The 3rd chapter of Chikitsasthana of Sushruta Samhita is named as Bhagña Cikitsita Adhyaya. This chapter deals with Treatment of Fractures.
अथातोभग्नानांचिकित्सितंव्याख्यास्यामः।।१।।
यथोवाचभगवान्धन्वन्तरिः।।२।।
We will now expound Bhagña Cikitsita – treatment of fracture of bones; as revealed by the venerable Dhanvantari.
Bhagna krchra sādhya – fracture difficult to cure
अल्पाशिनोऽनात्मवतोजन्तोर्वातात्मकस्यच।।
उपद्रवैर्वाजुष्टस्यभग्नंकृच्छ्रेणसिध्यति।।३।।
Fractures get cured with difficulty in –
– persons who partake less quantity of food,
– those who are not disciplined (in all their activities)
– those who have predominance of vāta and
– those who are troubled by complications (other diseases)
Indicated and contraindicated foods and activities in fractures
लवणंकटुकंक्षारमम्लंमैथुनमातपम्।।
व्यायामचनसेवेतभग्नोरुक्षान्नमेवच।।४।।
शालिमा॑सरसःक्षीरंसर्पिर्यूषःसतीनजः।।
बृंहणंचान्नपानंस्याद्देयंभग्नायजानता।।५।।
Below mentioned are contraindicated for the persons having fractures –
– foods which are salty, pungent, alkaline and sour,
– copulation,
– exposure to sunlight,
– excessive indulgence in physical exercise and
– excessive consumption of dry foods
Below mentioned are the indications for the persons having fractures –
– rice
– meat soup
– milk
– ghee
– soup of lentil
– stoutening foods and drinks
Kusa – splints
मधूकोदुम्बराश्वत्थपलाशककुभत्वचः।।
वंशसर्जवटानांचकुशार्थमुपसंहरेत्।।६।।
Barks of the below mentioned trees should be collected and used as kusa i.e. splints –
– Madhooka,
– Udumbara
– Asvattha
– Palasa
– Kakubha
– Vamsa
– Sarja
– Vata
Alepa – pastel plaster
आलेपनार्थंमनिष्ठामधुकंरक्तचन्दनम्।।
शतधौतघतोन्मिश्रेशालिपिष्टंचसंहरेत्।।७।।
Medicinal pastes need to be applied as plasters. For the purpose of preparing these pastes for using as plasters the below mentioned shall be collected beforehand –
– Manjistha
– Madhuka
– Raktachandana
– Satadhauta Ghrta and
– Rice flour
Bandhana – bandaging
सप्ताहादथसप्ताहात्सौम्येष्वतुषुबन्धनम्।।
साधारणेषुकर्तव्यंपञ्चमेपञ्चमेऽहनि।।८।।
आग्नेयेषुत्र्यहात्कुर्याद्भग्नदोषवशेनवा।।
| Season in which bandaging is done | Once in how many days? |
| Saumya Rtu – Cold seasons | Once in seven days |
| Sadharana Rtu – Temperate seasons | Once in five days |
| Agneya Rtu – Hot seasons | Once in three days or depending on the condition of doshas / symptoms |
Moderate bandaging
तत्रातिशिथिलंबढेसन्धिस्थैर्यनजायते।।९।।
गाढेनापित्वगादीनांशोफोरुक्पाकएवच।।
तस्मात्साधारणंबन्धभग्नेशंसन्तितद्विदः।।१०।।
Very loose application of bandage does not induce stability in the union of fractures. Likewise, very tightly applied bandage causes oedema of the skin etc. pain and ulceration. Therefore, moderate bandaging is recommended to be done by the experts who have expertise in bandaging.
Pariseka – bathing the area
न्यग्रोधादिकषायंतुसुशीतंपरिषेचने।।
पञ्चमूलीविपक्वंतुक्षीरंकुर्यात्सवेदने।।११।।
सुखोष्णमवचार्यवाचक्रतैलंविजानता।।
विभज्यकालंदोषंचदोषघ्नौषधसंयुतम्।।१२।।
परिषेकप्रदेहंचविदध्याच्छीतमेवच।।
Recipes for bathing / pouring over the fractures –
– Nyagrodhadi Kashayam – should be poured cold over the area of fractures.
