113 PUNICA GRANATUM 



which have projecting from them the tubular calyx with the remains 

 of the stamens and style enclosed. It is somewhat rough exter- 

 nally, and of a yellowish- or reddish-brown colour ; internally it is 

 pale yellow or brownish, and marked with depressions left by the 

 seeds. It has no marked odour ; but a very astringent and feebly 

 bitter taste. 



Like the root bark its principal constituent is tannic acid, of 

 which it Contains nearly 19 per cent. ; hence its infusion produces 

 a deep blue precipitate on the addition of a persalt of iron. Other 

 constituents are sugar, and a little gum. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Pomegranate rind may be em- 

 ployed both externally and internally wherever astringents are 

 indicated, but in this country its use is almost obsolete. It is, 

 however, highly esteemed as a remedy for diarrhoea and chronic 

 dysentery in India, where it is commonly combined with opium. 



In those countries where the pomegranate tree is common, the 

 rind has been employed in tanning leather. 



3. OTHER PRODUCTS OF THE POMEGRANATE TREE. The ripe fruit 

 is much esteemed in the East ; and in this country it is frequently 

 used at dessert. It may be also eaten as a slightly astringent 

 and refreshing refrigerant in some febrile affections, especially 

 those of the bilious type. In the East the juice of the fruit is 

 much used in the preparation of cooling drinks. The seeds, 

 leaves, and flowers of the pomegranate tree also possess astringent 

 properties, and were employed by the ancients. The flowers are 

 still used in the East, and were formerly official in the Dublin 

 Pharmacopoeia. They are termed Balaustine flowers or JBalaus- 

 tines ; they have a fine red colour, and a slightly astringent taste ; 

 but no odour. They communicate a violet-red colour to the 

 saliva. Their principal constituent is tannic, acid. By the 

 ancients they were employed in dyeing, as well as medicinally, for 

 their astringent properties. 



Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii, pt. 2, p. 241 ; Per. Mat. Med., by B. & R , 

 p. 803; Pharmacographia, pp. 258-260; U. S. Disp., by W. & 

 B., p. 438 ; Cclsus de Medicina, lib. 4, cap. 17 ; Pharm. of 

 India, p. 93; Year-Book of Pharmacy for 1874, p. 504; Journ. 



