_Medicine and Botany of the Indians._
Diseases prevail at the north pole as well as in the torrid zone;
but those to which the Esquimaux, Greenlanders, and other northern
tribes are subject, are for the most part different from those
common between the tropics. Cold concentrates the vital spirits,
strengthens the nerves, and causes heat, the proper vital power, to
be accumulated in the interior parts; so that the body acquires a
solid consistence, becomes strong and well-conditioned, and can bear
all hardships without injury. It is attended, however, with this
consequence, that it attracts the most dangerous diseases; creates
violent, deep-rooted passions; blunts the judgement; and, if I may
use the expression, involves it in dark clouds: though it cannot be
denied that the mind thereby acquires a certain firmness, obtains
dominion over itself, and is enabled to act with more caution. Heat,
on the other hand, makes the body tender, and the nerves weak; gives
more play to the human mind, and particularly the imagination;
inflames the passions, and brings on diseases; but the former soon
subside, and the latter are seldom dangerous.
I shall not here examine whether the assertion, that mankind increase
no-where so much as in cold countries, be well founded; but it is
certain that they never thrive better than under a temperate climate.
If the heat at the equator be scarcely supportable in the day-time,
the nights, on the other hand, are more refreshing and pleasanter;
and as they are equal to the days in length, the inhabitants are
sufficiently indemnified for the oppression of the latter[226]. I
cannot, therefore, agree with that French philosopher, who asserts
that a six months residence at the north pole could be much easier
endured than one of three at the equator, where, at certain hours of
the day, the heat is moderated by a fresh cooling breeze. As long
as the effects of nature do not contradict each other, so long will
this principle be just, that men live much more agreeably under a
mild climate, than in districts which are seldom visited by the
benign influence of the sun. This is proved by many circumstances,
and particularly by the emigrations of the Cimbri, the Huns, the
Teutones, and the Marsi[227], who, leaving their unhospitable
regions of the north, exposed to excessive cold, over-ran other
countries lying more towards the south. The case was the same with
the Turks, who, about the year 625, emerged from Scythia and Tartary;
proceeded always further towards the east; and at length, after long
and bloody wars, made themselves masters of Constantinople, in 1452.
These, and other circumstances of the like kind, sufficiently confirm
what I have said in regard to diversity of climate, and its influence
on man.
It is an incontestible truth, that the strength or weakness of a
people depends, in a great measure, on these causes; and Hippocrates
was so much convinced of the justness of this assertion, that he
affirmed one might discover by a man’s countenance under what climate
he was born, and to what country he belonged[228].
* * * * *
The diseases which prevail among the inhabitants of the southern
part of India, that is, of _Malabar_, _Canara_, _Maïssur_, _Madura_,
_Tanjaur_, _Marava_ and _Parava_, are as follows:
_Shralanòva_, the wind-colic.
_Sanivali_, nervous cramps and convulsions.
_Adisàram_, flux or dysentery.
_Calladapa_, the gravel and stone.
_Grahanni_, the bloody flux.
_Mujali_, a kind of gout.
_Kaszalapani_, St. Anthony’s fire, with feverish
symptoms.
_Pani_, violent fever.
_Tridoshagioram_, the fever which has three bad
properties; that is, the violent fever.
_Mallampani_, a fever that lasts only one day, and
is occasioned by a certain wind which blows
from the Gauts.
_Vidàtapani_, the continued fever.
_Dnnaràdenpani_, the tertian fever.
_Nàlampani_, the quartan fever.
_Kshaja_, phthisis.
_Ragiakshaja_, consumption of the lungs.
_Nirvàszicia_, involuntary emission of urine.
_Pramèham, Gonorrhœa benigna._
_Aadram_, the hemorrhoids.
_Mahòdoram_, the dropsy.
_Kamala_, the jaundice.
_Sannhi_, phrensy combined with convulsions.
_Velupa_, or _Cushtam_, leprosy.
