S3 SANSKRIT MATERTA MEDfCA. 



CARBONATE OF POTASH. 



Sans, ^nrvTTf Yavakslidra. 

 Tnr3 article, as well as the next one called sarjikdtokdra, is 



mentioned by Susruta, and has been used in medicine from a 

 very remote period. Yurakslwm is prepared by reducing to ashes 

 the green spikes of the barley (Hordeum hexasHchnm) , dissolving 

 the ashes in water, straining the solution through thick cloth, 

 and evaporating it over the fire. The resulting fnli is a clear 

 amorphous powder with a saline and partly acid taste. Cherai- 

 nally it is carbonate of potash with some impurities. YavahMra 

 is described as stomachic, laxative and diuretic. It is used in 

 urinary diseases, dyspepsia, enlarged spleen and other enlarge- 

 ments of the abdominal viscera. A decoction of ohelmhc 

 myrobalan and rohitaka bark is given with the addition of 

 carbonate of potash and long pepper in enlarged spleen and liver, 

 and in tumours in the abdomen called gulma} In strangury or 

 painful micturition, carbonate of potash with sugar is considered 

 a very efficacious remedy. 2 It enters into the composition, or 

 numerous saline medicines. 



CARBONATE OF SODA. 



Sons. ^fsi^T^TT Sarjihdkshdra. Torn. Sdjji. 



Sdjji or barilla is produced from several species of salt-worts 

 growing in brackish soil in the Punjab and North- West Provinces. 

 The process of manufacturing sdjji is described in full detail in 

 the "Report on Punjab Products." The plants are out down 

 during the cold months, dried and burnt in a pit of a hemis- 

 pherical shape, about six feet in circumference and three feet 

 deep. At the bottom of this pit, one or more inverted ghards or 

 earthen vessels having small holes pierced in their upper portion 



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