The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28
CURIOUS MEDICAL ADVICE
Roots and Herbs Highly Valued by
the Old Philippine Friars.
Ancie mt Volumes Which Contain In
struetiOns for Those Afflicted With
Various I1ls-Eyu Warded OF by
P1nnt-Laugh Provoking Seeds.


The knowledge of the medicinal proper
ties of herbs and plant possessed by the
| old monks in the Philippine Islands would
| appear from a work. published by the
Augustinian friars in four immense vol
umes, on the subject of the flora cs the
islands, to have been wonderful. A copy
of this work can with difficulty - pro-
cured. That part of the fourth volume
entitled THE Declaration of the Virtue
of the Trees and Plants, Which are in
This Land by the priest. Ignasio de
Mercado Filipino. with scientific CLASH
fication by Friar Fernandez VilIar, is es-
pecially interesting.
The language employed by the writer
Is as quaint as his statements are re-
markable.
For an unfortunate tree" says the
author. we hold the Calumpang; after
having received benefits from its branches
and leaves, men despise it. 1 say this
because if the sun is hot they use the
shade of the Calumpang. if it rains they
do the same. if they are hungry beneath
it they eat, and the recompense that 1t
finds from the passersby is that all hack
its TRUNK. as if it were a crime to have
comforted with its branches the thank
less ones VINO come to use them when ex-
hausted by hunger or WEAKNESS or be-
cause the skies are threatening or too in
tense"
The writer speaks in like strain of the
Fittosporum: There are some things
which have a bad face and good works.
and others the contrary. And also there
are others which are throughout good or
bad. This Manuals is beautiful, inasmuch
as it puts out it's branches each one like
a palm. Now, we do not know whether 1t
is beautiful in its properties; that depends
on how one wishes to use 1t, because the
bark of the root which looks toward the
east makes a good plaster for stomach
ache
Here follows a singular passage relating
to the root of the Smilax China, which
God created here, and which, plucked
when the moon is on the increase, is an
even better remedy for pains, tumors, etc,
than the celebrated Palo de China, which
causes the bones to decay. Let them that
do not believe this take from the sepui-
chre one who has been cured by the Palo
de China and they shall see all his bones
decayed."
Saffron, 1t Is stated, has such power that
placed in the hand it penetrates instant
ly to the heart. "A little bag of it put
OH the stomach says the priest, keeps
one from breakfasting, and it is certain
that If given to drink in quantity it de-
spatches from this life to the other the
patient who dies at once and laughing.
The seeds of Datura metel act like laugh
ing gas. keeping one unconscious for a
long time. laughing. weeping, sleeping,
speaking, and answering, but all uncon-
sciously. The antidote is the root itself
gathered on the side which faces the
east"
The water in which Romero Rosmari-
nus has been boiled prevents wrinkles
and is most healthful bath, cleansing
the body from all weakness, pain, weari-
ness, melancholy, sorrow, and anxiety
preserving the strength and enlivening
all the members and feelings, and who
uses 1t twice month and sweats need
fear no infirmity. He who takes the holy
plant tArtemisa grata) with him when
walking will suffer no i'll from the sun
nor from the moon"
The leaves of Fleurya applied to the
pulses of sufferer from chills will, It is
said, effect cure in five days, by the
help of God of Asparagus officinaIjs
we are told, blessed be God who created
this plant for the aid of the poor. it
Christ our Lord compared the holy faith,
living and pure. to the grain of mustard.
But nevertheless we will mention here.
for our advantage, some properties and
virtues of this seed. according to Pliny,
DESCRIBES, an1 Avicena."
The following observation is applicable
TO that valued American product the
watermelon: He who eats the least of
melons is the best off, for they are all
CONCEALED water and without sustaining
power"
Some idea, of the power of a Philippine
onion may be gathered from the follow
ing observations: He who eats a raw ago
garlic will break a bottle by blowing
upon 1t Immediately afterward''
The following hints are among the most
curious in the book; Cane sugar given
III cold water is more refreshing to one
who has fever than water alone. The
reason for the water appearing more re-
freshing with it is that since it is so
tempered it converts itself Immediately
into the nature OF him to whom it is