History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c37.s1.18

c37.s1.18

The preparation of mineral acids is incidentally described in several exclusively medical works, composed probably in the 16th and the 17th centuries; e.g. in Rasakaumudi by Madhava, Rasaratnapradipa and Bhaishajyaratnavali by Govindadasa, etc ...... In the last work under the heading of *mahadravakarasa*, directions are given for distilling a mixture of, among other things, alum, green vitriol, sal-ammoniac, saltpetre and borax in a glass retort In this way a dilute solution of nitro-muriatic acid is obtained, which is prescribed in the derangement of liver and spleen. There is a similar recipe in which, in addition to the above ingredients, rock-salt and sea-salt are used, thus yielding what is called *samkhadravaka* (lit. solvent for conch-shell).