CONTENTS

PAGE

Simple, Binary, Tertiary and Quaternary Atoms—Quality of the Substance (e.g., Colour, Savour, etc.)—Gravitation—Levity—Fluidity—Viscidity—Sound—Theory of the Propagation of Sound—Anus Anus: atoms or minute, indivisible particles or Atoms—Dates of the Philosophical Sútras Sútras: aphoristic texts—The Question of Priority . . . . . 1

CHAPTER II

CHEMISTRY IN THE CHARAKA AND THE SUSRUTA

The Tastes—The Metals and their Calces Calces: powdery residues left after heating a metal—A Discourse on the Tastes—Their Relationship to the five Primal Elements—The Nature of the Alkali—The Five Kinds of Salts—Minerals for External Application—The Eight Varieties of Urine—Preparation of Kshára Kshára: alkali or caustic salt—Pill Iron Compound—A Collyrium Collyrium: an eye ointment or wash—Powder of Pearl Compound—Iron, Gold and Silver Tonics—Rasáyana Rasáyana: the practice of alchemy or rejuvenation therapy Defined . . . . . 24

Preparation and Use of Alkalies and Alkaline Caustics—Lixiviation Lixiviation: the process of extracting soluble constituents from ashes using water of the Ashes—Rendering the Alkali Caustic—How to Store up the Alkali—Characteristics of the Good and the Bad Alkali—Why the Acid Neutralizes the Alkali—Mild and Caustic Alkalies—Description of Blood—On the Collection of Drugs—The Salts—The Alkalies—Internal use of Lead and Tin—Minerals for External Application—Roasting of Iron and other Metals so as to Render them Fit for Internal Administration—The Origin of Bitumen—Iron Pyrites—Gold Dust—The Poisons—Use of Mercury—Note on the Metals and their Salts . . . . . 32