NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
OF MADRAS.
99
Kundur
is one of the few drugs which are recommended for more
than 30 or 35 complaints in some native medical works, particularly
those in the Persian language. I have been employing it occasionally
for some time and still continue its use in my practice, but find it dis-
tinctly useful only in 7 or 8 diseases which I have mentioned under the
heading of " Therapeutic Uses" in the present article.
M E L I A C E Æ .
† Melia Azedarach, Linn. 173 and. 174.
Habitat.— Persia , China—Pretty common in South India.
Parts Used. —The root-bark and seeds.
Synonyms.— Of the root-bark—The root of the Persian Lilac or
Bead tree, E ng. Bakáyan-kí-jar-kí-chhál,
Mahá-nínb-kí-jar-kí-chhál,
Hind. Górí-ním-kí-jar-kí-chhál, Goulí-nim-kí-jar-kí-chhál, Duk.
Malai-vém-bu-vér-pattai, Malai-véppam-vér-pattai, Tam. Konda-vépa-
véru-patta, Turaka-vépa-véru-patta, Tel. Bettadá-bévina-béru-patte,
Can. Mahá-ním-jar-chhál, Beng. Parvata-nimba-múl-valka-lam,
S ans. Maha-nimba-múl-potta, C ing. Póste-bíkhe-ázád-darakht , Pers.
Of the seeds—The seeds of the Persian Lilac or Bead tree, Eng.
Baká-yan-ke-bínj, Mahá-nínbké-bínj, Hind. G ó r í - n í m - k é - b í n j ,
G o u l í
- n í m - k é
- b í n j .
D u k .
M a l a i - v é m b u - v i r a i , M a l a i - v e p p a m - v i r a i ,T
a m .
Konda-vépa-vittu, Turaka-vépa-vittu, Tel. Bettada-bévina-bíja, Can. Mahá-
ním-bíchi, Beng.
Parvata-nimba-bíjam, Sans. M a h á
- n i m b á
- atta,
Cing. Tukhme-ázád-darakht, Pers.
L ocal Sources.—Neither the root-bark nor the seeds are sold in the
bazaar, but require to be gathered.
Physiological A ctions.—Tonic and anthelmintic.
Therapeutic Uses.—Useful in some of those cases in which chiretta
is indicated, and round-worms are sometimes expelled under its use.
P reparations.— Of the root-bark—Powder and decoction. The
simple powder of the root-bark is prepared in the usual way and passed
through a sieve or cloth. Decoction : Take " four ounces of the fresh
root-bark, water two pints, boil to one pint " ( Pharm. of I ndia, p. 55).
Of the seeds—Powder, which is prepared in the same manner as that
of the root-bark.
Doses .—Of the powder of the root-bark, from forty to eighty
grains ; of the decoction of the root-bark, from four fluid drachms to a
fluid ounce, in children from 5 to 12 years old, up to 5 or 6 doses in
the 24 hours ; and of the powder of the seeds, from one to two
drachms.
European D rugs for which they may be substituted.—Gentian and
calumba.
R emarks.— The root-bark is very thin and light, rough and dark-
brown externally, pale-white internally, and bitterish in taste. The
seeds are generally about the size and shape of thick and long grains
of rice. but dark-brown and shining ; kernel albuminous, pale or yellow-
ish white, and slightly bitterish and oily in taste. The nut or shell
106 MATERIA MEDICA
CELASTRINEÆ.
† Celastrus paniculata,
Willd. 181, 182, 183 and 184.
Habitat.—Nílgiris, hilly parts of the Concans, ands some dry and
elevated jungles in South India.
Part Used.—The seeds, fixed oil and a compound empyreumatic oil.
Synonyms.—Of the seeds—Seeds of the Staff-tree, Eng. Mál--
kangní-Ké-bínj, Hind. and Duk. Váluluvai, Valuluvai-virai, Atipari--
c h a m ,
T a m .
M á l k a n g u n i - v i t t u l u , G u n d u m e d a ,T
e l .
