This paper was presented at the International Workshop on mantras and ritual diagrams in Hinduism, held in Paris, 21-22 June1984. The complete text in French, which appeared in the Journal asiatique 1986, p.203, is based upon an analysis of Ayurvedc literature from ancient times down to the present and of numerous Sanskrit sources concerning he specialized sciences: alchemy and latrochemisry, v...

Today’s computing mantra is “One keyboard, one mouse, one display, one computer, one user, one role, one administration”; in short, one of everything. However, if several people try to use the same computer today, or cross adminstrative boundaries, or change roles from work to home life, chaos generally ensues. Several hardware technologies will soon push this limited model of computing beyond ...