410 SCITAMIKLJJE. 



and venerable men. The follo\Ymsr are the lines as given in 

 tlie Hindi version of that poem : 



^ Liit. t^iXV ^J..^^^ ^^^ J-, 



Dahi, (lurbfi; rochan, phal, miilay 

 Nav Uilsi (lal, mangal-ffiula. 



Curdleil milk, Durva grass, 



Yellow gall stones of the cow, Fruit, 



Roots, Lotus and Ttilsi leaves. 



Turmeric- 



Medicinally turmeric is described in the Nighantds as hoty 

 bitter, pungent, astringent and drying ; it corroborates the 

 humors, prevents skin diseases, is a usefvil application to swell- 

 ings^ boils, &c., and is given in jaundice. As a domestic remedy 

 it is in daily use ; rubbed down with oil it is applied to any 

 roughness of the skin, with lime to bruises, sprains, and all 

 kinds of wounds; a decoction forms a cooling eyewash, boiled 

 with milk and sugar it is the popular remedy for a cold, the 

 fumes are inhaled by those suffering from severe coryza, cloth 

 dyed Avith turmeric is used as an 03^0 -shade, and r/Li mixed with 

 powdered turmeric is given to relieve cough. As a spice the 

 pow^dcr is an ingredient in cuijies and sweetmeats, and is used 

 by every native of India. The leaves are also used as a 

 condiment, especially with fish, which is wrapped in them and 

 fried. 



It is doubtful whether turmeric was know^n to the Greeks. 

 Dioscorides mentions an Indian root as a kind of fcvn^ipos resem- 

 bling ginger, but having, when chewed, a yellow colour and 

 bitter taste* The Mahometans use turmeric medicinally in the 

 same manner as the Hindus ; they also prescribe it in affections 

 of the liver and jaundice on account of its yellow colour. There 

 arc many Arabic names ; the best known are Uruk-es-sufr ^^ gold 

 root," and Fruk-es-sab^ghin *' dyers' root.'' The modern 

 Tersian name is Zard-chubah ''stick saffron." The editor of 

 the Phavh^acof-ia of India speaks favourably of the use of a 

 dr-octionof turmeric in purulent, conjunctivitis ; he says it is 

 very effoc.oid in rclie\4ng the pain. In coryza he slates that 

 the J^uiUL, of burning turmeric directed into the nostril,^ cause a 



