NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
66
MATERIA MEDICA
Eriodendron anfractuosum, DC. 116, 117 and 118.
Habitat.—One of the common trees in South India.
Parts Used.—The dry young fruit, cotton, and seeds.
Synonyms.-Of the dry young fruit—Suféd-séńbal-ké-pindé, Suféd
sémal-ké-pindé, Tóla-ké-pindé, Hind. Khatyán-ké-pindé,
Suféd-khat-yán-ké-pindé, Duk. Ilavam-pinji, Tam. Búraga-pindé,
B ú r a - s a n n a - k á y a , B ú r a g a - s a n n a - k á y a ,T
e l .
O f t h e c o t t o n — S u f é d - s é
ń b a l - k í - r ú í ,
Suféd-sénbal-kí-rúí, Tóla-kí-rúí, Hinds.
K h a t y á n - k í - r ú í ,
S u f é d - K h a t y á n - k í r ú í ,
D u k .
I l a v a m - p a r u t t i ,
T a m .
B ú r a g a - p a t t i ,
T e l .
Pangai- maram-
parutti, Pulla-maram-parutti, Malyal Búra-mara-hatti, Buraga-hatti,
Can. Tólá.-rúí, Beng. Imbul-kapu, Cing. Of the
s e e d s — S u f é d - s é
ń b a l - k é - b í n j , S u f é d - s é m a l - k é - b í n j ,H
i n d . K h a t y á n - k é - b i n j ,
S u f é d - K h a t y á n - k é - b í n j ,
D u k .
I l v a m - v i r a i ,
T a m .
B u r a g a - v i t t u l u ,
T e l .
P a n g a i v i t t a ,
Pula-maram-vitta,
Búra-mara-bíja, Búraga-bíja, Can. Tólá-
bíj, Beng. Imbul-aţţa,
Local Sources.—The cotton is always found. in the bazaar and is
much cheaper than the common cotton. The dry young fruits are
sometimes sold as Máráti-moggu in the local market, but what is
generally met with there under this name are the dry young fruits
of B. malabaricum, to which that name should be confined for the
reasons explained under that plant. The fruits of E. anfractuosum,
however, are found in a large quantity on the ground under the plant
in the proper season, which is the chief and certain source of the drug.
The seeds also require to be gathered in the proper season, not being
sold in the bazaar.
Price.—Of the cotton—Wholesale, Rs. 2 per maund; retail or
bazaar, As. 1½ per pound.
Physiological Actions, Therapeutic Uses, Preparations, Doses, and
European Drugs for which they may be substituted.—Similar to those
of the corresponding parts of B. malabaricum, except this, that the
young fruit of the plant under discussion (E. anfractuosum) are much
inferior as a drug to those of the former (B. malabaricum).
Remarks.—I have already described the dry young fruits of E.
anfractuosun and pointed out the difference between them and those
of B. malabaricum in my remarks under the latter plant, and refer
the reader to them. The seeds of E. anfractuosum are about the size
of a small pea, roundish, dirty or dull brown in color, and smooth.
The albumen is grey or deep grey and distinctly sweet in taste. The
cotton is of a dull or dirty white color, and more silky or softer than
the common cotton. For this reason as well as for its cheapness it is
preferable to the latter for medical purposes.
† Adansonia digitata, Linn. 119 and 120.
Habitat.—An African plant cultivated in various parts of India.
Parts Used.—The fruit (No. 119) and bark (No. 120).
Synonyms.—Of the fruit—The monkey-bread or baobab fruit, Eng .
Gúra-amlí, Hind. Górak-amlí-ká-phal,
Duk.
68
MATERIA BIEDICA
The thick and very hard pericarp of the fruit is quite inert and does
not possess any medicinal property, as is supposed by some native
medical practitioners.
‡ A b u t i l o n i n d i c u m ,
G . D o n .
1 2 1 a n d 1 2 2 .
