The 7th chapter of Kalpasthana of Sushruta Samhita is named as Musika Kalpa Adhyaya. This chapter deals with Treatment of Poison of Rat etc.

अथातो मूषिककल्पं व्याख्यास्यामः ||१||
यथोवाच भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ||२||

We will now expound Musika kalpa – treatment of poisoning by rats (and other animals); as revealed by the venerable Dhañvañtari.

Mūsika bheda – kinds of rats / mice

पूर्वं शुक्रविषा उक्ता मूषिका ये समासतः |
नामलक्षणभैषज्यैरष्टादश निबोध मे ||३||
लालनः पुत्रकः कृष्णो हंसिरश्चिक्वि(क्कि)रस्तथा |
छुच्छुन्दरोऽलसश्चैव कषायदशनोऽपि च ||४||
कुलिङ्गश्चाजितश्चैव चपलः कपिलस्तथा
कोकिलोऽरुणसञ्ज्ञश्च महाकृष्णस्तथोन्दुरः ||५||
श्वेतेन महता सार्धं कपिलेनाखुना तथा |
मूषिकश्च कपोताभस्तथैवाष्टादश स्मृताः ||६||

As described briefly earlier, Musika i.e. rats or mice are poisonous by their semen. Now, the eighteen varieties of musika shall be described by me, by their names, symptoms of poisoning and treatment for the same.

Below mentioned are the eighteen kinds of rats –

–        Lalana,

–        Putraka,

–        Krsna,

–        Hamsira,

–        Cikkira,

–        Chuccunduru,

–        Alasa,

–        Kasayadasana,

–        Kulinga,

–        Avita,

–        Capala,

–        Kapila,

–        Kokila,

–        Aruna,

–        Mahakrsna,

–        Undura,

–        Mahasveta,

–        Ardhakapila and

–        Kapotabha

Laksanās – symptoms produced

शुक्रं पतति यत्रैषां शुक्रस्पृष्टैः स्पृशन्ति वा |
नखदन्तादिभिस्तस्मिन् गात्रे रक्तं प्रदुष्यति ||७||
जायन्ते ग्रन्थयः शोफाः कर्णिका मण्डलानि च |
पीडकोपचयश्चोग्रो विसर्पाः किटिभानि च ||८||
पर्वभेदो रुजस्तीव्रा मूर्च्छाऽङ्गसदनं ज्वरः |
दौर्बल्यमरुचिः श्वासो वमथुर्लोमहर्षणम् ||९||
दष्टरूपं समासोक्तमेतद्व्यासमतः शृणु |

The blood of those places of the body on which the semen of rats falls or touched by the materials contaminated by their semen, or by their claws, teeth etc becomes vitiated by their poison.

Below mentioned are the symptoms caused by the bites of rats / mouses –

–        development of tumours / glandular or cystic swellings,

–        swelling,

–        rounded elevated patches with small eruptions,

–        discoloured patches,

–        profound multiple eruptions,

–        severe forms of herpes / erysipelas,

–        kitibha – kind of minor skin disease / psoriasis?

–        severe splitting pain in the small joints of the hands and feet (inter-phalangeal joints),

–        severe pain,

–        fainting,

–        debility in body parts,

–        fever,

–        weakness,

–        loss of taste,

–        dyspnoea,

–        vomiting and

–        horripilations

The above said are in brief the symptoms of the bite of rats. Now I shall explain them in detail.

लालास्रावो लालनेन हिक्का छर्दिश्च जायते ||१०||
तण्डुलीयककल्कं तु लिह्यात्तत्र समाक्षिकम् |११|

Below mentioned are the symptoms of poison of Lalana rat –

–        excessive salivation,

–        hiccup and

–        vomiting

Treatment – The patient should be given a paste of Tanduliyaka added with honey for licking.

पुत्रकेणाङ्गसादश्च पाण्डुवर्णश्च जायते ||११||
चीयते ग्रन्थिभिश्चाङ्गमाखुशावकसन्निभैः |
शिरीषेङ्गुदकल्कं तु लिह्यात्तत्र समाक्षिकम् ||१२||

Below mentioned are the symptoms of poison of Putraka rat –

–        debility of the body,

–        appearance of yellowish-white colour,

–        development of tumours resembling young mice on the body

Treatment – Paste of Sirisa and Ingudi added with honey should be given for licking.

