NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
118
MATERIA MEDIC
A
With reference to its distinction from the small variety of Kundur
(Olibanum or Indian frankincense), to which it bears a great resem-
blance, see the " water-test " explained under that article.
† Pistacia integerrima, Stewart. 198 .
Habitat. —Himalaya.
Part used.—The galls.
Synonyms. —Kákaŗá-singí, Kákŗá-séngì, Hind.
Kákáŗ-sin
g í ,
Kákad-singí, Duk. Karkata-sringí, Sans. Kákkata-shingi, Karká-
taka-shingi, Tam. Kákara-shingi, Tel. Kákada-shingi, Mah.
Local Sources. —Not found in Southern India, but could be ob-
tained either from Calcutta or Bombay whenever it is necessary.
Physiological Actions. —Astringent and tonic.
Therapeutic Uses. —As these galls are not sold or met with in
South India and require to be sent for from very distant places, my
personal experience of their therapeutic uses is not extensive. It is,
however, sufficient to speak of their astringent action in favorable
terms, and they are of great service in cases of chronic diarrhœa,
and dysentery, and in passive hæmorrhages. The galls act more
satisfactorily in combination with other medicines of similar nature, a
formula of which is given in the following paragraph.
Preparations. —Simple and Compound Powders. The simple
powder requires no explanation for its preparation, it being reduced
to a fine powder in the ordinary way and kept in a closed bottle.
Compound powder : Take of the Galls of P. integerrima, Terminalia
chebula, and Pistacia Terebinthus, and of Fenugreek-seeds and Cinnamon
bark, all in powder and of each five ounces ; Opium, in powder, one
ounce ; Gum Acacia, in powder, six ounces ; and Prepared Chalk, eight
ounces ; mix them well, pass the compound powder through a fine sieve,
rub it lightly in a mortar and keep it in a stoppered bottle.
Doses.—Of the simple-powder, from fifteen to thirty grains ; and
of the Compound-powder, from thirty to sixty grains, every 2nd, 3rd
or 4th hour, or after each motion.
European Drugs ,for which they may be substituted. —Gummi-rubrum,
Hæ matoxylum, Krameria, Pul. cretæ aromaticus cum opio, and Pulv.
ipecac. compositus.
Remarks. —As already mentioned, Kákŗá-singí are not found
in the bazaars of South India, but under that name some native
druggists deceitfully sell the galls of Terminalia chebula or Gule-
halilah to those who are not acquainted with the drug. The
above medicines, however, differ so much from each other that they
will not be easily confounded by any person who has ever seen them
or is acquainted with their description. I have obtained Kákŗá-singi
more easily from Calcutta than any other city in India, and ac-
cording to the size of the drug I received on different occasions,
there are apparently two varieties of it, the large and the small.
In the large variety the galls are generally about the size and length
of the index finger, hollow, thin walled, tapering towards one end
O F M A D R A S .
119
often curved or bent and sometimes contorted. They bear a resem-
blance to small horns of a goat ; hence the word singi, shingi or sringi
affixed to all their native synonyms, which means horny. The galls
are generally brown and possess a strong astringent and slightly bitter
taste. The galls in the small variety are about one half smaller than
those in the large one, and are generally much darker in color and more
astringent in taste. When the Simple and the Compound powders I
have described under the head of "Preparations" are prepared with
the small variety of Kákŗá-singi, they have always been found more
efficacious and useful in diarrhœa and dysentery than those prepared
with the large variety of the same drug ; and the former is, therefore, a
better drug than the latter. The galls contain about 75 per cent. of
tannic acid.
† R h u s c o r i a r i a ,
L i n n .
1 9 9 .
H a b i t a t . —
P e r s i a
a n d A s i a M i n o r .
Part Used. —The pericarp of the seeds and leaves.
Synonyms.— Gardahe-sumáq or Gardahe-samáq, Arab., Pers., Hind.
and Duk.
Local Sources.—The pericarp or husk of the seeds is sometimes
sold separately in the bazaar ; but as it is supposed to get spoiled and
lose its efficacy by keeping, it is generally separated from the seeds
immediately before its use. The seeds under the Arabic name S u m á q
or Samáq are pretty common in all the large bazaars of India.
