Page:A Short History of Aryan Medical Science.djvu/141

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Chap. VII.]
INDIAN MATERIA MEDICA.
133

a very wide application. Cow's urine is used both internally and externally. It is prescribed in colic and many other diseases. Goat's urine is used in jaundice, buffalo's in piles and elephant's in blood diseases. The renal secretion of the horse is prescribed for killing worms, of the ass for consumption and insanity, and of the camel for the cure of ringworm. Human urine is recommended for cough and eye diseases, and urine of a castrated bullock in cases of anaemia and dysentery. Urine should, as a rule, be obtained from the female ; but in the case of the horse, the ass, the camel and the elephant, that obtained from the male is generally preferred.

Mukta (pearls) are taken in a powdered state for impotency and consumption.

Nakha (nail) of a man is used in cases of wounds, and horse's hoof for fumigation and intermittent fevers.

Pichha (feather) of a peacock is said to cure hiccough. It is also believed that snake poison will not affect one wearing a ring made of copper extracted from peacock's feathers.

Pitta (bile) of fish and other aquatic creatures is helpful in cases of fever and eye diseases.

Pravala (coral) is beneficial in cough.