_Nirtiripa_, or _Nircomben_, an intestinal colic, which
proceeds from cold. This disease is in common
called _Mordexim_, of which Sonnerat drolly
enough makes _Mort de chien_, dog’s death.
In the months of October, November and
December it prevails much on the coast of
Malabar; for about that period certain winds
blow from the Gauts, and carry with them a
multitude of nitrous particles.
_Astisràva_, an inflammatory disease which affects
the whole body, and consumes the marrow of
the bones.
_Ciardhi_, vomiting which proceeds from bile or
other causes.
_Ractapittam_, bilious fever, which is commonly
followed by a flux of blood and putrid matter.
_Tipolla_, burning ulcers on the exterior part of
the body.
_Masuri_, the small-pox; a disease which in India
is exceedingly infectious, and sweeps off
prodigious multitudes.
_Ciori_, the itch.
_Arbuda_, cancer.
_Ceravarpa_, an ulcer, the fetid smell of which
attracts the snake _Cera_. This snake, however,
is not poisonous.
_Araklèsham_, buboes.
_Sannivàdam_, apoplexy.
_Engal_, asthma.
_Ciuma_, cough.
Those who read this catalogue of diseases with attention, will find
that the greater part of them proceed either from too great heat,
or from catching cold. Some kinds of boils and ulcers, which break
out on the legs during the rainy season, are difficult to be cured;
while there are others, on the contrary, which cannot be healed
during the summer. The women, who lead an indolent life, and do not
take sufficient exercise, are tormented with convulsions, spasms, and
other hysteric symptoms. I have often seen some of these women start
suddenly up in the middle of mass, when the bell was rung; run up
and down in the church, and begin to dance as if frantic. Those who
were not acquainted with the cause of this singular behaviour, and
did not know that it proceeded from hysteric affections, might have
believed that the women were possessed by the devil. After jumping
and capering for some time, the blood resumed its former circulation;
the corrupted juice, which had occasioned the stoppage, were in part
thrown off by perspiration; the nerves recovered the necessary tone,
and the women became tranquil and easy. This kind of dance is called
_Tullunu_; and the agitation of the body occasioned by it is named
_Tullel_. Such persons should be made to beat unshelled rice; bark
and the cold bath should be prescribed for them; and they should,
above all, be cautioned to avoid every thing that tends to disquiet
or disturb the mind[229].
People who complain of a weakness of the stomach and nerves are
accustomed in the morning to chew a little opium, which they say
strengthens the nerves and promotes digestion. This custom, however,
is in reality highly pernicious; for those who acquire a habit of
chewing opium can never renounce it; and if not supplied with it,
they suffer horrid pain; fall into fainting fits, and lie as if dead.
I was acquainted with several persons who always, at table, took
a small dose of opium, and yet enjoyed good health. It mitigates
the too great fermentation of the animal juices, as well as too
great tension of the nerves, against which, in this hot climate,
it is impossible to use too many precautions. For this reason the
Mahometans, who, as is well known, have a plurality of wives, are
accustomed to employ opium when they wish to enjoy the company of
their females, lest the impulse of nature, being too strong, should
prove prejudicial to health. However useful opium may be under such
circumstances, its effects are highly dangerous when a large dose
of it is taken dissolved in lemon juice, or any acid solvent. When
prepared in this manner it renders men bloodthirsty; converts them
into savage beasts; and inspires them with such fury, that they would
rather suffer themselves to be cut to pieces than give up the weapon
which they have in their hand. The desperadoes who allow themselves
to be intoxicated by opium, dissolved in this manner, are called
_Ammochi_; and are either Nairs or Mahometans, who have resolved to
sacrifice their lives to serve their king, their country, or any
person whole cause they have undertaken to espouse[230].
