Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

(Sd.) Joseph P. Rannington.

[From Dr. R. C. Eccles, m. d., of Brooklyn College, u. s. a.]

Brooklyn, N. W., U. S. A.,

The 6th July, 1893,

Dear Sir,

Part s of “ Charaka-Samhita,” is just at hand along with your card. It is becoming more and more interesting the farther you advance. To attempt to put oneself,

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mentally, into the place of those ancients, and endea¬ vour to follow the thread of their thoughts in its conti¬ nuity, is exceedingly entertaining, though quite difficult. In fact, sometimes I find it impossible. Unless one does this, much of it becomes mere jargon. What this last fasciculus, for instance, has to say of “ Wind, ” is perfectly ridiculous unless one put another meaning into that word than that it ordinarily bears. If we attach the idea of “Force” or “Power” to it, the whole becomes comprehensible.

I would not, with Dr. Rusby, yet be willing to say that ancient medical knowledge was empirical. That is prejudging. I will await further developments, and see. Very likely their discoveries are co-ordinated by some sort of a theory or principle. In fact, it looks that way from what you have already given us.

Very truly yours,

(Sd.) R. C. Eccles, m. d.

P. S. — Accept my thanks for Charaka.

(The Indian Mirror > 8th August, 1893J Referring evidently to Pundit Abinash Chander Kaviratna’s journal Chikitsa Sammilani, the Civil and Military Gazette writes: — “An impossibility has been achieved in Calcutta. A number of Native physicians of three such antagonistic systems of medicine as Allopathy, Homoeopathy and Kabiraji, who combined to start a medical magazine, divided into three sections, one apportioned to each school, have succeeded in bringing the periodical to its ninth volume, without creating a breach among the editors”.

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[From Db. F. A Hassler, m. a., m d., Ph. d.] Santa Axa,

April <jth 1893.

Dear Sir,

Your kind letter and the fasciculus of “ Charaka-Samhita ” have reached me safely. I thank you very much, indeed, and will try to study the work so as to write something worthy of the suhject. I have had but time to glance at it, but even this hasty view shows what I may call a condensed world of wisdom.

The Mahabharata is my daily companion. I have never given so much study to any other work. The doctrine of the Supreme Soul and of the Soul of man taught in it is simply grand. The key-note which seems to run through the whole of the noble poem is, — Righteousness, Truth = Victory Rajas, Tamas = Defeat.

Next to the inspired Rishis, whose words are thus given to us, I honour and reverence those who have srfven the world this work in a language which so many millions of the human race can understand. I wish that more of my fellow-countrymen could study its wisdom by alphabetically arranged notes from their volumes, which number about six thousand and I daily add to them.

When younger I spent ten years in the active prac¬ tice of medicine and know how arduous early practice is, but you have undertaken much literary work in addi¬ tion to the care of the afflicted. May He who is the stay and support of all give you strength to accomplish your wish is the prayer of your obliged friend,

(Sd.) F. A. HASSLER.

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[From Babu Kedar Nath Chatterjee, b. a., Principal, Durbar School, Nepal.]

Khatmandu, Nepaul,

The 26 th August, 1893.

Dear Sir,

My best thanks are due to you for the fifth and sixth fascicules of your English translation of “ CharakaSamhlta” that you have so kindly sent to my address. You are doing an invaluable service to the people of India, nay to the people of all parts of the civilised world where the English language is read or spoken, by exposing to their view the hidden treasures to be found in very page of “Charaka.” No one can read your translation, which is made in a chaste and lucid style, without being struck, with the profound wisdom and learning of the ancient Rishis.

I remain, dear Sir, yours very sincerely,

(Sd.) Kedar Nath Chatterji.

[From Sir Alfred Croft, m. a., 0. 1. e., Director of Public Instuotion, Bengal.]

45 Pall Mall, South-West London,

\ St h June, 1893.

My dear Sir,

I am greatly obliged to you for sending me Parts I. to V. of “Charaka-Samhita/’ As acontribution to the history of Medicine, the work has undoubted value and I am not surprised at the welcome which the trans¬ lation has received in India and in Europe. Regarding the value of the work as a contribution to Medical Science,

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as a layman, I can, of course, say nothing. “ Who shall' decide when doctors disagree ? ” But 1 have been greatly entertained as edified by the examination in part IV of all the things which a man shall not do. A layman can understand the precepts, and such a guide to life cannot be other than valuable.

With sincere commendations for the enterprise you have shown and with good wishes for the success of your undertaking, I am,

Very faithfully yours, (Sd.) A. CROFT.

[ From the Rev. Professor J. N. Fradekborgh, Ph. d., d. d., l, l. d., of Union City, Penn., u. s. a.] Union City, Pennsylvania, U. S. A.

My dear Sir,