Page:A Short History of Aryan Medical Science.djvu/181

IX.]

IF it is interesting to know the ideas of the early Indian writers on the theory and practice of medicine, and on other matters appertaining thereto, it will not be less interesting to describe their notions of what a good physician should be like. They have enumerated the qualities requisite in one desirous of practising as a doctor, and explained how he should behave both in private and public life in following his noble profession.

A physician is required to be always clean and tidy. For it is said that a physician who is dirtily and shabbily clad, conceited, foul-tongued, vulgar, and goes to a patient unasked, is not respected even though he be as clever as Dhanvantari. He should have his nails pared and his hair dressed, should have clean clothes, and carry