232 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



remarks that it is a good emetic and diaphoretic whenever 

 ipecacuanha is not at hand but that it should be regarded not 

 so much as a substitute for that article as a resource in case of 

 need. 



The leaf juice is used in India to drop into the ears for 

 disease of these organs. 



One of the infinite remedies used by the Filipinos under 

 the name of " contrapoisons," without specifying or knowing 

 what poison, is the powdered root of Crinum, given internally 

 with a little water. They also use the leaves locally for the 

 itch, bruising them and rubbing the affected parts energetically 

 with them. I may note here in passing, what I have written 

 before : that the Filipinos have from time immemorial been 

 familiar with the sarcopt of scabies (Kahaw) which they pick 

 out with a needle or spine of some fish or vegetable. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. A plant with globose, scaly 

 root. Leaves keeled or ridged. Flowers white, on a flattened 

 stalk, on a spathe of 2 leaflets and several dry threads enclos- 

 ing 4 flowerets. Corolla funnel-form, tube long and triangular ; 

 limb cut in 6 horizontal lanceolate lobes. Stamens 6, shorter 

 than corolla. Anthers long. Stigma with 3 points. Seed 

 vessel inferior, 3-celled, each cell containing a seed. 



HABITAT. Very common on the seashore and in groves of 

 mangrove trees. Blooms in July. 



LILIACEJE. 



Lily Family. 



Aloes Barbadensis, Mill. (A. humilis, Blanco; A. vera, L.; 

 A. vulgaris, Banck.; A. Indica, Royl.) 



NOM. VULG. $6i7a, Tag.; Dilag boaya, Vis.; Aloes, Eng. 



USES. This species is one of those which produce the sub- 

 stance known in pharmacy as aloes, which is the juice of the 

 leaf evaporated to the consistency of an extract. It is official 



