380 SOME REPUTED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 



32. Exc^CARiA Agallocha, Linn., N.O. Eupborbiacese, B.Fl., 



vi., 152. 



"River Poisonous-tree," "Milky Mangrove," "Blind-your- 

 eyes." 



This tree produces by incision in the bark, an acrid, milky 

 juice, which is so volatile, that no one, however careful, can gather 

 a quarter of a pint without being affected by it. The symptoms are 

 an acrid burning sensation in the throat, sore eyes and headache ; 

 a single drop falling into the eyes will, it is believed, produce loss 

 of sight. The natives of Eastern Australia, as well as those of 

 New Guinea, (fee, use this poisonous juice to cure certain ulcerous 

 chronic diseases, e.g, leprosy ; but in Fiji the patient is fumigate<l 

 with the smoke of the burning wood. ( FicZe Seemann, " i^ZoiYt 

 Vitiensis"). 



In India the sap of the tree is called " Tiger's Milk," and is 

 said to be applied with good effect to inveterate ulcers. The 

 leaves also are used in decoction for this purpose. A good caout- 

 chouc may be prepared from the milk. 



This tree extends to Northern Australia. 



33. Flagellaria indica, Linn., N.O. Liliaceje, B.Fl., vii., 10. 

 " Lawyer Vine." 



The leaves are said to be astringent and vulnerary. This plant 

 extends to Northern Australia, but is not endemic in Australia. 



34. Flindersia magulosa, F.v.M., {F. Strzeleckiana, F.v.M. in 



Muell. Gens., p. 9), N.O. Meliacese, B.FL, i., 388. 



" Spotted or Leopard Tree." 



The clear gum of this tree is used by bushmen in the Western 

 Districts as a remedy for diarrhoea. It is a gum of the Arabic 

 class, and apparently nothing but its local abundance causes it to 

 be singled out for this special use. Wattle gum is occasionally 

 used for this purpose, and is more efficacious when slightly astrin- 

 gent by reason of included fragments of bark. 



This tree is also found in Queensland. 



