Page:A History of Hindu Chemistry Vol 1.djvu/188

38 the jar should be covered, and should be kept in a secluded place. This preparation is called madhyama kshāra or alkaline caustic of middling strength. When the alkaline water is simply boiled to the proper consistence without the addition of burnt shells, &c., the preparation is called mridu kshāra or weak alkaline solution. The strong alkaline caustic is prepared by boiling the weak solution with two tolahs each in fine powder of such of the under-mentioned ingredients as are available, namely:—

"Aconite root, carbonate of soda, asafœtida, black salt and corals.

"This solution is used for bringing to a head or opening abscesses. These three varieties of alka-