37^5 MEDICINAL LEGUMINOS^ 



Dr. Landowski has confirmed the sedative and soporific properties 

 of this plant recorded by Professor Ott and Dr. Hamilton. Dr. 

 Dujardin-Beaumetz has obtained remarkable results in the treatment 

 of neuralgia o-f the lumbar and abdominal regions. Dr. Legoy has 

 had good results in treating hysteria (gastric form), chronic alcoholism, 

 chronic bronchitis, gastralgia, neuralgia, &c. (Bocquillon). 



Pongamia glabra (Tree). — The oil from the seeds is anti-soporific. 

 Scabies, herpes, ulcers, rheumatism (Daruty). 



Dymock says that this oil possesses all the advantages of iodoform 

 and Goa powder without their drawbacks. 



Psoralea corylifolia (Herb). — The seeds are aromatic and bitter and 

 are regarded as liaving stomachic properties. The Hindus make good 

 use of them in diseases of the skin (Lanessan). The roots are emetic 

 and the leaves purgative (Bocquillon). 



Psoralea pentaphylla (Plant).— Dr. Lozano y Castro has discovered 

 an alkaloid in the roots of this plant : Psoralin. In Mexico and the 

 West Indies Psoralea is used in treating intermittent fevers. 



Pterocarpus pallidus (Tree).— The wood of this tree is known in the 

 Philippines as " nephretic w^ood." The natives regard it as an excellent 

 remedy for stone in the bladder. It is used after being macerated in 

 water. 



Pterocarpus indicus (Tree).— Astringent, odontalgic. The active 

 principle is kinotannic acid (Daruty). 



Rafnia amplexicaulis (Shrub). — A leguminous plant inhabiting 

 Southern Africa which resembles somewhat the European brooms. 

 It contains a sweet juice, similar to that of liquorice. Both it and the 

 species R. -perfoliata are used in medicine. 



Robinia amara (Shrub). — Root extremely bitter. It is used for 

 treating debility of the stomach. It is administered chiefly in the 

 form of pills after first having been macerated in vinegar in order 

 to remove the nauseous odour (Lanessan). 



Sesbania aegyptiaca (Shrub).— The leaves are applied in poultice 

 form to furuncles; the seeds, when pulverized' and mixed with flour, 

 are used for irritation (Lanessan). 



Tephrosia purpurea (Plant).— Root bitter, used as a decoction in 

 dysentery. 



Tephrosia toxicaria (Plant). —The natives of Guiana, the West 

 Indies and Tahiti formerly used the leaves for poisoning watercourses. 

 The leaves are employed in medicine in a similar way to digitalis; the 

 roots, which are purgative, are used for haemorrhoids. 



Trlgonella Foenum-grsecum (Herb).— Cultivated in Abyssinia. The 

 seeds are crushed and used for making soothing and resolvent poul- 

 tices. Mixed with water they yield an abundant mucilage. They 

 are regarded as having tonic, emollient, and vermifugal properties. 



