The physician

The editor reports the author's description of the physician (chapter 7, verse 38): truthful, steady, forgiving, deft of hand, able to prepare medicines himself, experienced in major treatments, learned in all the śāstras and diligent, treating patients like his own sons. He explains the two kinds of physician, one versed only in texts and one skilled only in practice, the best being master of both, and the author's warning (chapter 7, verse 49) that an ignorant physician who treats out of greed kills his patients and should be restrained by kings.