SPHCERANTHUS INDICUS 151 



consisting of a chair in which the patient sits enveloped in 

 blankets that reach to the floor and retain the steam. 



The hot infusion of the leaves is a good diaphoretic taken by 

 the mouth, especially useful in catarrhal bronchitis, and prized 

 as an expectorant by the Chinese and Javanese. Furthermore 

 it is stomachic, antispasmodic and emmenagogue. 



The camphorous odor of the plant suggested to me its appli- 

 cation as an antiseptic lotion for varicose ulcers and my results 

 have been very satisfactory. The infusion for internal use is 

 30 grams to the liter of water. 



Botanical Description. — A woody plant 6-9° high. 

 Leaves 1° long, 3' wide, oblong, lanceolate, acutely serrate, 

 rugose, soft, downy, whitish. Flowers yellow in panicles. 

 Involucre conical, of many linear scales, enclosing 15 or more 

 hermaphrodite disk-flowers and several pistillate ray-flowers. 

 Hermaphrodite : corolla infundibuliform, 5-toothed. Pistil- 

 late : corolla very minute, infundibuliform, obscurely 4-toothed. 

 One seed crowned with a simple hairy pappus. 



Habitat. — Grows universally in the islands and is well 

 known. Blooms in January. 



Sphceranthus Indicus, L. (S. hirtus, Willd.; 

 8. mollis, Roxb.) 



Nom. Yulg. — Sambog-gala, Tag. 



Uses. — This plant seems to possess anthelmintic properties 

 and for this purpose it is administered in powder, 2-4 grams 

 with a little molasses or syrup. It is bitter and aromatic and 

 is given in diseases of the stomach and intestines for its tonic 

 and stimulant effect. The odor of the drug is transmitted to 

 both urine and sweat. In India it is used in "bilious dis- 

 eases" and to dissipate all sorts of tumors. The Hindoos cook 

 it with flour, lard and sugar and eat the mixture as a tonic and 

 to prevent gray hair and baldness. They also give the seed, 

 fried in oil, as an aphrodisiac. The aqueous distillate is a 