Habitat.—One of the commonest plants in India.
Parts Used.—The leaves (121) and seeds (122) and bark.
Synonyms.—Of the leaves—Kangai-ká-Pát, Kanghí-ká-pát, Hind.
Kangóí-Ká-pattá, Duk. Tutti-ilai, Tam. Tutti-áku,
T u t t u r u - b e n d a á k u ,
T e l .
T u t t a - e l a , P e t t a k a - p u t t i - e l a , S h r í m u d r i - y a l e ,C
a n .
Jhumká-gachh-pátá, Pitári-gáchh-pátá, Beng. Kangóí-nu-pána, Guz.
Anoda-kola, Cing. Bon-khoye, Bur. Varqul-mashtul-ghtoul, Arab.
Barge-darakhte-shánah, Pers. Of the seeds—Kangai-Ké-binj, Kanghí-
ké-bínj, Hind Kangóí-ké-binj , Duk. Tutti-virai, Tam. Tutti-
vittulu, Tutturu-benda-vittulu, Tel. Tutta-vitta, Pettaka-putti-vitta,
Malyal Shrimudri-bíja, Can. Jhumká-gáchh-bíj,-gách h,
Beng. Kangóí-nu-bij, Guz. Anoda-atta, Cing. Bazrul-ma
shtul-ghoul, Arab. Tukhme-darakhte-shánah, Pers.
Local Sources.—The seeds are pretty common in the bazaar, but the
leaves are not sold. As the plant is met with everywhere, the leaves
can be gathered easily at any time.
Price.—Of the seeds—Wholesale, Rs. 4 per maund ; retail or
bazaar, As. 3 per pound.
Physiological Actions.—The leaves are emollient, and the seeds
demulcent and, slightly diuretic.
Therapeutic Uses.—The leaves contain some mucilaginous substance,
which they yield to hot water. Their decoction is therefore useful as a
fomentation to painful parts. The seeds have a distinct control over
gonorrhœa, gleet and chronic cystitis.
Preparations.—Of the leaves—Decoction for external use, which is
to be prepared by boiling the fresh leaves with water, in proportion of
one handful of the former to one pint of the latter. Of the seeds—
Simple powder, prepared in the ordinary way and kept in a corked
bottle.
Doses.—Of the powder, from one to two drachms, three or four
times in the twenty-four hours.
European. Drugs for which they may be substituted.—Marsh-mallow,
copaiba, uva ursi and buchu.
Remarks.—The seeds are small, being about a line in length and
half a line in breadth and thickness ; ash-colored when fresh, brown
if old ; somewhat kidney-shaped ; odorless ; taste mucilaginous.
STERCULIACÆ
*Theobroma Cacao, Lima. 123 and 124.
Habitat.—Central America. Cultivated in Ceylon.
Parts Used.—The seeds and oil.
OF MADRAS.
60
Synonyms.—Of the seeds—Cocoa, cacao or chocolate seeds, Eng.
S c me n c e d e c a c a o , F r .
C a c a o s a m e n ,
G e r .
K ó k ó - k é - b í n j , D u k .
Kókó-virai, Tarn. Of the oil—Cocoa or cacao butter, Theobroma oil,
E n
g .
B e u r r e d e c a c a o ,
F r .
C a c a o b u t t e r , C a c a o t a l g ,
G e r .
K ó k ó -
ká-tél, Duk. Kókó-enney, Tam.
Local Sources.—The roasted and broken seeds (No. 123) are some-
times exported from Ceylon and sold by one or two native merchants
at Madras. The chocolate and the different "prepared cocoas," how-
ever, which are well-known forms or preparations of the seeds, aro
plentiful in European and other shops in this city as well as in many
• .
other places in Southern India.
Price.— Of the roasted and broken seeds, Rs. 1½ per pound; of the
chocolate, As. 10 per pound; and of the cocoa butter, As. 6 per ounce.
