History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s2.1

v1.c18.s2.1

The review of this text revealed that there are number of metallic compounds but no mercurial compound suitable for internal use is found referred to in this text. Besides metallic compounds seven metals (gold, silver, copper, bell metal, Iron, tin & lead) are found described under ‘Trapvādigana’ (SS.Su.38/30) This text has also described the common properties of the drugs of ‘Trapvādi’ group. Not only this the properties of each metal (SS. Su. 46/360-365) are also found described here, which are not seen in earlier text (Caraka Saṃhitā). Apart from metals a few minerals and their compounds are also found described under ‘Uṣakadigana’ (SS. Su. 38/18), the drugs of gem group in ‘Manivarga’ (SS. Su. 46/366) and the types of Salts in ‘Lavaṇa Varga’ (SS. Su. 46/343).