Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c6.s1.1

c6.s1.1

It was also the duty of herdsmen to apply medicines to diseased animals. The due discharge of this important duty was secured by a healthy rule providing that when, owing to defects in medicine or carelessness in the treatment, the disease of an animal became serious, a fine of twice the cost of the treatment should be imposed; and when, owing to defects in the nature of the medicine itself, the animal died, a fine equal to the value of the animal was imposed.¹