Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

“We gladly announce to our readers the highly Commendable contribution to the study of the history of medicine, which is afforded by the learned Avinash Chunder Kaviratna, a native of Calcutta, a Brahmin by birth, and a physician by profession, by his translation into English of the important medical work of the Indians, viz., Charaka, who is justly styled the Galen of India. The learned Avinash, director of an important medical journal, who has already edited in the original, the two most extensive medical works of the Indian sages, viz., Charaka and Susrut-a, is engaged in a Herculian undertaking, which we have great hopes he will luckily accomplish, viz., his version of the

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said two works. The author deserves the thanks of all scholars for his wish to make these two- ancient works attainable to such European scientific persons as are ignorant of the Sanskrit language. The study of the two most remarkable medical authors df India, who, having flourished during the sixth century, B. C., are considered as founders of the medical system of the Indians, will now be made passible. The publication of the said versions, edited in pamphlets* : three of which have hitherto been out, was commendably announced by the European press, and especially by the English. The wise Max-Muller, in writing to the translator, promises every assistance, adding that the work is worthy of study and meditation, both by the Hindoos in general, and paricularly by the- physicians. It is well known that the Indians being exceedingly studious have been occu¬ pied since many centuries, with great success, in medicine, and more recent researches have proved that both the Greeks and the Arabs ha.ve received much knowledge from the same. The publication by. revealing to the European doctors the state of -medical .science in ancient India, will , abundantly supply our pharmacology with many new drugs, and medical plants, which, on being well-examined by the European experts, will probably find: out; healing properties very beneficial to all mankind.”

: Reproduced, in the Hastia of 28th October,. 1892, a very important journal of Athens.

(Sd.) Dr. Andrew N. Kaphallinos.

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Columbia College,

New York City, U.S.A.

Honoured Sir and Doctor, — I wish to congratu¬ late yon upon the zeal and untiring energy which you show in giving us a broader knowledge of this monument of ancient medicine. Such work, performed with such spirit, is truly laudable. I am, indeed, glad to encourage you in your noble task, and I am happy to find that you have as much valued my words. They were given with sincerity.

It is, indeed, pleasing to see the fascicules of your work appearing. I have perused them with interest. One may easily imagine how severe a task such a work as this is to undertake. I can easily see the difficulties that at each step beset the path ; the extreme trouble that one has to take to identify certain of the botanical names, securing the pla'nts, &c., and then presenting the love of the past, so as to be intelligible and intresting to occidentals as well ; it is, indeed, an arduous labour. I congratulate you upon the worthy perseverance that enables you to overcome these obstacles.

I was quite interested in the use of smoking ( at p. 54 seq. ) certain preparations for medicinal purposes. There are, of course, parallels today, and the student of anti¬ quarian manners and customs in England need only to go back to the Elizabethan period to find the practice of smoking for medicinal purposes as a remedy against cer¬ tain diseases.

I need only repeat my encouragement and good wish¬ es, and with appreciating thanks. I remain, dear Sir, Yours faithfully, (Sd.) A. V. William Jackson.

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Utterpara, the 18th January, 1898.

Dear Sir,