increasing the secretion of Milk_. For this purpose a decoction is made
by boiling a large handful of the plant in six or eight pints of water.
With this the breasts are bathed for a quarter of an hour, and then the
boiled leaves, in the form of a poultice, spread over them. In a few
hours the effects of the application are manifest. A simpler mode of
application, said to be equally effectual, consists in applying layers
of the fresh leaves, simply warmed before a fire, over the breasts.
86. +Catechu.+ An extract from the heart-wood of Acacia, Catechu,
_Willd._
Kát, Kath (_Hind._, _Punj._), Kát (_Beng._), Kathah (_Duk._), Khairah,
Kuth (_Kash._), Káshu, Kátta-kámbu (_Tam._), Kánchu (_Tel._), Kátta
(_Mal._), Káchu (_Can._), Kath-tho (_Guz._), Kaipu (_Cing._), Sházi
(_Burm._), Gambir or Kachu (_Malay_).
87. Several varieties of Catechu are met with in the bazaars. That best
adapted for medical use occurs in the form of masses consisting of
layers, occasionally enveloped in rough leaves of a blackish-brown
colour, easily fractured, of a very astringent taste.
88. _In Diarrhœa unattended by Fever_ Catechu is of much value; ten or
fifteen grains in powder, with an equal quantity of powdered Cinnamon,
may be given in honey or _jaggery_ three or four times a day if
necessary; or it may be given in infusion prepared by macerating three
drachms of bruised Catechu, and one drachm of bruised Cinnamon in half a
pint of boiling water for two hours, and straining. Dose from one and a
half to two ounces thrice daily. From five to ten drops of Laudanum to
each dose add to its efficacy, or one grain of Opium may be given at
bedtime. These doses are suited only for adults; for _the Diarrhœa of
Children_, three or four grains of finely powdered Catechu, with an
equal quantity of powdered Cinnamon, generally answer well.
89. _In Mercurial Salivation_, in _Ulceration and Sponginess of the
Gums_, a small piece of Catechu allowed slowly to dissolve in the mouth
is often of great service. The same measure is often useful in _Relaxed
Sore Throat, Hoarseness, Loss of Voice, &c._ _In Toothache_, where there
is a decayed tooth, with a piece of loose flesh growing within, great
relief sometimes results from inserting into the hollow a small piece of
Catechu, and retaining it there till it is dissolved.
90. _Chronic Ulcerations_, _attended by much or Fœtid Discharge_, often
speedily improve under the use of an ointment composed of a drachm of
finely powdered Catechu and an ounce of Ceromel (167). In obstinate
cases the addition of sixteen grains of finely powdered Sulphate of
Copper to the above greatly increases its efficacy. Another mode of
treating these old ulcers is bathing them twice or thrice daily with an
infusion of Catechu (six drachms to a pint of water), and dressing in
the intervals with Ceromel. The above infusion proves effectual in some
instances as a preventive of _Sore Nipples_, for which purpose the
breasts should be bathed with it daily, for some six weeks prior to the
confinement, and thus the tissues become so hardened that when the
infant begins to suck any ill-effects are obviated.
90 _bis_. +Charcoal Wood, Charcoal.+
Lakrí ka-kóyelah (_Hind._), Lákri-ká-kólsá (_Duk._), Kásh-tha-kóyalá
(_Beng._), Aduppu-kari (_Tam._), Katta-boggu (_Tel._), Atuppa-kari,
Muttí-kari (_Mal._), Kattige-iddallu (_Can._), Láka-dácha-kólasé
(_Mah._), Lákdu-kóelo (_Guz._), Thén-misu-e (_Burm._), Anguru
(_Cing._), Ahrang (_Malay_), Kóiláh (_Punj._), Tsuíng (_Kash._).
