TECTONA GRANPIS 191 



that due to contact with the caustic oleo-resin of the cashew nut 

 (Anacardium). A decoction of the powder gives good results 

 as a gargle for aphthae, gingivitis, and other inflammations 

 within the buccal cavity. In India they give internally 6-12 

 grams as a vermifuge, and for dyspepsia with " heartburn." 



The flowers are diuretic according to Endlicher ; the bark is 

 astringent j the leaves and the seeds are purgative, the latter 

 yielding an oil which they use in India to stimulate the growth 

 of the hair. Gibson considers the seeds diuretic and quotes two 

 cases where abundant diuresis immediately followed by the ap- 

 plication of a poultice of the bruised seeds over the pubis. In 

 Concan they make a sort of extract from the wood and apply it 

 to the yoke sores of the cattle to prevent the growth of maggots. 

 This disinfectant action marks the plant as worthy of further 

 experiment. 



Rumphius is authority for the statement that the infusion of 

 the leaves is used in cholera. The Chinese make vessels of the 

 wood to preserve their drinking water at sea ; the first and 

 second waters are bitter and are thrown away, but after that 

 the water has no disagreeable taste and is said to aid digestion. 



It has been said that the wood was poisonous because at one 

 time several workmen died from the effects of wounds caused 

 by splinters of the wood, but the statement has not been con- 

 firmed by later cases and the deaths were most probably due to 

 a septic infection independent of the chemical composition of 

 the splinters. 



R. Romanis has extracted a resin from the wood by alcohol ; 

 it is soft, and on distillation yields a crystalline body called by 

 the author tectoquinon (C ls H 10 O 2 ), on account of its resemblance 

 to the quinons. It melts at 171° and volatilizes slightly at 

 ordinary temperature. 



Botanical Description. — A tree with leaves almost round, 

 oval, entire, 30-60 centimeters by 20-40, the under surface 

 covered with hoary down. Petioles very short, flattened. 



