My book _The Roots of Ayurveda_ contains a translation of the first two chapters from the kalpasthana of the Susrutasamhita that deal with with attempts at poisoning a king and with poisons of vegetable origin.  In the introduction, I discuss the history of poisoning in India, the Venomous Virgin, and the spread in the medieval ME and Europe of Indian poison texts such as the pseudo-Canakya "Kitab al-Sumum," and the Venomous Virgin motif especially through through the Arabic Kitab Sir al-Asrar, the Latin Secretum Secretorum, and the popular Gesta Romanorum.

Best,
Dominik

Dr Dominik Wujastyk
Institut für Südasien-, Tibet- und Buddhismuskunde
Universität Wien
Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 2, Eingang 2.1
A-1090 Vienna
Austria
Project: http://www.istb.univie.ac.at/caraka/



On 28 June 2011 07:22, DN Jha <jdnarayan@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear List,
One of my former students is seeking bibliographic information on 
poisons and their treatment in ancient India. Since I am familiar with literature on the subject I am giving below her request for help:
 "I am looking for material for a paper on poisons, anti-venom drugs and treatment in ancient India. I haven't come across too many secondary writings on this." 
DNJ 
-- 
D N Jha
Professor of History (retired), 
University of Delhi
9, Uttaranchal Apartments
5, I.P. Extension, Delhi 110 092
Tel: + 2277 1049
Cell: 98111 43090
dnjha2010@hotmail.com, dnjha1940@yahoo.in, jdnarayan@gmail.com