The Classical Accounts of India c7.7

c7.7

99. Other Indians, living to the east of these, are nomads, and eat raw flesh : they are called Padaeans. They are said to have the following customs. When any one of the community is sick, if he be a man, the men who are his nearest connections put him to death, alleging that if he is wasted by disease his flesh would be spoilt ; but if he denies that he is sick, they, not agreeing with him, kill and feast upon him. And if a woman be sick, in like manner the women who are most intimate with her do the same as the men. And whoever reaches to old age, they sacrifice and feast upon ; but few among them attain to this state, for before that they put to death every one that falls into any distemper.