Page:A Short History of Aryan Medical Science.djvu/66

58 of nature. For the obtainment of longevity the names of Ashvatthama, Bali, Vyasa, Hanumana, Vibhishana, Kripa, Parshurama, and Markandeya, who are long-lived and are supposed to be still living, though ages have rolled by, are also to be recalled to memory. The first things a person should look at and touch after rising from bed are curds, ghee (clarified butter), a looking-glass, Sarsapa seeds, Bilva (AEgle Marmelos), Gorochana (a yellow pigment), and garlands of flowers ; and if he desires a long life he should daily look at his face reflected in ghee. He should then answer the calls of nature with his head covered. Then he should clean his teeth with a tooth paste or powder. The substances generally used for the purpose are powdered tobacco, salt, or burnt betel-nut, or some compound preparation of drugs such as pepper, dry-ginger, long pepper and Jijbal (Xanthoxylum rhetsa). The most common tooth-brush is a tender twig of Bavala (Acacia arabica) ; but the medical works recommend other twigs, to which wonderful properties are ascribed. A brush of Arka twig gives strength ; of Vata (Ficus indica) gives brightness to the face ; Karanja (Pongamia glabra) ensures vic-