The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s15.4

c4.s15.4

वृद्धदारकम्। एतानि समभागानि संचूर्ण्य वटिकां कुरु। हरीतकीरसंदत्वा पञ्चगुञ्जामितां शुभाम्। एकैकां खादयेन्नित्यं शीतलञ्च जलं पिबेत्। श्लीपदं कफवातोत्थं रक्तमांसाश्रितञ्च यत्। मेदोगतं धातुगतं हन्त्यवश्यं न संशयः। अर्बुदं गण्डमालाञ्च अन्त्रवृद्धिं चिरन्तनीम्। वातवृद्धिं पित्तवृद्धिं श्लेष्मवृद्धिं निहन्ति च। अग्निवृद्धिं करोत्येवबलवर्णकरः परः। श्रीमद्हननाथेन निर्मितोविश्वसम्पदे। नित्यानन्द रसो नाम यथोक्तः श्लीपदे गदे॥ rubbed with paddy within a thick piece of cloth, when the powdered talc passes through the pores of the cloth in fine particles and is collected for use. Talc, thus reduced to powder, is called *dhányábhraka*. It is prepared for medicinal use by being mixed with cow's urine and exposed to a high degree of heat within a closed crucible, repeatedly for a hundred times. Sometimes the process is said to be repeated a thousand times. When this is the case, the preparation is called *sahasra putita abhra* and sold at high price (eight rupees per *tolá*). It is considered to be of superior efficacy. Prepared talc is a powder of brick-dust colour and a saline, earthy taste. Chemically it consists of silicate of magnesia with iron in excess. It is considered tonic and aphrodisiac and is used in combination with iron in anæmia, jaundice, chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, chronic fever, enlarged spleen, urinary diseases, impotence etc. Its efficacy is said to be increased by combination with iron. Dose, grains six to twelve.