कृष्णेन दंशे शोफोऽसृक्छर्दिः प्रायश्च दुर्दिने |
शिरीषफलकुष्ठं तु पिबेत् किंशुकभस्मना ||१३||

Below mentioned are the signs of bite of Krsna rat –

–        swelling,

–        vomiting of blood, generally on cloudy days

Treatment – Decoction of Sirisaphala, Kustha and ash of Kimsuka should be given for drinking.

हंसिरेणान्नविद्वेषो जृम्भा रोम्णां च हर्षणम् |
पिबेदारग्वधादिं तु सुवान्तस्तत्र मानवः ||१४||

Below mentioned are the symptoms of poison of the bite of Hamsira rat –

–        aversion to food,

–        excessive yawning and

–        horripilations

Treatment – The physician should make the patient vomit well. After proper emesis, the patient should be given decoction prepared from herbs belonging to the Aragvadhadi Gana group for drinking.

चिक्वि(क्कि)रेण शिरोदुःखं शोफो हिक्का वमिस्तथा |
जालिनीमदनाङ्कोठकषायैर्वामयेत्तु तम् ||१५||
यवनालर्षभीक्षारं बृहत्योश्चात्र दापयेत् |

Below mentioned are the symptoms of poison of Cikvira rat –

–        headache,

–        swelling and

–        vomiting

Treatment – The patient is made to vomit by drinking the decoction of Jalini, Madana and Ankota. Following this, he should be given milk boiled with Yavanala, Rshabhaka and two kinds of Brhati for drinking.

छुच्छुन्दरेण तृट् छर्दिर्ज्वरो दौर्बल्यमेव च ||१६||
ग्रीवास्तम्भः पृष्ठशोफो गन्धाज्ञानं विसूचिका |
चव्यं हरीतकी शुण्ठी विडङ्गं पिप्पली मधु ||१७||
अङ्कोठबीजं च तथा पिबेदत्र विषापहम् |१८|

Below mentioned are the symptoms of poisoning by Cuccunduru rat –

–        thirst,

–        vomiting,

–        fever,

–        debility,

–        stiffness of the neck,

–        swelling of the back,

–        loss of sense of smell and

–        gastro-enteritis

Decoction of the below mentioned herbs added with honey should be given to the patient for drinking –

–        Cavya,

–        Haritaki,

–        Sunthi,

–        Vidanga,

–        Pippali and

–        Ankota bija

This decoction destroys the poison.

ग्रीवास्तम्भोऽलसेनोर्ध्ववायुर्दंशे रुजा ज्वरः ||१८||
महागदं ससर्पिष्कं लिह्यात्तत्र समाक्षिकम् |
निद्रा कषायदन्तेन हृच्छोषः कार्श्यमेव च ||१९||
क्षौद्रोपेताः शिरीषस्य लिह्यात् सारफलत्वचः |
कुलिङ्गेन रुजः [१] शोफो राज्यश्च दंशमण्डले ||२०||
सहे ससिन्धुवारे च लिह्यात्तत्र समाक्षिके |
अजितेनाङ्गकृष्णत्वं छर्दिर्मूर्छा च हृद्ग्रहः।।२१।।
स्तुक्क्षीरपिष्टा पालिन्दीं मञ्जिष्ठां मधुना लिहेत्।।

Below mentioned symptoms are caused by poison of Alasa rat –

–        loss of movements in the neck,

–        upward movement of air / gases,

–        pain at the site of bite and

–        fever

Treatment – Mahagada added with ghee and honey should be administered.

Symptoms of poisoning by Kasayadanta rat –

–        excessive sleep,

–        dryness of the heart / chest

–        emaciation

Treatment – Decoction of bark of fruits of Sirisa added with honey should be given for drinking.

Symptoms of poison by Kulinga rat –

–        pain,

–        swelling and

–        manifestation of lines at the site of bite

Treatment – Decoction of two kinds of Saha, Mudgaparni and Masaparni and Sindhuvara mixed with honey should be given for drinking.