– Milk boiled with Hrsva Panchamula – for alleviating pain in the region of fracture.
– Cakra Taila – oil freshly extracted in an oil mill – for bathing the fracture area.
Bathing the fracture areas with liquids and applying medicinal pastes over them should be considered only after considering the minute aspects of doshas and kala i.e. time factor or seasons. The liquids and paste used should be cold and appropriate to the doshas.
गृष्टिक्षीरंससर्पिष्कंमधुरौषधसाधितम्।।
शीतलंलाक्षयायुक्तंप्रातर्भग्नःपिबेन्नरः।।१३।।
The patient of fracture should be served every morning with the Gristi Ksira – milk of the cow which is delivered within seven days. This milk should be boiled with herbs having a sweet taste and Laksa – lac. It should be added with ghee and served cold.
Savraņa bhagña cikitsa – fracture with a wound
सव्रणस्यतुभग्नस्यव्रणंसर्पिर्मधूत्तरैः।।
प्रतिसार्यकषायैस्तुशेषंभग्नवदाचरेत्।।१४।।
In case of presence of wound in association with fracture, a mixture of ghee and more quantity of honey should be smeared on the wound. Later, paste of astringent herbs should be covered over the wound. Following this, treatment of fracture shall be done accordingly.
Sandhāna kāla – time for union
प्रथमेवयसित्वेवंभगंसुकरमादिशेत्।।
अल्पदोषस्यजन्तोस्तुकालेचशिशिरात्मके।।१५।।
प्रथमेवयसित्वेवंमासात्सन्धिःस्थिरोभवेत्।।
मध्यमेद्विगुणात्कालादुत्तरेत्रिगुणात्स्मृतः।।१६।।
Treating fractures in children is comparably easy, mainly in Sisira Rtu i.e. late winter, the season being cold. The other reason is that there is less amount of doshas in the body of the children. As a result, the union of fractures becomes stable in one month, in children.
In middle aged persons the time taken for the union of fractures to become stable and firm is twice that needed for children i.e. in these people, it would take two months. In aged individuals (who are above seventy years of age, it takes thrice the time i.e. three months for the union of fractures to become stable.
Svasthāna sthāpana – placing in normal place
अवनामितमुन्नहॊदुन्नतंचावपीडयेत्।।
आञ्छेदतिक्षिप्तमधोग्रतंचोपरिवर्तयेत्।।१७।।
| Effect of fracture on the bone | Manipulation |
| Downward displacement – part of the bone bent down because of fracture | It should be lifted up |
| Upward displacement – part of bone raised up / elevated because of fracture | It should be pulled down |
| Sideward displacement – part of bone bend side-wards because of fracture | It should be rotated and that part of the bone which is overlapping should be pulled and made straight |
The bones should be placed in their normal position by these manipulations and then bandaged.
Methods of placing the joints in proper position
आञ्छनैःपीडनैश्चैवसङ्केपैर्बन्धनैस्तथा।।१८।।
सन्धीञ्छरीरेसार्वांस्तुचलानप्यचलानपि।।
एतैस्तुस्थापनोपायैःस्थापयेन्मतिमान्भिषक्।।१९।।
In case of dislocation, a wise physician should place (replace) both movable and immovable joints in their normal position with below mentioned manipulations / methods –
– Pulling (forwards),
– Pressing (downwards)
– Contracting / flexing
– Binding / bandaging and
– Such other methods of placing them in proper position
Treating Utpista and Vislista Sandhis
उत्पिष्टमथविश्लिष्टंसन्धिवैद्योनघट्टयेत्।।
तस्यशीतान्परीषेकान्प्रदेहांश्चावचारयेत्।।२०।
अभिघातेहृतेसन्धिःस्वांयातिप्रकृतिपुनः।।
घृतदिग्धेनपट्टेनवेष्टयित्वायथाविधि।।२१।।
पट्टोपरिकुशान्दत्त्वायथावद्वन्धमाचरेत्।।
The utpista i.e. crushed and vislista i.e. slightly dislocated joints should not be pressed or manipulated by the physician. These joints should be treated by bathing them with cold medicinal liquids and also by application of pastes of herbs which are warm i.e. warm poultice.
