18 



ON HYGIENE IN 



paper are the following, namely, to rise from bed sometime 

 before sunrise ; to perform the functions of nature with 

 the face towards the north ; to clean the teeth, using for this 

 purpose a fresh branch of the Melia azdirachta (a bitter tonic) 

 or Mimosa catechu (astringent), washing also the mouth and 

 eyes ; the teeth however not to be thus cleaned before the 

 tenth year of age. It was forbidden to use a pot touched 

 by persons denied ; to eat rice cooked by, or have intercourse 

 with, women of low caste, — both of which injunctions have a 

 very obvious hygienic bearing. The practice of anointing 

 the body with oil was looked upon as conducive to health ; 

 mustard or other fragrant oil was most frequently used 

 for the purpose, but it was laid down that the body should 

 not be anointed at the beginning of fever, an injunction 

 that doubtless commends itself to physicians even at the 

 present day. Exercise was enjoined ; for the sake of health 

 limbs were to be shampooed, the nails, beard and moustaches 

 and hair to be cut every fifth day, the hair to be combed and 

 cleaned. Several kinds of baths were recommended ; cold 

 bathing removes the inordinate heat of the body, but if with 

 very cold water in winter it deranges the " phlegm and air," 

 in hot weather it increases the bile and blood ; bathing is not 

 proper in diarrhoea ; bathing the feet removes impurities, 

 local diseases and fatigue ; then follow instructions as to the 

 suitable times for bathing, having reference to business and 

 occupation of individuals. The warm- water bath is recom- 

 mended for relieving pain, and in different kinds of fever. 

 The vapor bath is similarly employed for both those purposes. 

 In cloudy days exercise was not to be taken in the open air ; 

 the bed-room should be warmed with fire ; and persons should 

 sleep on a charpoy. In autumn exercise is to be taken in the 

 evening ; sherbets and spirituous liquors are to be used. In 

 winter the warm bath to be used and exercise taken in 

 the morning. In spring the drinking water is to be 



