A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c16.s3.7

v1.c16.s3.7

The preparation of mineral acids is incidentally described in several exclusively medical works, composed probably in the 16th and 17th centuries, e. g. "Rasakaumudī" by Mādhava, Rasaratnapradīpa, and "Bhaishajyaratnāvalī" by Govindadāsa, &c. In the last work under the heading of mahādrāvakarasa, directions are given for distilling a mixture of, among other things, alum, green vitriol, salammoniac saltpetre and borax in a glass retort. In this way a dilute solution of nitro-muriatic acid is obtained, which is prescribed in derangement of liver and spleen. We have a similar recipe in which in addition to the above ingredients, rock-salt and sea-salt are used, thus yielding what is called “samkhadrāvaka” (lit. solvent for conch-shell.)