Physiological Actions.—Demulcent and nutritive.
Therapeutic Uses.—The seeds in the form of "prepared cocoa " have
been found useful in phthisis pulmonalis. In dysentery and mucous
d i a r r h œ a , p a r t i c u l a r l y w h e n t h e y a r e a c c o m p a n i e d b y t o r m i n a ,
tenes-mus and extreme frequency of motions, it is one of the few best adju-
vants to other and more active medicines, such as opium. The butter is
a convenient base for suppositories and pessaries.
Preparations.—Of the seeds—Prepared cocoas are made by powder-
ing the roasted seeds and removing a portion of the concrete oil by heat,
and in the cheaper kinds sugar and farinaceous substances are added.
Chocolate consists of the kernels of the seeds, which are first roasted,
then deprived of their shells, and lastly reduced by grinding between
heated stones into a paste, mixed with sugar and spices and pressed into
cakes.
Doses.—Of the prepared cocoa, from one to two tea-spoonfuls.
Remarks.—The cocoa fruit or capsule (No. 124) is oval, from 2½
to 4 inches long and about the same in circumference, yellow and five-
celled, each cell containing generally from 8 to 10 seeds. The seed is
ovoid or oval, black and covered with a membranous and succulent
aril.
The roasted and broken seeds (No. 123), which are exported to
Madras from Ceylon, possess a very peculiar and pleasant odor and
taste, which are sufficient to distinguish them from all other drugs and
articles of diet. The odor is quite like that of chocolate, and the taste
nearly so. The alkaloid of cocoa is theobromine, which is said to be
identical in its effects on the system with theine or caffeine.
A very good description of Theobroma oil or cocoa butter is found
in the Pharmacographia, p. 88, which is as follows :-
"At ordinary temperatures cacao butter is a light yellowish, opaque,
dry substance, usually supplied in the form of oblong tablets, having
somewhat the aspect of white Windsor soap. Though unctuous to touch,
it is brittle enough to break into fragments when struck, exhibiting a
dull waxy fracture. It has a pleasant odor of chocolate and melts in the
mouth with a bland agreeable taste. Its sp. gr. is 0 . 961; its fusing point
29° to 30° C.
70
MATE R IA MEDICA
" Examined under the microscope by polarized light, cacao butter is
seen to consist of minute crystals. It is dissolved by 20 parts of boiling
absolute alcohol, but on cooling separates to such an extent that the liquid.
retains not more than 1 per cent. in solution. The fat separated after
refrigeration is found to have lost most of its chocolate flavor.
"Cocoa butter in small fragments is slowly dissolved by double its
weight of benzel in the cold (10° C.), but by keeping partially separates in
crystalline warts."
Sterculia fœtida, Linn. 125.
Habitat.—There are several plants in the gardens of Madras.
Pretty common in Travancore.
Parts Med.—The seeds (No. 125) and oil.
Synonyms.—Of the seeds-Pínári-káy-virai,
Kuddu-
rai-pudduku-káy-virai, Tam Gurapu-bâdam-chettu - vittulu, Tel. Of
the oil —Kuddurai-puddaku-káy -eņņ ey, Pínári-káy-eņņey,
Pínári-
eņņey, Tem. Gurrapu-bádam-cheţţu-núne, Tel.
Local Sources.—Neither the seeds nor the oil is sold in the bazaar,
but the former are procurable in some gardens at Madras in November
and December, and the latter can be extracted from the kernel of the
seeds
Physiological Actions, Therapeutic Uses, Doses, and European Drugs
for which, they may be substituted.—Similar to those of the kernels of
Terminalia catappa.
Remarks.—The seeds are black and oblong, about one inch in
length, and about the same in circumference. The kernel is generally
grey and sweetish in taste. The oil is of a pale yellow color,
i n o d o r - o u s ,
w i t h a f a i n t l y
s w e e t i s h t a s t e . T h e s e e d s a f f o r d a s m u c h a s 4 0
per cent of fixed oil which contains a large quantity of stearic acid.
