60 
gations to it ; as well as by remembering how recently some 
among them of old date, have been introduced into Euro- 
pean practice; as the smoking of Datura leaves in asthma; 
of their names, and the objects to which they were applied, in conjunction 
with the imperfect description given. 
" The Sastras, or cutting instruments, were of metal, and should be 
always bright, handsome, polished, and sharp, sufficiently so, indeed, to 
divide a hair longitudinally." 
— " The means by which the young practitioner is to obtain dexterity in 
the use of his instniments are of a mixed character ; and whilst some are 
striking specimens of the lame contrivances to which the want of the only 
effective vehicle of instruction, human dissection, compelled the Hindus to 
have recourse, others surprise us by their supposed incompatibility with 
what we have been hitherto disposed to consider as insurmountable preju- 
dices. Thus the different kinds of scission, longitudinal, transverse, 
inverted, and circular, are directed to be practised on flowers, bulbs, and 
gourds. Incision, on skins, or bladders, filled with paste and mire ; — 
scarification, on the fresh hides of animah, from which the hair has not been 
removed,- — puncturing, or lancing, on the hollow stalks of plants, or the 
vessels of dead animals ; — extraction on the cavities of the same, or fruits 
with many large seeds, as the Jack and Bel ;— sutures, on skin and leather, 
and ligatures and bandages on well-made models of the human limbs. The 
employment of leather, skin, and even of dead carcases, thus enjoined, 
proves an exemption from notions of impurity we were little to expect, when 
adverting to their actual prevalence. Of course, their use implies the 
absence of any objections to the similar employment of human subjects ; 
and although they are not specified, they may possibly be implicated, in the 
general direction which the author of the Susruta gives, that the teacher 
shall seek to perfect his pupil by the application of all expedients, which he 
may think calculated to effect his proficiency." 
— " Of the supplementary articles of Hindu surgery, the first is Kshara, 
alkaline or alkalescent salts. This is obtained by burning different vegetable 
substances, and boiling the ashes with five or six times their measure of 
water. In some cases the concentrated solution is used after straining, 
and is administered internally, as well as applied externally." 
— " Care is enjoined in their use, and emollient applications are to be 
applied, if the caustic occasions very great pain. At the same time these 
and the other substitutes for instrumental agents are only to be had recourse 
to, where it is necessary to humour the weakness of the patient. They 
are especially found serviceable, where the surgeon has to deal with princes 
and persons of rank, old men, women and children, and individuals of a 
timid and effeminate character." 
— " The cautery is applied by hot seeds, combustible substances inflamed, 
boiling fluids of a gelatinous or mucous consistence, and heated metallic 
bars, 
