Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c9.15

c9.15

First of all is considered the messenger (dūta) who is sent for the physician, his appearance, caste, clothing, speech, as well as the appearance and behaviour of the physician when he is called. Thus it is unfavourable if the messenger belongs to a caste higher than that of the patient, if he is an eunuch, or a woman or is himself ill, sad, frightful, frightened, or comes running, or holds a weapon or a stick in hand, wears a garment which is worn out or torn or unclean or wet or wears only a single garment, if he is clean shaven or rides on an ass, camel or buffalo etc. Ominous is also the arriving of the messenger at a certain time, like midnight, midday, twilight, moon-eclipse etc., further if he meets on the way certain animals or birds or a corpse, a blind man or an enemy, if he had to face a hot and strong-smelling head-wind etc. The messenger must also not come to the physician when he is sleeping, lies undressed on the ground, is anointed, bears loose hair, perspires or offers sacrifice to Gods or fathers etc. It is, on the other hand, favourable if the messenger is white-clothed, clean, with delightful appearance, is of the caste of the patient, sits in a cart pulled by oxen etc. (Su 1.29; AS 3.12; AHr 2.6)