Those joints which are injured by assault would come back to normal on their own accord in due course of time. These joints should be covered with bands of cloth which are soaked in ghee. Later splints should be placed over it and bandaging should be done as indicated.
Pratyañga bhagña cikitsā – treatment of different fractures
प्रत्यङ्गभग्नस्यविधिरतऊर्ध्वंप्रवक्ष्यते।।२२।।
After this, treatments of fractures of different pratyangas i.e. minor parts will be described.
Nakhasandhi (nail bed)
नखसन्धिसमुत्पिष्टंरक्तानुगतमारया।।
अवमथ्यस्रुतेरक्तेशलिपिष्टेनलेपयेत्।।२३।।
In cases of utpista nakha sandhi i.e. crushing of nail bed, accompanied with accumulation of blood, it shall be punctured with an ara i.e. thick needle. The tip of the finger should be covered with moist flour of rice and bandaged after the blood flows out.
Anguli (finger)
भग्नांवासन्धिमुक्तांवास्थापयित्वाऽङ्गुलीसमाम्।।
अणुनाऽऽवेष्टयपट्टेनघृतसेकंप्रदापयेत्।।२४।।
When a finger is fractured or when its joints are dislocated, it should be brought back to its normal position. Later it should be tied round with a band of thin cloth. After this, it should be bathed with ghee.
Padatala (sole)
अभ्यज्यसर्पिषापादंतलभग्नंकुशोत्तरम्।।
वस्त्रपट्टेनबध्नीयान्नचव्यायाममाचरेत्।।२५।।
Talabhagña means fracture of the sole of the foot or fracture of metatarsal bones. This fracture should be treated by anointing the foot with ghee. Kusa – splint should be placed below the fractured part and bandaged with cloth. Any kind of foot-related activities should be prohibited and the patient should adhere to it.
Jañghā (foreleg) – and ürū (thigh)
अभ्यज्यायामयेज्जङ्घामूलंचसुसमाहितः।।
दत्त्वावृक्षत्वचःशीतावस्त्रपट्टेनवेष्टयेत्।।२६।।
Treatment for fracture of foreleg or thigh should be treated in the below mentioned way –
– firstly, it should be anointed with ghee and then
– pulled forwards and placed in the normal position and
– should be made straight and even following which
– splints of barks of trees of cold potency are placed all around the fractured area and then
– bandaged with band of cloth
Urvasthi (thigh bone)
मतिमांश्चक्रयोगेनह्याञ्छेदूर्वस्थिनिर्गतम्।।
स्फूटितंपिच्चितंचापिबध्नीयात्पूर्ववद्धिषक्॥२८॥
Following cracking or crushing type of fracture, when the urvasthi i.e. femur bone is seen protruding out, it should be pulled forwards using a wheel. Later the leg should be bandaged as described earlier by tying bands of cloth soaked in ghee, placing the splints and then bandaging it.
Kațibhagña – fracture of waist (hip)
आञ्छेदूर्ध्वमधोवाऽपिकटिभग्नंतुमानवम्।।
ततःस्थानस्थितेसंधौबस्तिभिःसमुपाचरेत्।।२८।।
Katibhagna means fracture of waist or hip bone (pelvic bone or lumbar vertebrae). When there is katibhagna, it should be pulled either in forward or upward or downward direction as found necessary at the time of manipulation and then brought back to its normal position. Following this, the patient should be treated with lubricating and strengthening enemas.
Parśuka bhagña – fracture of ribs
पर्शुकास्वथभग्नासुघृताभ्यक्तस्यतिष्ठतः।।
दक्षिणास्वथवावामास्वनुमृज्यनिबन्धनीः।।२९।।
ततःकवलिकांदत्त्वावेष्टयेत्सुसमाहितः।।
तैलपूर्णेकटाहेवाद्रोण्यांवाशाययेन्नरम्।।३०।।
In case of fracture of ribs, the flanks should be anointed with ghee. The patient should now be made to sit. Now the surgeon shall tie nibhandhini around it. Nibhandhini means controller which is in the form of a broad band of leather or thick strong cloth. It shall be tied from the right or left side. This is done to restrict movement during respiration, coughing, laughing etc. activities. Kavalika i.e. soft pads prepared with inner fibres of barks or from cotton threads – gauze and lint, are placed in between and then bandaged. Later, the patient should be made to lie down in an oil filled tub or cauldron.
