121 Baeberung.--A seed, black, roundish, and pointed; bitter and
pungent to the taste, hot and dry, light and cardiac; beneficial in
itchiness of the stomach, flatulent swellings, dropsy, affections of
mucus, wind, or worms, and remedies costiveness. A. Birnuk Caboolie.
122 Badjera.--Holcus Spicatum. A common grain; in my opinion hot and
dry; it strengthens the system and loins; is aphrodisiac, and corrects
acidity in the stomach, but produces flatulence.
123 Papeyha.--Papeya, Carica Papeya, W. A native of South America, now
common all over India; milky juice of the unripe fruit, vermifuge;
dose,--two table spoonfuls in warm milk, afterwards a dose of
castor-oil.
124 Papieha.--A common green bird; the poets of Hindoostan keep
numbers of them, and have an idea that the noise they make at night,
in the rainy season, produces inspiration. Its flesh is useful in
affection from wind and mucus, and is alone sufficient to remove
disorders from bile.
125 Papeitha.--"Papita nux, Nux Vomica Serapionis, Faba Indica, or
Faba Sancti Ignatii, St. Ignatius's Bean, Catalougay, belongs to a
genus called Ignatia Amara. The above description applies especially
to the Papeitha, but not to the Nux Vomica, (Cuchila,) which is a
Strychnos, this is not."
This is a medicine of foreigners, and it is said, that it has been in
use for the last century; there is no account of it in any books of
Hindoostan, or in the Yunani works; but in this part of the country
it is in general use. I have partly taken the present description
from the books of foreigners, and partly it is the result of my own
experience. In foreign language, it is called Papita. It is a nut,
round, more or less so, each weighing about a pice; it is depressed
in the centre, and of a brown color, some darker than others. Its
properties are said to be various. If one of the nuts be strung on a
thread and retained about the person, it is a security against sorcery,
and the attempted mischief will recoil on the sorcerer. Should any
one be poisoned and this be administered, the poison will thereby be
rendered innocent.
Whoever shall keep this constantly about his person, nor noxious wind
nor evil eye will affect him.
If one retti or two retti weight of this be rubbed down in water and
taken, it will cure pains in the stomach and cholicks.
It is very beneficial in the disorder called Elaous, also in paralytic
affections.
In faintings and convulsions, if the teeth are forced open, and a
little given internally, also the part of the forehead called peshanie
scarified, and rubbed with a little of the medicine, the senses will
be restored.
In bites of snakes or the sting of any noxious reptile or insect,
it is highly beneficial.
The powder of the seed is styptic, and when applied over a wound in
sufficient quantity to form a cake and bound up, it will stop any
discharge of blood.
In intermittent fever, if about 4 barley-corns in bulk be given
before the cold fit, it will render it much less severe, or remove
it altogether.
In labor, if the pains are not sufficiently effectual, 4 barley-corns
of this given, will expedite delivery; but if by mistake it be given
after delivery, it will cause a protrusion of the bowels.
In all laxities of the bowels it is useful. If a seed be allowed to
remain in the mouth, it will promote the discharge of mucus which
may oppress the chest, and will relieve acidity in the stomach.
If the nut be cut into slices and fried in sweet oil, the oil will
form an excellent application to chancres, venereal or other cuticular
eruptions.
Should any one have swallowed poison and become senseless, this oil
forced into the throat, if swallowed, will save the patient.
This oil will also have the effect of restoring sensation to parts
deprived of it, if rubbed externally.
In suppression of the menses, 7 or 8 barley-corns in bulk administered,
will give relief.
Should a tendon be cut through from a wound, filling the division
with the powder, will promote adhesion.
A tincture of it in spirits, in the strength of 25 nuts to half a
pound of spirit, allowed to remain 15 days in the sun, is aphrodisiac,
in the quantity of 16 liquid grains every night.
I have found this medicine given to the quantity of half a drachm,
more or less, mixed up into a bolus with rose-water, very beneficial
in excessive vomiting.
Once my father and I were proceeding on a journey, it happened,
that some of our people had ate in the morning, of the food prepared
the night before, which being stale, produced incessant and violent
vomiting; their sufferings were great, and the color of their bodies
completely changed. My father having no other medicine with him, except
this, gave it to them mixed with rose-water, in various proportions,
with great success.
In unremitting vomiting, it ought to be given twice, when it will
assuredly be successful.