MERCUKY. 27 



Adityapdka taila} Take of sesamum oil four seeis, madder, 

 the three myrobalans, lad, turmeric, orpimeut, realgar and 

 sulphur equal parts, in all one seer. Mix and expose to the sun. 

 This oil is useful in eczema, scabies etc. 



In rheumatism it is used in combination with bdellium, as in 

 the following, called Sinhandda gugyulv? Take of sulphur eight 

 tolas, bdellium eight tolas, decootiou of the three myrobalans 

 seventy-two tolas, castor oil thirty-two tolas, mix and boil 

 together in an iron vessel till reduced to the consistence of a 

 confection. Dose about one drachm twice daily. It is useful in 

 chronic rheumatism, lameness, cough, asthma, and skin-diseases. 





MERCl'RY. 



&'( . xjfr^ Parada. jv( Uasu 



Mercury, though not mentioned by Charaku* and Susruta, has 

 in later days come to be regarded as the niost k important medicine 

 in the Hindu Pharmacopoeia. Parada literally means that which 

 protects, and mercury is so called because it protects mankind 



> 1. *TT*Wn 4idq « ( H «rf%ST faff^T STT^T fTOT ftmT3PT*nff: I ^j*t- 



^m: i 



: I 



vfi sitaft si ii ?f% mti w fir*' %vrf ^q^n^ i ^m *3*ft ^fa 



There is a passage in Charaka. iu the chapter on Kusktha or skin 

 diseases which some physicians construe into a re commendation for the use 



of mercury. It is this ^r^Tfaf^^TOm $ft W*i fwffa^. » ma 3 be 

 translated as follows. Keduced mercury which enres all diseases should be 

 taken by those affected with sldn- diseases. The term rasa, however, signifies 

 mercury as well as many other things, such as myrrh, sulphur, gold etc , 

 and since Charaka duos not mention parada, the principal name for mercury > 

 it is doubtful, if he really meant mercury by the term rasa. Supposing 

 however, ho did mean mercury, its u.se was, at al] Brents, in his time, confined 

 to skin. discuses only. 



