Commentary on the Hindu system of medicine / by T.A. Wise.

  • Thomas Alexander Wise
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Commentary on the Hindu system of medicine / by T.A. Wise. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    150/472 page 118
    the other metals are described, and were probably introduced into Hindustan two or three hundred years ago, probably for mercenary purposes ; as the Physician, before the recovery of his patient, only eceived his-recompence for the medicine he prescribed. . The metals now used in medicine are as follows :—Quicksilver, gold, silver, copper, iron, lead and zinc. 1. Mercury (Sfitam, Rasa or Parada.) - Quicksilver is found in Thibet ; in the form of cinnabar, and in its native state in Nepal. Shiv declared to Durga that, if properly prepared, quicksilver will cure all diseases, even should they be of a fatal nature. Quicksilver is used either in its metallic state, or reduced so as to lose its peculiar properties. In both forms it is useful for the cure of diseases. Quicksilver is often in an impure state, as when it is mixed with blacklead, stone, poison, tin, or other impurities of the same kind ; another bad quality is when it resembles fire, and when it disperses in different directions. Good quicksilver is of a slight blueish colour, like water internally and externally, and bright like the sun at mid-day. It is also good when it has a brownish, or whitish colour; but if it has a mottled appearance it is not good. To purify quicksilver from lead ; mix it with rice-water and expose the mixture to fire, which will remove its bad ingredients. To purify quicksilver from ¢in ; mix it with the powder of Vishal (Cucumis colocynthis) and Ankotha (Alangium hexapetalum), and then expose the mixture to fire. To remove the other impurities, add the juice of Cassia fistula. To purify quicksilver when it separates into globules ; mix it with the juice of datura and lime, and then expose it to heat. To destroy the poisonous qualities of quicksilver mix the three kinds of Myrobalan, and then expose it to heat. It is thus fit for use. Quicksilver is the semen of Shiv; and being difficult to prepare, the practitioner is first to pray to Vishnu, &c., on a lucky day ; and agreeable presents are to be made to virgins, and families of Brah- mins before the process is commenced. The following prayer is then to be offered up to Shiv. ‘O Ugra(wrathful one!) Isalute you! and O Ugra, I pay my rever- ence ! Goraksha, Ishwara, Sarva, Shiva and Bhadra ; I salute your different forms ; and ask your gracious assistance in rendering this medicine successful.’ The quantity of mercury to be prepared should not be less than one pala; and some say when only a small quantity can be obtained, prepare two tolds. To purify mercury so as to render it fit for being used as medi-
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