The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s8.t1.2

c4.s8.t1.2

NATIVE sulphate of iron is indigenous to India, and has been used in medicine from a very ancient age. Two sorts of sulphate of iron are mentioned, namely, *Dhátukásis* or green variety and *Phushpa kásis* or yellowish variety. The latter is evidently sulphate of iron, covered with the basic sulphate of the sesquioxide from absorption of oxygen. It would seem that the ancient Hindus did not know sulphate of iron, as an iron compound. It is neither described as a tonic nor used in combination with iron like iron pyrites and iron rust. It is seldom used internally. I have met with only one prescription by Chakradatta, who recommends a linctus composed of sulphate of iron and pulp of wood apple, in hiccup.¹