PHILOSOPHY AND MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE IN ANCIENT INDIA. 235 
In all these respects similar customs were observed by the 
ancient Egyptians, and were inculcated by the Mosaic code, 
and at a much later period by the Romans. 
With the Brahminical Indians, as with the Arabians 
ancient as well as modern, the anointing of the body was 
believed to strengthen and protect it from the heat of the 
sun, and by filling up the pores of the body to prevent that 
too copious transpiration which enfeebles the frame. 
Like all other Orientals, the Hindoos were, and still are, per- 
suaded of the sanatory properties of oil, Under this im- 
pression. they anointed the sick, and applied oil to wounds.* 
Reservoirs existed around the most ancient temples in 
India as in ancient Egypt, so that priests and people might 
perform therein the ablutions connected with their religious 
worship. The head was shaved and kept clean for the pre- 
vention of insects or other filth. 
Ablution of person and of clothing was enjoined as the 
concluding rite of purification—as after touching a dead 
body, or a leper, or that after childbirth (such as were 
enjoined by the Mosaic law).—Lev. xii-xv. 
The cleaning of brazen and other vessels was very care- 
fully observed, and articles of earthenware of little value 
were then broken, as they still are, after use—the rules for 
these proceedings being much as described in the Mosaic 
laws (Levy. vi. 28; xi. 32-36; xv. 23). 
Although not altogether pertaining to sanitation, the 
following further illustrations of Scriptural allusions to 
corresponding manners and customs among the Hindoos 
may conveniently be added, namely :— 
They have ever considered that the want of children 
renders all other blessings of no esteem (Gen. xy. 2; xvi. 4). 
Travellers and guests may be seen eating under the shade 
of trees. The house of a Hindoo serves for sleeping and 
cooking, and for secluding the women, but never for eating 
(Gen. xviii. 4). 
A young Hindoo has no choice in the selection of a wife 
(Gen. xxiv. 4). 
In Bengal it is the universal practice for women to go to 
tanks, wells, or rivers, to draw water (Gen. xxiv. 11.) 
A Brahmin sometimes goes to a house, sits down, but 
refuses to eat till he has obtained the object he had in view 
(Gen, xxiv. 33). 
When a daughter is leaving her father’s house to live 
* Psalm cix. 18; Is. i.6; Mark vi. 13; Luke x. 34; James v. 14. 
