A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c23.43

v1.c23.43

Chapter ten (viśīkhānupraveśanīya) 102 gives general directions for visiting a patient. 103 A fully qualified physician should, after obtaining royal permission, go to visit his patients, appropriately dressed, 104 without ostentation, friendly inclined, etc. (10.3). At a time when the signs regarding the messenger (dūta) 105 and the various kinds of omina 106 are auspicious, he should make his way to the patient's house and examine him by inspection, palpation and interrogation. Some say that this is usually sufficient, 107 which, however, is not correct. There are six ways of obtaining knowledge about diseases (vijñānopāya): the five senses and interrogation (10.4). The signs discernible by each of the senses and the information obtainable by questioning are dealt with in more detail (10.5). 108