Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c9.54

c9.54

Branding (*agni, agnikarman*) is still more efficacious than the cauteries in so far as it cures diseases which are not curable by medicines, instruments and cautery, and the diseases cured thereby do not recur. It is particularly prescribed in tumours, fistula, swelling of testicles, elephantiasis, swollen glands, decolourization of skin, bad wounds or ulcers, opthalmia, headache, haemorrhoids and other diseases. Branding can be effected not only with red-hot iron of various forms (*śalākā, sūcī, jāmbavausṭha*), but also with fluids like honey, syrup, oil or wax brought to boiling point with hot cowdung and other hot objects. The physician should brand the patient until the required effect consisting of bustling noise, bad smell and shrivelling up of the skin is attained. Honey and ghee and other ointments and plasters should afterwards be applied (Su. 1.12; AS 1.40; AHr 1.30).