OF MADRAS.
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more or less extent, and generally more speedily than ipecacuanh
a
and Tylophora asthmatica ; and it is also useful in the same way in
some cases of colic, particularly when the latter is depending on
indigestion. A thick watery solution of the drug is often resorted
to by the natives of this country for the relief of hemicrania, hysteria,
and epilepsy. They drop a few drops of the solution in each nostril
during the fit of any of the above diseases, and it produces a temporary
relief by irritating the mucous membrane and increasing its secretion,
which flows out by the nostrils or the mouth, or by both. I gave a
trial to this plan of treatment in my own practice not only in the
above maladies, but also in asthma, and the result is pretty favourable.
There was more or less relief in almost every case of hemicrania and
asthma in which the solution was tried ; but the cases of hysteria and
epilepsy benefited by it were very few. Although the relief afforded
by the solution is always temporary, yet it is in many cases instan
-
taneous. The quantity of the solution must not be more than four or
five drops in each nostril, for in one case in which it exceeded ten or
twelve drops, the irritation of the membrane was severe and lasted for
one or two days. Applied in the form of paste or poultice over the
parts stung or bitten by some poisonous insects, as scorpion, centi
-
pede, &c., the pulp of soap-nut relieved the pain in two or three cases
to my own knowledge. When bruised and agitated in water, it forms
suds like soap, and in this condition is an efficient detergent and very
useful for washing and cleaning the body, linen and hair. The kernel
of the seeds is sweetish, nutrient, and yields an oil on expression, which
is a very good substitute for almond oil.
Preparations.—The pulp or pericarp of soap-nut can only be
administered conveniently in the form of draught, which is easily pre
-
pared by rubbing and bruising it in one or two ounces of water and
passing the same through cloth. A thick solution of the drug for
dropping into the nose is prepared in the same way with a very small
quantity of water (say equal proportion of both by guess). The juice
may be strained and kept in a bottle for use for a day or two, or
squeezed into the nostrils then and there through the cloth. In pre
-
paring the paste or poultice of this medicine, vinegar or lime-juice
should be used instead of water.
Doses.—From one drachm and a half to two drachms as an emetic ;
from twenty to forty grains as a nauseant ; and from ten to eighteen
grains as an expectorant. As a nauseant and expectorant, the medi
-
cine should be repeated three or four times in the twenty-four hours.
European Drugs ,for which it may be substituted.—For ipecacuanha
sulphate of zinc, squill and senega as an emetic, nauseant, and expec
-
torant ; for carbonate of ammonia, hypodermic injection of morphia,
and liquor ammoniæ, as a remedy through the nose and as a local
application.
Remarks.—The dry soap-nut, as sold in the bazaar, is generally
single, spheroidal, about ¾ inch in diameter, wrinkled and reddish
brown or brownish yellow in color, with a large, heart-shaped, whitish
and woody scar at the base. The scar is divided into two slanting
surfaces with a thin and prominent ridge, indicating the attachment of
two other nuts originally. The pericarp is about a line and a half thick,