124 CRUCIFERE. 
is largely used as an article of diet, and when applied to the 
skin is considered to keep it soft, cool, and clean, and to 
promote the growth of hair. In Bengal it is much used — 
same purpose. Internally the Hindus use mustard com- — 
‘bined with other stimulants, in dyspepsia and as an emetic; a 
externally they use it in much the same way as we do im a 
‘Europe, but with the addition of other drugs, most of them of 
doubtful efficacy. In the Concan the whole seeds, moistened _ 
in warm water and sprinkled with lime, are given a8 a remedy 4 
for dyspepsia. In the Makhzan-el-Adwiya three kinds of — 
mustard are noticed. Wild mustard, with small round red- 
dish brown seeds, and .two sorts of cultivated mustard, the 
white and the red. The seeds of the latter are directed to be 
used for medicinal purposes; they are described as large and 
not round. The Mahometans consider mustard to be hot and 
dry, and to have detergent and digestive properties; they 
prescribe it internally in many diseases in which they think 
Such remedies are indicated ; externally they apply it in a 
variety of ways as a stimulant and counter-irritant. The lish — 
4 
\, are 
here. (Cf. Makhzan, article Khardal.) Modern research has — 
shown that essential oil of mustard has antiseptic properties and 
_ is destructive of bacteria; it is intensely irritant, and if taken — 
internally would act as a powerful irritant poison. The seeds — 
_ share its properties, and when powdered and mixed with wate? _ 
actupon the skin and mucous membranes as a stimulant of the | 
circulation, causing heat, redness and pain if the application 2 
is short, but vesication and much irritation i 
It is therefore a most valuable counter-irrit 
f too prolonged. ; | 
our acts rapidly as aD 
€ mucous membrane of 
