Page:Sushruta Samhita Vol 3.djvu/12

 accurately translated into English, as there are no corresponding words in that language which would convey the exact meaning of the original. We have therefore retained the Sanskrit terms, and have in some cases put within brackets such English words as may approximately render the meaning of the original.

No apology is needed for placing before the learned world of the West a scientific treatise of ancient India. We may only mention that the Hindu system of medicine is not a thing of mere antiquarian interest. It is a living system, and even to-day millions of people in India are being treated according to this system, A system which has stood the test of centuries, and which still holds its own against rival systems of the day, cannot be lightly brushed aside as wholly unscientific. It has been said that a system which recognises prayer as one of the means of curing human ailments, can lay no claim to any scientific character. All that we need say in answer to this criticism is that humanity has not yet risen above prayer in any country in the world, and faith in the efficacy of prayer in curing diseases is, instead of dying out, gaining ground in the modern scientific world. Whatever that may be, in actual practice, Hindu medical men, like their brethren of Europe, rely chiefly upon medicine and surgery, but occasionally prescribe prayer also as an efficient form of remedy. While recognising the influence of mind on body, and the