V a l u - z h u v a o r
Váluluva, Malya
Malkangni, Beng. Málkángóni, Mah. Of the
fixed oil.—The oil of the Staff-tree, Eng. Málkangní-ká-tél, Hind.
and Duk. Vá l u l u v a i - e n n e y , T a m
. M á l k u n g u n i - n ú n e ,
T e l .
Váluluva--
enna, Malyal.
M á l k a n g u n i t a i l , B e n g .
M á l - k á n g ó n i - c h a - t é l a ,
M a h l
Of the compound empyreumatic oil.—Black oil, Eng. Málkangní-ká--
jantar, Duk. Váluluva-tailam, Tam. Málkanguni-tailamu, Tel.
Local Sources.—The seeds (No. 181) are pretty common in the
bazaar; the fixed oil (No. 182) is not generally sold, and the black oil
or Oleum nigram (Nos. 183 and 184) requires to be sent for from
Vizagapatam, Ellore, Masulipatam and a few other places in the
Northern Circars.
Price.—Of the seeds—Wholesale, Rs. 5 per maund; retail or
bazaar, As. 6 per pound. Of the black oil-Rs. 1½ per bottle, which
generally contains one pollum of the oil.
Physiological Actions.—Diuretic, diaphoretic, stimulant and nervine
tonic.
Therapeutic Uses.— B l a c k o i l i s t h e b e s t m e d i c i n e f o r B e r i b e r i , a n d
although the fixed oil of the seeds also possesses the diuretic and stimu-
-lant properties, it is in so slight a degree that it forms only a weak sub--
stitute for the former. The seeds bruised and formed into a poultice
is a good stimulant application to foul, unhealthy and indolent ulcers.
Preparation.—Oleum nigrum, or black oil is a compound and
empyreumatic oil obtained by a destructive distillation of the seeds of
Celastrus paniculata with several other ingredients, and is generally,
if not solely, manufactured in some places in the Northern Circars.
There are several varieties of this oil, but those prepared in Vizaga--
patam, Ellore and Masulipatam are the best and most efficacious
according to my own experience. The following graphic description of
the preparation of Oleum nigrum occurs in Dr. E. J. Waring's Manual
of Practical Therapeutics, p. 35:—
"Into an earthen pot, the bottom of which is perforated by a number of
small holes, are put the seeds of Celastrus nutans (Malkungee, Hind.), lbi s s . ,
benzoin, cloves, nutmegs, and mace ā ā
3 s s ; t h e m o u t h i s c l o s e d , a n d t h e
pot, placed over another, is luted to it. T
h e y a r e t h e n p l a c e d i n a p i t t h r e e f e e t d e e p a n d n e a r l y a s w i d e , a n d s u r r o u n d e d b y c a k e s o f d r y c o w
dung, which are set on fire; and when they are consumed, about 3 vi of
the oil is found in the under vessels, ready for use. It should be kept in
well-closed vessels. Sp. gr. 0 . 975. The Malkungnee seeds are the active
ingredients."
108
MATERIA MEDICA
dropsical symptoms. During the use of black oil, the native practi-
tioners invariably enjoin a very low and strict diet, giving nothing to
the patient except water and wheaten cakes for a long period—a
restriction which is as injurious as unnecessary in my opinion. The
patients labouring under Beriberi require a very liberal and nourishing
diet. I have also used this oil in some simple and uncomplicated cases
of dropsy, and with good and encouraging results.
The seeds are supposed to have the property of stimulating the
intellect and sharpening the memory. The oil is used in the courts and
colleges by a great many pundits and munshies to increase the intelli-
gence of their pupils.
RHAMNEÆ.
† Ventilago Madraspatana, Gærtn. 185.
Habitat.—Abundant in Western Mysore.
Part Used.—The root-bark.
Synonyms.—Súrí-chakká Duk. Pappili-chakkai, Vembádam, Tam.
Súrati-patta, Surala-tége-patta,Yerra-chakatli-chakka, Suritipette-
chakka; Tel. Pupli-chakka, Can. Raktavalli, Sans.