Amsādi sañdhi cyuti – dislocation of the shoulder joint etc.
मुसलेनोत्क्षिपेत्कक्षामंससन्धौविसंहते।।
स्थानस्थितंचबध्नीयात्स्वस्तिकेनविचक्षणः।।३१।।
कौर्परंतुतथासन्धिमङ्गुष्ठेनानुमार्जयेत्।।
अनुमृज्यततःसन्धिपीडयेत्कूर्पराच्च्युतम्।।३२।।
प्रसार्याकुञ्चयेच्चैनस्नेहसेकंचदापयेत्।।
एवंजानुनिगुल्फेचमणिबन्धेचकारयेत्।।३३।।
In case of dislocation of the shoulder joint, it should be lifted up from the armpit (axilla) with the help of a wooden rod and then placed in its normal position. Later it is bandaged using Swastika type of bandage.
If there is dislocation of the elbow joint, the joint should be kneaded by the fingers and then placed in its normal position. The joint should be extended and flexed. Following this, warm oil is poured over the joint in streams. Similar treatment should be done in dislocation of knee, ankle and wrist joints also.
Hasta tala bhagña – fracture of bones of palm (metatarsals)
उभेतलेसमेकृत्वातलभग्नस्यदेहिनः।।
बध्नीयादामतैलेनपरिषेकंचकारयेत्।।३४।।
मृत्पिण्डंधारयेत्पूर्वंलवणंचततःपरम्।।
हस्तेजातबलेचापिकुर्यात्पाषाणधारणम्।।३५।।
When the bones of the hands get fractured, the physician should correct the fracture and both the hands (palms) should be made similar. Following this, raw oil is used to bathe the area and then bandaged. The patient is then instructed to hold a mud ball in his hand first, for some days. Later he should hold a ball of salt for a few days and later a stone ball. He should continue holding the stone ball for some days even after he regains strength in his palms / hands.
Akşakästhi cyuti – dislocation of clavicles
सन्नमुन्नमयेत्स्विन्नमक्षकंमुसलेनतु।।
तथोन्नतंपीडयेच्चबध्नीयाद्गाढमेवच।।३६।।
In case of dislocation of clavicles (collar bones), the area should be anointed with oil and later fomentation should be done on the area. Later, the bone is lifted up using a wooden pestle or pushed down if it is bulging up. A tight bandage is tied over it later.
Bāhubhagña – fracture of arm
ऊरुवच्चापिकर्तव्यंबाहुभग्नचिकित्सितम्।।
The line of treatment for fracture of Bahvasthi – arm bone (humerus) is the same as for fracture of Urvasthi – thigh bone.
Grivavivrtti – twisting of the neck
ग्रीवायांतुविवृत्तायांप्रविष्टायामधोऽपिवा।।३७।।
अवटावथहन्वोश्चप्रगृह्योन्नमयेन्नरम्।।
ततःकुशांसमंदत्त्वावस्त्रापट्टेनवेष्टयेत्।।३८।।
उत्तानंशाययेच्चैनंसप्तरात्रमतन्द्रितः।।
Below mentioned are the steps in which the physician / surgeon should take in handling the neck which has been found twisted or sunk into the chest –
– he should hold the head at the avatu – nape of the neck and hanu – lower jaw and
– pull the neck upwards and later
– apply the splints as suitable and then
– do the bandaging with bands of cloth following which
– he should instruct the patient to sleep in supine position, keeping his face up, for a period of seven days without laxity
Hanu sandhi cyuti – dislocation of lower jaw
हन्वस्थिनीसमानीयहनुसन्धौविसंहते।।३९।।
स्वेदयित्वास्थितेसम्यक्पञ्चाङ्गीवितरेद्भिषक्।।
वातघ्नमधुरैःसर्पिःसिद्धंनस्येचपूजितम्।।४०।।
Below mentioned are the steps which the physician / surgeon should take in handling the dislocation of the joint of the lower jaw
– he should first anoint the area around the joint of lower jaw with oil and then give fomentation following which he should
– place the lower jaw in its normal place by physical manipulation and then
– apply Pancangi Bandha – five tailed bandage and should also
– instil drops of oil prepared with vata mitigating and sweet herbs into the nostrils which is also greatly beneficial in these conditions
Dalita cāla – shaky teeth
अभग्रांश्चलितान्दन्तान्सरक्तानवपीडयेत्।।
तरुणस्यमनुष्यस्यशीतैरालेपयेद्वहिः।।४१।।
सिक्त्वाऽम्बुभिस्ततःशीतैःसन्धानीयैरुपाचरेत्।।
उत्पलस्यचनालेनक्षीरपानंविधीयते।।४२।।
जीर्णस्यतुमनुष्यस्यवर्जयेच्चलितान्द्विजान्।
Shaky teeth of young persons which are not fractured, if accompanied by bleeding should be treated as mentioned below –
– paste of herbs should be smeared cold over the teeth followed by
– sprinkling cold water externally and then
– the paste of herbs belonging to sandhaniya group (which fix the teeth in their socket, such as Kashaya dravyas – astringent tasting herbs) and
– the patient is instructed to drink milk through hollow reed of Utpala – lily flower
On the other hand, the shaky teeth in old persons should be pulled out and discarded.
