CASSIA CASTOR OIL PLANT. 59 



in certain malarial fevers not yielding to treatment by 

 Quinine. 



Distinctive character Fruit kidney-shaped, smooth, 

 greyish, about i inch long, ^ inch broad and thick. 

 The thick shell is porous and contains a dark acrid oil, 

 dangerous to very sensitive skins. The nuts are roasted 

 to obtain the kernels, which are edible when thus 

 obtained. 



CASSIA. Cinnamomum Cassia, Blume. 



N.O. Lauracetf. 



Syn. Chinese Cinnamon, Cassia lignea, Cassia Bark. 

 Part used Bark. 



Action Tonic, stomachic, carminative. Used for 

 domestic purposes and as a substitute for Ceylon 

 Cinnamon in medicine. 



Distinctive character The bark is in dull brown 

 quilled pieces ; sometimes remains of the epidermal 

 layer are present. Quills not so thin and rarely inserted 

 inside one another as in cinnamon. Taste and odour, 

 aromatic, similar to Cinnamon but distinct. 



CASTOR OIL PLANT. Rlcinus communis, Linn. 



N.O. EuphorUacea. 



Syn. Castor Oil Bush, Palma Christi. 

 Part used Expressed oil of the seed. 



Action Cathartic, purgative. From its mildness of 

 action this is especially adapted for young children and 

 child-bearing women, and may be used in cases of con- 

 stipation, colic, and in diarrhrea due to slow digestion. 

 It is also used for removing worms, after other suitable 

 remedies have been administered. Externally, it has 

 been recommended for itch, ringworm, and cutaneous 

 complaints. The nauseous taste can be covered by 

 Lemon Oil, Sassafras Oil, and other essential oils, or it 

 may be administered in fresh or warmed milk. The 



