SULPHATE OF IRON. 55 



SULPHATE OK IRON. 



Sans. ^]$\n kdsisa. 



Native sulphate of iron is indigenous to India, and has been 



used in medicine from a very ancient age. Two sorts of sulphate 

 of iron are mentioned, namely, Dhdtiikdd* or green variety and 

 Phushpa kdsis or yellowish variety. The latter is evidently 

 sulphate of iron, covered with the basic sulphate of the sesqui- 

 oxide from absorption of oxygen. It would seem that the ancient 

 Hindus did not know sulphate of iron, as an iron compound. It is 

 neither described as a tonic nor used in combinations with iron 

 like iron pyrites and iron rust. It is seldom used internally. 

 I have met with only one prescription by Chakradatta, who 

 recommends a linetus coniposed of sulphate of iron and pulp of 

 wood apple, in hiccup. 1 



Externally, it is used in skin diseases along with other medi- 

 cines. Thus take of sulphate of iron, gall-stone of cows ( goro* 

 cJiand ) rusof and orpiment, equal parts and beat into to a pas to 

 with hdnjika. It is useful in intertrigo, pruritis etc. 2 



Kasisndyataila? Take of sesamum oil four seers, water sixteen 

 seers, sulphate of iron, wood of Withania sommfera (asvagandhd), 

 hark of Syraplocos raccmosa (ledlira), root of Pothos officinalis 

 (gajapippnW) each sixteen tolas. Beat the solid ingredients into 

 a paste and boil it with the oil and water in the usual way. This 

 oil is recommended to be applied to the genitals and the breasts 

 with the view of strengthening these parts. 



2. ^it^Iw fH«ii<H * ft m*i wmi* i *naf<re: n^s^i inpr^ fc- 



Vft: n 



*ra: i 



:'.. mjnftnFEra»i^ i *ntfiug**w**i ww^iifvqiftfiiTO* i n^t ?nfa 



ifif HTJF^TTffalPTfa II 



wmii 



