CXABONATE OP SODA. 89 



are buried. The holes are kept closed at the commencement of 

 the operation. Into the pit is thrown a small quantity of the 

 plants and burnt, fresh plants being gradually added to keep up 

 a constant fire, and this is continued till the pit fills up. During 

 this process a liquid matter exudes from the plants. As soon as 

 this is observed the orifices in the ghards are opened and the 

 liquid runs down into them below the fire. After all the liquid 

 has run down, the ashes are stirred up with a stick and covered 

 over with earth. The alkali found in the earthen vessels is sdjji 

 of the first quality, called sdjji lota because it is found in the lota 

 or pot. The residuary mass in the pit is crude dirty potash. 



Sarjikdkshdra or sdjji, as used in medicine, occurs in porous 

 granular masses of a greyish white colour, and with a strong 

 alkaline taste of soda. Chemically, it corsists of carbonate of 

 soda with certain impurities, such as organic matter, sulphate of 

 soda, potash etc. The properties of sarjih'i are said to be like but 

 somewhat inferior to those of yavakshara. It is chiefly used in 

 combination with other medicines of its class in the treatment of 

 acidity, dyspepsia and enlargements of the abdominal viscera. 

 Externally it is used as a caustic. 



CI ' • • • 



bqjtfif or barilla, should not be confounded with sdjimdti or 



fuller's earth. The latter is earth impregnated with soda and not 



a barilla. Sdjim&ti occurs in great abundance on the surface of 



the soil in many parts of India, and is chiefly used in washing 



cloth. The following is an example of a saline medicine contain- 

 ing sarjihd. 



Sarjikddya churna} Take of sarjikdJcskdra and yarahshdra, 

 rock, sonchal, vit, sdmbar and Jcarkarh salts in equal parts, powder, 

 soak in lemon juice or the juice of pomegranate fruits and dry 

 *u the sun. Dose about twenty grains. Thia medicine is said to 





mfa i 



12 