Local Sources.—The bark is sold in some large bazaars of South
India.
Price .—Wholesale, Rs. 6 per maund ; retail or bazaar, As. 5 per
pound.
Physiological Actions. —Carminative , stomachic, tonic and stimulant-
diuretic.
Therapeutic Uses .—Useful in atonic dyspepsia, debility and slight
cases of fever, and externally for cutaneous eruptions.
Preparation.—Simple powder, which is prepared in the usual way
and kept in a stoppered bottle.
Doses.—From thirty to ninety grains three or four times in the
twenty-four hours.
European Drugs for which it may be substituted.—Cascarilla , pimento,
calumba and cinchona.
Remarks.—The bark occurs in very thin and light pieces, varying
generally in length from ¼ to 2½ inches, and in breadth from 1 to 6 lines.
It is of a brown or reddish-brown color, odoriferous but almost tasteless.
As sold in the bazaar, it contains a large quantity of small scaly pieces
of its epidermis, which are still thinner, lighter and darker in color.
† Zizyphus Jujuba, Lamk. 186.
Habitat .—Cultivated in every part of India.
Part Used.—The fruit.
Synonyms.—The Indian jujube, Eng. Bér, Hind. and D u k .
Elandap-pazham or Elanda-param, Tam. Régu-pandu, Ganga-régu-
pandit, Tel. Elantap-pazham or Elanta-param, Malyal. Yalachi-
hannu, Can. Kúl, Bér or Bór, Beng. Badari-ph alam, Sans. Bóra,
Mah. Bór, Guz. Ilanda, Másank á, Cing. Zísi, Bur.
OF MADRAS.
109
Local Sources.—The dry fruit is occasionally sold in the bazaar.
Price .—Wholesale, Rs. 7 per maund ; retail or bazaar, As. 6 per
pound.
Physiological Actions.— Demulcent , nutrient and febrifuge.
Therapeutic Uses.—I have not yet used this drug separately, but
employed it always in combination with other and stronger febrifuge
medicines.
Preparation.—It is one of the ingredients of the compound decoction.
of Viola oaorata, which, as already explained, is very useful in certain
forms of fever. (See under Viola odorata)
Remarks.—The Indian Jujube in Madras is generally spherical and
about twice or thrice the size of a soap-nut ; but the fruit found in
Kurnool, Cawnpore, Furrukhabad, Aurungabad and many other parts of
India is generally oblong and often as large as a date. The dry fruit
is much shrivelled, smooth, shining, yellowish–red or reddish–brown, and
the pulp it contains is as nearly sweet as in the fresk state. The bark
of the tree is astringent.
AMPELIDE
Æ.
‡ Vitis setosa, Wall. 187.
Habitat.—Rajahmundry , Mysore, Nellore,
&amp;c.
Part Used.—The leaves.
Synonyms.—Yék-gisam-ká-bachlá, Duk.
Puli-pérandai, Tam. Pulla-bachchala, Barre–bachchala, Tel.
Local Sources.—Not sold in the bazaar.
Physiological Actions.— Local stimulant.
Therapeutic Uses.—Useful in the form of poultice, in sloughing and
fœtid ulceration, and also in boils and small abscesses for the purpose
of hastening suppuration, and for assisting in the extraction of guinea-
worms.
Preparation.—Poultice, prepared by bruising the fresh leaves with
or without water.
European Drugs for which it may be substituted.—Yeast poultice.
* Vitis vinifera , Linn. 188 and 189 .
Habtat.—N .–W . Himalayas, cultivated elsewhere.
Part Used.—The fruit.
Synonyms.—Of the fresh fruit—Grapes, Eng. Angúr, Dákh,
Hind. Angúr, Duk. Kodi-mundrip-pazham, Diráksha-pazham or
Dirásha-param, Tam. Drásha-pandu, Góstini-pandu, Tel. Munti-
rinnap-pazham or Muntri-param,M a l y a l
D r á k s h i - h a n n u ,
C a n
.
