0"T' LAERT> "! - USP

INDIA. 9
accomplishments of the practitioner much may be learnt
from others; for the whole world may be called a teacher
of the man of understanding and to fools only is a foe.
Considering this, even from the counsel of an adversary he
may venture to expect prosperity, honour and livelihood,
and to act in accordance with such counsel."
He strongly recommends intercourse with other doctors.
u For conversation with a colleague increases knowledge,
confers pleasure, enlarges experience, imparts readiness of
speech, and induces consideration. Whoever is uncertain
about something learnt, will have his doubts removed by
repeated instruction; whoever has no uncertainty or doubt,
will be able thus to fortify his opinion. Thus often a man
comes to hear what up to that time he never knew. Often
a teacher can seize the opportunity of a conversation of this
kind to fully and at once impart to his pupil some information
partially or entirely withheld hitherto." In Susruta*
(Chap. 2.) it is said that the doctor should choose as
pupil the son of a Brahman, being Ksatrya or Vaisya (nobleman
or freeman) and of good family: he should be sixteen
years of age, should show a respectable behaviour, should
possess a love of cleanliness, kindness and bodily strength,
understanding, a good memory, and the desire to learn and
to reach the ends he has in view. " He must have a clean
tongue, small lips, regular teeth, a noble countenance, wellformed
nose and eyes, a cheerful spirit and good bearing
and be prepared to undergo weariness and pain. And
whoever possesses the opposite characteristics should not
be admitted to the doctor's calling."
The admission of the scholar ensued on a propitious day
and the festivities connected therewith were celebrated in
the evening when the moon and stars were shining above.
They thus began. The gods were propitiated by offerings
of rice, flowers, and precious stones on an altar which consisted
of a mound of earth measuring four ells on each
* The Susruta Samita ed. by UDOY CHAND DUTT, Calcutta 1883.
{Bibliotheca Indica, fasc. 490, 500.)
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