8th chapter of Kalpasthana of Sushruta Samhita is named as Kita Kalpa Adhyaya. This chapter deals with Insect Bite and Its Treatment.

अथातः कीटकल्पं व्याख्यास्यामः ||१||
यथोवाच भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ||२||

We will now expound Kița kalpa – knowledge of insect bite and its treatment; as revealed by the venerable Dhanvantari.

Kitotpatti – Genesis of insects etc.

सर्पाणां शुक्रविण्मूत्रशवपूत्यण्डसम्भवाः |
वाय्वग्न्यम्बुप्रकृतयः कीटास्तु विविधाः स्मृताः ||३||
सर्वदोषप्रकृतिभिर्युक्तास्ते परिणामतः |
कीटत्वेऽपि सुघोराः स्युः, सर्व एव चतुर्विधाः ||४||

Kita means – insects and other small animals.

Origin – Kita is born from semen, excreta / feces, urine, decomposed and foul-smelling carcasses and eggs of snakes.

Features – The features / qualities of air, fire and water are found in these Kita.

Number – Kita are of many kinds.

Effect – Kita would aggravate all the doshas by their effect.

In spite of being small in size, the Kita are dreadful. All Kitas are broadly of four types.

1. Vayavya kita – insects having airy qualities

कुम्भीनसस्तुण्डिकेरी शृङ्गी शतकुलीरकः |
उच्चिटिङ्गोऽग्निनामा च चिच्चिटिङ्गो मयूरिका ||५||
आवर्तकस्तथोरभ्रः सारिकामुखवैदलौ |
शरावकुर्दोऽभीराजिः परुषश्चित्रशीर्षकः ||६||
शतबाहुश्च यश्चापि रक्तराजिश्च कीर्तितः |
अष्टादशेति वायव्याः कीटाः पवनकोपनाः ||७||
तैर्भवन्तीह दष्टानां रोगा वातनिमित्तजाः |

There are eighteen kinds of Vayaviya Kita i.e. the insects having qualities of air. They are –

–        Kumbhinasa,

–        Tundikeri,
Srigi,

–        Satakulira,

–        Uccitinga,

–        Agnināma,

–        Ciccitinga,

–        Mayūrika,

–        Avartaka,

–        Aurabhra,

–        Sărikāmukha,

–        Vaidala,

–        Sarāvakurda,

–        Abhiräji,

–        Parusa,

–        Citrasirsaka,

–        Satabāhu and

–        Raktaraji

Effect – These Kitas cause aggravation of Vata. The bite of these Kita produces diseases of vata aggravation.

2. Āgñeya kīța- insects of fiery qualities

कौण्डिन्यकः कणभको वरटी पत्रवृश्चिकः ||८||
विनासिका ब्राह्मणिका बिन्दुलो भ्रमरस्तथा |
बाह्यकी पिच्चिटः कुम्भी वर्चःकीटोऽरिमेदकः ||९||
पद्मकीटो दुन्दुभिको मकरः शतपादकः |
पञ्चालकः पाकमत्स्यः कृष्णतुण्डोऽथ गर्दभी ||१०||
क्लीतः कृमिसरारी च यश्चाप्युत्क्लेशकस्तथा |
एते ह्यग्निप्रकृतयश्चतुर्विंशतिरेव च ||११||
तैर्भवन्तीह दष्टानां रोगाः पित्तनिमित्तजाः |

There are twenty-four kinds of Agneya Kita i.e. insects possessing qualities of fire. They are –

–        Kaundinyaka,

–        Kanabhaka,

–        Varati,

–        Patravrscika,

–        Vināsika,

–        Brāhmanika,

–        Bindulabhramara,

–        Bahyaki,

–        Piccita,

–        Kumbhi,

–        Varcakita,

–        Arimedaka,

–        Padmakita,

–        Dundubhika,

–        Makara,

–        Satapādaka,

–        Pancalaka,

–        Pakamatsya,

–        Krsnatunda,

–        Gardabhi,

–        Klīta,

–        Krimisarári and

–        Utkleśaka – these twenty four are Agñeya kīta, (i.e. insects possessing qualities of fire).

Effect – The bite of Agneya Kita produces diseases caused by aggravation of pitta.

3. Saumya (apya) kita- insects of watery qualities

विश्वम्भरःपशशुक्लःपञ्चकृष्णोऽधकोकिलः।।१२।।
सैरेयकःप्रचलकोवलभःकिटिभस्तथा।।
सूचीमुखःकृष्णगोधायश्चकाषायवासिकः।।१३।।
कीटोगर्दभकश्चैवतथात्रोटकएवच।।
त्रयोदशैतेसौम्याःस्युःकीटाःश्लेष्मप्रकोपणाः।।१४।।
तैर्भवन्तीहदष्टानांरोगा: कफनिमित्तजाः।।

There are thirteen kinds of Saumya / Apya Kita i.e. insects possessing the qualities of water. They are –

–        Visvambhara,

–        Paricasukla,

–        Pancakrsna,

–        Kokila,

–        Saireyaka,

–        Pracalaka,

–        Valabha,

–        Kitibha,

–        Sūcīmukha,

–        Krsnagodhā,

–        Kaşāyavāsika,

–        Gardabhaka and

–        Troțaka

Effect – These Apya Kitas aggravate kapha. Their bite gives rise to Kapha Rogas i.e. diseases caused by aggravated kapha.

4. Sannipatakia kita- insects aggravating all the three doshas

तुङ्गीनासो विचिलकस्तालको वाहकस्तथा ||१५||
कोष्ठागारी क्रिमिकरो यश्च मण्डलपुच्छकः |
तुण्ड(ङ्ग)नाभः सर्षपिको वल्गुलिः शम्बुकस्तथा ||१६||
अग्निकीटश्च विज्ञेया द्वादश प्राणनाशनाः |
तैर्भवन्तीह दष्टानां वेगज्ञानानि सर्पवत् ||१७||
तास्ताश्च वेदनास्तीव्रा रोगा वै सान्निपातिकाः |
क्षाराग्निदग्धवद्दंशो रक्तपीतसितारुणः ||१८||

There are twelve kinds of Sannipatika Kita i.e. those insects which would simultaneously aggravate all the three doshas. They are –

–        Tunginasa,

–        Vicilaka,

–        Talaka,

–        Vähaka,

–        Kosthägári,

–        Krimikara,

–        Mandalapucchaka,

–        Unda (ga) nabha,

–        Sarsapika, ‘

–        Valguli,

–        Sambuka and

–        Agnikita

Effect – They cause loss of life.

Below mentioned are the features / other effects of the bite of these Kita –

–        Stages of poisoning caused by the bite of these kita are similar to those of snake poison,

–        Symptoms are sannipatika i.e. those caused by all aggravated doshas,

–        Their bite causes severe diseases and they are sannipatika (caused by aggravation of all three doshas together),

–        The site of their bite resembles the site of burning by ksara – caustic alkali and agni – fire,

–        The site of bite is red, yellow, white and / or light-red in color

Damsa laksana- symptoms of insect bite

ज्वराङ्गमर्दरोमाञ्चवेदनाभिः समन्वितः |
छर्द्यतीसारतृष्णाश्च दाहो मूर्च्छा विजृम्भिका ||१९||
वेपथुश्वासहिक्काश्च दाहः शीतं च दारुणम् |
पिडकोपचयः शोफो ग्रन्थयो मण्डलानि च ||२०||
दद्रवः कर्णिकाश्चैव विसर्पाः किटिभानि च |
तैर्भवन्तीह दष्टानां यथास्वं चाप्युपद्रवाः ||२१||
येऽन्ये तेषां विशेषास्तु तूर्णं तेषां समादिशेत् |
दूषीविषप्रकोपाच्च तथैव विषलेपनात् ||२२||
लिङ्गं तीक्ष्णविषेष्वेत… |

Below mentioned are the diseases / complications produced by the bites of Kita –

–        Fever,

–        Body ache,

–        Horripilation,

–        Discomforts,

–        Vomiting,

–        Diarrhea,

–        Thirst,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Fainting,

–        More of yawning,

–        Rigors,

–        Dyspnea,

–        Hiccup,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Severe chills,

–        Development of eruptions, edema and glandular enlargement,

–        Appearance of colored round patches,

–        Skin diseases like – Dadru, Karnika, Visarpa, Kitibha,

By seeing these, the bite of kita should be diagnosed. Even the bite of any other special kita should be quickly diagnosed.

