MELIA AZEDARACH 75 



mens 6, inserted on the base of the disc. Ovary free, of 3 lobules 

 each containing 2 ovules. Style simple. Stigma, 3 lobules. 

 Drupe oblong, size of large prune, fleshy, containing a hard, 

 3-sided pit. 



Habitat. — Very common in all Philippine woods especially 

 in Camarines. 



MELIACE.^. 



Melia Family. 



Melia Azedarach, L. 



NoM. VuLG. — Paraiso (Paradise), Sp.-Fil.; Pride of India, 

 China Tree, Eng. 



Uses. — The root was official in the U. S. P., 1880, as an 

 anthelmintic ; it is administered in the following form : 



Fresh root bark 120 grams. 



Water 1 liter. 



Boil till reduced one half. 



Dose. — For a child 1 soup-spoonful every 15 minutes till 

 nausea is produced. 



In view of the narcotic effects produced by this drug, the 

 foregoing method of administration seems to us imprudent ; we 

 prefer to give 30—70 grams of the decoction and follow with a 

 purgative such as castor oil.. 



This drug is also tonic, febrifuge and astringent, and a de- 

 coction of its leaves and flowers is used as a wash for ulcers. 

 Some believe that the leaves and fruit contain toxic principles, 

 which may well be true considering the effects of large doses of 

 their preparations. It has also been observed that the bark 

 collected in March and April may cause dilatation of the pupil, 

 stupor, etc.; this may be explained by the fact that at this sea- 

 son the sap is rising in the tree and the bark contains an in- 

 creased amount of active ingredients. 



The fruit yields a fixed oil, and by fermentation and distil- 

 lation produces alcohol. 