91. Charcoal is an article of great importance in a sanatory and medical
as well as in an economical point of view. It possesses no mean power as
a deodoriser, and in close sick rooms the smell of the air is deprived
of much of its unpleasantness by hanging about the apartment thin muslin
bags loosely filled with roughly powdered charcoal. The charcoal
requires to be renewed occasionally. For purifying water an effectual
plan is to boil it with a good-sized piece of freshly prepared charcoal;
it also forms an excellent filter, placed in alternate layers with river
sand, as is in use by the natives of Southern India. Charcoal,
especially that of the Areca or Betel nut, forms an excellent
tooth-powder; but it is essential that it should be _very_ finely
powdered, or it may scratch the enamel of the teeth. Lastly, it is of
great value in forming the CHARCOAL POULTICE, which is made by adding
finely powdered charcoal to a common Rice poultice (322 _c._) in the
proportion of one part of the former to three of the latter. A little of
the Charcoal should also be sprinkled over the surface of the poultice
previous to applying it. This is a valuable application to _Ulcers_ _and
Wounds attended by a fœtid discharge_; it proves useful in correcting
the bad odour and stimulating to healthy action.
92. +Chaulmugra.+ (The seeds of Gynocardia odorata, _R. Brown_). In
Southern India, where Chaulmúgra is rarely obtainable, the oil of the
seeds of a tree of the same family, Hydnocarpus inebrians, _Vahl._
(Néradi-muttu, _Tam._, Niradi-vittulu, _Tel._), seems well worthy of a
trial. This oil has a great repute amongst the natives of Malabar as a
remedy in leprosy.
Chaulmúgra or Chál-mogré-ké, bínj (_Hind._).
93. Chaulmúgra seeds are about an inch in length, of an ovoid form,
rendered more or less irregular by mutual compression. The shell,
greyish brown, smooth and fragile, contains a large kernel, which by
expression yields a fixed oil which has a peculiar and slightly
unpleasant smell and taste. The oil procured from the bazaars is usually
impure, and hence objectionable for internal administration.
94. _In Leprosy_ Chaulmúgra has been used with excellent effect; it has
also been advantageously administered in _Scrofula_, _Skin Diseases_,
_and Chronic Rheumatism_. The dose of the seeds coarsely powdered is
about six grains, thrice daily, in the form of pill, gradually increased
to three or four times that amount, or until it causes nausea, when the
dose should be diminished, or the use of the remedy suspended for a
time. This is the best form of administration. The dose of the oil is
from five to six drops, gradually increased as in the case of the seeds.
During the use of this remedy it is advisable to avoid all salt meats,
acids, spices, and sweetmeats; on the other hand, its operation is aided
by butter, ghee, and oily articles of diet. It might, perhaps, be
advantageously combined with a course of fish-liver oil.
95. An ointment, prepared by beating the seeds, deprived of their
shells, into a paste of the requisite consistence, with a little ghee,
or simple ointment, has been found of great service as a local
application in some _obstinate Skin Diseases_.
96. +Chiretta.+ The dried plant Ophelia Chirata, _D.C._
Charáyatah (_Hind._, _Duk._), Shirat-kuch-chi, Nilavémbu (_Tam._),
Nelá-vému (_Tel._), Cherota (_Beng._), Chiraita, Kiraita (_Punj._),
Chiraiet (_Kash._), Chiráyitá (_Mah._), Chírayata (_Guz._), Bincohamba
(_Cing._), Sekhági (_Burm._), Chrita (_Malay_).
97. Stems about three feet long, of the thickness of a goose-quill,
round, smooth, pale-brown, branched, branches opposite; flowers small,
numerous, panicled; the whole plant intensely bitter. These characters
belong to the officinal Chiretta, but there are met with, in almost
every part of India, numerous varieties which differ more or less from
it in many respects, except in bitterness, which pervades them all. They
also partake, for the most part, in the same medicinal properties.
98. Chiretta is a good bitter tonic, and renders the practitioner in
India independent of imported articles of the same class. It is best
given as follows: take Chiretta, bruised one ounce, Hot Water a pint;
infuse for six hours or more and strain. Dose from two to three ounces
three times daily. A drachm of bruised Cloves, or Cinnamon, or Cardamom
seeds, increases its efficacy and improves its flavour. It may be given
in all cases of _Debility, especially after Fevers_, _in Indigestion_,
_Loss of Appetite_, &c. It may also be given in mild cases of _Ague or
Intermittent Fever_; but this is spoken of in Art. Galls, _q. v._
99. A good form of employing Chiretta as a tonic is to add two ounces of
the bruised stems to a bottle of Sherry and let it stand for a week. Of
this a wineglassful should be taken once or twice daily, one hour before
meals, in _Indigestion_, _Loss of Appetite_, and other cases mentioned
in the last section.
