CHAPTER XIII.
Now we shall discourse on the curative treatment of eye-diseases in which Scarification should be resorted to (Lekhya-Roga-Pratishedha). I.
The general course of treatment to be adopted in the nine kinds of eye diseases which are amenable to Scarifying (Lekhana) operations is as follows: — The patient should be laid in a chamber not exposed to the sun and the gales of wind, after having been treated with proper emulsive measures (Sneha-karma)*[1] and subjected to a course of emetics and purgatives. The eye-lid should be over-turned with the thumb and the index finger and should be very carefully fomented with a piece of linen soaked in lukewarm water and squeezed. The eye-lid should be covered with a piece of linen and over-turned with the thumb and the index finger at the time to guard against its movement and enclosing. The (part of the) eye-lid to be scraped, should be wiped with a linen and marked with a surgical instrument and the scraping should be effected therein with a scraping knife or any (rough) leaf according to the exigencies of the case. After the subsidence of the bleeding, the part should be fomented and then gently rubbed (Pratisárana) with a medicinal compound consisting of Manahśilá (Realgar), Káśisa (Sulphate of iron), Trikatu, Anjana (black antimony), Saindhava salt and Mâkshika finely pounded together. After this the part should be washed with lukewarm water and lubricated with clarified butter. The subsequent treatment thereof should be
- ↑ * It should be noted that the patient should also be fomented (Sveda) after being treated with the emulsive measures.