These symptoms happen even by the increased aggravation of Dusivisa (weak or impoverished poisons) and also by injury by poison smeared weapons.

The above said symptoms are said to be those of poisoning by Tiksna Visa insects i.e. insects having strong poison.

…च्छृणु मन्दविषेष्वतः |
प्रसेकारोचकच्छर्दिशिरोगौरवशीतकाः ||२३||
पिडकाकोठकण्डूनां जन्म दोषविभागतः |

Now, the symptoms or diseases caused by manda visa (mild or weak poison) shall be explained by me, listen to the same. They are –

–        More of salivation,

–        Loss of taste,

–        Vomiting,

–        Feeling of heaviness of the head,

–        Cold shivers,

–        Appearance of eruptions,

–        Rashes,

–        Itching

These symptoms are produced according to the dosha aggravated.

Gara- artificial poison

योगैर्नानाविधैरेषां चूर्णानि गरमादिशेत् ||२४||
दूषीविषप्रकाराणां तथा चाप्यनुलेपनात् |
Gara Visa means artificial poison. It is formed by a combination of powders of those insects. Gara is also a variety of Dusi Visa i.e. weak poisons. These poisons produce symptoms even when it is anointed (smeared) on the skin.

एकजातीनतस्तूर्ध्वं कीटान् वक्ष्यामि भेदतः ||२५||
सामान्यतो दष्टलिङ्गैः साध्यासाध्यक्रमेण च |

Now, some insects, the symptoms of their bite and their curability and incurability will be described.

Kanābha- wasp

त्रिकण्टः करिणी चापि हस्तिकक्षोऽपराजितः |
चत्वार एते कणभा व्याख्यातास्तीव्रवेदनाः ||२६||
तैर्दष्टस्य श्वयथुरङ्गमर्दो गुरुता गात्राणां दंशः कृष्णश्च भवति ||२७||

Kanabha – wasps are of four kinds. They are –

–        Trikanta,

–        Karini,

–        Hastikaksa and

–        Aparajita

Effects / Symptoms – Sting of these wasps would produce –

–        Severe pain,

–        Swelling,

–        Body aches,

–        Heaviness of the body and

–        Blackish discoloration of the site of bite

Godheraka – varan / garden lizard

प्रतिसूर्यकः, पिङ्गाभासो, बहुवर्णो, निरूपमो गोधेरेक इति पञ्च गोधेरकाः; तैर्दष्टस्य शोफो दाहरुजौ च भवतः, गोधेरकेणैतदेव ग्रन्थिप्रादुर्भावो ज्वरश्च ||२८||

Gaudheraka / Varan means Garden Lizard. They are of five kinds. They are –

–        Pratisuryaka,

–        Pingabhasa,

–        Bahuvarna,

–        Nirupama and

–        Godheraka

Effect / symptoms of their bite –

–        Swelling,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Pain at the site,

–        Glandular enlargement and

–        Fever

Galagolika

गलगोलिका – श्वेता, कृष्णा, रक्तराजी, रक्तमण्डला, सर्वश्वेता, सर्षपिकेत्येवं षट्; ताभिर्दष्टे सर्षपिकावर्जं दाहशोफक्लेदा भवन्ति, सर्षपिकया हृदयपिडाऽतिसारश्च, तासु मध्ये सर्षपिका प्राणहरी ||२९||

Galagolika is of six kinds. They are –

–        Sveta,

–        Krsna,

–        Raktaraji,

–        Raktamandala,

–        Sarvasveta and

–        Sarsapika

Effects / symptoms of their bite (except Sarsapika) –

–        Burning sensation,

–        Swelling,

–        Exudation at the site of bite

Below mentioned are the symptoms of Sarsapika bite –

–        Pain in the region of the heart and

–        Diarrhea and also

–        Death 

Satapadi – centipede

शतपद्यस्तु- परुषा, कृष्णा, चित्रा, कपिला, पीतिका, रक्ता, श्वेता, अग्निप्रभा, इत्यष्टौ; ताभिर्दष्टे शोफो वेदना दाहश्च हृदये, श्वेताग्निप्रभाभ्यामेतदेव दाहो मूर्च्छा चातिमात्रं श्वेतपिडकोत्पत्तिश्च ||३०||

Satapadi means centipede. There are eight varieties of Satapadi. They are –

–        Parusa,

–        Krsna,

–        Citra,

–        Kapila,

–        Pitika,

–        Rakta,

–        Sveta and

–        Agniprabha

Symptoms caused by their bite –

–        Swelling and

–        Pain

Symptoms caused by bite of Sveta and Agniprabha –

–        More of burning sensation,

–        Fainting and

–        Development of white colored eruptions

Manduka-frog

मण्डूकाः- कृष्णः, सारः, कुहको, हरितो, रक्तो, यववर्णाभो, भृकुटी, कोटिकश्चेत्यष्टौ; तैर्दष्टस्य दंशे कण्डूर्भवति पीतफेनागमश्च वक्त्रात्, भृकुटीकोटिकाभ्यामेतदेव दाहश्छर्दिर्मूर्च्छा चातिमात्रम् ||३१||

Manduka means frog. They are of eight kinds. They are –

–        Krsna,

–        Sara,

–        Kuhaka,

–        Harita,

–        Rakta,

–        Yavavarnabha,

–        Bhukuti and

–        Kotika

Symptoms caused by their bite –

–        Itching at the site of bite and

–        Exudation of yellow coloured froth from the mouth

Symptoms of bite of Bhrukuti and Kotika frogs –

–        Same symptoms (as above),

–        Burning sensation,

–        Vomiting and

–        Fainting in great degree

Visambhara- big scorpion

विश्वम्भराभिर्दष्टे दंशः सर्षपाकाराभिः पिडकाभिः सरुजाभिश्चीयते, शीतज्वरार्तश्च पुरुषो भवति ||३२||

Visambhara means big sized scorpion. Below mentioned are the signs and symptoms of its bite –

–        Manifestation of multiple, painful eruptions resembling mustard seeds,

–        Fever with rigors

Ahinduka, Kandumaka, Sukavrnta

अहिण्डुकाभिर्दष्टे तोददाहकण्डुश्वयथवो भवन्ति मोहश्च; कण्डूमकाभिर्दष्टे पीताङ्गश्छर्द्यतीसारज्वरादिभिरभिहन्यते; शूकवृन्ताभिर्दष्टे कण्डूकोठाः प्रवर्धन्ते शूकं चात्र लक्ष्यते ||३३||

Symptoms of bite of Ahinduka –

–        Pricking pain,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Itching,