100. +Cinnamon.+ The dried bark of Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, _Nees_.
Dár-chīnī (_Hind._, _Punj._), Dál-chíní (_Duk._, _Beng._, _Kash._,
_Guz._), Lavanga-pattai, Karuvá-pattai, (_Tam._), Lavanga patta
(_Mal._, _Tel._), Dála-chini (_Can._, _Mah._), Kurundo (_Cing._),
Timbo-tik-yobo (_Burm._), Kulit-manis (_Malay_).
101. The above names belong only to the true Cinnamon, which is
procurable in most bazaars; it requires to be distinguished from the
country Cinnamon, the bark of Cinnamomum iners (Jangli-dal-chiní,
_Hind._, Kattu-karuvá-pattai, _Tam._), which is very inferior. The
former occurs in small closely rolled quills, containing several smaller
quills within them of a light yellowish-brown colour, fragrant odour,
and warm, sweet, aromatic taste; the latter is a much larger and thicker
bark, generally curved, but seldom completely quilled, the taste less
sweet, with some degree of astringency, and the smell less fragrant.
102. Cinnamon is a pleasant aromatic stimulant and carminative, closely
allied in medical properties and uses to Cloves (105), for which it may
be substituted when the latter are not available. It is an agreeable
adjunct to many other medicines.
103. +Cloves.+ The dried unexpanded flower-buds of Caryophyllus
aromaticus, _Linn._
Lóng (_Hind._, _Beng._), Lavang (_Duk._), Kirámbu, Ilavangap-pú
(_Tam._), Lavango-pú, Lavangálu (_Tel._), Karámpu (_Mal._), Lavanga
(_Can._, _Mah._), Lavang (_Guz._), Krábu-nati (_Cing._), Láúng
(_Punj._), Raung (_Kash._), Leniah-poén, Lenang-poén (_Burm._), Bunga
Chingkeh (_Malay_).
104. The Cloves met with in the bazaars are often old and worthless.
Those suited for medical use should have a strong, fragrant odour, a
bitter, spicy, pungent taste, and should emit a trace of oil when
indented with the nail.
105. Cloves are a good useful stimulant and carminative, stronger than
Cinnamon, which, however, may be advantageously substituted when the
former are either of inferior quality or not procurable. A pleasant and
serviceable mixture is made by infusing three drachms of bruised Cloves
in a pint of boiling water, and straining when cold. Of this the dose is
from one or two ounces in _Indigestion_, _Flatulence_, _Colic and
Spasmodic Affections of the Bowels_. It sometimes succeeds in checking
_Vomiting, especially that attendant on Pregnancy_. A mixture of equal
parts of the infusions of Cloves and Chiretta (98) has often excellent
effect in _Debility_, _Loss of Appetite_, and in _Convalescence after
Fevers_.
106. +Cocculus Indicus.+ The fruits of Anamirta Cocculus, _W. et A._
Kákmárí-ke-bínj (_Hind._, _Duk._), Káká-mári (_Beng._),
Kákkáy-kolli-varai, Pén-kottai (_Tam._), Káka-mári, Káki-champa
(_Tel._), Karanta-kattin-káya, Pollak-káya (_Mal._), Kaka-mári-bíjá
(_Can._), Tit-taval (_Cing._).
107. The dried fruit, sold in most bazaars, is rather larger than a
full-sized pea, somewhat kidney-shaped, blackish-brown, wrinkled,
containing a yellowish, oily, bitter, kidney-shaped kernel enclosed in a
two-valved shell. It is _powerfully poisonous_ and is _never
administered internally_; its sole use, and in this respect it is very
effectual, is as an insecticide, _i.e._, as an agent, _for destroying
pediculi, or lice_, which infest the body. For this purpose 80 grains of
the seeds, divested of shell, should be beaten up into a paste in a
mortar, and then thoroughly incorporated with an ounce of kokum butter,
or ghee. In applying this ointment, care should be taken to avoid all
abraded or ulcerated surfaces, on account of the danger of absorption of
the poisonous principle of the seeds.
