Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c14.1035

v1.c14.1035

The Milindapañha⁸⁴ mentions several illnesses of the Buddha: the injury to his foot has already been referred to; once when the humours of his body were disturbed Jīvaka administered a purge,⁸⁵ on another occasion he suffered from some stomach trouble which was cured by hot water, or, according to some, by hot gruel.⁸⁶ The Dhammapada Commentary⁸⁷ mentions another disorder of the humours cured by hot water obtained from the brahmin Devahita, through Upavāna. The Commentaries⁸⁸ mention that he suffered, in his old age, from constant backache, owing to the severe austerities practised by him during the six years preceding his Enlightenment, and the unsuitable meals taken during that period were responsible for a dyspepsia which persisted throughout the rest of his life,⁸⁹ culminating in his last serious illness of dysentery.