348 



refrigerant qualities of the fruit have been 

 found equally useful. When intended merely 

 as a laxative, it may be of advantage to join 

 them wih manna,, or purgatives of a sweet 

 kind, by which their use is rendered safer and 

 more effectual. Three drachms of the pulp 

 are usually sufficient to open the body; but 

 to prove moderately cathartic, one or two 

 ounces are required. The leaves are some- 

 times used in sub-acid infusions; and Alpinus 

 says, a decoction of them kills worms in chil- 

 dren. (Wright.) Dr. Zimmerman prescribes 

 tamarinds in putrid dysentery. 



The sour taste of tamarinds proves that 

 acid particles abound greatly in them, and a 

 chemical analysis gives further proof of this. 

 There is indeed no alkali to be obtained from 

 this fruit, otherwise than by distilling it in 

 a retort with quicklime. A simple analysis 

 of it yields no other principle but acid and 

 sulphur. 



It is not uncommon to find an essential 

 salt crystallized on the branches of the tama- 

 rind-tree, which greatly resembles cream of 

 tartar in all respects, and is no other than 

 the genuine salt of the plant, formed by the 

 sun's drying up the accidental extravasated 

 juices. 



The leaves of the sycamore, in hot sea- 



