516 LEGUMINOSZ. 
History, Uses, &c.—This plant is called by Sanskrit j 
writers Chakramarda, “destroying ringworm,” Prapunata or 
Prapunada, and Uranaksha; it has a great reputation in all 
kinds of skin-diseases. Chakradatta directs the seeds to be 
steeped in the juice of Huphorbia neriifolia, and afterwards to 
be made into a paste with cow’s urine as an application to 
cheloid tumours. He also recommends the seeds together with 
those of Pongamia glabra as a cure for ringworm. The Arabs 
call the seeds Ain-es-saratin, or crab’s eyes. Under the names 
of Sanjisaboyah and Sangisaboyah, Mahometan writers give an 
exact description of the plant, and notice the closing of the 
leaves at night. They consider the seeds and leaves to have 
solvent properties in those forms of skin-disease accompanied 
by induration, such as leprosy, cheloid, psoriasis, &c., and men- 
tion their having been used with advantage in plague (waba), 
a term which is rather indefinite. C. Tura and C. Sophera are — 
named Gallinaria by Rumphius. (Hort. Amb. v., 97, figs. 1, 2.) 
Ainslie says:—‘ The mucilaginous and fetid smelling leaves of 
C. Tora are gently aperient, and are prescribed in the form of 
decoction ; and in doses of about 2 ounces, for such children 
as suffer from feverish attacks while teething; fried in castor 
oil they are considered asa good application to foul ulcers. 
The seeds ground with sour buttermilk are used to ease the 
irritation of itchy eruptions ; and the root, rubbed on a stone 
with limejuice, is supposed to be one of the best remedies for — : 
ringworm. The leaves are also used as a poultice to hasten 
suppuration.” The plant is to be found as a weed in every | : 
garden, and is used as a domestic remedy in the manner de- ~ 
scribed by- Ainslie, ~ In the Concan the following prescription 
is used for itch:—Cassia Tora seeds, 6 parts; Psoralia coryli- 
Folia seeds, 4 parts; carrot seeds, 2 parts; powder, soak in 
cow’s urine eight days, and apply. Lately the seeds have been 
recommended as a Coffee-substi ; 
dye. 
In India the young leaves 
 Sature . .. _ 2 ©aVes are cooked and eaten on the four 
- Sota d oon es a month of Shravan; they are one of the five 
tute. They are also used as @ 