Angúr, Drakhyá., Beng. Dráksha–phalam, Sans . Dráksha,
M a h .
D r á k h ,
G u z .
M u d r a – p a l a m , M u d r a k á , C i n g . S a b í - s í S a b y a - s i ,B
u r .
Ainab or Aanab, Arab. Angúr, Pers. Of the ripe fruit dried in the
sun or with artificial heat—Raisins, Eng. and Fr. Rosinen, Ger.
OF MADRAS.
111
† Vitis quadrangularis, Wall. 190.
Habitat.—Pretty common in the jungles of South India.
Part Used.—The stern.
Synonyms.— Nallar , Hár-jórá, Hind. Nallér, Duk. Pirandai, Tam.
Nalléru, Tel. Viranta, Piranta, Mal. Mangarúli, Can. Hórjórá,
Harbhángá, Beng. Vajra-vallí, Sans. Chódhári, Guz. Shazánlese,
Bur.
Local Sources.—Sold by, or obtained through, the herb-sellers in
the bazaar.
Price.—Wholesale, Rs. 2 per maund ; retail or bazaar, Anna 1 per
pound.
Physiological Actions.—Stomachic and alterative.
Therapeutic Uses.—Used with benefit in dyspepsia.
Preparation .—Preserve : Cut a fresh and tender stem into small
pieces ; puncture each piece deeply with a thorn in many places and on
all sides ; boil the pieces in water till they become soft ; throw off the
liquid and subject them to a moderate pressure between two planks.
Boil the pieces again in lime-water, or in water in which carbonate
of soda to the proportion of J i to J iv is previously dissolved, and
throw off the liquid as before. Repeat the last process once or twice
more, or until the pieces are very soft and quite free from an y
acridity on chewing ; and then wash with pure warm water, wipe with
cloth and put them in a simple syrup of sugar. After a week they
will be ready for use.
Dose .—From two to four drachms (by guess) 2 or 3 times in the
24 hours.
European Drugs for which it may be substituted.—Peppermint and
caraway.
Remarks.—The fresh stem is deep or pale green in color, four-
angled, winged and jointed, each joint varying in length from 2 to 4
inches. Very acrid in taste, and the acridity appears to depend upon
an acid ; * hence the necessity of boiling it repeatedly in lime-water, or
water in which soda is dissolved, in preparing the preserve of the drug.
The sole cause of my inserting V. quadrangularis in this work is, that
I knew a man in Triplicane, who was subject to a chronic and obstinate
dyspepsia for a long time, was cured of it after the use of the preserve
of this drug for 40 days.
SAPINDACEÆ
‡ Cardiospermum Halicacabum, Linn. 191.
Habitat.—Pretty common in the plains and hedges of South India.
Part Used.—The leaves.
*The acridity of the sterns of this and other species of Vitis is due to the occurrence
of needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate (raphides), which act as a mechanical irritant.
By drying the plant the crystals are broken, and by boiling in water they are removed.
The preparation of the preserve described above would be quite innocent of any medi-
cinal activity.— D. H.
112
MATERIA MEDICA
Synonyms.—Heart pea, Eng. Kán-phútí-ká-pát, Hind. Ghan
- p h ó r - k á - p a t t á ,
D u k .
M ú d a k - k a t t á n - i l a i ,
T a m .
B u d d a - k á k a r a - á k u ,
E k k u d u - t í g e - á k u , V e k k u d u - t í g e - á k u , U p p a r i n t a - á k u , U l l e n a - t í g e - á k ú ,
Patali-tivva-áku, Tel. Naya-phatki-pátá, Latá-phatkari-páta, Beng.
Jyótishmati-patram, Sans. Kán-phúti-cha-páná,
M a h .
K á n - p h ú t i - n u - p á n d r u ,
G u z .
Local Sources.—Not sold in the bazaar, but can be obtained easily
in the rainy season through the herb-sellers.
Physiological Actions.—Cathartic,probably due to saponin, and a
remedy in rheumatism.
Therapeutic Uses.—Useful in acute rheumatism.
