174 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. IX. 



facient in large doses. Mr. Holmes distinctly observes that ll the 

 decoction of the root or of the bark is given as an emmenagogue ; but it 

 is said to be liable to produce abortion." The various parts of the 

 plant are diuretic ; and diuretics are in a few cases known to have 

 caused abortion (Ogstons Medical Jurisprudence^ p. 97, 1878). 

 The leaves are said to be emetic. Excessive vomiting, whether 

 due to pregnancy or to emetics which are not unknown to abortion- 

 producers, causes exhaustion of nerve-force and thereby leads to 

 the expulsion of the foetus. Bapat says that four tolas of the 

 juice of leaves produces bilious vomiting. The juice of the bark 

 is said to be purgative, acting especially on the biliary organ ; 

 should it by any chance produce hypercath arsis, indirectly it may be 

 the means of causing abortion. Baillon says that the embryo is bitter 

 and purgative. Royle says that the seeds are aperient. The question is, 

 whether in the case of Moringa^ abortion is caused by any expellant 

 action on the part of the volatile oil contained in the bark acting on 

 the uterus through the mother's blood. It may be noted that no 

 special abortive property is required in the bark when used locally, i.e., 

 to the os itself. Such artificial direct violence or injury to the os or 

 foetus, even when the substance used is physiologically non-irritant, 

 may produce abortion. Under such circumstances, as a general rule, 

 the healthy uterus takes long before it expels a healthy foetus. Dr. 

 Barnes lays it down as an axiom that u the healthy ovum clings to the 

 healthy uterus with wonderful tenacity T It is where the system is 

 diseased, weakened and worn out by incessant worry, anxiety, great 

 mental prostration, starvation, exposure and other weakening causes, 

 that such local means take ready effect. 



It is for the future investigator to find out the physiological effects 

 of the volatile oil of Moringa on the uterine system. Let it be re- 

 membered that the bland oil expressed from the seed of Moringa is 

 entirely different from the volatile oil found in the leaves, root and 

 bark, which latter has a disagreeable odour, and is similar to the mus- 

 tard and horse-radish oils. The oil of the seeds, apart from its use and 

 importance in the manufacture of scents, is non-irritating. Let me 

 quote again the remarks of Holmes on this point. " It is a note- 

 worthy point," says he, " that whereas the whole plant is so offen- 



