Page:A Short History of Aryan Medical Science.djvu/183

IX.] A practitioner knowing one hundred remedies for any one disease is called a Vaidya, one with a knowledge of two hundred remedies for any one disease is called a Bhishak, and to one who is acquainted with no less than three hundred remedies for each and every affection is applied the term Dhanvantari. The knowledge of diseases and the knowledge of the drugs are of equal importance to a physician. One without the other is like a vessel without a helmsman.

In the opinion of Sushruta, he who has merely learnt the principles of medicine, and received no practical instruction, loses his presence of mind when he sees a patient, just as a coward gets confused in a battle. On the other hand, he who through mere empiricism has obtained facility in practical work, but knows not the principles of medicine as taught in the books, deserves, not commendation from the learned, but punishment from the king. Both these are unaccomplished and unfit to become practitioners, just as a bird with a single wing is unable to fly.

Hindoo physicians go out to procure medicinal drugs on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays of the light fortnight, and commence the preparation of mineral medicines on