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8 ANCIENT TIMES.
information concerning the training of doctors is found in
the two commentaries on the Ayur-Veda composed by
CHARAKA and SUSRUTA and constituting the oldest medical
works in Sanscrit literature. CHARAKA* counsels youths,
who are desirous of studying medicine, that they should
seek a teacher "whose precepts are sound, and whose
practical skill is generally approved, who is clever,
dexterous, upright, and blameless; who knows also how
to use his hands, has the requisite appliances and all his
senses about him, is confident with simple cases and sure
of his treatment in difficult ones; of genuine learning,
unaffected, not morose or passionate, patient and kind to
his pupils." Those pupils were pronounced to be.quite
fitted for the study of medicine " who spring from a family
of doctors or associate with doctors and who have lost
none of their limbs and none of their senses." On
admission, the teacher admonished his pupils "to be chaste
and temperate, to speak the truth, to obey him in all*
things and to wear a beard." As the three best means of
acquiring medical knowledge, were mentioned : the study
of medical writings, the personal teaching of the instructor,
and association with other doctors. " When the doctor"'
says CHARAKA « attended by a man known to the patient
and having the right of entry into his house, advances into
the dwelling of the sick man he should make his appearance
in good clothes, with an inclination of the head he
should be thoughtful but of firm bearing and observe all
possible respect. So soon as he is within, word, thought
and attention should be directed to nothing else but the
examination of the patient and what appertains to his
fL Z'l -t CVen thG WisCSt " Sa ? s he " ^come
puffed up with his wisdom. Many recoil even from a man
of skill if he loves to boast. And medicine is by no means
easy to learn. Therefore let each one practise himseff Tt
carefully and incessantly. Concerning the procedures and
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