108. +Sulphate of Copper. Blue Stone.+
Nílá-tútá (_Hind._, _Punj._), Mór-tuttá, Mhor-tuttah (_Duk._), Tutiyá
(_Beng._), Nila-toth (_Kash._), Mayil-tuttam, Turichu, Tuttam-turichi
(_Tam._), Mayilu-tuttam (_Tel._), Turisha, Mayil-tutta (_Mal._)
Mail-tutyá (_Can._), Mórtúta (_Guz._), Palmánikam (_Cing._), Douthá
(_Burm._), Toorsi (_Malay_).
109. Sulphate of Copper, of fair quality, is procurable in most bazaars;
it should be in crystalline masses, of various sizes, of a dark-blue
colour, without any light green or whitish powder adherent on the
surface; if these exist they should be thoroughly removed previous to
the salt being employed medicinally. Or it may be further purified by
dissolving in boiling water, filtering, and setting the solution aside
to crystallise. In doses of from a quarter grain to two grains it acts
as an astringent and tonic; in larger doses (5 to 10 grains) it is a
powerful emetic.
110. _In Chronic Diarrhœa and Dysentery_ the following pills are often
productive of great benefit. Take finely powdered Sulphate of Copper and
Opium, of each 6 grains; thoroughly mix them with a small portion of
honey, and divide into twelve pills, of which one should be taken thrice
daily. These pills have been found very useful in controlling _Diarrhœa
in the advanced stages of Consumption_ (_Phthisis_). _In the Chronic
Diarrhœa and Dysentery of Children_, a better form is 2 grains of the
Sulphate dissolved in 12 drachms of Omum water; of this the dose is a
teaspoonful thrice daily. In all these cases, should benefit not be
manifest in a few days, the remedy should be discontinued.
111. _In Diphtheria_ the Sulphate of Copper has been highly spoken of.
Of a solution of 5 grains in one ounce of water, a teaspoonful may be
given to young children, and repeated every half-hour till it produces
vomiting. The same treatment has also been advised in cases of _Croup_.
After the occurrence of free vomiting its use should be discontinued.
112. _In Ulcerations of the Mouth_, whether occurring in children or
adults, 3 to 5 grains of finely powdered Sulphate, incorporated with
half an ounce of honey, is a very useful application. It may be easily
applied to the ulcers by the finger.
113. _In the Ophthalmia of Children attended with copious discharge_, a
solution of one grain in one ounce of water, applied several times in
the day, will often be found serviceable. In obstinate cases the
strength may be doubled, but it should never be so strong as to cause
pain.
114. _Obstinate Indolent Ulcers_ will often yield, when other measures
have failed, to the persevering application of solutions of the
Sulphate, of graduated strengths, from 2 grains to 10 grains in the
ounce of water. At the commencement the weakest solution is applied
morning and evening, water dressing (394) being applied in the
intervals. When the first solution ceases to occasion a feeling of heat
in the ulcerated surface, the strength should be gradually increased by
single grains till the 10-grain solution is borne, by which time the
ulcer is generally almost healed. When the edges of the ulcer are hard
and unyielding, they may be touched every second or third day with the
Sulphate in substance; and it may also be thus used to check _Exuberant
Granulations_.
115. _In Ringworm and Scalled head_ the following ointment has been
found useful: Sulphate of Copper in powder, 20 grains; powdered Galls, 1
drachm; Ceromel, 1 ounce. Mix them thoroughly, and rub well into the
diseased spot. _In Prickly Heat_, a lotion of the Sulphate of Copper (10
grains to one ounce of water, or Rose water) often affords more relief
than any other application.