Formerly there were a great many of these _Ammochi_ on the coast of
Malabar; but since the king of Travancor prohibited the natives from
drinking coco-nut brandy called _Tàgara_, to smoke _Cangiàva_, and to
use opium prepared as above mentioned, such ravenous animals in the
human form have become uncommon; and should any one venture, in so
horrid a manner, to disturb the tranquillity of the public, he would
be instantly punished with death. Some persons, however, who were at
_Ciavacàda_ during the war against Tippoo, assured me that they had
seen several _Ammochi_ among his troops; but it is certain, beyond a
doubt, that he forbade the use of opium to his soldiers, because the
_Ammochi_ in their fury spare neither friend nor foe, but destroy
every person who comes in their way. The best method of being saved
from these inhuman wretches is to throw sand into their eyes. The
_Cangiava_, or leaves of the _Bangue_, a plant of about five or six
feet in height, which are smoked instead of tobacco, produce the same
effect as opium, and render men quite frantic[231].
The venereal disease is very little known in the interior parts of
India. As the Indians are remarkably attentive to cleanliness, and as
both male and female live with the greatest temperance, use food easy
of digestion, are in continual perspiration, wash the parts of sex
three times a-day, and adhere to other strict regulations rendered
necessary by the nature of the climate, this detestable disease has
not been able to make much progress in the inland provinces. In the
towns on the sea coast, however, where there is a very great influx
of foreigners, who indulge in every kind of dissipation, and where
the above salutary practices and regulations are almost entirely
neglected, the venereal disease has greatly increased; but it
prevails only among the low, contemptible casts, and the Europeans,
who are the original cause of this, as well as of all the other evils
which the Indians have to complain of.
As the body, however, in this hot climate, is in continual
perspiration, the above disease may be easily removed, provided the
patient employs, immediately on its appearance, attenuating and
detergent medicines. The most effectual is the _Velladamba_, or
sarsaparilla. From this wood the Indians prepare a decoction, which
is sweetened with a little sugar; and if from two to three pints of
it be given to a venereal patient, before the disease has acquired
much strength, he will be soon cured. This disease would be much less
destructive, in general, were suitable remedies used in proper time.
Boerhaave, a man whose name I cannot mention but with the utmost
respect, says expressly that the venereal disease is far from being
so dangerous in India as it is in Europe[232].
Far more dreadful are the consequences of the before-mentioned
intestinal colic, called by the Indians _Shani_, _Mordexim_, and
also _Nicomben_. It is occasioned, as I have said, by the winds
blowing from the mountains, which carry with them a great many
nitrous particles, and which commonly commence immediately after the
rainy season, when the wet weather is succeeded by a great heat and
continued drought. On the coast of Malabar this is the case from the
beginning of October till the 20th of December; and on the coast
of Coromandel in April and May. People are then liable to catch
colds: and the consequence is, that malignant and bilious slimy
matter adheres to the bowels, and occasions violent pains, vomiting,
fever, and stupefaction; so that persons attacked with this disease
die very often in a few hours. It sometimes happens that thirty or
forty persons die in this manner, in one place, in the course of a
day, unless speedy relief be administred. The bitter essence, _Droga
amara_, which I have mentioned in the beginning of the present work,
is the best remedy for this colic; as it opens the pores, thins the
juices, counteracts the effects of the saltpetre, warms the body,
brings on perspiration, and, in that manner, inspires it with new
life. In the year 1782 this disease raged with so much fury that a
great many persons died of it. The above essence is pretty dear;
and it was not possible to procure it in such quantity as to supply
all the patients. In its stead, therefore, we employed _Tàgara_,
coco-nut brandy, distilled over horses dung. All those recovered to
whom this beverage was given, but the rest died in three or four
hours. This circumstance made so much noise among the Pagans, that
the fame of our medicine, and the cures it performed, was spread as
far as Cochin. When the physicians of the Dutch East India Company
at that place, Messrs. Martinfard and Errik, were informed of this
circumstance, they not only gave our medicine their approbation, but
even employed it in their practice.
