429 



have taken in forwarding me the above tilings, which are very use- 

 ful and pleasing to 



Surfojee, Rajah." 



Tanjore, 5th July, 1806. 



Not being myself sufficiently competent to elucidate the subject 

 of medicine, as practised by the natives of India, I requested Mr. 

 Underwood to give me some account of the general mode of treat- 

 ment in that part of the world. In consequence of which he fa- 

 voured me with the following statement, which I introduce with 

 great satisfaction, from its filling up a desideratum I could not have 

 supplied from my own knowledge. I am indebted for many re- 

 marks in these volumes on the state of medicine and music in 

 India to writers of more experience and ability. I confess my 

 ignorance in both these subjects, and have therefore availed m\ T seIf 

 of better information. 



" It appears to Europeans that the natives of India are ex- 

 tremely ignorant in the practice of physic ; they have many reme- 

 dies, chiefly roots and herbs, which are generally given in the form 

 of powders. The practitioners are poor men of a particular caste, 

 who sit by the side of the high roads and market paths, with small 

 boxes, containing various kinds of powder, which is administered 

 with particular instructions, and a promise of cure in a specific 

 number of days. In all complaints they enforce abstinence, sel- 

 dom allowing the patient any other nourishment than thin conjee, 

 or rice gruel. In certain diseases they give cinnabar, occasionally 

 with success; but the improper use of it frequently causes ulcera* 

 tions to spread to a very great extent. 



