Rajamrigάnka rasa.3 Take of Rasa sindura three parts, prepared gold and copper one part each, realgar, orpiment and sulphur two parts each and mix. Introduce the mixture into the cavities of couries, close their openings with borax reduced to a paste with goat-milk, roast the shells in closed crucibles and take out the medicine when cold. Dose about four grains, with two grains of long and two of black pepper, honey and clarified butter. It is said to be useful in phthisis, and chronic bronchitis with fever.

In diseases of the nervous system, several combinations of mercury with gold, iron, talc, etc. are used, such as, the Chaturmukha rasa, Chintάmani chaturmukha, Yogendra rasa etc. They are all similar in composition, with but slight variation in the proportions of the active ingredients and their adjuncts.

Chintάmani chaturmukha1 is thus prepared. Take of the red preparation of mercury called Rasa sindura two tolas, prepared talc two tolas, prepared iron one tola, prepared gold half a tola, rub them together with the juice of Aloe Indica and make into two-grain pills. This medicine is said to be useful in nervous diseases, insanity, cephalalgia, deafness, noise in the ears, paralysis of the tongue, diseases of the female and urinary organs, phthisis, fever etc. It improves nutrition, increases the appetite and strength, and brightens the complexion.

As an alterative tonic the red preparation of mercury, or Rasa-sindura already described, is much used in a variety of diseases.

Two other forms of this medicine in common use are called Shad-guna balijάrita rasa sindura and Svarna sindura respectively.

Shadguna balijάrita rasa sindura is thus prepared. Take of mercury and sulphur equal parts, and prepare Rasa sindura as already described by sublimation in a glass bottle. On the second day, mix this Rasa sindura with an equal quantity of sulphur and again sublime the compound. Repeat the process in this way, six times. This preparation is considered superior to the ordinary Rasa sindura.

Svarna sindura1 is thus prepared. Take of fine leaf gold one tola, purified mercury eight tolas, mix together by rubbing in a mortar, add twelve tolas of sulphur and again rub together, till the mass is of a dark colour. Sublime in a glass bottle on the sand-bath. The three forms of Rasa sindura above mentioned are said to cure all sorts of diseases, but are particularly used in chronic fever, catarrh and cough of children, mental and bodily debility, anaemia etc.

Mercury is used in syphilis both externally and internally. Syphilis and its treatment by mercury are described only in recent compilations, such as the Bhavaprakasa. The following are a few illustrations of its use in this disease.

Saptasάli vati.2 Take of mercury and catechu each half a tola, pellitory root one tola, honey one and a half tola. Rub together till the globules of mercury disappear, and divide into seven pills or boluses. One pill is administered every morning with water in primary syphilis. Acids and salt should not be taken after the use of this medicine.

Rasa karpura1 or corrosive sublimate as sold in the bazars is recommended to be given in a single dose of eight grains. The medicine is enclosed in a ball of wheat-flour and covered with powdered cloves. It is swallowed with water so as not to touch the teeth. Salts and acids are forbidden to be taken after the use of this medicine. As the Rasa karpura of the bazars is not a pure perchloride of mercury, but is a mixture of calomel and corrosive sublimate in indefinite proportions, the patient sometimes escapes after this dose. When, however, it contains more of corrosive sublimate than of calomel, intense salivation, gastritis and even death may result. When such doses of poisonous remedies are recommended in standard works it is no wonder that we should occasionally come across cases of dreadful salivation, induced by native treatment. The circumstance of wheat-flour being used as a covering to the poison may act as an antidote to some extent. In secondary syphilis Rasa karpura is given in small doses in combination with cloves, saffron, sandal wood, and musk.

For external application, about a drachm of mercury is recommended to be rubbed between the palms with the juice of the leaves of Sida cordifolia (bάtyάlaka) till the globules of mercury are no longer visible. The palms are then to be warmed over the fire till perspiration breaks out from them.2

For fumigation in primary syphilis, about half a drachm of the black sulphide, mixed with one fourth part of wheat-flour, is employed daily for seven days in succession.1 In secondary syphilitic eruptions the following composition is used for fumigation. Take of cinnabar one tola, realgar half a tola, powder and mix. About fifteen grains of this is used at a time. Powders for fumigation are heated over a fire of jujube tree wood, and the vapour is applied to the skin under cover in a closed room.

Mercury enters into the composition of several applications for skin diseases, as in the following. Take of cinnabar, sulphur, red oxide of lead, rock salt, seeds of Cassia tora (chakramarda), baberung, Cleome felina (svarnaksliiri), and the root of Aplotaxis auriculata (kushta) in equal parts. Powder them, and reduce to a thin paste with the juice of datura, nim or betle leaves. This application is said to cure ringworm, eczema, prurigo, psoriasis etc.2

For lice in the hair, mercury rubbed with datura or betle leaf is recommended to be applied to the scalp.3