________________
352
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SOTRA
Ch. VỊ
As regards the diet of the patients, there is the mention of meat and wine as prescribed by the physician in special cases of diseases.
It is learnt from the other Jaina texts that there were two classes of physicians, viz. the private and state physicians whose services were indispensable in the society.
In the case of the former, patients were brought to him for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and his medical advice or he was called in to the house of the patient, honoured and entertained with the present of food, valuable utensils and fees, while the latter was appointed and maintained by the king for the medical service of the royal family on a certain rate of salary.
There occurs also a reference in the Nāyādhammakahãok to the running of a public hospital where the patients were treated by a number of physicians and surgeons with different kinds of medicines and herbs according to the nature of their diseases.
THIRD SECTION
Biology
The BRS reveals that a remarkable progress was made by the scholars of its age in the science of Biology, as it is known by the fact that both the plant and animal kingdoms have been dealt with in the text, though in a brief manner.
Moreover, it should be observed that Ajīvikism” as propounded by Gośāla Mańkhaliputra contains some principles of Biology, the comprehensive accounts of which are revealed in
1 Nāyādhammakahão, 5, p. 80. Cf. Vivāga Suya, II.
Cf. Mahāvagga. VI. 10-2. ? Bihatkalpa Bhāsya, p. 1910-70. 3 Brhatkalpa Bhāsya, Pihikā 376 ; V yavahāra Bhäsya, 5, 21. 4 Brhatkalpa Bhāsya, 1, 1910-70.5 Vyavahāra Bhāsya, 5, 21. 6 Nayādhammakahão, 13. p. 143. See 'Life in Ancient India'
p. 179. ? BhS, 15, 1, 539,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