The tertian fever is easily removed by a decoction of _Veppa_, or
Malabar china[233]. _Veppa_ is the name of a tree which has a very
bitter bark, and green prickly leaves, which are also exceedingly
bitter. It grows on dry, sandy soil, without any culture or care. The
decoction is prepared from its leaves, which are called _Vippela_.
The property of this tree is well known to the Brahmans; but the
common people have very little knowledge of it.
The _Kàcil_, or inflammation connected with the _Gonorrhœa benigna_,
is removed by means of rice-water, mixed with a little sugar, and
given to the patient to drink. Cold fomentation, and decoctions of
bananas, milk, salt-petre, and other softening, cooling and diuretic
medicines are also prescribed. This malady is very prevalent on the
coast of Malabar.
All these diseases, which proceed from a decomposition of the animal
juices, enervate the Indians at an early period, and hasten their
dissolution.--They die, almost without any pain, in the same manner
as consumptive persons; and become extinct like a lamp which has no
longer oil. At the moment of their death no contraction is observed
in their features, no convulsive throbs, and they never whimper or
complain, like so many of the Europeans, who quit the world in the
most painful manner imaginable. Many of the women lose their lives
the first time they bring forth.
The small pox, a disease which in India is highly infectious,
commonly makes its appearance in Malabar after the rainy season; that
is, in December and January and the months following. Thousands are
swept off by it every year. At the periods when it prevails, parents
abandon their children, and children their parents; for this disease,
as already said, is so infectious and dangerous that people can never
be too much on their guard against it. To this may be added, that the
Indians are not capable of forming a proper judgment respecting the
symptoms, and consequently treat their patients in a very improper
manner. The doors and windows are shut, that the patients may not
be exposed to the smallest breath of cool air, and heating things
alone are given them. The most common medicines employed in this
disease are sugar, boiled onions, the urine of a healthy child,
coriander-seed, boiled rice, green pepper, _carambola_ leaves[234],
onion-juice, and other things of the like kind, partly useless and
partly pernicious. The object of them, however, is to expel the
poison from the body; but they never suffer it to ripen properly;
and they prescribe for the patient neither emollient nor cooling
things, which would tend to allay the internal heat, and to moderate
the ferment of the animal juices. Rice-water and fresh air would be
far more proper; but the Indians are obstinate in adhering to their
deep-rooted prejudices, and therefore all attempts to persuade them
are in vain.
India alone contains more medical writings, perhaps, than are to
be found in all the rest of the world. As printing has never been
introduced here, all hands are employed in copying manuscripts,
and particularly such as relate to the prolongation of human
life, viz. medical and botanical. The greater part of the Indian
manuscripts preserved in the library of the late king of France,
those of the _Propaganda_ and Mr. Samuel Guise, and in the Borgian
Museum, consist of works of this kind. The often-before-mentioned
Dictionary, _Amarasinha_, under the head _Auszadhivargga_, that is,
Class of the Simple Medicines, gives the names of above three hundred
herbs and plants used in medicine. Those who wish to be convinced
of the multitude of articles that occur in the Medicine and Botany
of Malabar, need only recur to the work published at Amsterdam, in
the year 1689, under the title of _Hortus Malabaricus_. Both these
sciences were cultivated in India above three thousand years ago,
and at present give employment to a great number of people. When a
physician is sent for, you are sure to be visited by five or six.