Price.— Of the seeds—Wholesale, Rs. 4 per maund ; retail or
bazaar, As. 1½ per pound. Of the pericarp of the seeds—Retail or
bazaar, As. 4 per pound.
Physiological Action.— Astringent.
Therapeutic Uses.—Useful in diarrhœa and dysentery, particularly
among children. Its efficacy and usefulness is much enhanced when
used in combination with other drugs, a formula for which will be
found in the following paragraph :
—
Preparation .—Compound-powder : Take of the pericarp of the
seeds of Rhus coriaria, Butea-gum and the Gum of Odina
in powder, each ten drachms ; the fruit of Carum Roxburghianum, in
powder, five drachms ; Cinnainon-bark, in powder, four drachms ; and
Opium, in powder, one drachm ; mix them thoroughly, pass the powder
through a fine sieve, rub it lightly in a mortar and keep it in a closed
bottle.
Dose .—From five to forty grains ; regulated according to the age
of the patient and the quantity of opium it is desired to administer.
Forty grains contain one grain of opium.
European Drugs for which it may he substituted.— Pulv . ipecac. com-
positus, Pulv. kino compositus, and Pulv. cretæ aromat. cum opio.
Remarks.—The dry fruit of this plant is so small and flat that it
looks like a seed. It is either circular or oblong ; generally about a
line and-a-half in diameter, and half a line in thickness. It is covered
with a very thin and light pericarp, which is reddish-brown or rust-
colored, odorless, slightly astringent in taste, and can be easily
1
1 2 0
MATERIA MEDICA
removed from the seeds by rubbing between the hands. The seeds are
about one-half smaller in size, almost always oblong, very hard,
slightly inclining to be kidney-shaped and possess no particular taste
or smell.
The seeds of R. coriaria are much recommended in some Persian
and other native medical works in dysentery and diarrhoea, but I have
tried them in my practice and found them to be quite inert if employed
without their pericarp. The latter alone is astringent, and if adminis-
tered without the seeds, it produces the desired effect to a greater or
less extent. The pericarp as well as the leaves contain tannic acid and
coloring matter. Its combination with some stimulant and other astrin--
gent drugs, such as those that are mentioned in the prescription under
the head of Preparation, renders its action much more satisfactory, as
already remarked.
† Mangifera indica, Linn. 200 and 201,
Habitat.—Cultivated all over India..
Parts Used.—The kernel of the seed, pulp of the fruit and gum.
Synonyms.—Of the kernel--The kernel of mango, Eng. Ánb-
kí-gutli-ká-magh z, Hind. Ám-kí-gutlí-ká-maghz, Duk. Maghze-takhme-
anbah, Pers. Of the gum—Ánb-kí-gónd, Hind. Ám - k á - g ó n d , D u k .
Mángá-pishin, Tam. Mámidi-pisunu, Mámidi-banka, Tel. Mávva-
pasha, Malyal. Mávina-miána, Can. Ám-g un, Beng. Amranir yásam
or Amra-niryásam, Sans. Ambá-cha-gónda, M ah. Ambá-nu-
-gúndar, Guz. Amba-melleiyam, Ciny. Siya-sí, Bur . Of the fruit—
Mango, Eng. Ánb, Hind. Ám, Duk. Mángá-pasham or Mángá-
param, Tam. Mámídi-pandu, Tel. Mávva-káya, Malyal. Máviná--
hannu, Can. Âm, Beng. Amra or Amra, Ámra-phalam, Sans. Ambá,
Mah., Guz. and Cing. Siya-ti, Bur. Anbaj, Arab. A n b a h , N a g h i z a k ,
Pers. Of the grafted fruit.—Grafted mango, Eng. Paivandí-ánb, Hind.
Paivandí-ám, Alfan, Duk. Vattu-manga-pazham, or Vattu-mánga
-param, Tam. Vattu-mámidi-pandu Tel. Antu-mavina-hannu, Cun.
Local Sources.—In the season of mango fruit, its stones are so
common that they are found thrown about everywhere, and can be
obtained in large quantities at the cost of gathering. As the kernel
gets spoiled if it is allowed to remain in the shell for more than two or
three months, it should always be removed as soon as possible, dried
in the sun and kept for use. The kernel of young mangoes before
the shell is fully developed is a better astringent medicine than that of
the ripe fruit.
