Page:Sushruta Samhita Vol 1.djvu/204

100 elongated bodies like the Varmifishes, and are indented and thick at the waist. The Alagardá leeches are hairy, thick and round at the sides, and black at the mouth. The leeches of the Indráyudha species are marked on the surface with up-pointed rainbow coloured lines. The skins of the Sámudrikás are blackish yellow, dotted over with white spots of a variety of shapes. Leeches which are provided with narrow mouths and are marked by bifurcating line at the bottom like the scrotal sac of a bull are called Gochandanás.

A person bitten by any of the abovesaid venomous leeches has an irresistble inclination to scratch the seat of the bite which is marked by a considerable swelling. Fever, with burning, retching, drowsiness and delirium supervenes and ultimately the patient loses all consciousness. The remedy consists in the administration of an anti-toxic medicine known as Mahágada, as snuffs, potions and unguents, etc. A bite by an Indráyudha usually proves fatal. Venomous leeches, as well as cures for their bites, have thus been described.

The non-venomous species include Kapilas, Pingalas, Shankhamukhis, Musikas, Pundarimukhis and Saravikas. The Kapilas are coloured like Manah-Shila (realgar) at the sides, and their backs are tinged with a glossy hue like that of a Mudga pulse. The Pingalas have a reddish colour, are round in shape and