The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s6.22

c4.s6.22

The four preparations of mercury above mentioned, though described in most works on metalic medicines, are not, practically used in the treatment of disease under these names. In the present day the yellow preparation is not in use. The white form called *Rasakarpura* is now prepared, not according to the processes described in Sanskrit works, but by subliming the black sulphide of mercury with common or rock salt. In this form it is largely manufactured and sold in all the bazars. The red preparation is better known as *Rasa sindura*; and the black one as *Rasa parpati*. In fact, practically, prepared mercury means the red preparation or *Rasa sindura* and this is the form in which it is largely used. Besides this, the black and red sulphides of mercury are also used internally. The black sulphide is prepared by rubbing together equal parts of sulphur and mercury till the globules disappear. It is called *Kajjali*.¹ The red sulphide or cinnabar is called *hingula*. These four preparations, namely, cinnabar, the black sulphide called *Kajjali*, the red preparation called *Rasasindura*, and the *Rasakarpura* of the bazar, are the four principal forms in which mercury is used in Hindu medicine; that is, they constitute the basis of all the formulæ containing mercury.