116. _Excessive Bleeding from Leechbites_ may often be speedily arrested
by the application of a little powdered Sulphate of Copper. _In Bleeding
from the Nose_, a solution of 4 grains of the Sulphate in one ounce of
water introduced into the nostril, is sometimes effectual when Alum
fails.
117. _In Poisoning by Opium_, _Datura_, _Nux Vomica_, _Cocculus
Indicus_, _Bish_ (_Aconite_), _Arsenic_, _&c._, where the poison has
been swallowed, an emetic should at once be given to evacuate the
contents of the stomach. For this purpose, Sulphate of Copper may be
advantageously employed—5 grains in a pint of tepid water, taken at a
draught. If this does not operate in half an hour it may be repeated;
and a third dose, even, may be given if necessary, but this quantity
should not be exceeded; as, unless it is vomited up, it remains in the
stomach, and in large quantities is itself capable of acting as a
poison. Its operation should be promoted by copious draughts of warm
water. Its use as an emetic should be _limited to cases of poisoning
when it is of the greatest importance to empty the stomach as rapidly as
possible_. In other cases it _is not a safe or manageable emetic_. White
of egg is the best remedy if the Sulphate causes any unpleasant effects.
118. +Croton Seeds.+ The seeds of Croton Tiglium, _Linn._
Jépál, Jamál-gótá (_Hind._), Jamál-guttah (_Duk._), Jépál, Jamál-gotá
(_Beng._, _Punj._), Nérválam kottai (_Tam._), Népála-vittulu (_Tel._),
Nirválam (_Mal._) Jápálada-bíjá (_Can._), Népálácha-bi (_Mah._),
Jamlá-gota (_Guz._), Jápála, Jaipála (_Cing._), Kanakho-si, Sa-díva,
Ta-díva (_Burm._), Buah doomkian (_Malay_).
119. The Croton seeds met with in Indian bazaars are often spoilt by
long keeping, &c.; they should, when practicable, be collected fresh
when required for use. They are about the size of a grain of coffee,
oval, rounded, of an imperfectly quadrangular form, with a thin brittle
light-coloured shell, containing a yellowish albuminous kernel,
enclosing a large leafy embryo; inodorous; taste at first mild,
subsequently acrid and pungent. In their natural state they are
violently purgative, and even in small quantity poisonous.
120. The following Croton pill is said to be an effectual purgative:
take any quantity of the seeds, deprived of their outer shell, boil them
three times in milk, and after boiling, carefully remove the outer skin
and the little leaf-like body (embryo) which will be found between the
two halves of the kernel; if the latter be allowed to remain, it will
cause violent griping and vomiting. To 30 grains of the seeds thus
prepared add 60 grains of finely powdered Catechu, and with the aid of a
little honey or gum beat them into an even mass. Mix the ingredients
thoroughly, and divide into pills, each weighing two grains. One of
these is a sufficient dose for an adult, and should be given only when a
strong purgative is required, as in _Apoplexy_, _Convulsions_,
_Insanity_, _Ardent Fevers_, &c. Should it cause much griping, vomiting,
or too violent purging, a good large draught of lime juice is the best
remedy; and it may be safely repeated in half an hour if the vomiting,
&c., continue.
121. The oil expressed from these seeds, CROTON OIL, is a powerful
purgative, in doses of one drop, or even less, made into a pill with
bread-crumb. It is applicable for all the cases mentioned in the last
section; and where one drop does not operate the dose may be increased
to two or even three drops. In _Apoplexy_, _Fits_, _&c._, where the
patient is unable to swallow, it is sufficient to place the oil at the
base of the tongue. Its use, as a general rule, should be confined to
adults.
122. A useful stimulant liniment is made by mixing half an ounce of
Croton Oil with three and a half ounces of Sesamum, Cocoa-nut, or other
bland oil. It causes a vesicular eruption, and proves serviceable in
_Chronic Rheumatism_, _Paralysis_, _Diseases of the Joints_, _Phthisis_,
and _Chronic Bronchitis_.
123. +Cubebs.+ The dried unripe fruit of Cubeba officinalis, _Miquel_.
