214 THE HISTORY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



command all the principles and practice of medicine. Susruta says 

 that " the practitioner who does not perfectly unite in himself a 

 knowledge of both surgical and inner diseases is as a bird with 

 but one wing." 



The studies of the medical student began with the twelfth and 

 ended with the sixteenth or seventeenth year. At no one time 

 should a teacher instruct more than four or at the most six stu- 

 dents. , Charaka gives the rules for instruction in detail, and the 

 requirements necessary to both teacher and student, in a manner not 

 unworthy of imitation, in many respects, by the same classes in our 

 own day and country. 



He says : " The student must, above all, pay great attention to se- 

 lection of the most suitable text-books from the great number which 

 are presented to him ; he must select a teacher who is familiar with 

 all the scientific, technical, and moral qualifications of his profes- 

 sion. He must devote himself unceasingly to the study of the text- 

 books of his profession. The teacher must not be less circumspect 

 in the selection of students of honorable birth, morality, physique, 

 and intellectual and manual ability. The students must begin their 

 studies in winter, and at a time when the moon is becoming full ; 

 on a day known in the calendar as favorable, and at a time when a 

 favorable constellation is in the ascendency ; they must be introduced 

 into their profession in the presence of the holy Brahmans and the 

 doctors, and with the offering of milk, butter, prayers, and sayings 

 of wise men, and presents to his teachers. The celebration should 

 end with an address to the students by the teachers, in which they 

 should be cautioned to be chaste, modest, and reticent, to wear a 

 beard, to speak the truth only, to eat no meat ; above all things 

 should they be obedient to their teacher, and endeavor to gain favor 

 in his eyes. The practitioner who wishes to have a successful prac- 

 tice and to acquire an honorable name, must look to the health of 

 the living ; above all, that of the holy Brahmans and the sacred cow, 

 and pray daily at the time of his uprising and retiring. He must 

 seek, with all the strength of his soul, to restore the sick to health ; 

 though his own life be called in sacrifice thereby, he dare not 

 on any account neglect the sick ; he must never seek to ingratiate 

 himself with women. In dress and all external things he must be 

 simple, no drinker, and must always remain distant from bad com- 

 pany. In speech the practitioner must be gentle, clear, and pleas- 

 ant, speaking only to the point, and with moderation ; he must 

 weigh seriously the appropriate time and locality ; must be diligent 

 in reflection, and seek in every way to increase in knowledge. He 