–        Edema and

–        Delusion

Symptoms of bite by Kandumaka –

–        Yellowish discoloration of the body,

–        Fainting,

–        Diarrhea and

–        Fever

Symptoms of bite of Sukavrnta –

–        Itching,

–        Rashes appear greatly and

–        The sting (bristle, thorn etc.) are visible

Pipilika – ants

पिपीलिकाः- स्थूलशीर्षा, संवाहिका, ब्राह्मणिका, अङ्गुलिका; कपिलिका, चित्रवर्णेति षट्; ताभिर्दष्टे दंशे श्वयथुरग्निस्पर्शवद्दाहशोफौ भवतः ||३४||

There are six kinds of Pipilika i.e. ants. They are –

–        Sthula Sirsa,

–        Samvahika,

–        Brahmanika,

–        Angulika,

–        Kapilika and

–        Citravarna

Symptoms caused by their bite –

–        Swelling,

–        Burning as though touched by fire and

–        Edema at the site of bite

Maksika – honey bee

मक्षिकाः- कान्तारिका, कृष्णा, पिङ्गला, मधूलिका, काषायी, स्थालिकेत्येवं षट्; ताभिर्दष्टस्य कण्डुशोफदाहरुजो भवन्ति, स्थालिकाकाषायीभ्यामेतदेव श्यावपिडकोत्पत्तिरुपद्रवाश्च ज्वरादयो भवन्ति, काषायी स्थालिका च प्राणहरे ||३५||

Maksika means honey bee. They are of six kinds. They are –

–        Kantarika,

–        Krishna,

–        Pingala,

–        Madhulika,

–        Kasayi and

–        Sthalika

Symptoms of bite of Maksika –

–        Itching,

–        Swelling,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Pain at the site of bite,

Symptoms of bite by Sthalika and Kasayi types of Maksika –

–        Same (as above), and

–        Appearance of blue-coloured eruptions,

–        Complications like fever etc.

Bite of Kasayi and Sthalika kinds of Maksika will cause loss of life.

Masaka- musquito

मशकाः- सामुद्रः, परिमण्डलो, हस्तिमशकः, कृष्णः, पार्वतीय इति पञ्च; तैर्दष्टस्य तीव्रा कण्डूर्दंशशोफश्च, पार्वतीयस्तु कीटैः प्राणहरैस्तुल्यलक्षणः ||३६||

Masaka means mosquito. There are five kinds of Masaka, as mentioned below –

–        Samudra,

–        Parimandala,

–        Hastimasaka,

–        Krsna and

–        Parvatiya

Symptoms caused by their bite –

–        Severe itching,

–        Swelling at the place of bite

Symptoms similar to causing death are produced when bitten by insects / mosquitos living in the mountains.

नखावकृष्टेऽत्यर्थं पिडकादाहपाका भवन्ति |
जलौकसां दष्टलक्षणमुक्तं चिकित्सितं च ||३७||

Symptoms caused by bite of Nakhavakrsta –

–        Appearance of more eruptions,

–        Burning sensation and

–        Ulcers

Symptoms of bite by Jalauka – leech and the treatment for the same has been described earlier in chapter 13 (of Sutra Sthana).

भवन्तिचात्र-

Some verses-

गोधेरकः स्थालिका च ये च श्वेताग्निसप्रभे |
भृकुटी कोटिकश्चैव न सिध्यन्त्येकजातिषु ||३८||

Bite of the below mentioned, in their respective categories, do not respond to treatment (i.e. they are incurable) –

–        Godheraka,

–        Sthalika (and Kasayi),

–        Sveta,

–        Agniprabha,

–        Bhrukuti and

–        Kotika

शवमूत्रपुरीषैस्तु सविषैरवमर्शनात् |
स्युः कण्डूदाहकोठारुःपिडकातोदवेदनाः ||३९||
प्रक्लेदवांस्तथा स्रावो भृशं सम्पाचयेत्त्वचम् |
दिग्धविद्धक्रियास्तत्र यथावदवचारयेत् ||४०||

Below mentioned symptoms are manifested when carcasses, urine or excreta of poisonous animals are rubbed or smeared on the body –

–        Itching,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Rashes / eruptions,

–        Wound,

–        Pricking pain,

–        Excessive exudation and

–        Severe ulceration of the skin

Treatment – Treatments prescribed for the wounds caused by poisoned weapons should be adopted in these cases also.

नावसन्नं न चोत्सन्नमतिसंरम्भवेदनम् |
दंशादौ विपरीतार्ति कीटदष्टं सुबाधकम् ||४१||

Insect bite having below mentioned features is going to cause profound distress to the person –

–        Bite which is neither depressed nor raised up,

–        Having severe edema and pain of opposite nature

Cikitsa- treatment

दष्टानुग्रविषैः कीटैः सर्पवत् समुपाचरेत् |
त्रिविधानां तु पूर्वेषां त्रैविध्येन क्रिया हिताः ||४२||

When insects of powerful poison bite a person, it should be treated on the lines of snake bite of the first three kinds. The treatment is also similar to the three kinds according to the dosha involved.

स्वेदमालेपनं सेकं चोष्णमत्रावचारयेत् |
अन्यत्र मूर्च्छिताद्दंशात् पाककोथप्रपीडितात् ||४३||
विषघ्नं च विधिं सर्वं बहुशः शोधनानि च |
शिरीषकटुकाकुष्ठवचारजनिसैन्धवैः ||४४||
क्षीरमज्जवसासर्पिःशुण्ठीपिप्पलिदारुषु |

Below mentioned treatments should be done warm, on the area of the bite –

–        Sudation / fomentation,

–        External application of medicine (medicinal pastes) and

–        Pouring / showering of medicinal liquids

Exceptions – The above said should not be done (warm) in the below mentioned conditions –

–        When the person is unconscious by the bite,

–        When ulceration and putrefaction have set in at the site of bite

After that, all the anti-poisonous treatments and purificatory therapies should be administered in great measures.

उत्कारिका स्थिरादौ वा सुकृता स्वेदने हिता ||४५||
न स्वेदयेत चादंशं धूमं वक्ष्यामि वृश्चिके |

For fomentation, the Utkarika – pancake prepared from the below mentioned herbs is beneficial –

–        Sirisa,

–        Kustha,

–        Vaca,

–        Rajani,

–        Saindhava,

–        Milk,

–        Marrow,

–        Fat,

–        Ghee,

–        Sunthi,

–        Pippali and

–        Devadaru

Alternatively, utkarika prepared with Sthira etc. herbs are also beneficial for fomentation.

Fomentation should not be given for scorpion bite. Later, the dhuma yoga i.e. formula for fumigation to be used for this purpose shall be described by me.

Agada – antidote medicine

अगदानेकजातीषु प्रवक्ष्यामि पृथक् पृथक् ||४६||

Now, Agada i.e. anti-poisonous medicines for each kind of these shall be separately described by me.

कुष्ठं वक्रं वचा पाठा बिल्वमूलं सुवर्चिका |
गृहधूमं हरिद्रे द्वे त्रिकण्टकविषे हिताः ||४७||

The below mentioned herbs together are beneficial to treat the poison of Trikantaka etc. –

–        Kustha,

–        Vakra,

–        Vaca,

–        Patha,

–        Root of Bilva,

–        Suvarcika,

–        Grha Dhuma,

–        Two kinds of Haridra

रजन्यागारधूमश्च वक्रं कुष्ठं पलाशजम् |
गलगोलिकद्ष्टानामगदो विषनाशनः ||४८||

Below mentioned herbs together would destroy the poison of Galagolika –

–        Rajani,

–        Agaradhuma,

–        Vakra,

–        Kustha and

–        Seeds of Palasa

कुङ्कुमं तगरं शिग्रु पद्मकं रजनीद्वयम् |
अगदो जलपिष्टोऽयं शतपद्विषनाशनः ||४९||

Below mentioned herbs macerated in water and used will destroy the poison of Satapadi –

–        Kumkuma,

–        Tagara,

–        Sigru,

–        Padmaka and

–        Two kinds of Rajani

मेषशृङ्गी वचा पाठा निचुलो रोहिणी जलम् |
सर्वमण्डूकदष्टानामगदोऽयं विषापहः ||५०||

Below mentioned herbs used together forms the antidote for poison of Manduka (frog bite) –

–        Mesasrngi,

–        Vaca,

–        Patha,

–        Nicula,

–        Rohini and

–        Jala (Valakam)

धवाश्वगन्धातिबलाबलासातिगुहागुहाः |
विश्वम्भराभिदष्टानामगदोऽयं विषापहः ||५१||

Below mentioned herbs used together forms the antidote for poison of Visvambhara etc.

