GENERAL HEALTH RULES

official source: Carya'carya Part 3

cross-references: none

this version: is the printed Carya'carya Part 3, 5th edition, version  	(spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most  	up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition.

	(1) Body and clothing must be kept neat and clean.

	(2) After urinating use water or cleanse yourself by some other means.

	(3) Pay attention to the regular clearing of the bowels.

	(4) Do not sleep on a soft bed.

	(5) When taking a bath, all parts of the body, in particular the armpits and groin, should be cleaned properly. Soap, oil, and comb should be used every day. The body hair should never be cut, especially in the armpit and pubic region.

	(6) Before morning and evening sa'dhana', either do vya'paka shaoca or take full bath.

	(7) Before and after meals, and before sleep, do vya'paka shaoca with cold water. If it is very cold, use lukewarm water.

	(8) Drink a sufficient quantity of water every day, but do not drink too much at any one time.

	(9) Sleeping during the day and staying awake at night are to be avoided. 

	(10) All intoxicants are ta'masika and are to be discarded like poison.

For males:

	(1) Immediately upon reaching adolescence (in India, one reaches adolescence in between the ages of twelve and fourteen), males should start using Kaopiina (laungot'a') and should pull back the foreskin of the penis.

	(2) The foreskin should be pulled back and the area washed and kept clean. 

	(3) Never indulge in bad practices, such as masturbation, etc.

For females:

	(1) Women must make it a habit to spend some time outdoors every day in the open air and the sunshine.

	(2) The best room of the house should be used for giving birth.

	(3) During the period of menstruation:

	(a) Women must not bend forward to lift heavy loads and utensils.

	(b) They must not touch any adult male.

	(c) They should not blow conch shells or sing loudly.

	(d) They should not remain in close proximity to fire.

	(e) They should eat nutritious and easily-digestible food.

	(f) They should not exert themselves excessively.

	If mothers are not healthy themselves, their children cannot remain healthy. So a mother who has the welfare of her children uppermost in her mind should keep a careful watch on her own health. A woman should be allowed to rest and abstain from all sorts of household chores for at least twenty-one days after child-birth.

	(g) Ashokas'as't'hii and Ashoka's't'amii observances:*

	On the Ashokas'as't'hii day every menstruating woman should take in one gulp six mung or ma's'akala'i seeds along with six ashoka flowers or buds. They should be taken either in a ripe banana or with water or milk. Similarly, on the Ashoka's't'amii day, eight mung or ma'sakala'i seeds and eight Ashoka flowers or buds should be taken.

      * Where the items to be taken on these days are not easily obtainable, the women of that place are not required to take them.

      (4) Married women and widows should also observe Ashokas'as't'hii and Ashoka's't'amii vows. On other s'as't'hii days they should eat fruits and roots instead of rice and bread during the day, and in the evening must never eat rice or similar preparations.

For children:

	The main diet for children who are under five years of age is milk, fruits and roots. It is not proper, under any circumstances, to offer non-vegetarian food to children who are under five years of age. When they have reached the age of five, food containing sugar, starch and fatty substances can be given in increasing amounts. Alkaline food is the most beneficial for children.

	It is also good to give lime-water* (after the lime sediments have settled) to children from time to time.

	It is particularly beneficial for children to spend some time every day in the fresh air and sunshine.

      *I.e., mineral lime.