1837.] from Native medical works. 393 



i- Urbee i_ c?J c f-*^ (Gura Arabic). It is said that between tbe bark and the 

 body a resinous substance is found resembling the gum, but which is not gum ; 

 when this substance is freed of a red fluid that resides in it and washed, it be- 

 comes very white, and when chewed like the Ilk ^— - ^ (gum resembling 

 mastich), it discharges an odoriferous liquid and leaves an agreeable smell in the 

 mouth. 



The second kind, called Sulum A m by the Arabs, is less thorny, and some- 

 times has no thorn at all, and the branches are very profuse ; the trunk is 

 blacker than the first kind. The fruit, which is like a bean and called Quruz 



^ r* is not knotty ; it contains from 9 to 31 flat seeds according to size, and is 

 of a deep violet color. Between each seed and around it a white coating is seen 

 and between this coating and the shell is lodged a mucilagenous and gummy 

 fluid of a deep yellow color. The blossoms of both the kinds are of a yellow 

 color and globular form, emitting an odoriferous scent. The leaves of both the 

 kinds are, in size and profusion, alike, and grow from a thin fibre by pairs in an 

 oblique direction, and are astringent to the taste. There grows in some places a 

 third kind of this plant, the branches of which are full of knots. 



Character of all the parts. Cold and dry in the 2nd degree. 



Medical Properties. Binding (restraining the discharge of redundant matter) 

 and repellant. A drink prepared of the juice of its blossoms is good for the 

 cure of palpitation from heat, and the horror, and for strengthening internal 

 organs, either taken by itself or with other proper medicine. The leaves are 

 deobstruent (opener of obstructions) and good for the stoppage of diarrhoea. If 

 fused by way of embrocation it strengthens laxed members. The tender green 

 leaves if steeped overnight in water and exposed to the influence of the moon, 

 and the clear water taken off and drank in the morning, will cure excoriation of 

 the urinary duct and allay the smarting of urine (ardor urinae). A powder pre- 

 pared of equal parts of the bark, the leaves, the blossoms and the gum, and from 

 \ a drachm to 1 drachm taken regularly every morning, will thicken and retard 

 the semen, prevent involuntary discharge, &c. The young leaves with a little 

 white cummin seed, and one or two buds of pomegranate bruised and steeped in 

 water, and strained and heated, and a few (6 or 7) pebbles or shards well heated 

 and cooled in it (4 or 5 times), will prepare a liquid to prevent looseness in 

 children in the last stage of teething, which is a very trying and weakening sea- 

 son with them ; this might also be given to adults with good effect — the quantity 

 to be regulated according to strength and age. — A plaster prepared of green 

 leaves is good to fill up wounds and subside inflammation. A decoction made of 

 the leaves is given for the protusion of the anus and for drying the humidity of 

 the womb. Pressed juice of the leaves and fruit stops the flowing and spitting 

 of blood. The fruit boiled in water, and a piece of cloth soaked in it several 

 times will make a good Pessary. Of the beans a cerement is thus made — 

 split the beans and take the seeds out ; rub briskly the inner part of the bean 

 upon a piece of new cloth, until the pulp and all the humidity is thoroughly 

 absorbed in the cloth, which when dried will become like cerement ; of this 

 cerement stays are made and worn by women for several days on their bosom 

 to brace up and tighten fallen and slackened breasts. Bark of the trunk and of 