–        Dhava,

–        Asvagandha,

–        Atibala,

–        Bala,

–        Atiguha and

–        Guha

शिरीषं तगरं कुष्ठं शालिपर्णी सहा निशे |
अहिण्डुकाभिर्दष्टानामगदो विषनाशनः ||५२||

The combination of the below mentioned is the antidote for poison of Ahinduka –

–        Sirisa,

–        Tagara,

–        Kustha,

–        Saliparni,

–        Saha (Mudgaparni) and

–        Two kinds of Nisa / Haridra

कण्डूमकाभिर्दष्टानां रात्रौ शीताः क्रिया हिताः |
दिवा ते नैव सिध्यन्ति सूर्यरश्मिबलार्दिताः ||५३||
वक्रं कुष्ठमपामार्गः शूकवृन्तविषेऽगदः |
भृङ्गस्वरसपिष्टा वा कृष्णवल्मीकमृत्तिका ||५४||

Cold treatments should be done at night time for bites of Kandumika. This is because Kandumika insects obtain strength by sunlight and hence such treatments are not successful during day time.

The antidote for Sukavrita is a combination of the below mentioned herbs –

–        Vakra,

–        Kustha and

–        Apamarga

Alternatively, black mud of ant hill is made into paste with fresh juice of Bhrngaraja and is used.

पिपीलिकाभिर्दष्टानां मक्षिकामशकैस्तथा |
गोमूत्रेण युतो लेपः कृष्णवल्मीकमृत्तिका ||५५||
नखावघृष्टसञ्जाते शोफे भृङ्गरसो हितः |

Application of the paste of black mud of anthill made with cow’s urine is the antidote for the bites of Pippilika, Maksika and Masaka.

Juice of Bhrngaraja is beneficial for edema caused by scratching caused by nails or claws of poisonous insects.

प्रतिसूर्यकदष्टानां सर्पदष्टवदाचरेत् |

Pratisuryaka bite should be treated on the lines of management of snake bite.

Vriscika – scorpions

त्रिविधा वृश्चिकाः प्रोक्ता मन्दमध्यमहाविषाः ||५६||
गोशकृत्कोथजा मन्दा मध्याः काष्ठेष्टिकोद्भवाः |
सर्पकोथोद्भवास्तीक्ष्णा ये चान्ये विषसम्भवाः ||५७||
मन्दा द्वादश मध्यास्तु त्रयः पञ्चदशोत्तमाः |
दश विंशतिरित्येते सङ्ख्यया परिकीर्तिताः ||५८||

Vrscika i.e. scorpions are of three kinds. They are –

–        Manda Visa (of mild poison),

–        Madhya Visa (of moderate person) and

–        Maha Visa (of powerful poison)

Manda Visa – These scorpions are born from decomposed cow dung.

Madhya Visa – are those born from decomposed wood and brick (mud).

Tiksna Visa – are those born from decomposed dead bodies of snakes and such other poisonous animals.

Even the other kinds of scorpions which are born from other kinds of poisons are also of tiksna visa (powerful poison). Scorpions are said to be thirty in number. The manda visa scorpions are of twelve kinds. The scorpions of madhya visa are of three types. The tiksna vega scorpions are of fifteen types.

Manda visa vrscika laksana – features of scorpions of mild poison

कृष्णः श्यावः कर्बुरः पाण्डुवर्णो गोमूत्राभः कर्कशो मेचकश्च |
पीतो धूम्रो रोमशः शाड्वलाभो रक्तः श्वेतेनोदरेणेति मन्दाः ||५९||
युक्ताश्चैते वृश्चिकाः पुच्छदेशे स्युर्भूयोभिः पर्वभिश्चेतरेभ्यः |
एभिर्दष्टे वेदना वेपथुश्च गात्रस्तम्भः कृष्णरक्तागमश्च ||६०||
शाखादष्टे वेदना चोर्ध्वमेति दाहस्वेदौ दंशशोफो ज्वरश्च |

Features of scorpions which are of Mandavisa –

–        Are of black, blue, brown or white color or has

–        Color of cow’s urine or

–        dull, blue-black, yellow or smoky, and

–        Have hairs on their belly, resembling algae, red or white and

–        Have more number of joints in their tail than others

Signs and symptoms caused by sting of mandavisa scorpions –

–        Pain,

–        Shivering,

–        Stiffness of the body,

–        Flow of black colored blood

When these scorpions bite the extremities, pain travels upwards and gives rise to burning sensation, sweating, edema and fever.

Madhya vişa vrscika lakshana – features of scorpions of moderate poison 

रक्तः पीतः कापिलेनोदरेण सर्वे धूम्राः पर्वभिश्च त्रिभिः स्युः ||६१||
एते मूत्रोच्चारपूत्यण्डजाता मध्या ज्ञेयास्त्रिप्रकारोरगाणाम् |
यस्यैतेषामन्वयाद्यः प्रसूतो दोषोत्पत्तिं तत्स्वरूपां स कुर्यात् ||६२||
जिह्वाशोफो भोजनस्यावरोधो मूर्च्छा चोग्रा मध्यवीर्याभिदष्टे |६३|
Features of Madhya Visa scorpions –

–        Have red, yellow or brown colored body

–        Smoky in their belly,

–        Have three joints in their tail,

–        Are born from urine, excreta and decomposed eggs of three kinds of snakes

Signs and symptoms of their bite –

–        Cause aggravation of doshas similar to the three kinds of snakes,

–        Cause swelling of the tongue,

–        Cause obstruction to swallowing of food and

–        Severe fainting

Tiksna visa – of strong poison

श्वेतश्चित्रः श्यामलो लोहिताभो रक्तः श्वेतो रक्तनीलोदरौ च ||६३||
पीतोऽरक्तो नीलपीतोऽपरस्तु रक्तो नीलो नीलशुक्लस्तथा च |
रक्तो बभ्रुः पूर्ववच्चैकपर्वा यश्चापर्वा पर्वणी द्वे च यस्य ||६४||
नानारूपा वर्णतश्चापि घोरा ज्ञेयाश्चैते वृश्चिकाः प्राणचौराः |
जन्मैतेषां सर्पकोथात् प्रदिष्टं देहेभ्यो वा घातितानां विषेण ||६५||
एभिर्दष्टे सर्पवेगप्रवृत्तिः स्फोटोत्पत्तिर्भ्रान्तिदाहौ ज्वरश्च |
खेभ्यः कृष्णं शोणितं याति तीव्रं तस्मात् प्राणैस्त्यज्यते शीघ्रमेव ||६६||

Features of Tiksna Visa scorpions –

–        Bodies are white, of variegated colors, brown or reddish

–        Belly is red, white, reddish blue, yellowish red, bluish yellow, reddish red (pink), bluish white, red or grey in color,

