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Appendix 2: Preparation of Metals for MedicinalNow is related the Rasáyana, or preparation of metals for medicinal purposed. First RecipeFor the curing of diseases caused by quicksilver.? Take sixty-four Tolas (each three drachms) of the juice of betel-plant (Piper betel); mix with equal quantities of the juice of Bhringárajá (Eclipta prostrata), juice of the Tulsi (Ocymum basilicum=herb basil) and goat?s milk; and rub the mixture into all parts of the body for two days, each day two pahárs (=six hours) followed by a cold bath.Second RecipeFor reducing mercury to Bhasma (ashes=metallic oxide). Take of purified quicksilver and sulfur equal parts, and levigate with the sap of the Banyan-tree (Ficus indica); place the preparation in an earthen pot over a slow fire and stir with a stick of the Banyan-tree for a whole day. If two Gunjas (1.5 grs. troy) of this medicine be eaten at early morning in betel leaf; digestion is improved and the powers of copulation are increased.Third RecipeFor preparing Hemagarbha, the Elixir vitć which contains gold. Take three parts of purified quicksilver; one part and a half of sulfur; one part of gold; two parts of the ashes (metallic oxide) of copper and calx of pearls and coral, each one-tenth of a part. Levigate in a mortar for seven days with the juice of the Kumári (Aloe perfoliata), make into a ball, cover well with a piece of cotton cloth and place in an earthen vessel, containing a little sulfur: the mouth must be well closed, leaving for the escape of smoke a small hole which must be kept open with a needle if necessary. Set the vessel over a Válukayantra (bain marie, or sand-bath) under which a slow fire is kindled. After about half a Ghataká (12 minutes) the fire must be diminished and allowed to extinguish. Remove the ball and use as the doctor directs.Fourth RecipeFor reducing Haritál (Sansk, hartálaka, =sulfurate of arsenic, yellow orpiment) to ashes, or metallic oxide. Levigate yellow orpiment and knead it with the juice of the plant Nágar-jűni (a Cyperus-grass). Levigate again with the juice of the Pinpalli (Piper longum) and the Piper betel for two days. Make balls of the preparation; dry in shade; then set in earthen vessel in a bain marie. A hot fire must be kept up till the orpiment is thoroughly ?cooked,? and allow the fire to diminish and extinguish. Remove the balls from the vessel and use in every disease.Fifth RecipeFor absorbing all other metals by purified mercury. Thoroughly levigate quicksilver with the juice of the ?seven minor poisons,? viz., Arka (Callotropis gigantea), Sehunda (Euphorbia), Dhatura (Stramonium, white thorn-apple), Lángali (Jussiće repens), Karavira (oleander or Soma)? and opium. By this means mercury loses its wings and cannot fly, while it gets a mouth and eats up every metal with speed.Sixth RecipeA sovereign remedy against all diseases and death. Take abhraka (talc) and levigate with the milky sap of the Arka for the space of a day. Then wrap up the preparation in Arka-leaves and boil in a heap of Gobar (cow dung) cakes about two feet thick. Repeat this boiling with fresh leaves for seven times, then infuse the preparation three times in a decoction of Parámbi Maráthi, the fibrous roots of the Banyan-tree. In this way the mineral is `killed'; its impurities are removed and it becomes nishchandra talc. Boil equal parts of this and Ghee (clarified butter) in an iron vessel till the butter is absorbed, and it is ready for use; it cures every complaint, including old age and death. |
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