The gum is sometimes found in the bazaar, or may be collected
from the trees which are very abundant in every part of India.
With regard to the fruit itself, the common or ordinary mango is
one of the commonest, cheapest, and most abundant fruits in India in
its proper season ; but its grafted variety is comparatively rare and dear
and found only in cities, towns, and some very large villages.
Physiological Actions.—The kernel is astringent, demulcent, and
nutrient ; the gum, demulcent, and slightly stimulant ; the pulp of
the ordinary mango, laxative, and that of the grafted variety very
nutrient.
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MATERIA MEDICA
from 1½ to 2, and in breadth from 1 to 1½ inches ; when fresh, it is
about one-third longer and broader, white and soft. The taste of
the kernel is slightly astringent and demulcent, and it possesses no
particular smell. When the kernel of young mangoes is cut with a
knife, a blue stain is left on both the instrument and the drug, indi-
cating the existence of a large quantity of tannic acid in the latter.
The gum of mango tree occurs in small and irregular masses, some of
which consist of very small tears sticking to each other. The gum
is generally reddish-yellow or reddish-brown in color, with a bland
mucilaginous taste.
During the great famine of 1877 and 1878 in Southern India, I
heard from many famine-stricken persons sent from villages to the
" Relief-houses" at Madras that, if the kernel of mango is fresh and
roasted or boiled it is not unpleasant to taste, and is more nutritious
than the pulp of that fruit in an equal quantity. This statement may
be correct as far as the ordinary and sour mangoes are concerned,
but will not hold true in the ease of grafted mangoes. As a rule the
pulp of the latter is much more delicious, nutritious, smooth and
wholesome than that of the common or ordinary mangoes. Of the
many varieties of grafted mangoes in Southern India, there are five
which justly enjoy the highest repute for their good and pleasant
taste, wholesomeness and nutritious quality, and are readily recognised
under the Hindustani or Dukhni names of Qádar-pasand,
Mulghóhá. Pitar-pasand, Dil-pasand and Yáqúte-rummám. Of all these varieties,
again, the first-named (Qádar-pasand) is the best.
As already explained under the headings of " Preparations " and
" Therapeutic uses," the kernel of young mangoes is a good astringent
and possesses a considerable influence in diarrhœa, dysentery, and a
few other diseases, especially in the form of compound-powder. I do
not, however, think that it is in any of its stages bestowed with an
anthelmintic property, which is assigned to it in some native and
other medical works. I have used it in many eases in no less than from
one to two drachm doses, and never found it to expel a single round
or any other abdominal worm, while on the other hand, a few small
doses of santonin in five or six of the same patients, brought out more
or less lumbrici without exception.
† Anacardium occidentale, Linn. 202, 203 and 204.
Habitat. —Found on sandy soil along the coast, and also cultivated
in some gardens.
Parts Used.—The fruit (No. 202), oil (No, 203) and gum
(No. 204).
Synonyms—
Of the fruit—which is commonly known as nut
— Cashew-nut, Eng. Kájú-kí gutlí, Hind. and Duk. Mundiri-koţţai,
Koţţai-mundiri, Tam. Jídi-mámidi-vittu, Munta-mámidi-vittu, Tel.
Paranki-máva-kuru, Kappal-chéran-kuru, Kappa-máva-kuru,
Malyal, Géra-poppu, Can. Hijli-bádám, Beng. Kájú-cha
-bí, Kaju-cha-antholi,
M ah. Kájú-nu-gótli, Guz. Kaju-atta. Cing. Sihosaye-zi or Tihotiya-zi,
Bur. Of the oil—Cashew-nut oil, Eng. Kájú-ká-té1, Hind. and Duk.
Mundiri-enney, Tam. Jidi-mámidi-núne,
Munta-mámidi-núne, T e l .
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MATERIA MEDICA.
but somewhat smaller in size than the latter, and is covered with a thin,
membranous and rust-colored testa, which can be readily removed
by rubbing with the fingers, particularly when it is dried in the sun.
