and the Sting of Scorpions in India. 101 



inhabitants of which suffered constantly from it every year. 

 I paid no attention to this observation, regarding it as one 

 of those assertions without foundation so common among 

 the Hindoos, who consider this exemption as belonging to 

 the sacred character of this class of men. Reflecting after- 

 wards upon this assertion, after knowing the remedy, I ex- 

 plained it by recurring to the quantity of assafcetida which 

 the Bramins daily and constantly u^e in their victuals as a 

 seasoning j and this also is the principal ingredient of the 

 remedy. 



The remedy employed against the bite of a scorpion mav 

 be applied with the same success against the sting of winged 

 insects, according to the following recipe : — The shrub, the 

 root of which is a specific in this case, is called by the Hin- 

 doos kaletchy-chaddy. Being ignorant of the name given 

 to this shrub by European botanists, I send you two speci- 

 mens of the fruit, which are called kaletchy-kalye, in order 

 that you may ascertain the shrub which produced them. 

 They are found of different hues ; but, as there are various 

 species of them, I have to caution you to choose such as 

 have their fruit of a white colour, because the root of the 

 other kinds has not the same virtue. 



Remedy against the Bite of Scorpions. 



Take, at the new moon, the root of the shrub called ka- 

 letchy-chaddy, of the kind which produces white fruit; cut 

 them into pieces of three or four inches long, and allow them 

 to dry in the shade. 



When a person has been bitten bv scorpions, cut off a 

 piece of root as large as a bean; let the patient place ii in 

 his mouth, pressing it gently with his teeth ; he must swal- 

 low his saliva, taking a new piece of the root every ten mi- 

 nutes. At the same time pulverize a small quantity of the 

 root, upon which throw some drops of water; and, after 

 having made a paste, apply it to the wound. 



Remedy against the Guinea If arm. 

 1st, Take of good assafcetida, called by the Tamuls pe- 

 roonguhyam, as much as will weigh seven janams of gold 

 (about three-fourths of a ragoda). 



G 3 2d, The 