‡Helicteres Isora, Linn. 126.
Habitat.—Pretty common in Madras.
Part Used.—The fruit or capsule.
Synonyms—Marór-phallí, Hind. Marórí-kí-phallí Duk.
bari-káy, Tem. Nuliti-káya, Syamili-káya, Ada-syamili-káya, Kávin-
chi-káya, Valimbari-káya, Tel. Valampari-káya, Malyal Gasht-bar-
gasht, Pers.
Local Sources.—Sold in some bazaars of Madras.
Price.—Wholesale, Rs. 3 per maund; retail or bazaar, As. 2 per
pound.
Physiological Actions.—Demulcent and mild astringent.
Therapeutic U ses.— With other thugs in the griping of bowels an
flatulence of children.
Preparation.—Simple powder prepared in the ordinary way.
Doses.—From one to two drachms, two or three times a day.
OF MADRAS.
71
Remarks.—The fruit or capsule is cylindrical and pointed at one
end, varying in length from 2 to 4 inches, and. in thickness from 2 to
4 lines. It is spirally and handsomely twisted and possesses no parti-
cular taste or smell. The tree is sometimes called the East Indian
screw tree.
‡Guazuma toinentosa, Kth. 12.7,
Habitat.—Pretty common in Madras.
Part Used.—The bark.
Synonyms.—Bastard cedar bark, Eng. Bandóq-ké-jhár-kí-chhál,
Duk. Tain-púchi-pattai, Tam. Udrik-patta, Rudrakshi, Can.
Local. Sources.—Not sold in the bazaar, but can easily be gathered
from gardens and jungles.
Phyiological Actions.—Tonic and demulcent.
Therapeutic Uses.—Used with benefit in some of those cases in
which calumba and gentian are indicated.
Preparatioth—Decoction : Take of the inner bark, cut into small
pieces or in coarse powder, four ounces ; water, one pint and a half ;
boil till the liquid is reduced to one pint, and strain when cool.
Doses.—From two to three fluid ounces.
European Drugs for which it may be substituted.—Calumba and
gentian.
Remarks,—The bark is very scaly, but the scales are separated very
easily when dry. The bark underneath the scales is reddish-brown,
without any particular taste or smell. The bark is very mucilaginous
and is used by arrack manufacturers in clarifying their liquors.
T I L I A C E Æ .
Corchorus olitorius, Linn. 128.
Habitat.—A weed, cultivated in Bengal but not in Southern India.
Part Used.—The leaves.
Sypnonyms.—Jew's mallow, Jute leaves, Eng. Janglí-lông-ká-
pattá, Duk. P u n n á k - k í r a i , P e r a t t i - k í r a , Ta m. P a r i n t a , P é r a n t a ,
Péranta-Kúra, Tel.
Local Sources.—Not sold in the bazaar ; pretty common in hedges
and fields.
Actions.—Demulcent, tonic and diuretic.
Therapeutic Uses.—Useful in some cases of chronic cystitis,
goner-rhœa and dysuria.
Preparations.—Juice of the fresh leaves and infusion. The juice is
to be pressed out by bruising the fresh leaves without water and passing
through cloth. Infusion : Take of the dry leaves, three ounces ;
water, one pint ; infuse in a covered vessel for an hour and a half,
and strain.
MATERIA MEDICA
Doses.—Of the juice, from one to two fluid ounces ; and of the
infusion from two to four fluid. ounces, three or four times in the
twenty-four hours.
LINEÆ.
* Linum usitatissimum, Linn. 129 and 130.
Habitat.—Cultivated.
Parts Used.—The seeds (129) and oil (130).