Nāsābhañga- fracture of the nose
नासांसन्नांविवृत्तांवाऋज्वींकृत्वाशलाकया।।४३।।
पृथङ्गासिकयोर्नाड्यौद्विमुख्यौसंप्रवेशयेत्।।
ततःपट्टेनसंवेष्टयघृतसेकंप्रदापयेत्।।४४।।
The nose which has been found sunk inside or distorted should be made straight with the help of an iron rod. Then, hollow tubes with openings at both ends are introduced into the nostrils, one tube into each nostril, anointed with ghee, bandaged and then should be bathed with ghee.
Karnabhagna – fracture of the ear
भग्नंकर्णंतुबघ्नीयात्समंकृत्वाघृतप्लुतम्।।
सद्यःक्षतविधानंचततःपश्चात्समाचरेत्।।४५।।
The pinna of the ear which has been found fractured (cut) shall be placed in its normal position. Later it needs to be bathed with ghee and bandaged. For bandaging, a cloth soaked in ghee should be taken. In the later period, it shall be treated on the lines of treating a fresh wound.
Śirah kapāla bhagña– fracture of skull bones
मस्तुलुङ्गाद्विनाभिन्नेकपालेमधुसर्पिषी।।
दत्त्वाततोनिबध्नीयात्सप्ताहंचपिबेघृतम्।।४६।।
In case of fracture of flat bones of the skull (Kapala asthi) wherein the mastulunga i.e. brain matter has not come out, the area should be bathed with mixture of ghee and honey and then bandaged. The patient should consume only (medicated) ghee as food, for seven days.
Śünāñga cikitsa – treatment of swollen body part
पतनादभिघाताद्वाशूनमङ्गंयदक्षतम्।।
शीतान्प्रदेहान्सेकांश्चभिषक्तस्यावचारयेत्।।४७।।
When due to either falling from a great height or being assaulted by weapons, when swelling occurs in any part of the body even without the wound occurring, shita pradeha – application of paste of herbs having cold potency should be applied cold on the part. Alternatively cold medicinal liquids should be poured over that part for some time.
Jañghä – ūrubhagña – fracture of thigh and foreleg
अथजङ्गोरुभग्नानांकपाटशयनंहितम्।।
कीलकाबन्धनार्थंचपञ्चकार्याविजानता।।४८।।
यथानचलनंतस्यभग्नस्यक्रियतेतथा।।
सन्धेरुभयतोद्वौद्वौतलेचैकश्चकीलकः।।४९।।
When the bones of the foreleg i.e. tibia and fibula and that of the thigh i.e. femur are fractured, Kapata Sayana – lying in a specially prepared wooden box is beneficial and should be adopted. This box would have five kila – pegs which are used to fasten the patient tightly which will not allow the movement of the affected part (immobilization). The distribution of the pegs will be – two pegs on either side and one peg down, below the heels.
