36
MATERIA MEDICA
Physiological Actions.—Internally, alterative tonic in medicinal
doses ; but produces a severe irritation in the stomach and bowels in
larger ones. Externally, stimulant.
Therapeutic Uses.—In true leprosy the Chaulmugra oil and seeds are
a remedy of established value, and they are also very useful in some
other skin diseases, including the secondary and tertiary syphilis, and in
scrofula and phthisis pulmonalis.
Preparation.—The oil is best taken floating on water or milk, and
the seeds can only be used in the form of pill or coarse powder.
Doses.—Of the oil, from five to fifteen minims or drops, or until it
can be tolerated by the stomach and bowels. Of the seeds, from five to
fifteen grains or more, gradually increased.
European Drugs for which they may be substituted.—Codliver oil,
iodine and arsenic.
Remarks.—The oil of Gynocardia odorata or Chaulmugra oil is
reddish brown and slightly viscid_ with a peculiar and nauseous smell
and taste. It bears the greatest resemblance to croton oil in its appear-
ance and smell. During the rainy and cold seasons, a portion of it
congeals and is thrown down at the bottom of the bottle in the form
of a grey or yellowish-white crystalline fat. This fat is liquified by
heat. " The seeds, 1 to 1/4 inches long and about half as much in dia-
meter, arc of irregular ovoid form, and more or less angular or flattened
by mutual pressure ; they weigh on an average about 35 grains each.
The testa is very thin (about 1/50 of an inch), brittle, smooth, dull-grey ;
the copious oily albumen encloses a pair of large, plane, leafy, heart-
shaped cotyledons with a stout radicle.
(Fharmacographia, p. 71.)
The active principle of the oil is gynocardic acid which has been used
in Europe in various forms of skin disease, both externally and inter-
nally. The acid rarely produces nausea, and is best administered in the
form of a pill or perle containing half a grain to three grains for eczema.
The oil of G. odorata is the best of all the remedies in use for
leprosy. The seeds of this plant are also useful in the same disease but
to a less extent, and their use in sufficient quantity in the form of pill or
powder is rather inconvenient. If the attack of the disease is slight and
of short duration, the beneficial influence of the oil is remarkable and
rapid ; but if severe and of longstanding, no distinct improvement takes
place until it is persisted in for mouths or years. It is useful in all the
forms of leprosy (tubercular, anæsthetic and mixed), but the first-named
variety is the one which is most benefited by it. The internal use of the
oil should always be assisted by its external application to the affected
parts. If used alone externally, it proves itself too strong in some cases
and excoriates the tender and diseased parts or renders the ulcers
irritable and painful. I have, therefore, generally employed it in com-
bination with Margosa oil or the oil of Pongamia glabra in the proportion
of one of the former to two or three of the latter. The Chaulmugra oil
is also very useful in lepra-vulgaris, psoriasis, secondary and tertiary
syphilis. I have recently tried it in some cases of phthisis pulmonalis
and scrofula in combination with cocoanut oil, and with pretty good
results. Mixed with cocoanut oil, it can be administered in much larger
doses without any bad effect than when used alone. During the use of