–        Have two joints in their tails,

–        Have different shapes, sizes and colors,

–        Are terrifying and

–        Are known as Prana Cora – thieves of life (killers)

Signs and symptoms caused by their sting –

–        Manifestation of symptoms of all stages at once,

–        Development of blebs (vesicles),

–        Dizziness,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Fever,

–        Black blood flows out from the orifices and

–        Quick death due to these dreadful symptoms

Vrşcika damsa cikitsā- treatment of scorpion sting

उग्रमध्यविषैर्दष्टं चिकित्सेत् सर्पदष्टवत् |
आदंशं स्वेदितं चूर्णैः प्रच्छितं प्रतिसारयेत् ||६७||
रजनीसैन्धवव्योषशिरीषफलपुष्पजैः |
Treatment principles of sting of scorpions of strong and moderate poison –

–        Should be treated on the lines of treating snake bite

–        Fomentation should be given to the site of bite and

–        The site should be incised and

–        Smeared / filled with powder of Rajani, Saindhava, Vyosa, fruits and flowers of Sirisa (together)

मातुलुङ्गाम्लगोमूत्रपिष्टं च सुरसाग्रजम् ||६८||
लेपे, स्वेदे सुखोष्णं च गोमयं हितमिष्यते |
पाने क्षौद्रयुतं सर्पिः क्षीरं वा बहुशर्करम् ||६९||
दंशं मन्दविषाणां तु चक्रतैलेन सेचयेत् |
विदारीगणसिद्धेन सुखोष्णेनाथवा पुनः ||७०||
कुर्याच्चोत्कारिकास्वेदं विषघ्नैरुपनाहयेत् |
गुडोदकं वा सुहिमं चातुर्जातकसंयुतम् ||७१||
पानमस्मै प्रदातव्यं क्षीरं वा सगुडं हिमम् |
शिखिकुक्कुटबर्हाणि सैन्धवं तैलसर्पिषी ||७२||
धूमो हन्ति प्रयुक्तस्तु शीघ्रं वृश्चिकजं विषम् |
कुसुम्भपुष्पं रजनी निशा वा कोद्रवं तृणम् ||७३||
एभिर्घृताक्तैर्धूपस्तु पायुदेशे प्रयोजितः |
नाशयेदाशु कीटोत्थं वृश्चिकस्य च यद्विषम् ||७४||

Paste for external application – should be prepared from sour Matulunga and young Surasa leaves macerated in cow’s urine.

Poultice – The best warm poultice is that which is done using fresh cow dung used warm.

For drinking – milk added with honey and more quantity of sugar should be given.

Bite of scorpion of mild poison should be treated as below mentioned –

–        The site of bite should be bathed with Cakra Taila or

–        Water boiled with Vidaryadi Gana group of herbs and

–        Fomentation should be administered using pancakes and

–        Poultices which are prepared from anti-poisonous herbs should be applied on the site of bite

For drinking –

–        Gudodaka – jaggery water added with Caturjataka powder should be served cold or

–        Milk added with jaggery

Fumigation – to the site of bite should be given with smoke of –

–        Feathers of peacock,

–        Cock,

–        Saindhava,

–        Oil and ghee

It quickly destroys the poison of scorpions.

Fumigation can also be given with smoke of –

–        Flowers of Kusumbha,

–        Rajani,

–        Nisa,

–        Kodrava or grass

All the above ingredients are mixed with ghee and its smoke is given to the anal region. It quickly destroys the poison of both scorpions and insects.

Luta – spiders

लूताविषं घोरतमं दुर्विज्ञेयतमं च तत् |
दुश्चिकित्स्यतमं चापि भिषग्भिर्मन्दबुद्धिभिः ||७५||
सविषं निर्विषं चैतदित्येवं परिशङ्किते |
विषघ्नमेव कर्तव्यमविरोधि यदौषधम् ||७६||

Physicians having poor intellect cannot treat the bite of Luta i.e. spiders because their poison is highly dreadful, very difficult to understand and very difficult to treat.

Only anti-poisonous treatments which are not opposite to the dhatus should be done when there is a doubt whether the spider or its bite is poisonous or not.

अगदानां हि संयोगो विषजुष्टस्य युज्यते |
निर्विषे मानवे युक्तोऽगदः सम्पद्यतेऽसुखम् ||७७||
तस्मात् सर्वप्रयत्नेन ज्ञातव्यो विषनिश्चयः |
अज्ञात्वा विषसद्भावं भिषग्व्यापादयेन्नरम् ||७८||
प्रोद्भिद्यमानस्तु यथाऽङ्कुरेण न व्यक्तजातिः प्रविभाति वृक्षः |
तद्वद्दुरालक्ष्यतमं हि तासां विषं शरीरे प्रविकीर्णमात्रम् ||७९||

When a person has no poison in their body and if the mixtures of anti-poisonous medicines is administered to them, they produce discomfort or diseases only.

Therefore, the physician should have knowledge of poisons and should understand poisons and poisoning with all efforts.

There are chances that the physician will kill the person by treating the person without knowing the presence of poison in his body.

The spider poisons remain unrecognizable immediately after entering into the body just like the future tree will not show the features of its kind (category) while sprouting from the seed.

Damśa lakṣaṇa – signs of spider bite

ईषत्सकण्डु प्रचलं सकोठमव्यक्तवर्णं प्रथमेऽहनि स्यात् |
अन्तेषु शूनं परिनिम्नमध्यं प्रव्यक्तरूपं च दिने द्वितीये ||८०||
त्र्यहेण तद्दर्शयतीह रूपं विषं चतुर्थेऽहनि कोपमेति |
अतोऽधिकेऽह्नि प्रकरोति जन्तोर्विषप्रकोपप्रभवान् विकारान् ||८१||
षष्ठे दिने विप्रसृतं तु सर्वान् मर्मप्रदेशान् भृशमावृणोति |
तत् सप्तमेऽत्यर्थपरीतगात्रं व्यापादयेन्मर्त्यमतिप्रवृद्धम् ||८२||

Marana kāla- fatal period

यास्तीक्ष्णचण्डोग्रविषा हि लूतास्ताः सप्तरात्रेण नरं निहन्युः |
अतोऽधिकेनापि निहन्युरन्या यासां विषं मध्यमवीर्यमुक्तम् ||८३||
यासां कनीयो विषवीर्यमुक्तं ताः पक्षमात्रेण विनाशयन्ति |
तस्मात् प्रयत्नं भिषगत्र कुर्यादादंशपाताद्विषघातियोगैः ||८४||

Therefore, the physician should administer treatments for spider bites right from the moment of its bite, using anti-poisonous medicines.

विषं तु लालानखमूत्रदंष्ट्रारजःपुरीषैरथ चेन्द्रियेण |
सप्तप्रकारं विसृजन्ति लूतास्तदुग्रमध्यावरवीर्ययुक्तम् ||८५||
सकण्डुकोठं स्थिरमल्पमूलं लालाकृतं मन्दरुजं वदन्ति |
शोफश्च कण्डूश्च पुलालिका च धूमायनं चैव नखाग्रदंशे ||८६||
दंशं तु मूत्रेण सकृष्णमध्यं सरक्तपर्यन्तमवेहि दीर्णम् |
दंष्ट्राभिरुग्रं कठिनं विवर्णं जानीहि दंशं स्थिरमण्डलं च ||८७||
रजःपुरीषेन्द्रियजं हि विद्धि स्फोटं विपक्वामलपीलुपाण्डुम् |८८|

Seven kinds (media) of release of poison can be seen to occur by spiders possessing highly powerful, moderately powerful or mildly powerful poisons through the below mentioned seven media –

–        Saliva,

–        Nails,

–        Urine,

–        Teeth,

–        Menstrual blood,

–        Excreta and

–        Semen

Luta utpatti – genesis of spiders 

एतावदेतत् समुदाहृतं तु वक्ष्यामि लूताप्रभवं पुराणम् ||८८||
सामान्यतो दष्टमसाध्यसाध्यं चिकित्सितं चापि यथाविशेषम् ||८९||

Thus, the features of spiders were described. Along with this was described the symptoms generally seen after the spider bite, their signs of curability and incurability and also their treatment. Now, I shall explain about the origin / genesis of spiders long ago.

