14 



ON HYGIENE IN 



however, the Nag a people, among whom they had come, dwelt 

 in cities, the precise construction of which is not stated, but 

 in all probability was of similarly flimsy materials. The city 

 of Ayodhya had strong walls and gates, and, moreover, 

 served as a garrison. That the advantages of houses elevated 

 from the ground were acknowledged hygienically at a very 

 early period is evident from instructions contained in the 

 Ayur Veda regarding the advantages during the rainy 

 season of living in elevated apartments. The ordinary 

 kind of houses still remain much as they were in ancient 

 times ; they are raised from the ground by being built on 

 prepared earth. The walls are similarly constructed; the 

 thatch is thick and extends beyond them so as to form a 

 protection from the heavy rains, ventilation being provided 

 for by means of a space left for that purpose between the 

 walls and roof. The houses are divided into apartments 

 according to the circumstances and conditions of the owner, 

 those of a family or tribe occasionally together forming a 

 series of squares for mutual protection. All these are usually 

 kept clean. In other parts of India houses are made of sun 

 or fire-burnt bricks and are two or more stories high. In 

 particular districts these are more or less fortified. 



8. Water. — The ancient, like the modern, Hindus were 

 very careful about their drinking-water, and attributed 

 various diseases to that of bad quality. They considered the 

 water of wells or natural springs in the sandy beds of rivers 

 as the most wholesome ; that of rivers and of fountains at the 

 foot of high hills as less wholesome ; that from brooks or such 

 as was stagnant in tanks or reservoirs as the most unwhole- 

 some of all, predisposing to indigestion, obstructions, lethargy, 

 dysentery, and fevers. "Water was considered to be improved 

 by boiling. During the rainy season the use of this boiled 

 water mixed with a little honey was recommended ; further, 

 as more particularly narrated under the head of seasons, 