Synonyms.—Of the seeds—Linseed, flax-seed, Eng. Semence de Lin,
Fr. Leinsamen, Flachssamen, Ger. Alsí, Tísí, H ind. Alsí-ké-bínj,
Duk. Alishi-virai, Tam. At a s í , Ma d a n a - g i n j a l u , T e l .
C h e r u - c h á n a - v i t t i n t e - v i t t a , M a l y a l A l a s h í ,C
a n .
T í s í , M o s í n a ,
B e n g .
A t a s í ,
Sens.
Bazrul-kattán or Bazrul-katán Arab. Tukhme-katán, Tukhme-zaghir,
Pers. Of the oil—Linseed oil, Eng. Alsí-ká-tél, Tísí-ká-tél, Hind.
Alsí-ká-tél, Duk. Alashi-virai-enney, Tam. Atasí-núne, Madana
ginjalu-núne, Tel. Cheru-chána-vittinte-enna, Alshi-enne,
Can. Tísi-tail, Beng. Atasi-tailum, Sans. Dhonul-kattán or
D h o n u l - k a t á n ,
A r a b .
R ó g h a n e - z a g h í r , R ó g h a n e - k a t á n ,P
e r s .
Local Sources.—Both the seeds and oil are sold in the bazaar.
Price.—Of the seeds—Wholesale, Rs. 2½ per maund ; retail or
bazaar, As. 2 per pound. Of the oil, As. 12 per bottle. Of the linseed
meal, As. 8 per pound.
Physiological Actions.—Demulcent, emollient, diuretic and nutritive.
The liniment of linseed oil, which is generally known as Carron oil,
and sometimes as Linimentum Calcis, is a very useful preparation and
is frequently and successfully resorted to, with cotton, for the cure of
burns and scalds, and I have already explained the object of this
combination in my remarks under the species of Gossypium, pp. 51 to 53.
Therapeutic Uses.—Internally, the seeds are very useful in relieving
the burning sensation of the urine in dysuria, strangury, cystitis,
nephritis and many other disorders of the bladder, kidney and urethra.
Externally, in the form of poultice, they are not only useful in many
surgical or external diseases, as ulcers, wounds, abscesses, carbuncles,
&c., but also of great service in some internal and serious maladies,
such as peritonitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, &c. Applied constantly over
the abdomen or chest, &c., it relieves the inflammation of the deep-
seated organs, and thus becomes a useful auxiliary to some internal and
more active remedies.
Preparations.—Infusion, Poultice and Liniment. Infusion : Take
of linseed, bruised, two drachms and forty grains ; liquorice-root,
sliced or bruised, one drachm ; boiling water, ten fluid ounces ; infuse
the ingredients in the water in a covered vessel for four hours and.
strain. Poultice : The linseed poultice is prepared. in two ways, one of
which is described in the Pharmacopœia of India p. 37. In this
method, the linseed meal, which is nothing but the coarse powder of
the oil-cake made from the seeds after expression of the oil, is used with
olive oil and boiling water ; and in the other, the seeds themselves,
bruised or crushed, but not deprived of their oil, are employed alone
with the boiling water, The linseed meal is very dear As. 8 per
OF MADRAS.
73
pound) and only procurable in European druggists' shops in Madras ;
while, on the other hand, the linseeds are very cheap (As. 2 per pound)
and found abundantly in every bazaar. The dearness, together with
the necessity of adding olive oil in the first method, makes the second
very preferable in this country. Liniment : Take of linseed oil and
Liquor Calcis in equal proportions, put them together in a bottle and
shake till they are well mixed and become white.
Dose.—Of the infusion, from two to four fluid ounces.
European Drugs , for which they may be substituted.—The linseeds and
their oil in India are quite identical with those drugs produced in
Europe, and they are, therefore, a perfect substitute for each other.
Remarks.—The seeds are small, flattened, oval or oblong, pointed at
one extremity, sharp-edged, smooth, shining, brown or reddish-brown
externally, yellowish-white internally, inodorous and of a mucilage-
oily taste. They abound in a fixed oil, which is obtained from them
either by expression or heat. The latter is the most common in South
India, and is viscid, reddish or yellowish brown, with a peculiar and
characteristic odour and taste.