विश्वामित्रो नृपवरः कदाचिदृषिसत्तमम् |
वशिष्ठं कोपयामास गत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं किल ||९०||
कुपितस्य मुनेस्तस्य ललाटात् स्वेदबिन्दवः |
अपतन् दर्शनादेव रवेस्तत्समतेजसः ||९१||
तृणे महर्षिणा लूने धेन्वर्थं सम्भृतेऽपि च |
ततो जातास्त्विमा घोरा नानारूपा महाविषाः |
अपकाराय वर्तन्ते नृपसाधनवाहने ||९२||
यस्माल्लूनं तृणं प्राप्ता मुनेः प्रस्वेदबिन्दवः |
तस्माल्लूतेति भाष्यन्ते सङ्ख्यया ताश्च षोडश ||९३||

Long ago on a certain occasion, the great king Vishvamitra went to the hermitage of the great sage Vasistha and enraged him.

When this happened, drops of sweat resembling the sun rays in valiance fell from the forehead of angered sage, on the heap of cut grass which was collected for feeding the cows.

From those sweat drops, spiders of many shapes were born. They had strong poison and were born to take revenge by poisoning the materials and vehicles used by the king. Since the sweat drops of the sage fell on ‘luna’ i.e. cut grass, which later became animals, they came to be called ‘luta’. They are sixteen in number.

Vidha – kinds

कृच्छ्रसाध्यास्तथाऽसाध्या लूतास्तु द्विविधाःस्मृताः |
तासामष्टौ कृच्छ्रसाध्या वर्ज्यास्तावत्य एव तु ||९४||
त्रिमण्डला तथा श्वेता कपिला पीतिका तथा |
आलमूत्रविषा रक्ता कसना चाष्टमी स्मृता ||९५||
ताभिर्दष्टे शिरोदुःखं कण्डूर्दंशे च वेदना |
भवन्ति च विशेषेण गदाः श्लैष्मिकवातिकाः ||९६||
सौवर्णिका लाजवर्णा जालिन्येणीपदी तथा |
कृष्णाऽग्निवर्णा काकाण्डा मालागुणाऽष्टमी तथा ||९७||
ताभिर्दष्टे दंशकोथः प्रवृत्तिः क्षतजस्य च |
ज्वरो दाहोऽतिसारश्च गदाः स्युश्च त्रिदोषजाः ||९८||
पिडका विविधाकारा मण्डलानि महान्ति च |
महान्तो मृदवः शोफा रक्ताः श्यावाश्चलास्तथा ||९९||
सामान्यं सर्वलूतानामेतदादंशलक्षणम् |

There are two kinds of bites of spiders –

–        Krichra Sadhya – those difficult to cure and

–        Asadhya – incurable

Among the sixteen kinds, eight are difficult to cure and the other eight are incurable and hence rejectable.

The eight kinds of bites which are difficult to cure are –

–        Trimandala,

–        Sveta,

–        Kapila,

–        Pitika,

–        Ala,

–        Mutra Visa,

–        Rakta and

–        Kasana

Effect – Below mentioned symptoms are manifested when bitten by these spiders –

–        Headache,

–        Itching,

–        Pain at the site of bite and

–        Symptoms produced by kapha-vata

Below mentioned eight are the incurable varieties –

–        Sauvarnika,

–        Lajavarna,

–        Jalini,

–        Enipadi,

–        Krishna,

–        Agnivarna,

–        Kakanda and

–        Malaguna

Effect – Below mentioned symptoms are manifested when bitten by these –

–        Putrefaction at the site of bite,

–        Flow of blood from the site,

–        Fever,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Diarrhea and

–        Disease / symptoms produced by tridoshas

General features of bite- Below mentioned are the features of bite by all kinds of spiders –

–        Eruptions of different shapes develop,

–        Appearance of big sized patches,

–        Profound and soft edema – either red or blue in color, movable

Damśa višeșa lakṣaṇa-cikitsa – special features and their treatment

विशेषलक्षणं तासां वक्ष्यामि सचिकित्सितम् ||१००||
त्रिमण्डलाया दंशेऽसृक् कृष्णं स्रवति दीर्यते |
बाधिर्यं कलुषा दृष्टिस्तथा दाहश्च नेत्रयोः ||१०१||
तत्रार्कमूलं रजनी नाकुली पृश्निपर्णिका |
पानकर्मणि शस्यन्ते नस्यालेपाञ्जनेषु च ||१०२||
श्वेतायाः पिडका दंशे श्वेता कण्डूमती भवेत् |
दाहमूर्च्छाज्वरवती विसर्पक्लेदरुक्करी ||१०३||
तत्र चन्दनरास्नैलाहरेणुनलवञ्जुलाः |
कुष्ठं लामज्जकं वक्रं नलदं चागदो हितः ||१०४||
आदंशे पिडका ताम्रा कपिलायाः स्थिरा भवेत् |
शिरसो गौरवं दाहस्तिमिरं भ्रम एव च ||१०५||
तत्र पद्मककुष्ठैलाकरञ्जककुभत्वचः |
स्थिरार्कपर्ण्यपामार्गदूर्वाब्राह्म्यो विषापहाः ||१०६||
आदंशे पीतिकायास्तु पिडका पीतिका स्थिरा |
भवेच्छर्दिर्ज्वरः शूलं मूर्ध्नि रक्ते तथाऽक्षिणी ||१०७||
तत्रेष्टाः कुटजोशीरतुङ्गपद्मकवञ्जुलाः |
शिरीषकिणिहीशेलुकदम्बककुभत्वचः ||१०८||
रक्तमण्डनिभे दंशे पिडकाः सर्षपा इव |
जायन्ते तालुशोषश्च दाहश्चालविषार्दिते ||१०९||
तत्र प्रियङ्गुह्रीबेरकुष्ठलामज्जवञ्जुलाः |
अगदः शतपुष्पा च सपिप्पलवटाङ्कुराः ||११०||
पूतिर्मूत्रविषादंशो विसर्पी कृष्णशोणितः |
कासश्वासवमीमूर्च्छाज्वरदाहसमन्वितः ||१११||
मनःशिलालमधुककुष्ठचन्दनपद्मकैः |
मधुमिश्रैः सलामज्जैरगदस्तत्र कीर्तितः ||११२||
आपाण्डुपिडको दंशो दाहक्लेदसमन्वितः |
रक्ताया रक्तपर्यन्तो विज्ञेयो रक्तसंयुतः ||११३||
कार्यस्तत्रागदस्तोयचन्दनोशीरपद्मकैः |
तथैवार्जुनशेलुभ्यां त्वग्भिराम्रातकस्य च ||११४||
पिच्छिलं कसनादंशाद्रुधिरं शीतलं स्रवेत् |
कासश्वासौ च तत्रोक्तं रक्तलूताचिकित्सितम् ||११५||

Now, I shall describe the special features of their bites and related treatments.

Signs of bite by Trimandala spider –

–        Black colored blood flows out from the site of bite,

–        Tearing of site,

–        Deafness,

–        Dirty vision and

–        Burning sensation in the eyes

Treatment – For drinking purpose, nasal medication, external application and collyrium – paste of root of Arka, Rajani, Nakuli and Prsniparni should be used.

