Sim 



282 EUPEORBIACE^. 



given with cold water in tympanitis, colic, ascites, &c., as a 

 drastic purgative. After the operation of this medicine, rico 

 should be given Avith curdled milk and si 



The Indian names for Crotou seeds lead us to suppose that 

 they were first introduced into the country through Nepal. 

 Under the name of Dand they were known to the Persians at 

 a very early date, and were doubtless introduced into that 

 country from China by the Caravan route through Central Asia. 

 The Arabs retained the Persian name, but also called them 

 Hab-el-khatai, " Cathay seeds," and Ilab-el-salatfo, ''Sultans' 

 seeds," Ibn Sina describes them under the name of Dand-el- 



" China Dand," and also mentions an Indian Dand of 

 smaller size (probably Baliospermum seeds), Ainslie states 

 that Croton seeds wore known to the Arabs under the name of 

 Mil, but this is incorrect, as may be seen by referring to Ibn 

 Sina, who describes Fil as an Indian drug having the properties 

 of the ]Mandrake. Mahometan physicians describe the seeds 

 as detergent, a purgative of phlegm, black bile, and adust 

 humors; and recommend their use in dropsy, calculus, gout, 

 and other diseases arising from cold humors. On account of 

 its irritant action upon the fauces, the seed, after having been 

 boiled in milk, is to be crushed and enclosed in a raisin for 

 administration. The author of the McMzau remarks that the 

 Hindus give small doses with fresh ginger tea, to children, as 

 a remedy for whooping cough. He also notices its irritant 

 action upon the skin, and its use as an external application to 

 tumours, Sec.; should excessive purging occur, he directs 

 limejuice to be administered. The envelopes of the seed and 

 plumule must always be rejected. Croton Tiglium was first 

 described by Christoval Acosta in 1578, afterwards by Eheede 

 in 1679, and Rumphius In 1743. In 1812, Drs. White and 

 Marshall brought the use of the seeds as a purgative to the 

 notice of Europeans in India. The former gentleman gi 

 the following directions for their administration, which he 

 received from a learned Parsce Yaidia of Surat :-"Af^e' 

 having removed the shells from the seeds, tie the kernels in a 

 email piece of cloth, like a bag ; then put this into as much 



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