History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c36.s1.4

c36.s1.4

[The shining reddish-brown crystalline sublimate of sulphide of mercury thus obtained is a favourite and frequently used remedy with the Hindu physicians It is reputed to be a panacea for a variety of ills that human flesh is heir to. In the Rasendrachintamani and Rasendrasarasamgraha and other treatises, this preparation is described as *makaradhvaja* and *rasasindura* (lit. minium like mercury). From the supposed presence of gold it is often named *svarnasindura* (lit gold and vermilion). During sublimation, the gold, of course, is left behind. The general belief is that by association with gold the mercury acquires the most potent efficacy. A later work, Rasapradipa, is sceptical about the part which gold plays and recommends its being left out.]