Signs of bite by Sveta spider –

–        Appearance of white-coloured eruptions with

–        Itching,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Fainting,

–        Fever,

–        Lesion spreading from one place to the other,

–        Discharge of exudates and

–        Presence of pain

Treatment – The paste of the below mentioned herbs is prepared and used as an antidote –

–        Candana,

–        Rasna,

–        Ela,

–        Harenu,

–        Nala,

–        Vanula,

–        Kustha,

–        Lamajjaka,

–        Vakra and

–        Nalada

Signs of bite by Kapila spider –

–        Appearance of immoveable and coppery colored eruptions at the site of bite

–        Heaviness in the head,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Partial blindness,

–        Dizziness,

Treatment –

Antidote prepared with the below mentioned herbs is used as antidote –

–        Padmaka,

–        Kustha,

–        Ela,

–        Bark of Karanja and Kakubha,

–        Sthira,

–        Arkaparni,

–        Apamarga,

–        Durva and

–        Brahmi

Signs of bite by Pitaka spider –

–        Appearance of immovable eruptions of yellow color along with,

–        Vomiting,

–        Fever,

–        Headache,

–        Redness of the eyes

Treatment – Antidote is prepared from the below mentioned herbs and is used –

–        Kutaja,

–        Usira,

–        Tunga,

–        Padmaka,

–        Vanjula,

–        Sirisa,

–        Kinihi,

–        Selu,

–        Kadamba and

–        Bark of Kakubha

Signs of bite of Mutravisa spider –

–        Spreading wound,

–        Black coloured blood flows from the wound, along with

–        Cough,

–        Dyspnea,

–        Vomiting,

–        Fainting,

–        Fever and

–        Burning sensation

Treatment –

Antidote prepared with the below mentioned herbs is used mixed in honey –

–        Manassila,

–        Ala,

–        Madhuka,

–        Kustha,

–        Chandana,

–        Padmaka and

–        Lamajja

Signs of bite by Rakta Spider –

–        Appearance of yellowish-white eruption at the site of bite along with

–        Burning sensation and exudation

–        The eruption is red at its edges and contains blood,

Treatment –

Antidote prepared with the below mentioned herbs is used –

–        Toya / Valaka,

–        Candana,

–        Usira,

–        Padmaka,

–        Barks of Arjuna, Selu and Amrataka

Signs of bite by Kasana spider –

–        Produces bleeding,

–        Blood is slimy and cold, accompanied with

–        Cough and

–        Dyspnoea

Treatment – Same as indicated for the bite of Rakta spider.

पुरीषगन्धिरल्पासृक् कृष्णाया दंश एव तु |
ज्वरमूर्च्छावमीदाहकासश्वाससमन्वितः ||११६||
तत्रैलावक्रसर्पाक्षीगन्धनाकुलिचन्दनैः |
महासुगन्धिसहितैः प्रत्याख्यायागदः स्मृतः ||११७||
दंशो दाहोऽग्निवक्रायाः स्रावोऽत्यर्थं ज्वरस्तथा |
चोषकण्डूरोमहर्षा दाहविस्फोटसंयुतः ||११८||
कृष्णाप्रशमनं चात्र प्रत्याख्याय प्रयोजयेत् |
सारिवोशीरयष्ट्याह्वचन्दनोत्पलपद्मकम् ||११९||
सर्वासामेव युञ्जीत विषे श्लेष्मातकत्वचम् |
भिषक् सर्वप्रकारेण तथा चाक्षीवपिप्पलम् ||१२०||

Signs of bite by Krsna spider –

–        Produces slight hemorrhage, with the blood having the smell of feces, along with

–        Fever,

–        Fainting,

–        Vomiting,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Cough and

–        Dyspnea

Treatment –

The physician should inform about the incurability to the patient and his / her attendants and commence the treatment. Below mentioned herbs shall be used together with Mahasugandhi Agada mentioned in chapter 6 as an antidote –

–        Vakra,

–        Sarpaksi,

–        Gandhanakuli

Signs of bite of Agnivaktra (agnivarna) spider –

–        Burning sensation,

–        Excessive erudition and sucking pain at the site of bite,

–        Itching,

–        Horripilation,

–        Formation of vesicles

Treatment – The physician should inform about the incurability of the condition to the patient and his or her family and attendants and initiate the treatment.

It shall be treated with the herbs indicated for bite of Krsna spider. Alternatively, Sariva, Usira, Yashtyahva, Candana, Utpala and Padmaka may be used.

The physician should use the below mentioned herbs in the poisoning of all kinds of spiders –

–        Bark of Slesmataka,

–        Aksiva and

–        Pippali

They should be used in all methods i.e. for drinking, application, as nasal medicine and collyrium.

Asadhya luta damsa- incurable spider bites

कृच्छ्रसाध्यविषा ह्यष्टौ प्रोक्ता द्वे च यदृच्छया |
अवार्यविषवीर्याणां लक्षणानि निबोध मे ||१२१||
ध्यामः सौवर्णिकादंशः सफेनो मत्स्यगन्धकः |
श्वासः कासो ज्वरस्तृष्णा मूर्च्छा चात्र सुदारुणा ||१२२||
आदंशे लाजवर्णाया ध्यामं पूति स्रवेदसृक् |
दाहो मूर्च्छाऽतिसारश्च शिरोदुःखं च जायते ||१२३||
घोरो दंशस्तु जालिन्या राजिमानवदीर्यते |
स्तम्भः श्वासस्तमोवृद्धिस्तालुशोषश्च जायते ||१२४||
एणीपद्यास्तथा दंशो भवेत् कृष्णतिलाकृतिः |
तृष्णामूर्च्छाज्वरच्छर्दिकासश्वाससमन्वितः ||१२५||
दंशः काकाण्डिकादष्टे पाण्डुरक्तोऽतिवेदनः |
तृण्मूर्च्छाश्वासहृद्रोगहिक्काकासाः स्युरुच्छ्रिताः ||१२६||
रक्तो मालागुणादंशो धूमगन्धोऽतिवेदनः |
बहुधा च विशीर्येत दाहमूर्च्छाज्वरान्वितः ||१२७||
असाध्यास्वप्यभिहितं प्रत्याख्यायाशु योजयेत् |
दोषोच्छ्रायविशेषेण दाहच्छेदविवर्जितम् ||१२८||

Until now, the features of eight kinds of bites which are difficult to cure and two other bites which are also difficult to treat have been described. Now the features of bites which are incurable shall be explained, listen to the same.

Features of bite by Sauvarnika spider –

–        Bluish black coloration of site of bite,

–        The side has froth and

–        Emits smell of a fish and

–        Is accompanied with dyspnea, cough, fever, thirst and fainting, which are severe in intensity

Features of bite of Laja Varna spider –

–        Site of bite is bluish black in color,

–        It exudes foul smelling blood,

–        Burning sensation,

–        Fainting,

–        Diarrhea and

–        Headache

Features of bite by Jalini spider –

–        It is dreadful,

–        Appearance of lines and tears at the site of bite along with

–        Rigidity of the body,

–        Dyspnea,

–        Darkness before the eyes and

–        Dryness of the palate

Features of bite by Enipada spider –

–        Site of bite resembles black sesame, associated with

–        Thirst,

–        Fainting,

–        Fever,

–        Vomiting,

–        Cough and

–        Dyspnea

Features of bite by Kakandaka spider –

–        Site of bite will be whitish red in color and

–        Is severely painful, accompanied with

–        Thirst,

–        Fainting, dyspnea,

–        Heart disease,

–        Hiccup and

–        Cough

Signs of bite by Malaguna spider –

–        Site of bite is red in colour,

–        Emits smell of smoke,

–        Is highly painful,

–        Falls of many times i.e. bites of putrefied muscles in the site of bite would fall off many times, along with

–        Burning sensation,

–        Fainting and

–        Fever

In spite of these bites being incurable, they have been described here. This information helps and enables the physician to still treat these conditions by intimating about their incurability to the patient and his or her attendants. The planned treatment should be in accordance with the aggravated dosha. Burning by alkali or fire (cauterization) and cutting (incising) should be avoided while treating these poisons.

