is to be paid to the regimen of the patient. The wound must be dressed at regular intervals until it is all healed up. Should the wound cause intense pain, a cloth soaked in tepid ghee (clarified butter) mixed with liquorice may be applied to it.
As stated in the beginning of this chapter, the Indian surgery recognised 125 implements. These are grouped under two heads — Yantras (appliances) and Shastras (instruments). The Yantras are 105, and are divided into six classes, viz. : — Svastikas, pincers or forceps, twenty-four forms ; Sandashas, tongs, of two sorts ; Talas, similar, of two kinds ; Nadis, tubular instruments like catheters, etc., of twenty varieties ; Shalakas, bougies, of thirty sorts ; Upayantras, dressings, as cloth, twine, etc., twenty-six in number. These make a total of 104. The last, but not the least in importance, is the hand, which is rightly considered to be the best and most indispensable implement in surgical operations. For specimens of some of the implements used in Indian surgery, refer to Plates VII.-VIII.
The Shastras (instruments) are twenty in number, and are shown on Plates IX.-X.
