Note 237 — Chapter I
Reading edition
Persons suffering from white leprosy, black leprosy, consumption and diseases of the eyes are believed to be cured by the observance of the Bīj and Punema vows.237 Consumption in its incipient and latter stages is also said to be cured by exposure to the rays of the moon.238 Constant glimpses of the moon add to the lustre of the eyes.239 On the Sharad-Punema, or the 15th day of the bright half of Ashvin (the last month of the Gujaratis and the 7th month of the Deccani Hindus), tailors pass a thread through their needles in the belief that they will thereby gain keener eyesight.240