Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

The name of Kaviratna, already honored in all lands, will be handed down to posterity in memory of him who held up as' the light of the world, the works of his illustrious predecessor, in the translation into English of Charaka-Samhita.

I also desire to express my unqualified appreciation of the departure from the ancient established custom by the most promi¬ nent "Ayurvedic physicians of India, in the organisation of the Ayurvedic Institute, having for its object the establishment of Medical Colleges, Hospitals, and Medical Journals.

„ With all deference to the law, and the consequent teaching of the Riskis, forbidding the sale of knowledge, the relations of India with the Western world, in the adoption of commercial, educational, political, and general bearings of the present age, havefno'doubt, been modified. Some central organisation for the protection of the ancient science has become imperative, even though it may revolutionise established customs of an ancient civilisation. The innovation need not, and will not, sink to a common commercial¬ ism ; on the contrary, it will have no other effect than that of raising Ayurveda to the dignity that belongs to it, in a manner that can be said of none of the theories of other schools of medicine, — recog¬ nition by the world of science as a regular and advanced Medical Science, based upon the unerring laws of nature, and, therefore, observant of the rational law of vis medicatrix natures in contra¬ distinction to contraria contrariis curantur, and similis similibus curantur ; the Science of Life that aims to aid and assist nature to regulate and control the functions of the organism to a physiolo¬ gical effect, a distinction that will be justly accorded to Ayurveda through the publication of the theory and practice of the science.

I shall esteem it a favor to be informed from time to time of the progress of your learned body ; indeed, I but voice the senti¬ ment of the Members of the Institute of Ayurveda in the United States, in saying that this organisation will be happy to

( 3 )

affiliate, as far as the interests of the two associations will admit, with the Ayurvedic Institute of Calcutta, for the mutual bene¬ fit of the combined body, and the advancement of the Science.

The Institute of Ayurveda- is a branch of the Royal Asiatic Academy of Science, and was first established in this country five years ago by a practitioner of Ayurveda, whose success¬ ful practice created a sensation in Europe and America. Patients travelled from the continent of Europe to the United States to consult him ; from London to San Francisco ; during his practice in London and Paris, many members of the nobility were treated by him. My attention was called to the marvellous cures effected by this physician three years ago, by a prominent gentleman of this city, with a view to my calling him in to see my daughter, who had been an invalid of upwards for three years, and whose dis¬ solution was considered by the best medical authorities, called in consultation, to be but a matter of a short time, at the time to which I refer. The trouble was complete: nervous prostration, aggravated by heart trouble, which kept her confined to her couch. In spite of close and constant attention by the best medical men the country could afford, the patient had become very emaciated and for three years had not stepped out of doors. My friend accompanied the physician of the orient to my residence ; more to have his opinion as to the nature of the case than from any hope of his being able to help the patient ; but, to the utter astonishment of all present, he politely requested the patient to dress that he might take her out. Notwithstanding that I am a physician, and, being familiar with the history of the case, knew that any undue exertion or excitement might terminate fatally, something in the manner of the man and the injunction to dress, precluded any attempt on my part to remonstrate. The patient’s clothing being chiefly packed away, she was attired in her mother’s wraps, shoes, &c., and this unassuming Orientalist led the patient out on the street, where he walked her about for the space of twenty minutes before our astonished eyes.