Page:Pearl of Asia (Child JT, 1892).pdf/328

300 princes and nobles now call in a foreign physician when they are needed, and several physicians are doing an extensive business in Bangkok and vicinity. Thus, in the march of progress they have learned to ignore the old custom of employing none but native doctors, since they have witnessed the remarkable cures effected and skillful operations performed by the American and other physicians. The Siamese are very generous to their physicians and frequently after the patient is convalescent he will send presents to him, the most beautiful and fragrant flowers, in the form of chandeliers and baskets, to be suspended in his room.

The fee for a "job of healing" is never less than eight or more than twenty ticals, but aside from this the law allows a special fee of three and a half ticals called k'wan kow-k'aya. This is divided into two parts, k'wan kow consists of a proffer of a tical and a half in silver, which is stuck on the bottom of a wax candice, then the candle is stood upright in a brass basin or some other utensil; a little rice, salt, pepper, onions, bananas, etc., is added and an incantoryincantatory [sic] form recited over it by the doctor, an offering to propitiate the spirit of the great medical teacher Komara-P'at, who lived during the days of Buddha, beseeching him to exert his influence in the spirit world over the diseases of men. No doctor will ever undertake a case if this rite is overlooked. The kaya is the ticals, for the cost of the medicine, be the same little or much, but he can't claim it until the patient is restored to health. They also have another rite, an appeal to the spirits in behalf of the patient, which they do by moulding little clay images of men, women, cattle, or some other