There are even boys who possess an extensive knowledge of botany;
and this is not surprising, as, from their earliest years, they
are made acquainted with the nature of plants, and their different
properties.--Did the religion of the Indians allow them to dissect
animals and study anatomy, they would certainly attain to great
proficiency in medicine; but as these are strictly forbidden, it may
be readily conceived that the above sciences can make very little
progress. I have, however, seen instances of Malabar physicians
curing patients who had been totally given over by the Europeans. The
Malabar physicians, in general, are superior to most Europeans in the
knowledge of simples. Among those which they employ in their cures,
the following are the most worthy of notice:
_Veppa_, the Chinchina tree, which has been mentioned already. In the
Samscred language it is called _Nimba_, in the Tamulic _Aipu_, and
in Portuguese _Amargozeira_. There are two kinds of it: one of them,
which has a black appearance, is called _Karinveppa_; the other,
with green prickly leaves, which have an exceedingly bitter taste,
is known under the name of _Aryakarinvepa_. The latter, properly, is
that which produces the real Malabar china. The bark of this tree,
however, is employed by the Indians only in cases of necessity; for
a decoction of the leaves, if the coarser parts which subside to the
bottom of the vessel be used, produce as powerful an effect. The
Brahmans are accustomed to prepare, from the juice of these leaves,
what they call _Karil_; that is, a sauce which they eat with their
rice. This medicine is of excellent service in tertian fevers, in
cases of worms, and in all disorders arising from indigestion and
weakness of the stomach and nerves. If the green leaves be bruised,
and applied to wounds or ulcers of a long standing, they cleanse
them, and prevent them from spreading or becoming cancerous. In a
word, they answer the same purpose as the china bark, and in much
shorter time, because more power is contained in the juice of the
leaves than in the woody parts of the stem and the branches. The
properties of this tree being therefore so nearly allied to those
of the real china, which grows in America, the Indians can very well
dispense with the latter, especially since it loses much of its
virtue by long voyages, as the saline volatile particles it contains
evaporate by the way.
The nettle _Codituva_, as the Brahmans say, is an excellent remedy to
purify and thin the blood; to expel the gout, leprosy, and malignant
fevers; and to check coughs connected with spitting of blood.
_Avanaka_, the so-called wonder and cross tree, in Portuguese
_Figueiro d’Inferno_, bears a fruit which by expression yields a
very salutary oil. It purifies and sweetens the blood, dissolves the
corrupted juices, expels worms, and is of excellent service in the
sciatica.
_Ulatunwera_, the root of the tree _Ulam_, is an effectual remedy
for the jaundice. It cleanses the urinary passage when obstructed by
slimy accumulations, and cures the _Gonorrhœa benigna_. In the latter
case the root is administered after it has been pulverised and mixed
with sugar and milk.
The _Ulam_, in Portuguese _Pareira brava_, is that kind of large ivy
which bears very small fruit, enclosed in small husks like those
of the coffee-berry. Its root only is officinal[235]. The _Ulam_,
however, must not be confounded, as it has been by some, with the
_Vallicàgneram_, which grows also in Malabar. Geofroy has given a
particular description of this plant in his _Materia Medica_, where
it occurs among the exotics.
_Konna_, the _Cassia purgans_, carries off bile, purifies the reins,
and is of a cooling nature; at least we are told so by the Brahmans.
The areca-nut, bananas, the coco-nut tree, the _Mava_ or _Mangueira_,
the _Kaja_, _Ciamba_, _Plava_, and _Papamaram_, have been described
by Gemelli Careri, in the third part of his Travels round the Globe,
where figures of them may be seen.
The _Nellimaram_ is a large tree which bears the so-called _Emblis_,
a kind of plum used also in medicine, and in the Malabar language
called _Nellika_. Its chief property, according to the natives, is,
that it carries off the bile and slime which give rise to most of the
diseases in India. It is customary to pickle these plums, and to eat
them with rice[236].
_Karuvà_, or _Ilavanga_, is the name of that tree the bark of which
is the _Cassia lignea_, or wild cinnamon[237]. It is of the size of
a large European plum-tree, and has smooth green leaves, which are
somewhat pulpy, and emit a strong smell. They are used in India as we
use cinnamon. This Malabar cinnamon-tree grows without any nursing or
care, and, were it cultivated, would approach near to that of Ceylon.
The Dutch, however, do not wish it to thrive, and extirpate the trees
in Malabar wherever they find them, in order that their cinnamon,
which grows in the island of Ceylon, may not become of less value.