The kernel is white, soft, tasteful and wholesome, and abounds in a
bland fixed oil, which it yields on expression.
† Semecarpus Anacardi um, Li nn. 205.
H abitat.—Dry jungles.
Parts Used.—The fruit and its acrid oil.
Synonyms.—Of the fruit, which is commonly known as nut-
Marking-nut, Eng. Bhélá, Bhilá-ván, Hind. Bhiláván, Biblá, Duk,
S hén-kottai, Shérán-kottai, Tam. Jidi-vittulu, Tummeda-mámidi, Bhal-
látamu, Bhallátaki, Tel. Chérunkuru, Ténprákkao, Malyal. Gérú, Can.
Bhélá, Bhélvá, Beng. Bhallátaki-bijam, Bhallátaka, Arushkara, Sans.
B ibá, Mah. Bhilámu, Guz. Shén-kotte, Cing. Khi-si, Bur. Inqardiyá,
Habbul-qalb, Habbul-fahm, Arab. Biládur, Pers. Of the acrid oil-
Bhilávén-ká-tel, H ind. and Duk. Shén-kotta-enney, Tam. Jídi-vittulu--
nùne, T e l .
Local Sources.—One of the commonest drugs in India.
Price .—Wholesale, Rs. 2 per maund ; retail or bazaar, Anna 1
per pound.
Physiological Actions.—Internally, sedative, antispasmodic, nervino
and alterative tonic ; externally, stimulant, rubefacient and vesicant.
Therapeutic Uses.— I have used the black, thick and acrid oil of the
marking-nut, prepared either by expression or with the aid of heat, or,
the nut itself in the form of Electuary, pretty extensively in my prac-
tice and found it so efficacious in acute rheumatism that it may be
considered a specific in that disease. I shall speak more on this point
under the heading of " Remarks ." The drug is also of great service in
asthma, and more or less beneficial in secondary syphilis, hæmorrhoids,
neuralgia, epilepsy, anæsthesia, paralysis, lepra, psoriasis and a few
other cutaneous affections. Externally, the oil is a very cheap and
pretty useful counter-irritant, but requires great care and caution in
its employment. It should not be applied much or continuously to any
part, but always in the form of parallel lines by means of a long needle
or wire. In very severe cases these lines may be crossed with other
parallel lines in an opposite direction. In either case, when the blister is
risen, it should be pricked and the serum allowed to dribble away, and
then the use of poultices for two or three days renders the part very
clean and fit to be dressed with simple dressing, carron oil or plantain
leaves. The nut is more useful in hæmorrhoids in the form of fumi-
gation than the internal administration of its oil or electuary ; but, un-
fortunately, its smoke is attended with bad effects in some constitutions.
Out of the two severe and painful cases of piles I treated with fumi-
gation, one suffered from aswelling on the face, chest and abdomen
with an erysipelatous blush, while the other was quite free from all
those symptoms. Both, however, were much benefited by the remedy
in one sitting. Although I have not seen any ease of bad effects from
internal use of the marking-nut, there is no doubt that it is an irritant
poison in a large quantity or overdose.
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MATERIA MEI)ICA
very slight. To secure its best effects in this disease, it should be used
repeatedly and in doses similar to those I generally employ in acute
rheumatism. Gout is so rare among the natives of this country that I
never had an opportunity of using this drug in any well-marked case
of that disease during the last two years; but from its great influence
over acute rheumatism I am almost sure that it will also produce good
results in the acute form of the former.
There is a notion among the natives of Southern India that the
internal use of the marking-nut is apt to produce sore-mouth or
ptyalism; but I have never met with a single instance of these bad
effects, though I have administered the drug in many cases and in so
large and repeated doses as those explained above.
During the employment of the marking-nut, either externally or
internally, the least appearance of a rash or redness of the skin, or
an itchy or uneasy sensation in any part of the body, should be con
- s i d e r e d a s a s i g n o f t h e b a d e f f e c t s o f t h e d r u g , a n d i t s h o u l d , t h e r e f o r e ,
be stopped immediately. Spiritus Ammoniæ Aromaticus is to be
freely administered, with some demulcent drinks, such as Infusum
Lini, and some oil, Olive or cocoanut, should be constantly smeared
over the affected part or parts. This is generally sufficient to check
the above symptoms; but if they get worse and become more developed,
they must be treated with some other and stronger remedies according
to their nature.
