Analysis of Surma

Rrown up girls and women. It is supposed to act ay a tonic to the nerves of the eyes and to strengthen the sight. In books on indigenous drugs in English, it is described both as trisulphide of antimony and lead sulphide (galena) (Ainslie, 1813; Chopra, 1933; Dey. 1896; Nadkarni, 1927; ahd Watt, 1889). In connection with the investigations on lead content of normal human tissues, excreta and hair, it was found by Bagchi (1941) that hair ?T .Hindu women was very rich in lead. The source of lead was traced by him to be cheap ^ermilion which contains red lead, the lead heing absorbed through the scalp where it is applied. This was indicated by high lead hgures of the urine and faeces of these women. It was further suggested by him that some common ailments, such as ansemia, menstrual troubles, frequent abortions, dyspepsia, nervous troubles, nigh blood pressure, weariness of brain and body, etc., which are frequently met with among Hindu women, especially in Bengal, may be due to the insidious type of lead poisoning. Frequent abortions and sterility in women may, in the absence of other causes, be due to lead alone. In view of these facts, it was thought desirable to find out the composition of surma as sold and used in the Punjab. Twenty samples have been examined. They have all been found .to be lead sulphide (galena). It would be interesting to find out if the application of surma can cause lead poisoning.