Page:A Short History of Aryan Medical Science.djvu/143

VII.] of the principal metals or their compounds) possess the properties of such metals, though in a lesser degree, and are also seven, viz. : — Suvarnamakshika (yellow pyrites), Taramakshika (white pyrites), Tuttha (sulphate of copper), Kansya (brass), Keeti (calcined zinc), Sindura (red oxide of lead) and Shilajita (bitumen).

(mercury) is treated under the name of Rasa (pleasure), as its presence in the com- position of medicines is supposed to afford great satisfaction to the Vaidyas. It is called the principal Easa, as distinguished from the Uparasas or secondary Rasas, which are Gandhaka (sulphur), Hingula (red sulphide of mercury), Abhraka (mica), Manasshila (bisulphide of arsenic), Talaka (tersulphide of arsenic), Srotan- jana (sulphide of lead), Tankana (borax), Rajavarta (lapis lazuli), Chumbaka (loadstone), Sfatika (alum), Kasisa (sulphate of iron), Rasaka (carbonate of zinc) and Bodara (litharge).

The precious stones mentioned in Materia Medica are also divided into two classes — principal and secondary. The principal gems are nine, their names being : Heera (diamond), Padmaraga (ruby), Nila (sapphire), Garutmat (emerald), Pushparaga (topaz), Gomeda (onyx),