Preparation.—The juice of the fresh leaves obtained by bruising
and rubbing them in a mortar without water.
Dose.—Dose of the leaves, from two to three ounces.
European Drug for which it may be substituted.—Colchicum.
Remarks.—The Hindu practitioners in South India, especially those
in villages, frequently employ the leaves and root of C. Halicacabum in
the treatment of several diseases, including rheumatism, gravel and
calculi ; but I have only seen the juice of the leaves, in about three-
ounce doses, producing a good and satisfactory result in two cases of
acute rheumatism. In each of these cases the drug acted upon the
bowels and produced four or five loose motions, but the relief it
afforded to the pain and other symptoms of rheumatism was distinctly
more than that generally observed in the same disease under the use
of ordinary purgatives. This is the chief cause of my including the
above plant in this work.
‡ Sapindus trifoliatus, Linn. 192 and 193.
Habitat.—Cultivated, and also common in dry jungles.
Parts Used.—The pericarp or pulp, and kernel of the fruit.
Synonyms.—Of the fruit (No. 192)—Soapnut, Eng. Ríthá, H ind.
and Duk. Ponná-kottai, Tam. Kunkudu-káyalu, Kukudu-kayalu, Tel.
Urvanjik-káya, Ponnan-kotta, Malyal. Kúkate-káyi, Can. Ríthá, Ben
g. and Mah. Arishta phalam Phenila, Sans. Aritha, Guz. Miavmen-sue
-khé-si, Meávme-sue-khati, Bur. Of the kernel of the seed—Rithé-k
é-bínj-ká-maghz, Hind. and Duk.
Local Sources.—The soap-nut is one of the cheapest and com-
-monest drugs in India.
Price.—Wholesale, As. 12 per maund ; retail or bazaar, Anna ½per
pound.
Physiological Actions.—Internally, emetic, nauseant and expec-
- t o r a n t ; t h r o u g h t h e n o s e , a r e m e d y i n h e m i c r a n i a , a s t h m a , h y s t e r i a
and epilepsy ; and externally, detergent, and a remedy for the stings
and bites of poisonous insects , as scorpion, centipede, &e.
Therapeutic Uses.— As an emetic, nauseant and expectorant, the
pericarp or pulp of soap-nut is quite equal to ipecacuanha, if not
superior to it, and is very useful in all the affections in which the latter
is indicated. The emetic action of soap-nut always relieves asthma to
114
MATERIA MEDICA
with a soft, viscid, and translucent pulp, and, however long it may be
exposed to the sun, it does not get sufficiently dry to be pulverised.
The inner membrane or shell enclosing the seed is thin, tough, trans-
lucent and leathery. The taste of the pulp is sweetish bitter, an
d
the smell bears some resemblance to that of a very ripe and decom-
-
posing mango, or the compound extract of colocynth (butyric acid).
The active principle of the soap-nut is saponin, which occurs to the
extent of about 10 per cent. in the pulp.
The seed of the fruit is roundish, black, smooth, and about the
size of a large pea ; and the kernel is yellowish or pale-white, oily and
sweetish in taste.
I have been using the pericarp of soap-nut in my practice for the
last several months, and have just (August 1887) discovered it to be one of
the best, cheapest and commonest emetics in India. While it is as safe
as ipecacuanha and several other vegetable emetics, it is decidedly more
speedy in its action than all those drugs. It is, however, required to
be employed in much larger dose than ipecacuanha ; but this is no
disadvantage, for it is always administered in the form of draught, and
this draught is less nauseous and unpleasant than that of ipecacuanha
and many other emetics. As an emetic, the soap-nut well deserves
to be brought into general use by the medical profession.
Soap-nut is supposed to be a good anthelmintic in some native
medical works in four or five grain doses, but this is not really the case.
I have used it in very large doses (3j to 3ij) in many cases. and its
emetic action was sometimes accompanied by one or two loose motions ;
but I have neither seen nor heard of any of my patients passing
a single round or any other abdominal worm on any occasion. The
root of the soap-nut tree is woody, very hard and quite inert. The
root-bark and bark, however, contain the vegetable principle saponin
and form froth like soap when bruised and agitated in water. I have
used each of these drugs in decoction, and in large and repeated
doses, and found them to be very mild expectorant and demulcent.
