126 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



20-60 drops of the exudate in a little sweetened water. 

 This dose cannot cause any untoward symptoms and is efficient 

 in expelling both lumbricoids and taeniae. 



The triturated seeds may be given internally in doses of 1-2 

 grams with milk or molasses to expel lumbricoids. Analysis 

 has revealed in the seeds the presence of a resinous oil, an oleag- 

 inous material of disagreeable odor and taste called by Peckolt 

 cariein, a fatty acid, papayic acid and a resin. In India the 

 seeds are considered emmenagogue. In some countries they 

 wrap meat in papaya leaves for several hours before eating in 

 order to soften it. For the same purpose they sometimes boil 

 the meat in water containing a few leaves or pieces of the 

 green fruit ; some even go to the length of saying that it is 

 only necessary to hang a piece of meat in a papaya tree for a 

 time in order to soften it. 



The decoction of the green fruit is given internally for indi- 

 gestion, a treatment common in the provinces of Bulacan and 

 Pampanga. The milky juice is used to remove corns and Dr. 

 Daruty offers the following prescription for eczema and psoriasis : 



Exudate of papaya 1.00 grams. 



Borax (powdered) 0.60 " 



Water 16.00 " 



Mix. 



Paint the affected part with feather or brush, 2-3 times a 

 day. The same solution may be used for softening corns. 



Botanical Description. — Trees 15° in height, trunk cov- 

 ered with large leaf scars, wood soft and brittle, the long-peti- 

 oled, palmately-lobed leaves growing in a crown and giving 

 the tree the general appearance of a palm. Flowers dioecious. 

 Staminate tree : Flowers loosely clustered on long, hanging 

 stems. Calyx, 5-6 teeth. Corolla tubular, V long, limb 

 divided into 5 oval parts. Stamens 10, inserted in the throat. 

 Style short, awl-shaped. Pistillate tree : Flowers much larger, 