Symptoms of poisoning by Ajita rat –

–        blackish colouration of the body,

–        vomiting,

–        fainting and

–        catching pain in the heart

Treatment – Paste of Palindi and Manjista should be macerated in Snuhi Ksira i.e. milky sap of Snuhi and added with honey. The patient should be given this recipe for intake.

चपलेन भवेच्छर्दिर्मूर्च्छा च सह तृष्णया ||२२||
क्षौद्रेण त्रिफलां लिह्याद्भद्रकाष्ठजटान्विताम् |
कपिलेन व्रणे कोथो ज्वरो ग्रन्थ्युद्गमः सतृट् ||२३||
लिह्यान्मधुयुतां श्वेतां श्वेतां चापि पुनर्नवाम् |
ग्रन्थयः कोकिलेनोग्रा ज्वरो दाहश्च दारुणः ||२४||
वर्षाभूनीलिनीक्वाथकल्कसिद्धं घृतं पिबेत् |२५|

Symptoms of Capala rat poison –

–        vomiting,

–        fainting and

–        thirst

Treatment – Powder of Triphala, Bhadrakastha and Jata should be mixed in honey and given for licking.

Symptoms of poison of Kapila rats –

–        ulcers with suppuration,

–        fever,

–        development of tumours,

–        thirst

Treatment – Sveta and Sveta Punarnava mixed with honey should be given for licking.

Symptoms of poisoning by Kokila rat –

–        tumours,

–        high fever and

–        profound thirst

Treatment – Ghee prepared with decoction and paste of Varsabhu and Nilini should be given for drinking.

अरुणेनानिलः क्रुद्धो वातजान् कुरुते गदान् ||२५||
महाकृष्णेन पित्तं च श्वेतेन कफ एव च |
महता कपिलेनासृक् कपोतेन चतुष्टयम् ||२६||
भवन्ति चैषां दंशेषु ग्रन्थिमण्डलकर्णिकाः |
पिडकोपचयश्चोग्रः शोफश्च भृशदारुणः ||२७||
दधिक्षीरघृतप्रस्थास्त्रयः प्रत्येकशो मताः |
करञ्जारग्वधव्योषबृहत्यंशुमतीस्थिराः ||२८||
निष्क्वाथ्य चैषां क्वाथस्य चतुर्थोंऽशः पुनर्भवेत् |
त्रिवृद्गोज्यमृतावक्रसर्पगन्धाः समृत्तिकाः ||२९||
कपित्थदाडिमत्वक् च श्लक्ष्णपिष्टाः प्रदापयेत् |
तत् सर्वमेकतः कृत्वा शनैर्मृद्वग्निना पचेत् ||३०||
पञ्चानामरुणादीनां विषमेतद्व्यपोहति |
काकादनीकाकमाच्योः स्वरसेष्वथवा कृतम् ||३१||
सिराश्च स्रावयेत् प्राप्ताः कुर्यात् संशोधनानि च |
सर्वेषां च विधिः कार्यो मूषिकाणां विषेष्वयम् ||३२||

Bite of these kinds of rats will cause –

–        development of tumours,

–        discoloured patches with eruptions which are dreadful and

–        severe swelling

For these poisons, medicated ghee (should be prepared with the ingredients said further in this paragraph) used.

Curd, milk and ghee – each one prastha (640 ml), should be taken.

Decoction of the below mentioned is prepared –

–        Karanja,

–        Aragvadha,

–        Vyosa,

–        Brhati,

–        Amsumati and

–        Sthira

Nice paste of the below mentioned herbs is prepared and taken in one fourth part of decoction –

–        Trivrt,

–        Goji,

–        Amrta,

–        Vakra,

–        Sarpagandha,

–        Mrttika,

–        Barks of Kapittha and Dadima

All these are mixed and cooked over mild fire and medicated ghee prepared in the usual way. This ghee destroys the poison of aruna and other five kinds of rats.

Ghee may be cooked with the juice (decoction) of kākādani, and kākamācī and consumed.

Sira Mokshana (bloodletting through venesection / vein puncture) and samshodhana (cleansing / purifactory therapies) shall be done appropriately.

Venepuncture and purificatory therapies should also be done generally in poison of all kinds of rats.

