CASSIA ALATA 103 



ble and the Tagalo name of the plant, "Gamut sa Buni," means 

 literally "medicine for herpes. " The natives use the juice of 

 the leaf applied locally to the affected part. These properties 

 have long been familiar to the Malays and to the Hindoos who 

 in their medical works give the plant the Sanscrit name of 

 "Dadrughna," meaning "to cure herpes." The Pharmacopoeia 

 of Bengal recommends cassia in the form of an ointment made 

 by mixing the crushed tender leaves with simple ointment. 

 This preparation is, in our opinion, undesirable on account of 

 its liability to become rancid and vaseline should be the ex- 

 cipient used. Another application for herpetic eruptions is the 

 juice of the leaves mixed with an equal quantity of lemon juice. 

 The Malays use the leaves dried in the sun, adding to them a 

 little water and rubbing them briskly on the affected parts, 

 the vigorous treatment being an important part of the cure. 



The decoction of the leaves is a laxative and according to 

 Mr. J. Wood the tincture has an action similar to that of senna. 

 Dr. Pulney Andy of India states that the extract prepared 

 from the tender leaves is a good substitute for extract of 

 colocynth. 



Mr. A. Porte claims to have obtained the best results with an 

 acetic extract of the fresh leaves. The following is his formula : 



Fresh leaves of C. alata 100 grams. 



Acetic acid diluted in f water . .450 " 



Macerate 10 or 12 days, filter and express, then filter again 

 and evaporate to the consistency of an extract. 



The seeds contain vermifuge principles. 



The activity of this plant in herpes is due to the chryso- 

 phanic acid contained in it. The more recent the eruption the 

 more certain is the effect. 



The following species, all of which grow in the Philippines, 

 contain principles analogous to those of the C. alata, viz.: C. 

 sophera, L. and C. torn, L., called in Tagalo manimanihan. 



