The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s8.10

c4.s8.10

Vishamajvarántaka lauha.² This is another compound metallic preparation containing iron and much used in chronic fever. To prepare it, take of mercury obtained by sublimation of cinnabar, and sulphur, each one tolá. Rub them together and melt over the fire in an iron ladle as in the preparation called Rasaparpati, described under mercury. Then take of prepared gold, one quarter of a tolá, prepared iron, copper, and talc, two tolás each, prepared tin, red ochre, and corals, half a tolá each, roasted pearls, conch-shell and bi-valve shell, each a quarter of a tolá. Beat all these ingredients together into a mass with the aid of water. Inclose the mass within bi-valve shells, cover the shells with a layer of clay and roast them lightly in cow-dung fire. This medicine is given in doses of four grains with the addition of long pepper, rock salt and assafœtida, each four grains, and a little honey. It is taken once daily in the morning and is said to be useful in chronic fever, spleen and liver diseases etc.