A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c9.s4.32

v1.c9.s4.32

*Sāmudrikās* are of a dark-yellow colour and have variegated spots on their bodies resembling flowers in appearance. *Gochondanās* have bifurcated tails like the two horns of a cow and small heads. When these poisonous leeches bite any person, the bitten parts become swollen and very itchy, and fainting, fever, burning of the body, vomiting, mental derangement and langour occur. In these cases the medicine called Mahāgada should be administered internally, applied externally and used as snuff. The bite of the leech called Indrāyudha is fatal. Such is the dsscription of the poisonous leeches, and their treatment.