Changes

==== First aid or immediate treatment after bite ====

==== First aid or immediate treatment after bite ====

Application of tourniquet should be to such an extent that the pressure exerted thereby should allow passing littlefinger underneath it and above the skin. It remains always a matter of debate whether to incise the bite site or not. One school of thought combat the procedure as there are chances of infection of the wound created thereby. It may also get worsen especially in cases of Viper bites as the open injuries get necrosed due to vasculotoxic effect of the venom ultimately results in amputation of the organ involved.   

Application of tourniquet should be to such an extent that the pressure exerted thereby should allow the passing of the little finger underneath it and above the skin. It remains always a matter of debate whether to incise the bite site or not. One school of thought combat the procedure as there are chances of infection of the wound created thereby. It may also get worsen especially in cases of viper bites as the open injuries get necrosed due to vasculotoxic effect of the venom ultimately results in amputation of the organ involved.  

Chushana (sucking) may also be done after putting gomaya (dried cowdung) agada churnas, or bhasma in mouth. (A.H.U.36/46-47)

   

Agnikarma and its contraindications:

''Chushana'' (sucking) may also be done after putting gomaya (dried cowdung) ''agada churnas'', or ''bhasma'' in mouth. (A.H.U.36/46-47)

Agnikarma was performed with the help of shalaka (rod) made up of hema (gold) or lauha (iron). Nowadays a rod made up of pancha dhatu (mixture of five metals) is utilized for the purpose. The procedure is contra-indicated in mandali (viper) bites. (A.H.U.36/45)

 

Importance of protection of heart:

==== ''Agnikarma'' and its contraindications ====

Hridayavarana (covering heart area with external local application of specific medicines) should be performed first before applying any treatment as it is the most vital organ in case of poisoning. Hridayavarana is to be done daily (Sushruta). It was specifically intended to the Kings as they were constantly under threat from various external factors. If done daily the person will not get affected by the poison. It has to be followed by vamana as the procedure causes kapha vriddhi i.e. shleshma upachaya. It is directed to administer ghrita, combination of ghrita  and madhu (honey), or agada with ghrita. It is also indicated some other drugs like Gomaya Rasa (Juice of cow dung), Krishna Mrid (black soil) etc. (A.S.U.42/15-16) This is for what and how much what route of administration?  

Stage wise treatment of poisoning:

''Agnikarma'' was performed with the help of ''shalaka'' (rod) made up of ''hema'' (gold) or ''lauha'' (iron). Nowadays a rod made up of ''pancha dhatu'' (mixture of five metals) is utilized for the purpose. The procedure is contra-indicated in ''mandali'' (viper) bites. (A.H.U.36/45)

It can be interpreted that the treatments mentioned are in chronological order and can be used as per the stage in which the patient has been brought to the Vaidya. As the complication is increased the treatment methodology has to be changed from simple local techniques to highly evolved methods like the Kaakapaada Chikitsa. It is mentioned in some of the Malayalam texts of toxicology that when Visha enters the body it starts hunting the Prana/life of the person and the chase begins where the Visha is after the Prana. It is the amount of poison and the strength of the person together with the rapidity of the action of the drugs given which decides the prognosis. There is also a concept called Visha Kala and Amritha Kala which says that there are 15 vital points in the body and the poison affected to any one of these points on the days as per the Tithi mentioned in the Indian calender decides the prognosis and the intensity of the treatment required. Similar is the concept of Kaalavanchana where the poison in its total virulence in the body is nullified by the treatment methods aptly adopted.

 

==== Importance of protection of heart ====

 

''Hridayavarana'' (covering heart area with external local application of specific medicines) should be performed first before applying any treatment as it is the most vital organ in case of poisoning. Hridayavarana is to be done daily (Sushruta). It was specifically intended to the Kings as they were constantly under threat from various external factors. If done daily the person will not get affected by the poison. It has to be followed by vamana as the procedure causes kapha vriddhi i.e. shleshma upachaya. It is directed to administer ghrita, combination of ghrita  and madhu (honey), or agada with ghrita. It is also indicated some other drugs like Gomaya Rasa (Juice of cow dung), Krishna Mrid (black soil) etc. (A.S.U.42/15-16) This is for what and how much what route of administration?  

 

==== Stage wise treatment of poisoning ====

 

It can be interpreted that the treatments mentioned are in chronological order and can be used as per the stage in which the patient has been brought to the Vaidya. As the complication is increased the treatment methodology has to be changed from simple local techniques to highly evolved methods like the Kaakapaada Chikitsa. It is mentioned in some of the Malayalam texts of toxicology that when Visha enters the body it starts hunting the Prana/life of the person and the chase begins where the Visha is after the Prana. It is the amount of poison and the strength of the person together with the rapidity of the action of the drugs given which decides the prognosis. There is also a concept called Visha Kala and Amritha Kala which says that there are 15 vital points in the body and the poison affected to any one of these points on the days as per the Tithi mentioned in the Indian calender decides the prognosis and the intensity of the treatment required. Similar is the concept of Kaalavanchana where the poison in its total virulence in the body is nullified by the treatment methods aptly adopted.

Mahagandhahasti agada: if it is not available now, why is it here?

Mahagandhahasti agada: if it is not available now, why is it here?

This Agada is said to be very effective in all the modes of induction. It has the effect of Vishahara and at the same time it acts as a good prophylactic drug with a Rasayana property. The Agada is not available now and also not practised by any of the Visha Vaidyas in Kerala.   

This Agada is said to be very effective in all the modes of induction. It has the effect of Vishahara and at the same time it acts as a good prophylactic drug with a Rasayana property. The Agada is not available now and also not practised by any of the Visha Vaidyas in Kerala.