Page:A Short History of Aryan Medical Science.djvu/182

162 a stick or an umbrella in his hand, wear shoes,* and have a gentlemanly bearing. He must be pure-minded, guileless, pious, friendly to all, and devoted to truth and duty. His chief duty is to treat his patient honestly, and without desire of any gain. To treat a patient conscientiously is supposed to bring "merit" (Punya) to the physician, who should not therefore sell his "Virtue" by treating a poor patient for the love of lucre. For the sake of his livelihood he will be justified in expecting an adequate fee from well-to-do people. He who is in a position to pay his doctor's fee but does not, though under his medical treatment, is styled " wicked," and is said to transfer all his "merit" to the physician. A religious sentiment appears to have been attached to the question of payment. For the Hindoos are enjoined not to approach or interview a king, a preceptor, and a physician " empty-handed," that is, without a gift or offering. It is therefore aptly said that a country is not without men, and men are not without diseases ; so a physician's livelihood is always ensured.