‡ B u c h a n a n i a l a t i f o l i a ,
R o x b .
206.
Habitat .—Mountains on the Coromandel and Malabar coasts ;
Cuddapah, Belgaum and Mysore forests.
Parts Used.—The seed or kernel and oil.
Synonyms.— Of the seed or kernel—The Cuddapah almond, Eng.
Chirónjí, Chárólí, Hind. Chár-kí-charolí, Piyál-chárólí, Piyár-chárólí.
Duk. Kátmá-pazham-parpu or Kátmá-pavam-parpu, Shára-parpu,
Tam.
Chára-pappu, Cháru-mámidi-pappu, Járu-mámidi-pappu,Tel. Kát
-máva-parpu, Malyal. Chára-pappu, Can. Piyál, Beng. Piyála, Sans.
Chirunji, Mah. and Guz. Lonenpho, Lamboban, Bur. Of the oil—
The Cuddapah almond oil, Eng . Chírónji-ká-tél, Cháróli-ká-tél, Hind.
and Duk . Kátmá-payam-enney, Kátmánga-parpu-enney, Tam. Chára
-pappu-núne, Tel. Píyál-tail, Beng
.
Local Sources.— The seeds are sold in the local market, but the oil
requires to be prepared by expression. The seeds are imported every
year to Madras in pretty large quantities from Cuddapah.
P r i c e .
— O f t h e s e e d s . I t f l u c t u a t e s a g r e a t d e a l a n d v a r i e s f r o m
As. 4 to 12 per pound.
Physiological Actions, Therapeutic Uses, Preparations, Doses, and
European Drugs for which it may be substitated.— My remarks under
these headings are precisely the same as those under the corresponding
headings in the article " Anacardium occidentale"
Remarks.— The seeds are about 2 lines long and 1½. broad; oblong,
oval or roundish generally, and slightly compressed on both sides, and
OF MADRAS.
129
covered with a thin and rust-colored testa. The kernel is pale-white
and contains more than half its own weight of oil. The seeds are very
tasteful, wholesome and nutritive, and yield on expression a bland fixed
oil, the physical and medical properties of which are similar to those of
the Cashew-nut oil.
† Odina Wodier, Roxb. 207, 208 and 209.
Habitat.—Pretty common in Southern India, especially in the city
of Madras.
Parts Used.—The gum and bark.
Synonyms.—Of the gum—Jinkin-kí-gónd, Kinné-ki-gónd, Hind.
Bésharam-ké-jhár-ká-gónd, Shimptí-gónd, Múyí-gónd,
Duk. Odiya
-
pishin, Annaikiri-pishin
Tam. Oddi-pisunu, Dampara-pisunu, Tel.
Udi-pasha, Malyal. y a l . y a l . J i v a l - l á s á ,
B e n g .
J i n g i n i - n i r y á s a m ,
S a n s .
Shimptí-gónda, Mah. Of the bark.—Jin-kín-ki-chhál, Hind. B é
sha--
ram-ké-jhar-kí-chhál, Duk. Odiya-pattai, Odiy-maram-pattai, Tam.
Oddi-patta, Oddi-chettu-patta, Tel. Udi-tóla, Udi-maram-tóla,
Local Sources.—Not sold in the bazaar, but as the plant is found
everywhere in Madras the bark can be obtained whenever it is needed,
and the gum requires to be also collected in its proper season.
Physiological Actions.—The gum is demulcent, and the bark
astringent and tonic.
Therapeutic Uses .—The gum is an ingredient in one of the prescrip
-tions I often use with success in infantile diarrhœa. Sec No. 199. A
decoction of the bark is useful as a gargle in sore-mouth and ulceration
of gums, and as a lotion in some forms of ulceration and eruption, as
mentioned in some medical works. It is also useful internally in some
cases of atonic dyspepsia and general debility, particularly if it is com
-bined with the Tincture of Gentian, Calumba, &c. The decoction,
however, does not produce any distinctly good effect either as an
internal or external remedy unless it is very strong, such as the one
described in the next paragraph.
