ERYTHRINA INDICA 91 



which causes an unendurable itching. They are divided into 

 3 or 4 oblique cells each containing a brown, shiny seed. 

 Habitat. — Luzon and Panay. 



Erythrina Indica, Lara. (E. corallodendron, L.; 

 E. earned, Blanco.) 

 Nom. Vulg. — Dapdap, Kasindik, Tag.; Dapdap, Kabrab, 

 Vis.; Dapdap, Sulbag, Para.; Indian Coral Tree, Eng. 



Uses. — This tree is well known on account of the beauty of 

 its crimson flowers. The decoction of the leaves is a useful 

 cleansing and deodorizing application for ulcers. The bruised 

 leaves are used locally in painful affections of the joints and to 

 abort syphilitic buboes and abscesses of all kinds. The juice 

 of the tender leaves is used in Concan to destroy maggots in 

 ulcers, and the powder has a similar use. A decoction is used 

 locally in ophthalmia. 



The root and the leaves are used as a febrifuge in the Philip- 

 pines and in India, according to Wight. In Brazil the bark 

 is given in small repeated doses as a hypnotic and in the Phil- 

 ippines as a diuretic and purgative ; a decoction of the leaves 

 is similarly used. The bark contains an alkaloid discovered 

 by Rochefontaine and Rey, called erythrin, which acts upon the 

 central nervous system, diminishing its normal functions even 

 to the point of abolishment, without modifying motor excitabil- 

 ity or muscular contractility. W. Young isolated a glucoside, 

 migarrhin, similar to saponin, but possessing the additional 

 property of dilating the pupil. 



In bronchitis with dyspnoea the following infusion of bark 

 is very useful : 



Fresh bark, 1 



Freshly bruised leaves, j ' * ' " ° 



Water 1,500 " 



Boil till reduced one-half, filter and add : 



Simple syrup 200 " 



Dose : Wineglassful every two hours. 



