A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c23.74

v1.c23.74

Four ways of arresting haemorrhage and their indications are discussed: saṃdhāna¹⁶¹ (contraction of the vessels) by means of astringent (kaṣāya) fluids, skandana¹⁶² (thickening of the blood) by cold applications, pācana (desiccation of the wound) by means of ashes, and dahana (cauterization) (14.39–42). A small amount of impure blood that remains (in the system) after bloodletting does not require any further treatment (14.43). Blood should be protected carefully, because it constitutes the root of the body and is the substance that sustains it (14.44). The treatment of excited vāyu after bloodletting closes the chapter (14–45).