Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c11.16

c11.16

§ 43. Care of the New-born :— Immediately after the birth the child should be cleansed with egg-kernel and rock-salt, and butter should be given in its mouth. Hereafter proceed the acts which correspond to the "life-giving" ceremonies (āyuṣyāni) of the Gṛhya sūtras¹ and which aim at the enlivening of the child fatigued by the act of birth and sprawling helplessly. Two stones are rubbed on the ears of the new-born, the ear-roots are moisted with cold or warm water, Balā oil is applied to the child, a piece of cloth moisted with butter is placed on its head, a saying expressing the desire that it may live for a hundred years is uttered in its right ear (Car 4.8.46; Su 3.10.12; AS 6.1.170; AHr 6.1.1-4). According to Car (l. c. 40) the cleansing of the child takes place only after the life-giving ceremony, and the giving of salt and butter serves as an emetic (pracchardana). When the child is awakened, the umbilical cord should be tied eight (four-AS, AHr) fingers away from the navel with a linen thread and it should be cut with a sharp knife. Then the end of the thread should be hung loose around the neck of the child (in order to obstruct the flow-Dallana) (Car 4.8.44; Su; AS l. c.; AHr 6.1.5). If the navel of the child is painful, it should be rubbed and a powder should be sprinkled on it. If the umbilical cord is not properly treated, painful crookedness of the body, gasping for breath and other diseases