दग्ध्वा विस्रावयेद्दंशं प्रच्छितं च प्रलेपयेत् |
शिरीषरजनीकुष्ठकुङ्कुमैरमृतायुतैः ||३३||
छर्दनं जालिनीक्वाथैः शुकाख्याङ्कोठयोरपि ||३४||
शुकाख्याकोषवत्योश्च मूलं मदन एव च |
देवदालीफलं चैव दध्ना पीत्वा विषं वमेत् |
सर्वमूषिकदष्टानामेष योगः सुखावहः ||३५||
फलं वचा देवदाली कुष्ठं गोभूत्रपेषितम् |
पूर्वकल्पेन योज्याः स्युः सर्वोन्दुरुविषच्छिदः ||३६||

The site of bite should be burnt or incised. Following this the blood should be let out. The area is smeared with the paste of the below mentioned herbs –

–        Sirisa,

–        Rajani,

–        Kustha,

–        Kumkuma and

–        Amrta

Emesis is induced by administering decoction of Jalini or Sukakhy and Ankotha.

Paste of the below mentioned ingredients should be prepared by macerating them –

–        roots of Sukakhya and Kosavati and

–        fruits of Madana and Devadali

The paste is mixed with curds and should be consumed to induce vomiting. With this, the poison is expelled.

This recipe is safe for use in bites of all kinds of mice.

Below mentioned herbs are macerated in the cow’s urine –

–        Phala (madana),

–        Vaca,

–        Devadali, and

–        Kustha macerated

The recipe is prepared in the same manner as described in the above recipe. When consumed, it destroys the poisons of all kinds of rats.

विरेचने त्रिवृद्दन्तीत्रिफलाकल्क इष्यते |
शिरोविरेचने सारः शिरीषस्य फलानि च ||३७||
हितस्त्रिकटुकाढ्यश्च गोमयस्वरसोऽञ्जने |
कपित्थगोमयरसौ लिह्यान्माक्षिकसंयुतौ ||३८||
रसाञ्जनहरिद्रेन्द्रयवकट्वीषु वा कृतम् |
प्रातः सातिविषं कल्कं लिह्यान्माक्षिकसंयुतम् ||३९||
तण्डुलीयकमूलेषु सर्पिः सिद्धं पिबेन्नरः |
आस्फोतमूलसिद्धं वा पञ्चकापित्थमेव वा ||४०||

Paste of Trivrt, Danti and Triphala should be used for purgation.

Sara (gum / resin) and fruit of Sirisa should be preferred for administering purgation to the head.

For collyrium – juice of fresh cow dung added with more quantity of Trikatu powder should be used.

Below mentioned recipes should be used for licking in the morning –

–        Kapittha juice and cow dung added with honey or

–        Powder of Rasanjana, Haridra, Indrayava and Katvi or

–        Paste of Ativisa mixed with honey

Ghee prepared with the below mentioned should be used for consumption –

–        roots of Tanduliyaka or

–        root of Asphota or

–        Panca Kapitta i.e. root, bark, flower, leaves and fruits of Kapittha

मूषिकाणां विषं प्रायः कुप्यत्यभ्रेष्वनिर्हृतम् |
तत्राप्येष विधिः कार्यो यश्च दूषीविषापहः ||४१||
स्थिराणां रुजतां वाऽपि व्रणानां कर्णिकां भिषक् |
पाटयित्वा यथादोषं व्रणवच्चापि शोधयेत् ||४२||

Generally the poisons which have not been expelled out of the body get increased or aggravated on cloudy days. Following this, treatments prescribed for Dusivisa as explained in chapter 1 should be administered.

Karnikas are patches or eruptions in the wounds. The physician should remove the Karnikas which are hard and painful by incising them. Later he should treat and purify the wounds in accordance with the predominant dosha.

