vini to the patient, who thereby regained consciousness, and experienced complete relief. This incident clearly shows that brain-surgery, which is considered one of the greatest achievements of modern science, was not unknown to the Indians. This is not a solitary instance. Jivaka, the personal physician of Buddha, is recorded to have practised cranial surgery with the greatest success. There are on record successful cases of abdominal section also. Thus it will be seen that the ancient Hindoos performed operations regarded as "triumphs of modern surgery." Sammohini served the purpose of chloroform, but there is hardly a drug in the modern Pharmacopoeia corresponding with Sanjivini, which no doubt minimised the chances of "deaths under anaesthetics" that at present sometimes occur.
During the Mahomedan rule (a.c. 1001-1707), the Indian medicine began to show signs of decay. The reason is obvious. No art or science can flourish without the moral and material support of the government of the day. The Mahomedan conquerors brought with them their own Hakeems or doctors. The whole country was in an unsettled condition, not suitable for carrying on scientific investigations. The
