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138 given in small doses. The number of physicians using mineral remedies is not large ; for the general belief is that the metals, if not carefully and properly prepared, do more harm than good. Only those who are experts in this practice inspire confidence in their patients. The literature on metallic remedies is very voluminous among; the Hindoos.

As has already been said, the metals before being calcined must in the first place be purified. Different modes are prescribed for purifying different metals. One of the simple processes of purifying gold is to manufacture the metal into thin plates ; make these red-hot, and then dip them into sweet oil ; again heat the plates red ; plunge them into whey ; heat them a third time ; cool them in cow's urine and sour gruel ; repeat this process seven times, and lastly dip the red-hot metal into Kulatha (a kind of vetch). The metal then becomes pure and free from all deleterious matter. It is then subjected to the process of "killing" or oxidation, with the object of reducing it to bhasama. Of the many processes described, the following may be taken as an example : — Let the purified gold be melted in a crucible with one-sixteenth part of its