0"T' LAERT> "! - USP

14 ANCIENT TIMES.
* .and solid excreta and the menstrual flow, and also make
inquiries concerning the surroundings of the patient, in
< reference to the nature of the disease."
The Indian doctors were careful observers of Nature.
They were aware of crepitation as throwing light on the
•t diagnosis of a fractured bone, and of the sweet taste* of
the urine in certain cases of sickness (diabetes mellitus)
long before these facts were known in Europe.
The high development of the healing art and especially
of surgery in India, excites the more surprise from the fact
that the study of anatomy and physiology was if not completely
non-existent at least on quite a wrong track. The
small anatomical knowledge of the Indian doctors was
dependent on the fact that they certainly never undertook
the dissection of the human body; indeed such investigations
were forbidden, or at least made difficult by religious
injunctions. Nevertheless they appreciated the importance
of anatomy for practical medicine and declared that the
doctor must acquire a competent knowledge of the human
body before undertaking the treatment of its diseases.
Magisterial authority was required for anyone beginning
the practice of physic.
By SUSRUTA (Chap. 10) it is said that the student of
1 medicine at the termination of his studies must petition.
the king to grant him authority to practise independently.
In this connection SuSRUTA imparts to him certain
maxims which throw remarkable light on the social
position of Indian doctors. "Keep thy hair and nails
short " he writes " keep thy body clean, wear white linen,
put on shoes and carry a stick or umbrella in thy hand.
Let thy bearing be humble and thy heart pure and free
from guile. Show thyself courteous in speech and friendly
to every human being and take 1 care that thy servant has a
good character." He recommends him peculiar caution
.when his patients " are learned Brahmans, princes, women
•*!.' '' '
,-.,* Perhaps the observation that ants sought out and enjoyed this urine
led them to make this discovery. „