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[Sinhala palm-leaf medical manuscripts, cover and two leaves]
[Sinhala palm-leaf medical manuscripts, cover and two leaves]
Two views of Sinhala palm-leaf medical manuscripts (ca. 1700) with authorship unknown called Medical charms (MS S6). The image on the left displays two opposing leaves which show crude anatomical drawings and doodles. The image on the right shows the red lacquered wood cover which incorporates golden floral ornamentation. The very brittle leaves are held together with a single cord. Sinhalese physicians deployed these manuscripts as signs of medical learning and prestige. Medical charms were employed for health and wellbeing bridging the line between magic and early medicine.
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The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)