_Muringa_, is the name of a tree which is highly valued by the
inhabitants on the coast of Malabar. In the Arabic it is called
_Moriaben_, and in Persian _Tamen Guzarat Trerida_. Its leaves, as
well as the fruit, both of which are very small, are eaten with rice.
They are said to cure the cholic, and expel poison. However this may
be, it is certain that they afford a wholesome kind of nourishment.
I several times caused soup to be made of the leaves as well as fruit
of this tree, and always found it of benefit[238].
The only Malabar plant which I can with certainty call an antidote
of poison is a shrub, about three or four feet in height, named
_Alpam_. The root is pounded, and administered in warm water to
those who have been poisoned. A Malabar proverb says: _Alpam agatta,
Veszam poratta_; As soon as the Alpam root enters the body, poison
leaves it. I must, however, confess, that the Theriac of Andromache
(_Theriaca di Andromaco_) is much more powerful.
The Indian saffron, in the Malabar language is called _Magnel_, in
the Portuguese _Acafrao Indico_, and in the Samscred _Kunkuma_[239].
The Europeans employ this plant, which has yellow leaves, merely for
dyeing; but the Brahmans ascribe to it the property of curing the
itch and the gout, extenuating the juices, and purifying the skin
from all spots arising from scorbutic acridities.
The senna-tree, _Cassia Senna_, is called in the Malabar language
_Nilavague_, and grows in the mountainous districts of Cape Comari.
Its leaves, it is well known, are employed as a purgative.
_Panicurca_, the Malabar _Melissa_, in Portuguese _Cidreira
Malabarica_, has broad, thick, round, prickly leaves, and is
therefore very different from that of Europe. It however possesses
the same power and properties; that is, it strengthens the head and
stomach, and is to be recommended, in particular, to those subject to
hysteric affections[240].
_Kadelsalada_, dandelion, in Portuguese _Almeyrao_, is, as is well
known, a plant of a detergent nature, and purifies the blood.
_Tottavàdi_ is the name of the sensitive plant, as it is called,
which, as soon as touched, contracts itself together[241].
_Vayambu_, in Latin _Acorus_, and in Portuguese _Dringo_, the
sweet-flag, grows on the coast of Malabar, in ponds and stagnant
water. It has long green leaves, and a very aromatic root[242].
The Scorzonera root is called in the Malabar language _Ciadaveli_,
and in the Tamulic _Nirvàlikilanga_. The Indians boil it: they
preserve it also, and eat it with their rice.
In order that I may not be too prolix, I shall here give a list only
of several plants and vegetable productions which I ought not to omit.
_Perumciragam_, Lat. _Fœniculum_, Port. _Funcho_, fennel.
_Velladamba_, sarsaparilla, of which there are two kinds, one with
white flowers and the other with red. The latter is the Malabar
sarsaparilla.
_Cerupula_, Lat. _Saxifraga_, sassafras.
_Muszelcevi_, Lat. _Sonchus_, Port. _Seralha_, lettuce.
_Manelcira_, Lat. _Portulaca silvestris_, Fr. _Pourpier_, purslain.
_Codaven_, Lat. _Cochlearia_, Port. _Rabaça_, scurvy-grass.
_Pramì_, or _Caipacira_, Lat. _Nasturtium fontanum_, Fr. _Cresson_,
water-cresses.
_Cáttutrtáva_, Lat. _Ocymum thyrsiflorum_, the herb basil.
_Pandila_, Lat. _Trifolium pratense_, purple trefoil.
_Gurgul_, Lat. _Scammonia_, scammony bindweed.
_Panna_, Lat. _Polypodium_, common polypody.
_Irattimadhiram_, Lat. _Glycirrhiza_, liquorice.
_Puliàrila_, marsh trefoil.
_Manday_, Lat. _Eupatorium_, liver-wort.
_Mandàram_, Lat. _Admirabilis Malabarica_, Port. _Fula de Merenda_.
