Chapter II: Part II: Some Simple Treatments

Chap. I. Air Treatment 83

Chap. II. Water Cure 86

Chap. III. The Use of Earth 95

Chap. IV. Fever and its Cures 98

Chap. V. Constipation, Dysentery, etc. 101

Chap. VI. Contagious Diseases Small-pox 104

Chap. VII. Other Contagious Diseases 112

Chap. VIII. Maternity and Child-Birth 117

Chap. IX. Care of Child 121

Chap. X. Accidents--Drowning 127

Chap. XI. Do --Burns and Scalds 130

Chap. XII. Do --Snake Bite 132

Chap. XIII. Do --Scorpion-sting, etc. 140

Chap. XIV. Conclusion 142

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE

In these days when the name of Mahatma Gandhi is identified with the momentous question of Non-Co-operation, it may come with a shock of surprise to most readers to be told that he is something of an authority on matters of Health and Disease as well. Very few of us perhaps are aware that he is the author of quite an original little Health-book in Gujarati. Those who think of him as a dreamy idealist or an unpractical visionary, with his head always in the clouds, will certainly be undeceived when they read this book replete from cover to cover with _practical_ observations on the most _practical_ question of Health. His views are of course radically different from the ordinary views that find expression in the pages of such books; in many cases, indeed, his doctrines must be pronounced revolutionary, and will doubtless be regarded by a certain class of readers as wholly impracticable. Even the most revolutionary of his doctrines, however, are based, not on the shifting quicksands of mere theory, but on the solid foundation of deep study, backed up by personal experience of nearly thirty years. He himself recognises that many of his views will hardly be accepted by the ordinary reader, but he has felt himself impelled by a stern sense of duty to give publicity to his convictions formed after so much of study and experience. Some at least however, of those who read his book cannot help being profoundly influenced by it. Such, at any rate, has been the case with me; and I have ventured to translate the book into English in the hope that others may also be benefitted likewise.

I should perhaps explain that I am not a student of Gujarati, the language of the original. I have used instead one of the two Hindi versions of the book. I should also point out that I have not attempted a literal or close translation, but only _a very free rendering_ into English. In some cases, whole passages have been omitted; and occasionally only the general sense of a passage has been given. It is hoped, however, that, in no single instance has there been a _misinterpretation_ of the original words.

I am aware that many errors might have crept in, as the translation had to be done in a hurry, and there was hardly anytime for revision. I hope to make a thorough revision of the book, in case a second edition is called for.

NATIONAL COLLEGE, }
TRICHINOPOLY, } A. RAMA IYER.
JULY 1921. }