The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s15.2

c4.s15.2

FOUR varieties of talc are described by Sanskrit writers, namely, white, red, yellow and black. Of these the white variety is used as a substitute for glass in making lanterns etc, and the black variety called *vajrábhra* is used in medicine. It is of a black colour, hard and heavy, and generally known by the name of *krishnábhra* or *sheábhra*.