श्रोण्यांवापृष्ठवंशेवावक्षस्यक्षकयोस्तथा।।
भग्नसन्धिविमोक्षेषुविधिमेनंसमाचरेत्।।५०।।
सन्धींश्चिरविमुक्तांस्तुस्निग्धान्स्विन्नान्मृदूकतान्।।
उक्तैर्विधानैर्बुद्ध्याचसम्यक्प्रकृतिमानयेत्।।५१।।
Kapata Shayana method explained above should be adopted even in cases of fracture or dislocation of bones of –
– sroni – pelvis,
– prsthavamsa – vertebral column,
– vaksa – chest and
– aksaka – clavicle
The joints which have been dislocated (fractured) for a long time (chronic) should be softened by administration of oleation and sudation therapies. Later they should be reduced and put back to their places following the above said method or according to one’s (physician’s) skills.
Vişama ropaņa – malunion of fractures
काण्डभनेप्ररूढेतुविषमोल्बणसंहिते।।
आपोथ्यसमयेद्भग्रंततोभगवदाचरेत्।।५२।।
Even after healing of fracture of shaft of long bones, if they are found irregular / uneven or bulged up due to malunion of fracture –
– the bone should be broken once again,
– the ends of the bones should be placed properly and
– then treated like a new case of fracture.
Savraņa bhagña cikitsa – treatment of fracture with wound
कल्पयेन्निर्गतंशुष्कंव्रणान्तेऽस्थिसमाहितः।।
सन्ध्यन्तेवाक्रियांकुर्यात्सव्रणेव्रणभगवत्।।५३।।
If at the site of fracture, there is a wound and if the pieces of bone are projecting out of that wound,
– the pieces of dry bone projecting out of the wound should be cut and removed while
– taking care that another wound is not created nearby and later
– it should be treated as a fracture with wound (as described in verse 14)
Añya cikitsa – supplementary treatments
ऊर्ध्वकायेतुभग्नानांमस्तिष्क्यंकर्णपूरणम्।।
घृतपानंहितंनस्यंप्रशाखास्वनुवासनम्।।५४।।
Therapies like Mastiskya – a type of Sirovasti (oil pooling over the head) and Karna purana – filling the ear with medicaments are beneficial in fractures of bones of the upper portion of the body.
Ghrtapana – intake of medicated ghee, Nasya – nasal instillation of medicines and Anuvasana Vasti – oil / ghee (unctuous) enema are useful and should be adopted as needed.
Gandha taila
अतऊर्ध्वंप्रवक्ष्यामितैलंभग्नप्रसाधकम्।।
रात्रौरात्रौतिलान्कृष्णान्वासयेदस्थिरेजले॥५५॥
दिवादिवाशोषयित्वागवांक्षीरेणभावयेत्।।
तृतीयंसप्तरात्रंतुभावयेन्मधुकाम्बुना।।५६।।
काकोल्यादिसयष्ट्याह्नमञ्जिष्ठांसारिवांतथा।।५७।।
कुष्ठंसर्जरसंमांसीसुरदारुसचन्दनम्।।
शतपुष्पांचसंचूर्ण्यतिलचूर्णेनयोजयेत्।।५८।।
पीडनार्थंचकर्तव्यंसर्वगन्धशृतंपयः।।
चतुर्गुणेनपयसातत्तैलंविपचेद्भिषक्।।५९।।
एलामंशुमतीपत्रंजीवकंतगरंतथा।।
रोधंप्रपौण्डरीकंचतथाकालानुसारिवाम्।।६।।
सैरेयकंक्षीरशुक्लामनन्तांसमधूलिकाम्।।
पिष्टवाशृङ्गाटकंचैवपूर्वोक्तान्यौषधानिच।।६१।।
एभिस्तद्विपचेत्तैलंशास्त्रविन्मृदुनाऽग्निना।।
एतत्तैलंसदापथ्यंभग्नानांसर्वकर्मसु।।६२।।
आक्षेपकेपक्षघातेतालुशोषेतथाऽर्दिते।।
मन्यास्तम्भेशिरोरोगेकर्णशूलेहनुग्रहे।।६३।।
बाधिर्येतिमिरेचैवयेचस्त्रीषुक्षयंगताः।।
पथ्यंपानेतथाऽभ्यङ्गेनस्येबस्तिषुभोजने।।६४।।
ग्रीवास्कन्धोरसांवृद्धिरमुनैवोपजायते।।
मुखंचपद्मप्रतिमंससुगन्धिसमीरणम्।।६५।।
गन्धतैलमिदंनाम्नासर्ववातविकारनुत्।।
राजाहमेतत्कर्तव्यंराज्ञामेवविचक्षणैः।।६६।।
After this, I shall describe the preparation of oil for promoting and healing the fractures known as Gandha Taila.
