116 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



Dujardin-Beaumetz has tested the therapeutic value of these 

 seeds in diabetes but with negative results. Scott has main- 

 tained that by adding the powdered seed to a mixture of malt 

 and starch, fermentation is impeded ; but Dr. Villy in the 

 laboratory of Dujardin-Beaumetz has demonstrated that such is 

 not the case. Contrary to the opinions of those physicians who 

 stated that " jambul " was capable of causing the glucose to 

 disappear from the urine of diabetic patients without concur- 

 rent diabetic regimen, Dujardin-Beaumetz observed in his trials 

 of the drug that the slightest relaxation of the regimen was 

 followed by an increase of glucose. Under the influence of the 

 medicine in doses of 2-10 grams daily, at the same time main- 

 taining a strict diabetic diet, the Parisian therapeutist noted 

 that the glucose disappears from the third to the fifth day ; but 

 this occurred only in cases of medium intensity, whereas in 

 severe cases the medication produced no effect. Upon stopping 

 the treatment the sugar reappeared. 



Botanical Description. — A tree, 15-20° high, with leaves 

 opposite, acute, entire, ovate, lustrous, very smooth. Flowers 

 in racemose panicles with peduncles opposite. Calyx superior, 

 with 5 small teeth and a deciduous cover composed of many 

 orbicular pieces joined below. Corolla none. Stamens numer- 

 ous, inserted on the edge of the calyx. Stigma pointed. Fruit 

 black, oval, crowned with the calyx ; one long cylindrical seed 

 with membranaceous epidermis. 



Habitat. — Common all over the Archipelago. Blooms in 

 February. 



MELASTOMACE^ 



Melastoma malabatrichum, L. (M. obvolutum, Jack.; M. 

 aspera and obvoluta, Blanco.) 



Nom. Vulg. — Granatis, Tag. 



Uses. — A decoction of the leaves is of use as an astringent 

 in diarrhoea and dysentery. A decoction of the bark is used as 