_Cattàsha_, Lat. _Aloes_, Port. _Herva bàbosa_, Arab. _Saber_, the
aloe.
_Màdalam_, Lat. _Arbustum mali Punici_, Port. _Romoeira_, the
pomegranate tree.
_Pavaca_, Port. _Momordica_, the garden balsam.--Plants of it are
called, in the Malabar language, _Pàvel_.
_Kiszanelli_, Lat. _Millefolium_, common yarrow.
_Makipuva_, Lat. _Absynthium_, wormwood.
_Ceruciaca_, the annanas.
_Cannati pauna_, or _Madilpanna_, Lat. _Adiantum_, Port. _Avenca_,
maiden-hair.
_Ciragam_, Port. _Erva dolce_, anise.
_Velluram_, Port. _Malvaisco_, mallow; an emollient medicine, which
is of great service.
_Orumbulicica_, Port. _Salbao Canarin_, is a tree, the fruit of which
answers the purpose of our soap. The natives of Malabar employ it for
washing, not only their bodies, but also their clothes.
_Curantotti_, a plant about a palm in height, from the root of
which is prepared a decoction said to be useful in the gout, cough,
gonorrhœa, flatulency, and feverish affections. This decoction must
be mixed with sugar and milk.
_Ellacalli_, Lat. _Euphorbium_, spurge; a very sharp and powerful
medicine, which properly ought to be prohibited.
_Ciangupusham._ The root and leaves of this plant are used as a
decoction for the gout, cholic, and poison.
_Calumba_, a yellow root, known as a certain remedy for the tertian
fever, pain of the stomach, and poison. It promotes also the menses
and parturition. It has an exceedingly bitter taste, and is given in
wine. I suspect it to be the same root as that called _Vallìcàgnaram_.
_Cumbula_, a large tree, the root of which expels the gout, and
carries off bile.
_Ciaca_, the largest of all the fruits produced on the earth, for
one of them is almost more than a man can carry. It grows on the
_Plava_ tree, the wood of which is in the inside yellow. It has been
described by Gemelli Careri and other authors. The raw Seeds of this
fruit have a strong aromatic smell, and are called _Ciacacuru_: a
decoction of them excites venery.
_Trigolpaconna_ is the Malabar name of a detergent kind of _Turbith_.
_Cagnaravera_ is the root of the tree _Solor_.
_Parutti_ is the name given to that tree which produces cotton.
_Caruppa_ is the name of opium.
_Umana_, Lat. _Datura_, Port. _Dutro_, is a plant with a dark
blue flower, containing a seed, which, if given to any person to
drink in wine or water, excites involuntary laughter, clouds the
understanding, occasions dimness of sight, and at last brings on
sleep. Female libertines are accustomed to give this beverage to
their husbands or lovers, that while these guardians of their
chastity are lost in stupor, they may gratify their scandalous
passions at freedom and without restraint. This plant has been
described by Father Schott, in the Appendix to the second part
of his _Physica Curiosa_, which is entitled _De Mirabilibus
Miscellaneis_. I was acquainted with a Frenchman at Cochin, who,
having been imprisoned and condemned to the gallows, swallowed some
of these seeds with a view to avoid the shame of his punishment. The
consequence was, that he lost his senses, and fell into a deep sleep,
which in three days carried him into eternity. This event may serve
as a proof that too strong a dose of these seeds proves mortal.
_Tettamperel_ is a fruit of the size and figure of hare’s dung. When
put into a vessel which contains muddy water, it purifies it in such
a manner that all the unclean slimy particles instantly deposit
themselves at the bottom, and the water becomes clear and bright. The
same effect is produced when a branch of the tree is put into a pool
or muddy well. I should have doubted the truth of this circumstance,
had I not several times seen it with my own eyes. I have still in my
possession one of these fruit, and can perform the experiment when I
please.
