Page:A Short History of Aryan Medical Science.djvu/217

XI.] the dissection of animals. They put a stop to animal sacrifice, in which a knowledge of anatomy was indispensable, and substituted models of dough. Buddha, however, established hospitals for men and beasts all over the country ; and the institution of Pinjrapoles (Animal Hospitals), so peculiar to India, owes its origin to him.

The science continued to nourish down to the advent of the Greeks in India ( 327). Arrian, the Greek historian, in describing the condition of India at the time of the invasion of Alexander the Great, refers to a curious fact, which reflects no small credit on the Hindoo physicians of the day. Alexander had in his train several proficient Greek physicians, but these had to confess their inability to deal with cases of snake-bite, very common in the Punjaub. Alexander was therefore obliged to consult the Indian Vaidyas, who successfully treated these cases. The Macedonian king was so struck with their skill that, according to Nearchus, he employed some good Vaidyas in his camp, and desired his followers to consult these Indian physicians in cases of snake-bite and other dangerous ailments. In face of the fact that the European toxicologists are still in search of a