Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development c18.8

c18.8

(3) The Hindus were the first in the world to advocate the "internal" use of mercury. Pliny knew only of its external use (first century A.D.). By the sixth century it was well established among Hindu practioners as an aphrodisiac and tonic. It is mentioned by Varaha-mihira along with iron (587).⁴⁴