साध्याभिराभिर्लूताभिर्दष्टमात्रस्य देहिनः |
वृद्धिपत्रेण मतिमान् सम्यगादंशमुद्धरेत् ||१२९||
अमर्मणि विधानज्ञो वर्जितस्य ज्वरादिभिः |
दंशस्योत्कर्तनं कुर्यादल्पश्वयथुकस्य च ||१३०||
मधुसैन्धवसंयुक्तैरगदैर्लेपयेत्ततः |
प्रियङ्गुरजनीकुष्ठसमङ्गामधुकैस्तथा ||१३१||
सारिवां मधुकं द्राक्षां पयस्यां क्षीरमोरटम् |
विदारीगोक्षुरक्षौद्रमधुकं पाययेत वा ||१३२||
क्षीरिणां त्वक्कषायेण सुशीतेन च सेचयेत् |
उपद्रवान् यथादोषं विषघ्नैरेव साधयेत् ||१३३||

The intelligent physician should excise the site of bite with the help of vrddhipatra sastra (lancet) even in case of curable bites.

If the bite has not occurred on the marma (fatal / vital spots and organs) and if they are not accompanied with fever and other symptoms and if the edema in the site is mild, the physician should –

–        First excise (and remove) the site of bite and then

–        Apply anti-poisonous medicines mixed with honey and rock salt.

The patient should be administered one of the below mentioned decoctions –

Decoction of –

–        Priyangu,

–        Rajani,

–        Kustha,

–        Samanga,

–        Madhuka or

Decoction of –

–        Sariva,

–        Madhuka,

–        Draksha,

–        Payasya,

–        Ksiramorata or

Decoction of –

–        Vidari,

–        Gokshura,

–        Kshaudra and

–        Madhuka

The part i.e. site of bite should be bathed with cold decoctions prepared from Panchavalkala i.e. barks of Ksiri Vrkshas (latex yielding trees).

The complications should be treated according to the aggravated dosha. Anti-poisonous herbs should also be used for the same purpose.

नस्याञ्जनाभ्यञ्जनपानधूमं तथाऽवपीडं कवलग्रहं च |
संशोधनं चोभयतः प्रगाढं कुर्यात्सिरामोक्षणमेव चात्र ||१३४||

All of the below mentioned treatments shall be done as and when needed –

–        Nasal medication,

–        Collyrium,

–        Anointing,

–        Internal potion,

–        Smoke inhalation,

–        Errhines – nasal drops with juices of medicinal herbs,

–        Mouth gargling,

–        Purificatory therapies in great measures – mainly vamana and virechana and

–        Vein puncture (kind of bloodletting)

कीटदष्टव्रणान् सर्वानहिदष्टव्रणानपि |
आदाहपाकात्तान् सर्वाञ्चिकित्सेद्दुष्टवद्भिषग् ||१३५||
विनिवृत्ते ततः शोफे कर्णिकापातनं हितम् |
निम्बपत्रं त्रिवृद्दन्ती कुसुम्भं कुसुमं मधु ||१३६||
गुग्गुलुः सैन्धवं किण्वं वर्चः पारावतस्य च |
विषवृद्धिकरं चान्नं हित्वा सम्भोजनं हितम् ||१३७||
विषेभ्यः खलु सर्वेभ्यः कर्णिकामरुजां स्थिराम् |
प्रच्छयित्वा मधून्मिश्रैः शोधनीयैरुपाचरेत् ||१३८||
सप्तषष्ठस्य कीटानां शतस्यैतद्विभागशः |
दष्टलक्षणमाख्यातं चिकित्सा चाप्यनन्तरम् ||१३९||

As long as burning sensation and suppuration persist, the physician should treat the wounds of bites of all kinds of spiders and also bites of snakes on the lines of treating dusta vrana – septic ulcer.

The physician should wait until edema subsides. Once it happens, he should remove the karnika i.e. thorn or spike of the sting and sprouts of muscles from the site. For this, he should use the below mentioned things –

–        Leaves of Nimba,

–        Trivrt,

–        Danti,

–        Kusumbha,

–        Kusuma,

–        Madhu,

–        Guggulu,

–        Saindhava,

–        Kinva and

–        Paravata Vit – excreta of pigeon

Foods excluding those which would cause increase or aggravation of poison should be given for eating.

In all the poisonous bites which are painless and static, the thorn or spikes of sting shall be removed after incising them (site). Later it shall be treated with a paste of purifying herbs added with honey.

Thus, seventy-six kinds of kitas – poisonous insects, duly classified along with the features of their bites followed by their treatment has been described thus far.

Cikitsā māhātmya – greatness of therapeutics

सविंशमध्यायशतमेतदुक्तं विभागशः |
इहोद्दिष्टाननिर्दिष्टानर्थान् वक्ष्याम्यथोत्तरे ||१४०||
सनातनत्वाद्वेदानामक्षरत्वात्तथैव च |
तथा दृष्टफलत्वाच्च हितत्वादपि देहिनाम् ||१४१||
वाक्समूहार्थविस्तारात् पूजितत्वाच्च देहिभिः |
चिकित्सितात् पुण्यतमं न किञ्चिदपि शुश्रुमः ||१४२||

Thus, the one hundred and twenty chapters duly classified into five sections were described.

In these sections, nothing more meritorious than the chikitsa i.e. science of treatment of diseases is being heard (known or elaborated). This is because Ayurveda –

–        Has great antiquity,

–        Is indestructible,

–        Has perceivable effect,

–        Is beneficial for all living beings,

–        Possesses collection of sentences with elaborate wide meaning and

–        Is being revered by human beings

ऋषेरिन्द्रप्रभावस्यामृतयोनेर्भिषग्गुरोः |
धारयित्वा तु विमलं मतं परमसम्मतम् |
उक्ताहारसमाचार इह प्रेत्य च मोदते ||१४३||

Ayurveda is a divine science which is –

–        Influenced by Lord Indra,

–        Propagated by the one who brought nectar i.e. Adidaya Dhanvantari and

–        Taught by the sage preceptor, physician – Divodasa Dhanvantari

The persons will enjoy the benefits of both the present life and also of the future (life after) by studying and practicing the unblemished views and opinions mentioned therein and greatly accepted by all and also by following the regimen of food and activities indicated in it.

इति श्री सुश्रुतसंहितायां कल्पस्थाने कीटकल्पोनामाष्टमोऽध्यायः।।८।।

Thus ends the eighth chapter by name Kīta kalpa in Kalpa sthāna of Suśruta samhita.

इति भगवता श्री धन्वन्तरिणोपदिष्टायां तच्छिष्येण महर्षिणासुश्रुतेन विरचितायां सुश्रुतसंहितायां पञ्चमं कल्पस्थानं समाप्तम्।।५।।

Thus ends Kalpa sthāna- (Section Five) on Visa (damstra) cikitsa (toxicology) in Susruta samhita, expounded by Divodasa Dhanvantari and composed by his disciple Susruta, the great sage.