4 



ON HYGIENE IN 



butter, curds, and the Soma wine or Indra's drink, a wine 

 or rather spirit prepared from the fermented acid juice of an 

 AsclepiaSy namely, the Asclepias acida, Sarcostemmaviminalis> 

 or Qynanchum viminale. This drink was indulged in to great 

 excess on occasions of Bacchanalian festivals, dating, it is said, 

 from about B.C. 1400. Upon this beverage the Pandavas are 

 described as indulging to an extent that was abominable, 

 having at the same time promiscuous intercourse without 

 regard to relationship, eating flesh extensively, and, in this 

 drunken and debauched condition, dancing together in a 

 medley. 



Among them the art of cookery was held in high esteem ; 

 the office of cook was a position of honor and trust ; thus Bhima 

 was appointed by Eajah Virata head cook as a mark of distinc- 

 tion. There were regular washermen as a separate class, and 

 particular allusion to them occurs in the time of Krishna. 

 As to arrangements of conservancy in establishments, so far 

 as can now be gathered, the fields and forests served all such 

 purposes. That the value of pure water was fully appreciated 

 appears from the circumstance that among the most esteemed 

 works of charity was the excavation of wells ; another 

 the erection of rest-houses for travellers. Among the most 

 expressive marks of hospitality was the bringing of water 

 to wash the feet of the dusty way-farer. It is satisfactory to 

 learn also that in those times long gone by the duration of 

 human life was estimated as one hundred years ; nor have 

 we much improved on that standard during the three thousand 

 years more or less that have elapsed in the interval. The 

 circumstance of a person being attacked by disease was looked 

 upon as so far a disgrace that illness was inflicted by the gods 

 as a punishment for sin committed. Hence Brahmins who 

 feared its approach would burn themselves alive rather than 

 undergo its sufferings ; others, more submissive held festivals 

 on making a recovery. 



