *alajī*), most of the "minor diseases" (§ 67), tumours (*puṭpala*) on palate and teeth, abscess on the tonsils, hard tumour in the throat and septic tumour or tumour originated from fat. The bladder is, on the contrary, to be opened only in stone. The four curable kinds of Rohiṇī (throat inflammation), leucoderma (*kilāsa*), a tumour on gums originated from fat, growths, abscesses, tumours on tongue, hemorrhoids, circular spots, growth of flesh and increase of flesh should be curetted. The different veins, hydrocele and dropsy are to be punctured and tapped. Fistula, wounds containing foreign matter and irregular wounds should be probed. The three kinds of sand, or gravel, tartar on the teeth, stone, foreign matter, dead foetus and the faeces accumulated in the anus should be extracted. Abscesses with the exception of the most difficult form, lepary skin-diseases (*mahākuṣṭha*), local swellings, abscesses on ear-lap, elephantiasis, blood-poisoning, tumours, erysipelas, teeth-tumours and many other swellings and skin pustules should be drained. Tumours originated from fat should be sutured after they are cut and cleansed; so also wounds and injuries on movable joints. The threads for suturing should consist of flax or hemp and other vegetable fibres or of sinew or hair of the tail of beasts. The needle should be 2 to 3 fingers long according to the part of body, and straight, round or three-edged or curved. The parts sutured together should be covered with cotton or linen; curing powder should be cast upon them and then they should be bandaged (Su 1.25).