A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c12.t7: Book VII. On the Laboratory
A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c12.t7
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Book VII. On the Laboratory
v1.c12.t7.1
The Laboratory is to be erected in a region, which abounds in medicinal herbs and wells . . .
v1.c12.t7.2
. . . it is to be furnished with the various apparatus. The *phallus* of mercury is to be placed in the east, furnaces to be arranged in the south-east, instruments in the south-west ; washing operations in the west ; drying in the north-west. . . . . . . The *koshtī* apparatus for the extraction of essences, the water vessels, a pair of bellows and various other instruments are slso to be collected as also the threshing and pounding mortars, the pestles, sieves of various degrees of fineness, earth for the crucibles, charcoal, dried cow-dung cake, retorts made of glass, earth, iron and conch-shells, ¹ iron-pans, &c. 1-18
v1.c12.t7.3
¹ Probably lime crucibles and retorts are meant.
v1.c12.t7.4
Those who are truthful, free from temptations, given to the worship of Devas and Brāhmanas, self-controlled and used to live upon proper diet and regimen—such are to be engaged in performing chemical operations. 30
v1.c12.t7.5
Such herbalists as are not deceitful and are well-versed in the knowledge of the drugs and plants and in the language of many countries should be employed. 32
v1.c12.t7.6
BOOK VIII