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1. Now at that time the Bhikkhus who were sick had need of roots for medicine.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
I allow you, O Bhikkhus, the use of roots as medicine--turmeric, ginger, orris root, white orris root, ativisa, black hellebore, usîra root, bhaddamuttaka, and whatsoever other roots are used for medicine, and impart an appetising flavour to foods, either hard or soft, which the sick Bhikkhus could not otherwise eat 1. They may be received, and stored up your life long; and, if there be necessity, they may be eaten. If eaten without necessity, (the Bhikkhu who uses them) is guilty of a dukkata offence.'
2. Now at that time the Bhikkhus who were sick
had need for medicine of different sorts of flour made from roots.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
I allow you, O Bhikkhus, the use of a grind-stone, and of another stone to grind upon 1.'
44:1 Literally, 'which impart the quality of eatableness to not eatable food, either hard or soft.'