Śva srgālādi vişa / alarka vişa – Poison of dog, fox etc. (Rabies /

Hydrophobia) 

श्वशृगालतरक्ष्वृक्षव्याघ्रादीनां यदाऽनिलः |
श्लेष्मप्रदुष्टो मुष्णाति सञ्ज्ञां सञ्ज्ञावहाश्रितः ||४३||
तदा प्रस्रस्तलाङ्गूलहनुस्कन्धोऽतिलालवान् |
अत्यर्थबधिरोऽन्धश्च सोऽन्योन्यमभिधावति ||४४||
तेनोन्मत्तेन दष्टस्य दंष्ट्रिणा सविषेण तु |
सुप्तता जायते दंशे कृष्णं चातिस्रवत्यसृक् ||४५||
दिग्धविद्धस्य लिङ्गेन प्रायशश्चोपलक्षितः |
येन चापि भवेद्दष्टस्तस्य चेष्टां रुतं नरः ||४६||
बहुशः प्रतिकुर्वाणः क्रियाहीनो विनश्यति |
दंष्ट्रिणा येन दष्टश्च तद्रूपं यस्तु पश्यति ||४७||
अप्सु वा यदि वाऽऽदर्शेऽरिष्टं तस्य विनिर्दिशेत् |
त्रस्यत्यकस्माद्योऽभीक्ष्णं दृष्ट्वा स्पृष्ट्वाऽपि वा जलम् ||४८||
जलत्रासं तु विद्यात्तं रिष्टं तदपि कीर्तितम् |
अदष्टो वा जलत्रासी न कथञ्चन सिध्यति ||४९||
प्रसुप्तोऽथोत्थितो वाऽपि स्वस्थस्त्रस्तो न सिध्यति |
दंशं विस्राव्य तैर्दष्टे सर्पिषा परिदाहितम् ||५०||

The aggravated vata combines with aggravated kapha in the body of animals like dog, fox, jackal, hyena, bear, tiger etc. and accumulates in the channels of their sense organs. By doing so, the doshas produce the below mentioned effects –

–        loss of sensation,

–        animal runs around very much hanging its tail, lower jaw and shoulder,

–        exudes more saliva,

–        becomes deaf and blind,

–        begins to bite everyone and

–        becomes insane

Symptoms when bitten by teeth of insane (rabid) animal –

–        loss of sensation,

–        black colour and

–        heavy bleeding at the site of bite

If neglected, the symptoms of wounds made by poisoned weapons also would appear.

The person who is bitten by these animals will do the same kind of activities as the animal which has bitten him. Finally, he would die without any activity.

Fatal sign – A person bitten by a rabid animal seeing the image of the same animal either in water or mirror should be considered as a fatal sign.

Jalatrasa or hydrophobia – Another fatal sign is when the person bitten by a rabid animal would become afraid even by seeing or touching water, without any other cause. This is called Jalatrasa.

Below mentioned three kinds of persons will not recover i.e. they would definitely die –

–        one who is afraid of water in spite of not being bitten by an insane animal,

–        one who gets afraid of water soon after getting up from sleep or

–        one who is healthy and yet gets afraid of water

Cikitsa — treatment

प्रदिह्यादगदैः, सर्पिः पुराणं पाययेत च |
अर्कक्षीरयुतं ह्यस्य दद्याच्चापि विशोधनम् ||५१||
श्वेतां पुनर्नवां चास्य दद्याद्धत्तूरकायुताम् |
पललं तिलतैलं च रूपिकायाः पयो गुडः ||५२||
निहन्ति विषमालर्कं मेघवृन्दमिवानिलः |५३|

The blood containing poison should be removed from the site of the bite. After that, the site is burnt by pouring hot ghee on it.

Following this, Agada – anti-poisonous medicine should be applied on the area in the form of warm poultice.

The patient should later be made to drink old ghee. Also, purgative herbs should be given mixed with dhatturaka.

Alternatively the below mentioned recipes shall be given –

–        palala – sesame paste or tila taila – sesame oil mixed with milky sap of arka or

–        paste of Sveta Punarnava mixed with milky sap of arka and jaggery

When these recipes are consumed, they destroy the poison of rabid dogs etc. just like the wind drives away the cluster of clouds.

