The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s11.t1.20

c4.s11.t1.20

Tin is purified by melting it over the fire and pouring the melted fluid into the milky juice of *Calotropis gigantea* (*arka*). It is prepared for medicinal use by melting it in an iron cup, adding to it one-fourth part of its weight of *yavakshára* (impure carbonate of potash) and powdered tamarind shells, and agitating with an iron rod till the mass is reduced to a fine powder. It is then washed in cold water and dried over a gentle fire. The resulting product is a greyish white powder consisting chemically of oxide of tin with some impurities. It is chiefly used in urinary disorders in a variety of forms. Thus the simple powder may be given in four-grain dose every morning with honey, or one of the following preparations may be used.