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A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
by a snake was to be kept awake so that the poison did not spread all over the body. Similar methods have been prescribed by the other medical authorities. According to Suśruta, incision, cauterization and sucking of the poisoned blood from the base of the bite should be highly recommended in all cases of snake-bites.2 Dallan a recommends burnt earth or earth of an ant-hill or ash for the purpose of filling up the mouth before sucking the poisoned blood. As to the efficasy of the mantras, Susruta remarks that "elimination of the poison with the help of the mantras full of the energy of Brahma of truth and austerities is more rapid than under the effects of drugs."
Surgery—The science of surgery had reached an advanced stage. The physicians usually carried with them their bags of surgical instruments (sattha-kosa) which contained the instruments like patthana-sattha, amguli-sattha, siraveha-sattha, kappurasattha, lohakanțiya, sam lasaga, aņuvehasalaga, vihimuha and sūimuha.* The physicians always accompanied the army to the battle-field. The arrows were properly extracted from the body of the wounde soldiers, although it was a very painful process.
Veterinary Sciences-There were also veterinary doctors versed in detecting the diseases of the animals. They could easily judge if the disease of an animal was caused by the derangement of any of the tumours of the body (dhatuvi samvadaroga) or because of some other reason.? A doctor is mentioned
1. Pot fer a Fritilassat, at faci o of Golfer_NC. 1, p. 82. 2. Susruta, Kalpasthāna, V. 3-5. 3. Ibid. 4. Susruta, Kalpasthana, V. 10. 5. NC. 3, p. 214; Brh, V1, 3, p. 818; Vi pākasutra, p. 65. 6. NC. 4, p. 306; NC. 2, p. 214. 7. वेज्जेण दिट्ठो, भणियं च-गत्थि से कोति धाउविसंवादरोगो, अत्थि से कोई
340 T N C. 4, p. 304. For the development of the veterinary science in ancient India, see Jyotirmitra's article «Science of Veter. inary Medicine as Practiesd in Ancient India"--Nagarjuna, July 1967, Vol. X, NO. 11, pp. 582-94.
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