The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s21: Carbonate of Soda
The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s21
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Carbonate of Soda
c4.s21.1
*Sans.* सर्जिकाक्षार *Sarjikákshára*. *Vern.* *Sájji*.
c4.s21.2
*Sájji* or barilla is produced from several species of salt-worts growing in brackish soil in the Punjab and North-West Provinces. The process of manufacturing *sájji* is described in full detail in the "Report on Punjab Products". The plants are cut down during the cold months, dried and burnt in a pit of a hemispherical shape, about six feet in circumference and three feet deep. At the bottom of this pit, one or more inverted *gharás* or earthen vessels having small holes pierced in their upper portion are buried. The holes are kept closed at the commencement of the operations. Into the pit is thrown a small quantity of the plants and burnt, fresh plants being gradually added to keep up a constant fire, and this is continued till the pit fills up. During this process a liquid matter exudes from the plants. As soon as this is observed the orifices in the *gharás* are opened and the liquid runs down into them below the fire. After all the liquid has run down, the ashes are stirred up with a stick and covered over with earth. The alkali found in the earthen vessels is *sájji* of the first quality, called *sájji lotá* because it is found in the *lotá* or pot. The residuary mass in the pit is crude dirty potash.
c4.s21.3
*Sarjikákshára* or *sájji*, as used in medicine, occurs in porous granular masses of a greyish white colour, and with a strong alkaline taste of soda. Chemically, it consists of carbonate of soda with certain impurities, such as organic matter, sulphate of soda, potash etc. The properties of *sarjiká* are said to be like but somewhat inferior to those of *yavakáshara*. It is chiefly used in combination with other medicines of its class in the treatment of acidity, dyspepsia, and enlargements of the abdominal viscera. Externally it is used as a caustic.
c4.s21.4
*Sájji*, or barilla, should not be confounded with *sájimati* or fuller's earth. The latter is earth impregnated with soda and not a barilla. *Sájimáti* occurs in great abundance on the surface of the soil in many parts of India, and is chiefly used in washing cloth. The following is an example of a saline medicine containing *sarjiká*.
c4.s21.5
*Sarjikádya churna*. 1 Take of *sarjikákshára* and *yavakshára*, rock, sonchal, vit, sámbar and *karkach* salts in equal parts, powder, soak in lemon juice or the juice of pomegranate fruits and dry in the sun. Dose about twenty grains. This medicine is said to promote the appetite, to remove local swellings or tumours in the abdomen and to cure dyspepsia with severe pain after meals.
c4.s21.6
A paste made of equal parts of *yavakshára* and *sarjikákshára* with water is applied to abscesses, for the purpose of opening them.