Page:A History of Hindu Chemistry Vol 1.djvu/23



to thee!" Here is a spell for the cure of leprosy by means of a dark-coloured plant:—

There is also a distinct reference to a remedy for promoting the growth of hair.

"As a goddess upon the goddess earth thou wast born, O plant! We dig thee up, O nitatní, that thou mayest strengthen (the growth) of the hair.

"Strengthen the (old hair), beget the new! That which has come forth render more luxurious!" VI. 136. 1-2.

Although in the Vedic age caste as a hereditary system did not exist, the healing arts had evidently acquired sufficient importance to be pursued by particular members of the patriarchal families. Thus with that charming