† Erythroxylon monogynum, Roxb. (Sethia Indica,DC.) 131
. Habitat.—Dry jungles of the Western Peninsula.
Part Used.—The wood.
Synonyms.—Red cedar, Bastard Sandal, Eng. Nát-ká-dévdár, Duk.
Tévadáram, Tam. Advai-góranta, Dévadáru, Pagadapu-katta, Tel.
Local Sources.—The wood is sold in the bazaars of Madras.
Price.—Wholesale, Rs. 3 per maund ; retail or bazaar, As. 2 per
pound.
Physiological Actions.—Stomachic, diaphoretic and stimulant diuretic.
Therapeutic Uses.—Useful in some slight cases of dyspepsia and
continued fever, and also in dropsy as an adjuvant to some other and
more active medicines.
Preparation.—Infusion: Take of the wood, in raspings or shavings,
two ounces ; boiling water, one pint ; infuse one hour, strain and keep
in a corked bottle.
Doses.—From one to two fluid ounces, as often as it is necessary.
European. Drugs for which it may be substituted.—Anthemis,
casca-rilla and Pot. acet.
Remarks.—The wood is very hard, heavy, flesh-colored and almost
tasteless, but has a strong aromatic and agreeable smell, particularly
when freshly cut. The leaves are refrigerant and are eaten in times of
famine.
M A L P I G H I A C E Æ .
Hiptage Madablota, Gœrtn. 132.
Habitat.—Rather rare and found only in a few gardens of Madras.
Part Used.—The leaves and bark.
K
74
MATERIA MEDICA
Synonyms.—Kurindai, Tam. Mádhavítégi, Vadla-yárála, Pótu-
vadla, Tel. Mádhúbi, Mádhúbi-latá, Bos-anti, Beng.
Local Sources.—Not sold in the bazaar. Requires to be gathered
whenever it is necessary.
Physiological Action.—Insecticide and astringent.
Therapeutic Uses.—The juice is useful in scabies by killing the
Acarus scabiei if rubbed well and frequently over the affected parts.
The bark contains tannin and is used by toddy drawers in making arraek.
Preparation.—Juice of the fresh leaves for external use is pressed
out by bruising them without water.
European Drug for which it may be substitute d.—Ungt. Hydrarg.
Nitratis.
ZYGOPHYLLEÆ.
†Tribulus terrestris, Linn. 133 and 134.
Habitat.— One of the commonest herbs in all the jungles and waste
places in India.
Parts Used.—The fruit (No. 133) and leaves (No. 134).
Synonyms.—Of the fruit—Gókhrú, Hind Ghókrú, Duk. Nerun-
ji-mullu, Neranji, Tam. Palléru-mullu, Chiru-palléru, Palléru, Tel.
Neringil, Malyal. Negalu, Can. Vanasrangánta, Gókhurhá, Trikan-
takavallí, San. Ghókaru, Charatte, Mah. Gókhru, Beng. and Guz.
Neranehi or Neranji, Cing. Sule-anén, Bur. Bastítáj, khasak, Arab.
Kháre-shasak, Pers. Of the leaves— Gókhrú-ká-pát, Hind. Ghôkrú,
ká-pattá, Duk Nerunji-ilai, Tam. Palléru-áku, Tel. Neringil-ela,
Malyal Negalu-yalé, Can.Gókhru-pátá, Beng.
Vanasarangaát-
patram, Gókhurhá-patram, Sans. Ghókaru-cha-pána, Charátte-cha-
pá n o , M a h . G ó k h r u - n u - p á n d r u , G u z .
N e r a n c h i - k o l a ,
C i n g .
Sule--
anen-yœ, Burm. Varqul-bastí-táj, Varqul-khasak, Arab.