_Bhudianarti_, in Portuguese _Pau de merda_ or _Pau sujo_, is a kind
of wood, of a dark red colour, which smells like human dung. By way
of amusement, people in company sometimes put a piece of it secretly
into the pocket of some one unacquainted with its properties, in
order to divert themselves with his embarrassment. It has a great
similarity to _Assafœtida_, called in the Malabar _Cayam_, or
_Hingu_, with which the natives are accustomed to season their boiled
rice.
Of the banana fig, one of the most valuable of the Indian fruits,
there are four different kinds, viz. _Cannpala_, the hollow fig;
_Cadalipala_, or _Puvancà_, the garden-fig; _Eràden_, the sugar-fig,
so called on account of its sweet taste; and _Nendaracà_, the
roasting fig, which cannot be eat raw.
The _Pála_, or proper Indian fig tree, has been very incorrectly
described by Pliny in his Natural History[243]. He evidently
confounds the _Pála_ with another tree called by the Portuguese
_Arvore de raiz_. This tree rises to the height of the common
chestnut-tree, but throws out from its branches a number of fibres,
which become so long that they at last hang down to the ground, where
they take root and produce other trees of the same kind perfectly
similar to the parent-tree. In this manner they continue till from
one tree there at length arises a whole forest. Certain travellers
are, therefore, not in the wrong, when they assert, that, in India,
there are trees under which a thousand men might find shelter. The
Indians are accustomed to plant such trees in the neighbourhood
of their temples or pagodas, that they may defend the people when
assembled from the rain and the sun. I saw several of these trees at
_Tiruvandaram_ and _Ciranga_, and could not help being wonderfully
struck with this singular _lusus naturæ_. The Europeans settled on
the coast of Malabar call this _Arvore de raiz_, the pagoda-tree. It
has been described by Nierenberg in his Natural History[244].
* * * * *
It cost me immense labour to collect this numerous catalogue of
simples, and to add their Malabar, Latin, and Portuguese names; but
it will perhaps enable those fond of botany to form some idea of
the knowledge of the Indians in that branch of science. The sources
I employed, besides my own experience, are the Dictionaries of
Hanxleden, Viscoping, and Pimentel; the Herbarium of Father Feraz;
and a manuscript containing observations by many regular physicians
and botanists, natives of the coast of Malabar. To those acquainted
with the appellations of the European simples and vegetables, and
the purposes to which they are applied, it will not be difficult to
learn the Malabar botany; but without such knowledge it will indeed
be impossible to study it with advantage.
The intelligent reader will readily observe that the Indians have
made much more progress in botany than in mineralogy; because they
prepare the greater part of their medicines from vegetables. This
method corresponds very exactly with the system of Hippocrates. As a
proof, one needs only recur to the second book of that physician, _De
Diaeta_, where he treats of the powers and properties of vegetable
and animal food, but passes over the mineral kingdom entirely.
Medicines prepared from the last are for the most part, in India,
attended with very dangerous consequences; because, in general, they
are not only far less suited to human nature, but affect, in a very
extraordinary manner, the weak bodies of the natives. The method
and prescriptions of Van Swieten and Tissot are therefore almost
impracticable in those climates. On the other hand, I know, from
certain experience, that several physicians of Cochin, who followed
the prescriptions of these two celebrated men, and ordered certain
medicines in small doses, no longer employ them with confidence.
The Indians never take an emetic or purgative without causing the
physician to prescribe something for them by which the too violent
effects of the medicine may be checked. They abhor phlebotomy, and
employ only cupping; but this even very seldom. They are accustomed
also never to pay the physician until they are completely freed from
their disease. This is an excellent method to guard against the
ignorance and quackery of those pretenders who sometimes prolong a
disease merely that they may extort more gold from their patients.
When a Malabar physician fails of a cure, the patient gives him a
certain present, according to the trouble he has had, but he is under
no obligation to pay him fully. In antient times the medicines of the
Indians consisted chiefly, according to the testimony of Strabo, in
regularity, temperance, and the choice of food. This is exactly the
doctrine of Hippocrates.