The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s8.t2.2

c4.s8.t2.2

IRON pyrites is met with in many parts of India, and has been used in medicine from a very remote period. It occurs in two forms, namely, in dark yellow nodules with a golden lustre, and in silvery radiated crystals. The former is called *Svarṇamákshika* and the latter *Táramákshika*. The ancients supposed that they contained gold and silver respectively, in combination with other ingredients, and possessed in part the properties of those precious metals.* Chemically iron pyrites consists of bisulphide of iron. It is purified by being boiled in lemon juice with one-third of its weight of rock-salt in an iron vessel, till the pot turns red hot. It is reduced to powder by being rubbed with oil or goat's urine and then roasted in a closed crucible. Iron pyrites thus prepared has a sweetish bitter taste. It is considered as tonic, alterative and useful in anæmia, urinary diseases, ascites, anasarca, prurigo, eye diseases etc. As an alterative tonic it is generally used in combination with other medicines of its class, such as iron, talc, mercury etc. The following is an example. Take of prepared iron, sesamum seeds, long pepper, black pepper and ginger, each one part, iron pyrites five parts. Beat into a mass with honey. Dose about half a drachm in advanced anæmia.¹