Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/232

152 The gum which flows from the wounded branches, mixed with strips of the bark and leaves, is steeped in water, and the oil which rises to the surface is used as an application to sore- eyes. Horsfield says that in Java the tree is supposed to possess diuretic properties (DRURY).

Rheede says that the tears which distil from the tree and its fruit are emetic and purgative.

The oil exercises a great beneficial influence over the mucous membrane of the genito-urinary organs, and is therefore highly useful in the treatment of gonorrhœa and gleet. Ex- ternally, it is a good and useful embrocation in rheumatism and gout. The watery paste of the kernel of the seeds, applied to the painful joints and dried by the heat of fire, often affords a great relief in the same diseases, and may be resorted to in the absence of the oil.

Although there is nothing in the sensible properties of this oil to indicate a poisonous character, yet, as far my knowledge extends, it has never been administered internally in this or any other country. Having satisfied myself by personal use that it is neither detrimental to life nor deleterious to health up to a certain quantity, 1 employed it in my practice and found it to be a very valuable drug. It acts as a specific on the mucous membrane of the genito-urinary organs, and its control, therefore, over gonorrhœa and gleet is very considerable. It is so certain and speedy in its action that its good effect in the above diseases is often noticed a few hours after the exhibition of its first dose (MOODEEN SHERIFF.)

The leaves soaked in water are employed as an application to inflamed eyes, in the Archipelago (Dr. Rice, New York). The fixed oil, expressed from the kernels of the seeds, is said to cure scabies (B. Gupta, Pooree.)

According to the Hindoo writers, the bark is astringent and useful in internal hæmorrhages (U. C. Durr.)

The juice of the bark is used as a purgative, and is said to be very powerful in its action. (SURGEON PEACOCK, Nasik.)

In rheumatism, the natives use the oil as an external application (E. A. Morris, Madras). Watt's Dictionary.