The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c4.s2.23

c4.s2.23

The Vásavadattá and the Dasakumára Charita in the sixth century allude to the preparation of a mass of fixed or coagulated mercury (पारदपिण्डइव कालधातुवादिनः—वासवदत्ता) ; a chemical powder, the inhalation of which would bring on deep sleep or stupor (योगचूर्णं—दशकुमारचरित) ; a chemically prepared stick or wick for producing light without fire (योगवर्तिका—दशकुमारचरित) ; and a powder which, like anæsthetic drugs or curare, paralyses sensory and motor organs¹ (स्तम्भनचूर्णमिव इन्द्रियाणाम्—वासवदत्ता—धीन्द्रियकर्मेन्द्रियाणां—Darpana). Vrinda (*circa* 950 A.D.) notices the preparation of sulphide of mercury (रसामृतचूर्ण), composed of one part of sulphur and half its weight of mercury; and also of cuprous sulphide (पर्पटिताम्र). Chakrapáni (*circa* 1050 A.D.) mentions the preparation of the black sulphide of mercury "by taking equal parts of mercury and sulphur."