Besides being taken internally, medicines are applied in various other ways, such as by injections into the rectum, urethra and female organs; application to the nose; to the mouth; to the eyes; to the skin in the shape of plasters, ointments, oils and fumigations, and to the luugs by inhalation.

Vastikarma or injections into the rectum, were thrown in by means of a tube with a membranous bag tied to its end. The bag was recommended to be made of the bladder of some animal, such as bull, goat, etc. It was filled with the fluid to be injected and tied to one end of a tube, about eight inches long and with a tapering rounded extremity for introduction into the rectum. Injections into the urethra and vagina were thrown in by similar contrivances, the tubes being adapted in length and thickness to the passages for which they were intended.

Phalavarti or suppositories were recommended to be made of the size of the patient's thumb. They were smeared with clarified butter and introduced into the rectum. The following is an example of a suppository. Take of assafcetida and rock-salt equal parts and make a suppository with honey, for use in tympanitis.

Nasya or the application of medicated substances to the nose, forms a prominent feature of native therapeutics. Two primary classes of medicines for this organ are recognized, namely Sirovirechana or medicines causing a flow of secretion from the nose and thus relieving cerebral congestion, and Vrinhana or medicated oils applied to the nose with the object of cooling the head and relieving affections of the neck and chest. For clearing the head and promoting discharge from the nose, the expressed juice of pungent drugs is poured into the nose, drop by drop, or powders are blown into the nostrils by means of a tube. The former process is called Avapida and the latter, Pradhyamana. For cooling the head and relieving affections of the upper part of the body, various medicated oils are used. In one form of snuff called Pratimarsha, two or three drops of medicated oil are directed to be snuffed up the nostril till they reach the throat, when they should be expectorated and not swallowed. In another form of application called Marsha about a drachm of oil is recommended to be gradually poured into each nostril from a spoon or shell.

Kavala. Liquids used as gargles are so called. Sometimes a mixture of liquid and solid substances or solid balls of medicine are taken into the mouth and retained in it till they bring on a discharge from the nose and eyes. This mode of application is called

Gandusha. When powders or thick solutions are applied to the teeth and gums with the finger, the process of medicament is called

Pratisάrana.

Sirovasti, etc. or applications to the head. Oils or other fluids are applied to the head in four different ways. The first form called Sirovasti, consists in tying a piece of leather four and a half inches in breadth all round the head, luting its lower margin to the skin by a paste of the pulse called mάshakalάya and then filling the cavity thus formed on the top of the head with lukewarm oil. The oil is directed to be retained till relief of pain, or till there is diseharo-e from the eyes and nose. It should then be removed and the head washed with warm water. This sort of medication is said to be useful in severe headache and shaking of the head. In the second form, oil or other fluid is poured in a stream on the head. This is called Parisheka. In the third form, called Pichu, cotton soaked in oil is applied to the scalp; and in the fourth, called Avyanga, the oil is simply rubbed on the head.

Applications of liquids and medicated oils to the ears are used in diseases of the head as well as of the ears. The external meatus is filled with the fluid which is allowed to remain in it from one to twenty minutes and is then withdrawn.

Netrakarma or applications to the eyes receive various names according to the nature of the substances used and the manner in which they are applied. Pouring of drops into the eyes is called A'schotana. A poultice enclosed within a piece of cloth and applied over the lids is called Pinda. A paste applied to the lids is called Vidάlaka. Medicines applied to the margin of the lids or to the conjunctiva with the finger or a metallic probe are called Anjana. These last may be in the shape of powder or liquid or they may be made into sticks or pills which are rubbed with water before use. The probe for applying medicines to the margin of the lids should be six inches long with a rounded bulbous end. It may be made of gold, silver, copper, iron or stone. For habitual use of collyria a lead probe is preferred. When medicines are applied not only to the lids but also to the conjunctiva up to the margin of the cornea, the finger is recommended to be used, as it is soft and safe. Applications to the skin. These consist of ghritas, oils, plasters poultices, baths and hot applications for inducing perspiration. Medicated ghritas and oils have been already described. They are for the most part rubbed all over the body, except those intended for local ailments. Plasters called

Pralepa are applied moist and cold.

Pradeha or poultices are applied moist and hot.

They are also thicker than plasters.