1835. J Analysis of a Tibetan Medical Work. 9 



the principal stem of the vital principle, serve for increasing the flesh and the 

 blood. There are eight large hidden veins or nerves for making the connexion 

 of the diseases of the viscera and vessels. 



There are 16 conspicuous veins connecting the outward limbs, and 77 others 

 spreading from them, called ffj^j^Tii bleeding veins (that may occasionally be 

 opened to let out blood). 



There are 112 hurtful or pestilential veins (or nerves) ; of a mixed nature, 

 there are 189 others. Thence originate 120 in the outer, inner, and middle 

 parts, that spread into 360 smaller ones. Thence smaller ones encompass the 

 body as with a net-work. 



There are 19 strong working nerves, which, like roots, descend from the brain, 

 the ocean of nerves ; from among them there are 13 that are hidden, and connect 

 the intestines — six others, connecting the outward parts, are visible ; from them 

 spread 16 small tendons or sinews. 



There are three vital nerves (or veins) in a man. The one encompasses both 

 the head and the body ; the second, associating with respiration, moves ac- 

 cordingly ; the third is the principal, and connecting the veins or canals, for 

 the circulation of air and blood, is occupied with generating or increasing the body, 

 and being the vital nerve, is called, by way of eminence, the artery or the principal 

 vital nerve. 



With respect to the third point: 



Diseases of consequence happen in the flesh, fat, bone, tendons, nerve, intes- 

 tines, and veins. 



Such diseases are counted in the flesh, 45 ; in the fat, 8 ; in the bone, 32 ; in 

 the tendons or sinews, 14; in the intestines, 13; in the veins, 190. On the 

 head, there are 62 ; on the neck, 33 ; in the trunk of the body, 95 ; in the four 

 hanging members (two hands, two feet), 112. Thus important diseases are 

 reckoned 302, of which 96 are said to be very dangerous, which cannot be cured 

 by any expence or skill. There are 49 that are dangerous in a middle degree, 

 but which may be cured by learned physicians. The rest may be cured by 

 others also ; since they are of no great consequence, though they also be 

 reckoned among diseases of magnitude. 



With respect to the fourth point : 



Of the several orifices or passages for the conveyance of air, blood, drink, and 

 food, both within and without, are enumerated 13 in males and 16 in females. 



Through inconvenient food and exercise, these passages being hurt, there 

 arises a distemper of the body, by the humours being either too much increased, 

 issued, or hindered ; or by taking wrong direction, confusion is produced. When the 

 passages are clean, and free from any hurt, then the body is in a healthy state. 



5th Chapter. — Characteristic description of the body. There is a two-fold 

 division : 1, Those parts which are subject to injury (the body). 2, Those things 

 by which they are injured (bad humours or diseases). First, of those that are 

 subject to injury. These are thus distinguished : the supports, (or those parts 

 which keep the body together), seven in number ; as, the chyle, blood, flesh, fat, 

 bone, marrow, and semen. Excrements, as ordure, urine, and sweat ; also the dirt 

 of the teeth, and under the nails, and the impurity issuing from other openings 

 or passages. 



lstly. The office of the seven supports of the body, and of the three excre- 

 ments, is thus described: 

 c 



