And that’s what the king did. Saying, “Yes, sir,” Jīvaka went to that merchant, examined him, and said, “If I were to cure you, what fee would you pay me?” “I would give you all my wealth, doctor, and I would become your slave.”

“Are you able to lie on one side for seven months?” “I am.” “Are you able to lie on the other side for seven months?” “I am.” “Are you able to lie on your back for seven months?” “I am.” Jīvaka then had the merchant lie down on a bed. He bound him to the bed, removed some skin from his head, opened a suture in the skull, and removed two insects. He showed them to the crowd, saying, “Sirs, look at these two insects, one small and one large. The doctors who said he would live for five days had seen the large insect. In five days it would have destroyed the merchant’s brain. Because of that he would have died. Those doctors were right. And those doctors who said he would live for seven days had seen the small insect. In seven days it would have destroyed the merchant’s brain. Because of that he would have died. Those doctors were right, too.” He then closed the suture in the skull, sewed the skin back together, and applied an ointment.