Scope and Contents Handwritten note on paper affixed to exterior manuscript page reads: "Drawing of the Magic Circle - a charm invoked against disease, violent death, accident etc. The portrayal of demons shows good drawing, although the palm leaves are very old and show signs of continual use for several centuries. Ca. 1460 A.D. +Very rare+ Kandy, Ceylon."A modern tag with Sinhalese characters also accompanies the manuscript. The ola was originally marked 13 on the manuscript and on the...

Scope and Contents

Handwritten note on inside of wood cover reads: "Very rare medical treatise—Ola—written by a native doctor (Vederala) on the prepared leaves of the Talipot palm. 1500 A.D. Talipot palms about 1500 A.D. Some leaves missing. Collected by Dr. Andreas Nell. The silver button, laquered [sic] covers, and orthodox cord are modern. Donated by 'Dr. Casey Wood, Suisse Hotel, Kandy, (Ceylon)' [text in quotation marks is stamped]."

Scope and Contents

Handwritten note accompanying the manuscript reads: "An important series of drawings on prepared leaves of the Palm Tree, representing the nine planetary influences always to be consulted in prescribing medicines and in ceremonial dances for the cure of disease. Ca. 1550 A.D. +Very rare+ Handiwork good."

A modern tag with Sinhalese characters also accompanies the manuscript. The ola was originally marked 1 on the manuscript and on the accompanying tag.

Scope and Contents

Handwritten note on inside of wood cover reads: "A rare Medical treatise written by a native Ceylon doctor (Vederala) about 1560 A.D. The laquered [sic] cover, silver button and cord are modern. Collected by Dr. Andreas Nell of Colombo for 'Dr. Casey Wood, Suisse Hotel, Kandy, (Ceylon)' [text in quotation marks is stamped]. Written in Sinhalese on the prepared leaves of the Talipot palm."

Scope and Contents

Handwritten note on inside of wood cover reads: "Very old and rare Ola, written by a Vederala (native Ceylon doctor) on the selection of favorable days and hours for gathering and preparing medical remedies. The MS was probably made about 1570 A.D. Collected by Dr. Andreas Nell of Colombo, Ceylon for 'Dr. Casey Wood, Suisse Hotel, Kandy, (Ceylon)' [text in quotation marks is stamped]. Written in Sinhalese. The cord, button and laquered [sic] covers are modern, after antique models."

Content Description From the Collection:

The collection consists of 25 Sinhalese olas (manuscripts written on palm leaves) from Ceylon on medical subjects, written between 1400 and 1770 ce, by Vederalas (native Ceylon doctors). The collection also includes some miscellaneous palm leaves with writing that are fragments from other non-medical olas.

Scope and Contents

Handwritten note on inside of wood cover reads: "Sinhalese Ola, written on the prepared leaves of Talipot palm about 1600 A.D. The MS describes the curative methods of the ceremonial 'magical' witch or devil dances. The laquered [sic] covers, button and cords are modern; made in imitation of medieval orginals. Written in Sinhalese. Collected by Dr. Andreas Nell of Colombo for 'Dr. Casey Wood, Suisse Hotel, Kandy, (Ceylon)' [text in quotation marks is stamped]."

Scope and Contents Handwritten note on paper affixed to exterior manuscript page reads: "Ola of drawings illustrating an important charm beseeching the services of the 'Great God-King' in the cure and prevention of disease. Handiwork good, on the prepared leaf of the Palm. Ca. 1600 A.D."A modern tag with Sinhalese characters accompanies the manuscript. The tag is made of a scrap of Andreas Nell's stationary. The ola was originally marked 2 on the manuscript and on the accompanying tag. ...

Scope and Contents

Handwritten note on paper affixed to a manuscript page reads: "Ola. Talipot palm leaves of different dates, portraying gods and demons as a charm against disease and as a prophylactic. Several of the drawings are good. The oldest leaf about 1600 A.D."

Stamped "'Dr. Casey Wood, Suisse Hotel, Kandy, (Ceylon)."

A modern tag with Sinhalese characters also accompanies the manuscript. The ola was originally marked 6 on the manuscript and on the accompanying tag.

Scope and Contents Accompanying handwritten note on paper reads: "An important series of drawings made on the prepared leaves of the Talipot Palm. The calligraphy is good and constitutes a charm (based on the 'attitudes' of Buddha) against disease or other misfortunes. Ca. 1600 A.D. Rather rare. 'Dr. Casey Wood, Suisse Hotel, Kandy, (Ceylon)' [text in quotation marks is stamped]."A modern tag with Sinhalese characters also accompanies the manuscript.See ola no. 12 for another text...

Scope and Contents

Handwritten note accompanying ola reads: "Drawings on the prepared leaf of the (?) Talipot Palm. The images of one or more deities. This ola may be used by the carrier as a protective charm, against accident, serious injury or disease. Ca. 1650 A.D. Very rare."

Stamped "Dr. Casey Wood, Suisse Hotel, Kandy, (Ceylon)."

A modern tag with Sinhalese characters also accompanies the manuscript. The ola was originally marked 10 on the note and the tag.

Scope and Contents

Handwritten note on inside of wood cover reads: "Ola, written in Sinhalese on the prepared leaves of the Talipot palm in Kandy Ceylon, about 1660 A.D. The laquered [sic] covers etc. are modern. The subject is 'methods of determining auspicious hours' for collecting and dispensing remedies, departing on a journey, etc. Planetary influences in particular. Collected by Dr. Andreas Nell of Colombo, June, 1938."

Scope and Contents

Typewritten note on inside of wood cover reads: "Sinhalese ola (Book-Manuscript) ca. 1750 A.D. A pupil-physician's notebook containing directions for the treatment of vomiting and diarrhoea [sic]; also for making favorite powders, pills and decoctions. The script is on the prepared leaves of the Talipot Palm. The laquered [sic] wooden covers, the button and binding cord are modern but made by native Ceylon artists after old designs."

Scope and Contents

Typewritten note on inside of wood cover reads: "Sinhalese ola or Book-Manuscript of excellent penmanship, written ca. 1770 A.D. on the prepared leaves of the Talipot Palm. It is a Ceylon Student's notebook in both verse and prose, giving the treatment of Malaria, ulcers, skin diseases etc. The laquered [sic] covers, the coin button and the binding cord are not originals, having recently replaced the earlier adjuncts."

Scope and Contents

No description given. Some leaves lacking. Lacquered covers, button and cord modern after an old design.

Scope and Contents

No description supplied. Lacquered covers and cord, modern after an old design.

Scope and Contents

Further description not available. These are not complete olas, but only fragments of olas about non-medical subjects.