this paste and roasted in a pit of fire. The process is repeated 

 seven times, when the stone is easily reduced to a fine powder. 

 Another process consists in roasting the diamord enclosed in a 

 paste made of horn-shavings, for three times in succession. 

 Diamond thus prepared is said to he a powerful alterative tonic 

 that improves nutrition, increases the strength and firmness of 

 the body and removes all sorts of diseases. Dose about one grain. 



Diamond enters into the composition of several alterative and 

 tonic medicines, such as the Trailahja chintdmani rasa, Ratnagiri- 

 rasa, Sarvdnga sundara rasa, etc. These medicines are similar in 

 composition. They all contain diamond, pearls, gold, iron, talc, 

 mercury, etc., in varying proportions and are used in similar 



cases. 



TraiMkya chintdmam rasa 1 is thus prepared. Take of diamond, 

 gold and pearls, each one part, iron, talc and liusa nndtfa or red 

 preparation of mercury, four parts each, rub together with the 

 juice of Aloe Indira and make into two-grain pills. This medicine 

 is used as an alterative tonic with suitable adjuncts in various 

 diseases. 



PEARLS AND CORAL. 



Sans. g*>T M'lh-td, Pearl*, mm Pravala, Coral. 



Thesi,; gems have been used in medicine from a very ancient 

 period and are mentioned by Susruta. Pearls are purified by 

 being boiled in the juice of the leaves of Setbania andcata 

 (jayanti), or of the flowers of Agati grandiflora (vaka). Coral is 

 purified by being boiled in a decoction of the three myrobalans. 

 Both are prepared for medicinal use by being calcined in covered 



powder. The properties of bot! 



cruo 



these articles are said to be alike and they are generally used in 



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