Introduction to Metals (dhatu)

There are seven metals, viz. gold, silver, copper, iron, zinc, tin, and lead. The mixed metals are three in number, viz. brass, bell-metal, and vartaka. They are called dhatus (from dha=to sustain), simply because they prevent senility and thinness, and cure fever and other diseases, and thus sustain the system.

Superiority of metallic drugs.

A medicine, prepared mainly from mercury and minerals, is superior to that prepared from herbs, in as much as (1) the former can be administered in much smaller doses than the latter; (2) it does not give rise to aversion in the patient who takes it; (3) it cures diseases more quickly than the latter ; and ; 4) it cures diseases which are considered incurable by medicines prepared from herbs. Medicines prepared from mercury, with or without the addition of other minerals, poison, etc, are the best of all the medicines known to the world.

Incinerated metals assume, to a certain extent, the properties of mercury. They can also cure diseases which are troublesome and attended with complications. If used for a long time, they can not only cure diseases but also strengthen the body and cure and prevent senile decay.