FUPHORBIA CE^. S03 



not so very long since this tree was first introduced here. 

 Eaten with food the oil is repulsive, but it is very useM lor 

 burning in lamps." 



The Jews and Abyssinian Christians aay that it was under 

 this tree that Jonah sat, bat in the English version the Hebrew 

 word ^^ Kikajon'' is translated ''gourd/' Eor a history of tho 

 plant in Europe, the Pharmacographia may be consulted. 



Mahometan medical writers describe two kinds, red and 

 white : the red is said to be the most active. They consider 

 the oil a powerful resolvent and purgative of cold humors, and 

 prescribe it in palsy, asthma, colds, colic, flatulence, rheumatism, 

 dropsy and amenorrhoea ; of the seeds, 10 kernels rubbed down 

 with honey are sufficient as a purge. A poultice of the 

 crushed seeds is used to reduce gouty and rheumatic swellings, 

 and inflammation of the breasts of women during: lactation. 



The leaves have similar properties, but in a less degree. The 

 fresh juice is used as an emetic in poisoning by opium and 

 other narcotics ; made into a poultice with barley meal it is 

 applied to inflammatory affections of the eye. The root-bark 



is used as a purgative and alterative in chronic enlargements 

 and skin diseases ; it is also applied externally. 



In modern medicine Castor oil is much valued as a non-irritant 

 purgative ; a drop is sometimes dropped into the eye. to allay 



m 



milk 



milk 



is recognised in the Government hospitals under European 

 superintendence. A fluid extract of the leaves has also been 

 recommended in Europe as a lactagogue. As a purgative the 

 oil is best administered in the^early morning on an empty 



fluid 



found ^ 



required. Various 



sueli as Lrandy, peppermint water, &c., but the decoction of fresh 

 ginger, as used in India, is, we think, the best vehicle. The 

 above remarks apply to cold drawn oil ; the bazar oil extracted 



