1903. j D. Hooper — Silajit: an ancient Eastern Medicine. 103 



It has heating properties, and is used in piles, leprosy, pleurisy, worms, 

 asthma, gonorrhoea, and it is a specific for debility and for kidney and 

 bladder diseases. Dr. Hem Chandra Sen, in a recent paper on "Shilajatu" 

 in the Indian Medical Record, for 14th and 2lst May, 1902, recommends it 

 as digestive and laxative, suitable for dyspepsia, diabetes, diseases of the 

 liver and spleen, to regulate the action of the heart, and as a good respira- 

 tory stimulant and expectorant. And finally, it is said to be a sheet anchor 

 in diseases of the genito-urinary organs and of the nervous system. The 

 Taleef Shereef says : " It is one of the most powerful remedies, and is 

 stronger than any other ingredient in whatever formulas it may form a 

 part. It is the favourite medicine of all Hindu physicians." The author 

 of Charaka says that there is no curable disease which will not yield 

 to shilajatu in judicious combination with other drugs. 



The medicinal uses of silajit are hence most varied, and it is 

 difficult to realise what active therapeutic principles can affect this long 

 list of ailments. Before European physicians can prescribe white, black, 

 or brown silajit for any disorder, we must ascertain more exactly 

 the nature of the chief ingredient, and be able to procure a regular 

 supply of a uniformly prepared medicine. It is open to reason that no 

 drug will become popular if no guarantee be given as to whether 

 it belongs to the animal, vegetable or mineral kingdom. 



Silajit is allied to another ancient drug named momiyia which 

 has long been employed in the East. The original drug is said to have 

 been made from Egyptian mummies, and subsequently to have been 

 prepared by boiling down and extracting the essence of Abyssinian boys. 

 Since the last source of supply has become scarce, several bituminous 

 exudations are reported to have been substituted. There is little doubt 

 that some forms of silajit may be entered in this category. 



In conclusion, it will be necessary to alter the definition of this 

 substance given in Indian glossaries. In a geological work it is called 

 "Alum, " and in more than one medical work it is termed " Bitumen ; " 

 but, from the evidence collated in the above notes, it is also an extractive 

 matter containing an organic acid combined with alkalis, and almost 

 completely soluble in water. 



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