B a r g e k h - á r e - k h a s a k ,
P e r s .
Local Seurces.—The dry fruit of T. terrestris is one of the com-
monest and cheapest drugs in the bazaar, bat the leaves not sold.
As every jungle, plain and waste land is covered with this trouble-
some herb, there is no difficulty in gathering its fresh leaves whenever
it is necessary.
Physiological Action —Demulcent-diuretic.
Therapeutic Uses.—Useful in some slight cases of strangury, gleet
and chronic cystitis.
Preparations.—Of the fruit—Decoction : Take of the dry fruit,
braised, three ounces ; water, one pint and-a-half ; boil on a slow fire
till the liquid is reduced to one pint, strain when cool. Of the leaves
—juice of the fresh leaves pressed out by bruising without water and
passing through cloth.
Doses.—Of the decoction, from one to three fluid ounces ; and of
the juice, from one to two fluid ounces ; four or five times a day.
European Drugs for which they may be substituted.—A weak substi-
tute for Spirit. Æther. Nit., Tragacanth, Buchu and Uva Ursi.
Remarks.—The fruit is roundish, five-cornered, five-celled, about
the size of the Bengal-gram, and armed with prickles, the great source
of annoyance and pain to the foot-travellers. Each of the cells contains
one or two four-horned seeds. The fruit possesses no particular taste
or smell, but the seeds are slightly bitterish, due to the presence of an
alkaloid.
GERANIACEÆ.
‡ Oxalis corniculata, Linn. 135.
Habitat .—Grows in every low and damp place, particularly along
the banks of small and shallow nullas or brooks which are constantly
wet.
Part Used.— The whole plant.
Synonyms.—Indian sorrel, Eng. Anbótí, Seh-pattí, Hind. An-
bótí-kí-bhájí, Duk. Puliyárai-kirai, Tam. Puli-chintáku,
Pulla-chanchali, Anbótí-kúra, Tel. Puliyárala, Malyal. Pullam-
purachí-sappu, Can. Omlóti, Amrul, B e n g .
Local Sources.—It being one of those greens which the natives of
this country, particularly the Muhammadans, are very fond of, it is
sold in every town and large village.
Price
.—
As. 6 per viss, Rs. l½ per pound.
Physiological Actions .—Refrigerant and antiscorbutic.
Therapeutic Uses.
—
The fresh leaves bruised with or without water
formed into a poultice and applied over an inflamed part, produce
great cold and thus relieve the pain and other inflammatory symp--
toms. Prepared with hot water, the leaves make a very efficient poultice
for boils. Them leaves contain an acid oxalate of potash, and the sourish
and very tasteful curry made from them improves the appetite and pro-
-duces a relish for food. The greens are, therefore, a useful article of
diet for some dyspeptic and other patients, in whom a dislike for food
is a chief or constant symptom.
‡ A v e r r h o a C a r a m b o l a ,
L i n n .1
3 6 .
Ha b i t a t . —C u l t i v a t e d .
Part Used.— The fruit.
Synonyms .—Khamrak, Kamrak, Hind. Khamraq, Duk.
Tamart-tam-káy, Tam. Tamarta-káya, Tamma-káya, Tel. Tamarattu-ká,
Mayal. Kamarak, Can. Kamarangá, Kamrak, Beng. Tamarak, Guz.
Zounsí, Zoun-yá-sí, Burm.
Local Sources.— The fruits of Averrhoa Carambola are sold in the
bazaar in the rainy season.
Price. — Of the ripe fruit—Wholesale, Rs. 2½ per maund; retail or
bazaar, As. 3 per pound.
Physiological Actions.—Refrigerant and astringents.
Therapeutic Uses.—The ripe fruit, which is generally sour (though
there is a sweet variety) and contains oxalic acid, is a good remedy for
bleeding piles, particularly in that variety of the disease which is known