[124] Leech was formerly a common name for the physician; such was the meaning of the Anglo-Saxon _læce_ and the Gothic _leikeis_. [125] History of Greece, vol. i, p. 179. [126] Lenormant says that the Oriental Gandarvas, or celestial horses, which represented the rays of the sun, gave the name and the first idea of the Grecian Centaurs. Ancient History of the East, vol. ii, p. 13. Mr. Sayce holds that “Hea-bani, the confidant and adviser of Gisdhubar, is the Kentaur Kheiron.” The Ancient Empires of the East, p. 156. New York, 1884. [127] Iliad, xi. [128] Pythian Ode, vi. [129] This may have been a fraxinus, or true ash,—a famous tree in mythical history. The mountain-ash, or rowan-tree (_Pyrus aucuparia_), however, has been believed from time immemorial to possess great magical powers. It averted fascination, evil spirits, and diseases. Faith in it is still wide-spread. See Curiosities of Indo-European Tradition and Folk-lore, by Walter K. Kelly, p. 158 _et seq._ London, 1863. [130] Iliad, xix. [131] _Ibid._, xi. [132] Nemean Ode, iii. [133] It is worthy of remark that, while the form of Chiron, or Cheiron, serves as a pharmacist’s symbol, he has, probably, bequeathed his name to the healer of wounds and the like,—the surgeon. The word surgeon is from the Latin, _chirurgus_, or, rather, the French, _chirurgien_. Chirurgeon has some standing as an English word. The Latin, _chirurgus_, is usually said to have come from the Greek, χειρουργικος, a word compounded of χειρ, the hand, and ἐργος, worker, meaning one who works with the hand. It seems likely, however, that the name of the Centaur, χειρων, suggested the application of the word to the surgeon. [134] Diodorus, iv; Pindar’s Pythian Ode, iii. [135] Apollodorus, ii. [136] Hyginus. Poet. Ast., ii. [137] Natural History, xxix. [138] Æneid, vii. [139] Pythian Ode, iii. [140] Natural History, xxix. [141] Republic, b. iii. [142] _Ibid._ [143] This policy is inculcated in the “Institutes of Menu.” The incurable Hindu is directed to proceed toward the invincible northeast, living on air and water. Exposure in battle is also advised. [144] Herodicus introduced the new practice. He was a sickly trainer, and did what he could to keep well; “and so,” says Plato, “dying hard by the help of science, he struggled on to old age.” Republic, b. iii. [145] Pythian Ode, iii. [146] History of Greece, vol. i, p. 159. [147] Pindar and various tragedians. [148] Republic. [149] Says Ahura-Mazda: “The man who has a wife is far above him who begets no son; he who keeps a house is far above him who has none; he who has children is far above the childless man.” Zend Avesta. [150] Iliad, ii. [151] Hand-Book of Ancient Art and its Remains, p. 12. [152] Strabo, xii, 5. [153] A toga of limited dimensions. [154] Ancient Art and its Remains, p. 131. [155] Cyprus. London, 1877. [156] Handy-book of the British Museum, 1870.