Kabáb-chíní (_Hind._, _Duk._, _Punj._), Liút-marz (_Kash._), Vál-milagu
(_Tam._), Tóka-miriyálu, Chalava-miriyálu (_Tel._), Vál-mulaka
(_Mal._), Bála-menasu (_Can._), Kabábachini, Himsí-míre (_Mah._),
Kabáb-chíní, Tadamirí (_Guz._), Vál-molagu, Vát molavú (_Cing._),
Lada-bereker (_Malay_).
124. Cubebs of very fair quality is often obtainable in the bazaars. [In
Southern India and elsewhere _Sítal-Chíní_ is the name in use for
Cubebs, and _Kabáb-chíní_ for Allspice (fruit of Eugenia Pimenta),
whereas in Calcutta the reverse holds good, the former (_Sítal-Chíní_)
is applied to Allspice, and the latter (_Kabáb-chíní_) to Cubebs. In the
Madras bazaars the name Kabáb-chíní is also often applied to the buds of
_Mesua ferrea_: this is incorrect, the proper name of the latter being
_Nágésar_ (Moodeen Sheriff). According to Dr. Aitchison the fruit of
Zanthoxylum alatum, _Roxb._ (Zanthoxylon hostile, _Wall_) is often sold
as Cubebs (Kabáb-chíní) in the Punjaub bazaars.] It is usually about the
size of black pepper, globular, wrinkled, blackish, supported on a short
stalk, has an acrid camphoraceous taste, and a peculiar aromatic odour.
Within the shell is a hard, spherical, whitish, oily kernel.
125. The chief use of Cubebs is as a remedy in _Gonorrhœa_, but it is
only admissible in the more advanced stages, when the acute symptoms
have subsided; in the earlier stages it may do harm. The following is a
good form: Take of powdered Cubebs, two ounces; powdered Alum, half an
ounce. Mix thoroughly, and divide into nine equal parts, one to be taken
thrice daily in water. These powders may also be used with benefit in
_Gleet_, _Leucorrhœa_, _and other Vaginal Discharges of Women_.
126. _The Coughs of Old Age_, attended with much expectoration, are
sometimes greatly benefited by Cubebs in doses of eight or ten grains
thrice daily.
127. +Datura.+ The dried leaves and stems of Datura alba, _Linn._, and
Datura fastuosa, _Linn._
Dhatúrá (_Hind._, _Duk._, _Beng._, _Punj._, _Guz._), Umattai (_Tam._),
Dáthir (_Kash._), Ummetta, Duttúramu (_Tel._), Ummatta (_Mal._),
Ummatte (_Can._), Attana (_Cing._), Padáyin (_Burm._), Kachubung
(_Malay_). These are the native generic names of the Datura plant, the
different species being distinguished by affixes denoting the colour of
the flowers, white, purple, &c.
128. The white and purple varieties of Datura are common on waste places
throughout India; they possess the same medicinal properties, and
although the purple variety is generally regarded as the more powerful,
there is no evidence of its being so. Although a valuable medicine,
_much caution is necessary in its employment; as in over-doses it acts
as a powerful narcotic poison_. A very useful preparation is a tincture
made by macerating two and a half ounces of bruised Datura seeds in one
pint of proof spirit (356) for seven days in a closed vessel,
occasionally shaking; it should then be pressed, and filtered, and
measured, and sufficient proof spirit added to make one pint. This
tincture generally produces all the sedative and narcotic effects which
could be expected from opium, besides effecting a great saving, opium
being very expensive, whilst this tincture can be prepared at a
comparatively small cost. The dose requires to be regulated in each
individual case; it is better, therefore, to commence with small doses
of ten or twelve drops in a little water, and increase them to twenty or
thirty drops, according to circumstances. As a general rule, twenty
drops will be found to be equal in effect to one grain of opium. One of
the effects of Datura is to produce dilatation of the pupil; the eye
should therefore be occasionally examined whilst this remedy is being
administered, and should the pupil be found very large and dilated, it
may be regarded as a sign that the medicine has been carried as far as
it can be _with safety, whether it has produced its other intended
effects or not_.