MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. «— C 2W 



Tamarinds are prepared or cured two ways. The com- 

 mon way is to throw hot sugar from the boilers on the ripe 

 pulp : but a better method is to put alternate layers of tama- 

 rinds and powdered sugar in a stone jar. By this means 

 the tamarinds preserve their colour, and taste more agreeably. 

 The seeds, too, of tamarinds, thus prepared, will vegetate 

 easily ; and this method conveys a hint for sending succu- 

 lent berries and seeds in tamarinds from abroad. 



Preserved tamarinds are kept in most houses in Jamaica, 

 either as a sweetmeat, or for occasional use as a medicine. 

 They are cooling, laxative, and antiseptic ; hence useful in 

 acute and putrid diseases. 



Dr Zimmerman prescribes tamarinds in putrid dysentery. 

 I commonly add a portion of Epsom salts, till stools are pro- 

 cured ; afterwards, tamarinds alone till the disorder is cured. 



In obstinate dysenteries I have found five grains of calo- 

 mel act like a charm, whether the disorder was kept up by 

 bilious obstructions or worms. 



(The Tamarind tree does not seem to be a native of the 

 West Indies, since it is only found where settlements have been 

 made. It continues to thrive above an hundred years.) 



83. Theobroma Cacao. — Chocolate Tree. 

 In all the French and Spanish islands and settlements, in the 

 warmer parts of America, the chocolate tree is carefully cul- 

 tivated. This was formerly the case also in Jamaica ; but 

 at present we have only a few straggling trees left as monu- 

 ments of our indolence and bad policy. This tree delights 

 in shady places and deep valleys. It is seldom above twenty 

 feet high. The leaves are oblong, large, and pointed. The 

 flowers spring from the trunk and large branches : they are 

 small and pale red. The pods are oval and pointed. The 

 seeds or nuts are numerous, and curiously stowed in a white 

 pithy substance. 



