110
MATERIA MEDICA
Monaqqá, Hind., Duk. and Pers. Ularnda-diráksha-pazham or
Ularnda-drácha-param, Tam. Endu-dráksha-pandu,Dípa-draksha
-
pandu, Tel. Unanniya-muntrinap-param, Malayl. Dípa-drakshí,
Can. Monakkha, Beng. Vellich-ch a-mudra-palam, Cing. Zabíb
-
mavéz, Arab. Of the small variety of raisins without stones—Sultána,
Raisins, Eng. Kish mis h, Bédánah, Hind., Duk. and Pers.
Local Sources.—Plentiful in every large bazaar of India.
Price.—Of the grapes—Wholesale, Rs. 5 per maund ; retail or
bazaar, As. 4 per pound. Of the common variety of raisins (No. 188)
—Wholesale, Rs. 2½ per maund ; retail or bazaar, As. 3 per pound
Of the small variety without stones (No. 189)—Wholesale, Rs. 3½ per
maund ; retail or bazaar, As. 4 per pound.
Physiological Actions.—Grapes are refrigerant, diuretic and anti-
-
pyretic. In large doses, raisins act as a demulcent, expectorant and
laxative ; and in smaller ones, as an astringent.
Therapeutic Uses.—The sharbat or syrup of grapes is a very pleasant
and cooling drink, and proves very useful in relieving thirst and other
pyrexial symptoms in many forms of fever. I have also used it with
advantage in ardor-urinæ, dysuria, strangury and some cases of bilious
dyspepsia. It is one of the best and most agreeable vehicles for other
medicines, particularly those used in dyspepsia, dysentery, diarrhœa and
dropsical affections. From their combined actions of demulcent, expec-
-
torant and laxative, raisins are a frequent ingredient in Muhammadan
prescriptions for catarrhal and febrile complaints.They enter into the
composition of Tinctura Cardamomi Coinposita and Tinctura Senn
æ
(Pharm. of India, pp. 230 and 66, respectively) . They also form an
ingredient in ono of my own formuæ for certain forms of fever (see
under Viola odorata). There is little or no difference between the medi-
-
cinal properties of the common variety of raisins and those of the small
one without stones.
Preparation.—Syrup or sharbat : Take of the juice of ripe grapes
and of water, two and three pounds, respectively, by weight ; refined
sugar, four pounds ; dissolve the sugar in the water with the aid of
heat, add the juice, and then boil the whole liquid on a very gentle
fire till it is reduced to two-thirds of its quantity.
Dose.—Of the syrup, from half to one fluid ounce, 5 or 6 times in
the 24 hours. Of the raisins, from half to one ounce, 3 or 4 times
in the 24 hours.
European Drugs for which they may be substituted.— Grapes for tartaric
and citric acids ; and raisins for Manna and Prunes.
Remarks.—The grape is a succulent berry, generally ovoid or
spherical, sweet and delicious in flavour. The raisins commonly found
in Indian markets are from half to one inch long a
n d f r o m q u a r t e r t o
half broad, shrivelled, compressed, smooth but more or less moist and
therefore sticking to each other ; pulp soft and agreeably sweet ; seeds
small and slightly bony. The raisins in the small and stoneless variety
(Kishmish angul drakh, Pers. and Sultanas, Eng.) are about one half
smaller in size and much paler in color.
Cream of tartar, Port and Sherry wines, wine-vinegar, alcohol and
tartaric acid are prepared, directly or indirectly, from the juice of
grapes.