Krishna Tila i.e. black sesame seeds should be soaked in asthira jala – flowing water at night. It should be taken out next morning and once again soaked in cow’s milk. The same procedure and steps are followed and continued for the next two weeks.
In the third week, the sesame seeds should be soaked in Madhuka Kashaya at night. During morning time, the same shall be kept soaked in cow’s milk.
The seeds are now dried well and powdered.
Powder of the below mentioned should be mixed with the tila churna – sesame powder –
– Kakolyadi Gana,
– Yasthi,
– Manjistha,
– Sariva,
– Kustha,
– Sarjarasa,
– Mamsi,
– Suradaru
– Candana and
– Satapushpa
Later, this powder is macerated with the milk boiled with Sarvagandha i.e. fragrant herbs.
Then, medicated oil should be prepared with oil – four times the quantity of the powder after adding the paste of the below mentioned herbs –
– Ela
– Ansumati – Saliparni,
– Patra,
– Jivaka,
– Tagara,
– Rodhra,
– Prapaundarika,
– Kalanusarya,
– Saireyaka,
– Krisnasukla,
– Ananta,
– Madhulika,
– Srngataka and
– Herbs like Kakolyadi etc mentioned earlier
The physician who is well versed in the science should cook this on mild fire and then preserve it.
This oil is known as Gandha Taila.
Benefits of Gandha Taila –
This oil is always beneficial in treatment of all kinds of fractures.
Other benefits of Physician – Gandha Taila is also beneficial in treating the below mentioned conditions –
– Convulsions,
– Hemiplegia,
– Dryness of palate,
– Facial palsy,
– Wryneck,
– Pain / diseases of the head – headaches,
– Earache,
– Lockjaw,
– Deafness,
– Blindness,
– Loss of semen,
– Loss of menstrual blood in women
It can be used in the below mentioned forms –
– Drinking
– Anointing,
– Nasal medication,
– Enema and
– Mixed with food
This oil is also very beneficial for growth and development of the neck, shoulders and chest. It would make the face appear like a lotus flower and make the breath fragrant.
It is useful to cure all vata diseases and is said to be best suited to kings. It shall be prepared for the kings and by kings only.
न्नपुसाक्षप्रियालानांतैलानिमधुरैःसह।।
वसांदत्त्वायथालाभंक्षीरेदशगुणेपचेत्।।६७।।
स्नेहोत्तममिदंचाशुकुर्याद्भग्नप्रसाधनम्।।
पानाभ्यञ्जननस्येषुबस्तिकर्मणिसेचने।।६८।।
Below mentioned are cooked together to prepare oil –
– Oil of Trapusa, Aksa and Priyala
– Herbs predominant in sweet taste, as many available
– Vasa – muscle fat and
– Milk – 10 parts
This oil is best to unite fractures quickly, when used in the below mentioned forms –
– Drinking,
– Anointing,
– Nasal drops
– Enema and
– Bathing the affected part (fractured part)
भग्नंनैतियथापाकंप्रयतेततथाभिषक्।।
पक्वमांससिरास्नायुतद्धिकृच्छ्रेणसिध्यति।।६९।।
If in case of fractures, suppuration of muscles, veins and ligaments take place, the fractures become very difficult to cure. Therefore, the physicians should try their best to prevent suppuration from occurring in the fractures.
Samyak sandhita lakṣaṇa — features of proper union
भग्नंसन्धिमनाविद्धमहीनाङ्गमनुल्बणम्।।
सुखचेष्टाप्रचारंचसंहितंसम्यगादिशेत्।।७०।।
Fractures should be considered as properly united when –
– The union of fractures is not bulged up (at the site of union),
– Not having loss of body parts,
– Not elevated and
– Capable of all activities comfortably
इतिसुश्रुतसंहितायांचिकित्सास्थानेभग्नचिकित्सितंनामतृतीयोऽध्यायः।।३।।
Thus ends the Third chapter by name Bhagña cikitsita in Cikitsā sthāna of Susruta Samhita.