As medicines they are so weak that I did not consider them worthy
of being treated as such.
ANACARDI ACEÆ.
* Pistacia Lentiscus, Linn. 194 and 195.
Habitat.—Southern Europe, Northern Africa and the Levant.
Part Used.—The resinous exudation
.
Synonyms .—Mastich, Eng. Mastic, Fr . Mastix, Ger. Rúmí-mastakí,
Hind. and Duk. Kíyá, Kundure-rúmí, Pers. Alake-rúmí, Mastakí, Arab.
Local Sources .—The true mastich is not found in the bazaars of
South India, and what is sold here under the same vernacular names
is the drug imported from Bombay, which should properly be called
the Indian, East Indian, Cabul or Bombay mastich, and which is now
proved to be the produce of Pistacia Terebinthus. (See the following
article.) The true drug or the resinous exudation of P. Lentiscus,
however, is often found in the possession of some rich Muhammadans
in Madras and other parts of Southern India.
116
MATERIA MEDICA
the Indian frankincense) and also to small pieces or fragments of the
large variety of the same drug, but it can be easily and readily dis-
tinguished from both by the water-test I have described in my remarks
under the articles Boswellia floribundu, B. glabra and B. serrata.
† Pi st aci a Terebi nt hus, Li nn. 196 and 197.
H abitat.—Afghanistan and Beluchistan.
Parts Used.—The galls and resinous exudation.
Synonyms.—Of the galls—Gule-pistah, Pers., Hind., and Du
k
Buzghanj (Bombay). Of the resinous exudation—Indian, East Indian.
Bombay or Cabul mastich, Eng. Mastakí, Rúmí-mastakí, Hind. and
Duk. The native synonyms under which this variety of mastich is sold
in the bazaar are the same as those which properly belong to the true
mastich. The galls are also produced by an allied species, P. vera.
Local Sources.—The galls and the mastich under consideration are
pretty common in every part of India, they being frequently and in
large quantities imported from Bombay.
Price.—Of the galls—Wholesale, Rs. 8 per maund ; retail or bazaar,
As. 6 per pound. Of the mastich—Wholesale, Rs. 3 per viss ; retail or
bazaar, As. 1½ per pollum.
Physiological Actions.—The galls are astringent, and this mastich
possesses the same medicinal properties as the true variety of that drug
,
but is more efficacious than the latter in some respects.
Therapeutic Uses.—I have never used these galls separately, but
have always employed them in combination with some other drugs of
the same nature, and they are an ingredient of the prescription, which
I shall speak of under the heading of " Preparations" in the following
article ( P. integerrima ). This prescription is very useful in cases of
diarrhœa and dysentery, particularly those of children. The thera- -
peutic uses of the mastich produced by this plant are similar to those of
the true mastich, except that it is more useful in gonorrhœa and
catarrhal affections than the latter.
Preparations and Doses. —I have administered the galls only in the
form of compound-powder with some other astringent medicines, a pre
-
scription of which, together with its doses, will be spoken of under the
next article, as mentioned above. The preparations and doses of this
mastich are precisely the same as those which are already described
under the preceding article ( P. Lentiscus ).
European Drugs for which they may be substituted. —The galls for
oak-bark, log-wood and Botany Bay kino ; and the mastich for Copaiba
Ammoniacum and Armoraciæ-radix.
Remarks.—The following is a good and graphic description of the
galls of P. vera from Dr. W. Dymock's Vegetable Materia
Medica
of Western India, p. 159 :—"The galls when fresh are bright pink
on one side and yellowish white on the other ; they vary much in
shape and size, some being perfectly fig-shaped and others almost
spherical, the majority ovoid ; at one end a portion of leaf often
remains attached ; here may be seen an open stoma which commu--
nicates with the interior of the sac ; the apices are pointed, often