* 
506 LOGANIACEA. 
Kataka is mentioned by Susruta in his chapter on water. 
One of the seeds is usually rubbed hard for a short time 
round the inside of the earthen pot, and the water is after- 
wards poured into it and left to settle ; the impurities subside 
and the water remains clear and tasteless. Medicinally nirmali 
rubbed down with honey and camphor is applied to the eyes 
to strengthen the sight and prevent lachrymation; it is also 
used in ulceration of the cornea and purulent discharge from 
the conjunctiva. (Chakradatia.) Mahometan writers state 
that it is cold and dry, that when applied externally to the 
abdomen it relieves colic ; they also notice its use to strengthen 
the sight and as a remedy in snake-bite. The author of the 
Talif-i-sharffi recommends it in irritation of the urinary organs 
‘and gonorrh@a. He directs four of the seeds to be powdered 
and mixed with a little curd of milk, to be tied up in a piece 
of cloth and steeped in water during the night. The infusion 
is to be taken in the morning. Ainslie says :— “The fruit, 
though when very young it is made into a preserve and eaten, 
is reckoned in its mature state amongst the emetics of the 
Tamool doctors in Southern India, given in powder in the 
quantity of about half a teaspoonful.” The clearing nut has a 
place in the secondary list of the Pharmacopeia of India, and 
is there said to be used asa remedy i in diabetes, on the authority 
of Kirkpatrick. A suggestion is also made that the nut would 
be of use if supplied to troops marching in the rainy reason, 
when little but muddy water can be procured. 
Dr. Pereira. (Pharm. Journ., 1850, Vol. IX., p. 478 Dridces 
: ‘that tho property of clearing water possessed by these seeds 
3 depends upon the albumin and casein which they contain. If 
the seeds be sliced and digested in water they yield a thick 
mucilaginous liquid, which, when boiled, yields a coagulum 
ak and by subsequent addition of acetic acid, it fur- 
a further ‘coagulum (casein ).—(Phar, of India, p- 146. ) 
_ Description. he me is peels: orbicalar, Sains 
Lg aay Ps 
