Page:A Short History of Aryan Medical Science.djvu/173

VIII.] dies, lie is born again in some higher or lower state of existence, according to his merit or demerit." So there are certain diseases which are supposed to be the fruits of evil deeds done in a former state of existence. Harita declares that a murderer of a Brahman will suffer from anaemia, a cow-killer from leprosy, a regicide from consumption, and a murderer in general from diarrhoea. One committing adultery with his master's wife will suffer from gonorrhoea, and the violator of his preceptor's couch from retention of urine. A backbiter will suffer from asthma, a misleader from giddiness, a cheat from epilepsy, one who occasions or procures abortion from liver complaint, a drunkard from skin diseases, an incendiary from erysipelas, and one prying into another's secrets will lose the sight of one eye. Diseases caused by Karma may be cured by propitiatory rites, expiating ceremonies, and tranquillising efforts. If the rites do not cure the diseases, the patients have the assurance that they will at least check the further progress of the maladies in the life to come !

The treatment of diseases caused by humours forms part of, or the therapeutic branch of Hindoo medical science. The Aryans have