ALFNA. 73 



/ 



proper Sanskrit name and was unknown to the ancients. In .« 



recent compilations it is occasionally introduced as a component 

 of some compound preparation*. Carbonate of lead, called eaffedd, 

 now common in the bazars and extensively used as a paint, is not 

 mentioned by the ancient writers. The name saffedd is of Persian 

 origin, and the* article itself is an imported one. 



Lead is purified and reduced to powder in the .same way as 

 tin. Lead thus prep 'ed is a gritty powder of a greyish red 



t 



colour. Chemically it is an impure carbonate of lead. Its 

 properties are said to be similar to those of tin. It is seldom used 

 internally except as a component of compound medicines contain- 

 ing a number of other metals. A probe made of lead is preferred 

 for applying collyria to the eyelids. 



The red oxide of lead, called stridura, is used externally in 

 eruptive skin diseases in the form of ointment- or liniment. Thus 

 rindura and powdered black pepper mixed with butter is recom* 

 fiended to be applied in chronic eczema. An oil called Sindurddya 

 faila 1 is thus prepared. Take of mustard oil one seer, water four 

 seers, minium four tolas and cumin seeds eight tolas. Boil 

 together in the usual way. This oil is used in eczema and other 

 eruptive skin diseases. 



GALENA. 



Sans, ffpr, Anjana. ^tlkraT, Sanrirnvjana. 



Galena or sulphide oE lead is called anjana or savvimnjana 

 in Sanskrit, and krishna surma in Vernacular. It is called anjana, 

 which literally means collyrium or medicine for the eyes, from 

 the circumstance of its being considered the best application or 

 cosmetic for them. The other varieties of anjana mentioned are 

 rnton/'inn, pmhpdnj&nn and rasdnjana, 



$lfm**t & urirdnjana is said to be obtained from the moun- 

 tains of Sauvira, a country along the Indus, whence it derives H 



l. ft^tro* item i ftn^rt fq7T *^ w ** g " TI ^^ 17 t 



10 



*w: i 



