INTRODUCTION. xix 



establishment presented a curious aspect. My de- 

 partment, more resembling, in its adjuncts, a con- 

 fectioner's shop than a repository of drugs, was on 

 one side of the building, and the other side was 

 occupied by the Hakim ( Mahomedan doctor ) ap- 

 pointed by the Durhar to assist me, and who was 

 at liberty to treat patients according to his own 

 system ; so that applicants could employ native or 

 European remedies, as they felt disposed. But, 

 what a diflference ! what a wide gulf between the 

 two methods ! On the one hand, my hitherto un- 

 known mcdiiim'System ( which then still slumbered 

 like an embryo ), the principles of which I have al- 

 ready mentioned, and, on the other, the obsolete 

 Junanian ( Grecian ) or Arabic system, which, with 

 many of its medicaments, has long been banished 

 European practice.. 



In this hospital, also, I was entrusted with the 

 care and treatment of lunatics ; and, in the interior,, 

 sat three Jerahs or native surgeons, also appointed 

 by the Durbar, who v/ere occupied in the adminis- 

 tration of ointment, plasters, &c., for external heal-- 

 ing ; so that, with those patients who came to avail 

 themselves of the services of these Jerahs, those 

 who came to consult with the Hakim, and those 

 who preferred my advice, the hospital was a com- 

 plete mile ( fair ) from morning till night. 



It was with difficulty that I could satisfy the de- 

 mands of the multitudes who came from the 

 neighbouring towns and villages for medicines, not- 

 withstanding I was provided with several assistants 

 besides those already mentioned. 



One day, a man, who, in passing, had heard that 

 the Dakter Saheh ( Gentleman Doctor ) distributed 