Preparation .—Decoction : Take of the inner bark, in coarse powder,
five ounces ; water, three pints ; boil on a slow fire till the liquid is
reduced to one pint, cool and strain.
Dose.—From one and a half to three fluid ounces, 3 or 4 times ín
the 24 hours.
European Drugs for which they may be substituted.—The bark for
Tinctura Myrrhæ, Liquor Plumbi Sub-acetatis Dilutus, Alum, Gentian
and Columba ; and the gum for Gum-Acacia.
Remarks.—Generally the gum occurs in tears, which are either
yellowish or reddish brown and semi-transparent, or, colorless and
transparent. While this is generally the case, I have seen on two
occasions about a month after the rainy seasons a large quantity of gum
and resinous substance exuding from a large and old wound on the stem
of a very large and old tree, and collecting on the ground in the form
of an oblong and irregular mass. Two-thirds of this mass consisted of
gum, which was nearly colorless or pale-white, and one-third of insoluble
130
MATERIA MEDICA
substance which was brown or dark-brown. The latter was just behind
the layer of the gum and in contact with the tree and ground. If left
in water the gum of this tree slightly swells and is formed into a kind
of soft jelly, and is miscible but not completely soluble in water.
The bark of the younger plants is ash-colored and not rough exter-
nally and very fibrous and of a flesh color internally ; and that of the
older trees is very rough, scaly, generally about ¾ of an inch in thick-
ness, brown externally, and reddish-brown internally. The taste of the
inner bark is slightly astringent, due to tannic acid.
‡ S p o n d i a s m a n g i f e r a
, P e r s .
2 1 0 a n d 2 1 1
.
Habitat. —Found growing in many gardens in the city of Madras.
Parts Used.— The young fruit (No. 210) and gum (No. 211).
Synonyms.— Of the fruit—The hog-plum, Wild mango, Eng. Amrá,<br/>
Hind. Janglí-ám, Maryam-ká-phal, Duk. Mari-mánga or Marya
-mánga, Káttu-mánga,
Tam. Ivura-mámidi, Adavi-mámidi,T e l .
Ambalam, Anpázham or Ampáram, Malyal. Kádu-máviná, Amte,
Amte-hannu, Can Ámrá, Beng. Ámrátaka, Sans. Of the gum
—Ámré-kί-gond,H i n d
. M a r y a m - k é - j h á r - k á - g ó n d , j a n g lί
- á m - k á - g ó n d ,
Duk. Marimánga-pishin, Tam. Ivura-mámidi-pisunu, Tel.
Local Sources.—Neither the fruit nor the gum is sold in the bazaar,
but they both require to be gathered in their proper season.
Physiological Actions.— The young fruit is stomachic and tonic, and
the gum demulcent and emollient.
Therapeutic Uses.— The young fruit in powder is, as a stomachic,
useful in some slight cases of atonic dyspepsia ; and as a tonic, in all
the affections in which Gentian and Calumba are indicated. The gum
in the form of mucilage is a useful adjunct to other medicines for the
purpose of suspending heavy powders, &c.
Preparation .—Simple powder : Select the young fruits before their
nut is hard and fully developed, remove the nut, cut the fleshy portion
into small pieces and dry them in the sun ; when quite dry reduce
them to a fine powder in the usual manner.
Dose .—From thirty grains to one drachm or more, 3 or 4 times in
the 24 hours.
European Drugs for which they may be substituted. —The young fruit
for Gentian and Calumba, and the gum for the Indian Gum-arabic.
Remarks.—The fruit is a fleshy drupe, oval, varying in length from
1 t o l ½ i n c h e s , a n d i n t h i c k n e s s f r o m ¾ t o 1 ¼ i n c h e s , s m o o t h , g r e e n
when young and yellowish when ripe, subacid and astringent in taste
with a slight and peculiar smell. It bears a resemblance to a very
young and small mango ; hence it is known in some languages as a
" w i l d m a n g o . "
S. mangifera is one of those plants which, when very large and old,
throws out occasionally a large quantity of gum with some resinous
substance through an old wound or crack. The gum and resin thrown
out in this manner collect on the ground near the stem of the tree
in the form of a thick, flat, oblong or, irregular mass. I am myself