मूलस्य शरपुङ्खायाः कर्षं धत्तूरकार्धिकम् ||५३||
तण्डुलोदकमादाय पेषयेत्तण्डुलैः सह |
उन्मत्तकस्य पत्रैस्तु संवेष्ट्यापूपकं पचेत् ||५४||
खादेदौषधकाले तमलर्कविषदूषितः |
करोति श्वविकारांस्तु तस्मिञ्जीर्यति चौषधे ||५५||
विकाराः शिशिरे याप्या गृहे वारिविवर्जिते |
ततः शान्तविकारस्तु स्नात्वा चैवापरेऽहनि ||५६||
शालिषष्टिकयोर्भक्तं क्षीरेणोष्णेन भोजयेत् |
दिनत्रये पञ्चमे वा विधिरेषोऽर्धमात्रया ||५७||
कर्तव्यो भिषजाऽवश्यमलर्कविषनाशनः |
कुप्येत् स्वयं विषं यस्य न स जीवति मानवः ||५८||
तस्मात् प्रकोपयेदाशु स्वयं यावत् प्रकुप्यति |

One karsa (10gms) of Sarapunkha roots and half karsa (5gms) of Dhattura roots are taken. They are macerated in Tandulodaka – rice wash along with rice and made into a ball of paste. This paste is enveloped with dhattura leaves and an apupa – pan-cake is made with it. Persons suffering from the poison of a rabid animal should consume this cake at midday (time of meals).

Even after the digestion of this pancake if the person still performs the activities resembling those of a rabid animal as before, he should be kept confined in a cold room, which is devoid of water.

He should be given a bath the next day after the abnormal symptoms subside. Later, he should be given warm meals comprising boiled rice or Sastika rice along with milk.

Such treatments should be done for three of five days. On other remaining days the same treatments shall be done by half their degree until abnormal symptoms subside.

The person does not survive if the poison increases on its own accord in his body. Therefore, the poison should be made to increase quickly, if it is not increasing on its own.

बीजरत्नौषधीगर्भैः कुम्भैः शीताम्बुपूरितैः ||५९||
स्नापयेत्तं नदीतीरे समन्त्रैर्वा चतुष्पथे |
बलिं निवेद्य तत्रापि पिण्याकं पललं दधि ||६०||
माल्यानि च विचित्राणि मांसं पक्वामकं तथा |
अलकाधिपते यक्ष सारमेयगणाधिप ! ||६१||
अलर्कजुष्टमेतन्मे निर्विषं कुरु माचिरात् |

Gems and medicinal plants are put in pots having cold water. The person should be bathed with this water on the banks of a river or meeting place of four roads, accompanied with chanting of hymns.

Below mentioned things should be offered as oblation to God Sarameya –

–        Pinyaka – paste of sesame,

–        Meat,

–        Curds,

–        Cooked and uncooked meat

The below mentioned prayer should be said while oblation is being offered –

‘You, the king of Alaka and head of Sarameya groups by name Yaksa Sarameya, please free me quickly from the poison of rabid animals’.

दद्यात् संशोधनं तीक्ष्णमेवं स्नातस्य देहिनः ||६२||
अशुद्धस्य सुरूढेऽपि व्रणे कुप्यति तद्विषम् |

Strong purificatory therapies i.e. vomiting and purgation should be administered to the person after having given such a bath. This is because the poison would get aggravated again in a person who is not purified well, in spite of the wound having healed.

श्वादयोऽभिहिता व्याला येऽत्र दंष्ट्राविषा मया ||६३||
अतः करोति दष्टस्तु तेषां चेष्टां रुतं नरः |
बहुशः प्रतिकुर्वाणो न चिरान्म्रियते च सः ||६४||
नखदन्तक्षतं व्यालैर्यत्कृतं तद्विमर्दयेत्।।
सिञ्चेत्तैलेन कोष्णेन ते हि वातप्रकोपकाः।।६५।।

The bite of any other wild animal which has become insane is also poisonous. Therefore I have described them as Damstriya i.e. those which are poisonous by their teeth. The persons who are bitten by them will perform actions just like those animals. The person will also die if not treated quickly.

When the wound is caused by nails / claws or teeth of rabid wild animals, it should be squeezed. After the wound has been squeezed, warm oil should be poured over the area since such bites cause aggravation of vata.

इति श्री सुश्रुतसंहितायां कल्पस्थाने मूषिककल्पोनाम सप्तमोऽध्यायः।।७।।

Thus ends the seventh chapter by name Müșika kalpa in Kalpasthāna of Suśruta Samhita.