262 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



cine ; in fact, they all seem to possess more or less active properties. The 

 C. alata, or Ringworm-shrub, of the West Indies, has some reputation in the 

 cure of cutaneous eruptions ; for which purpose the juice of the leaves and 

 buds is used ; the infusion has been employed as a tepid-bath in the same 

 cases ; and the flowers and young leaves, beaten into a pulp, form an excel- 

 lent poultice for the superficial sores consequent to impetigo and rupia. — 

 (Macfadyen, i. 338.) 



The C. occidentalism also a species of tropical America, is used for a va- 

 riety of purposes. The root is diuretic ; and, according to Marcgraff, a good 

 alexipharmic. A decoction of the leaves, taken internally, and used exter- 

 nally as a wash, is said to be beneficial in itch, erysipelas, and irritations of 

 the rectum. The negroes apply the leaves, smeared with a little grease, as 

 a dressing to slight sores (Macfadyen). In Brazil, where it is known under 

 the name of Fedegoso, it is considered to act powerfully on the lymphatic 

 system, to be beneficial in atony of the stomach, and to operate as a diuretic. 

 (Chernoviz, Form. 222.) The C. falcata, and C. hirsuta, are also known 

 by the same appellation, and used in similar cases (Martius). 



The seeds of C. absus are much esteemed in Egypt as a remedy in oph- 

 thalmia, for which purpose they are well washed, dried, and powdered; to 

 this powder is added its weight of sugar, and a small quantity of the mixture 

 is blown into the eye, when the first stage of inflammation has subsided ; this 

 creates irritation, and a copious flow of tears, with a subsequent alleviation of 

 the disease (Colladon, Hist, des Casses, 78). The leaves of C. tora, a native 

 of India and Arabia, are used to adulterate C. obovata, to which they bear 

 much resemblance. These leaves when fresh are mucilaginous and foetid- 

 smelling, and are given in India in decoction, in the febrile condition atten- 

 dant on teething in children ; fried in castor oil they are considered a good 

 application to foul ulcers ; the seeds ground with buttermilk are employed to 

 ease the irritation of itching eruptions ; and the root rubbed up with lime- 

 juice is thought to be very effectual in ringworm. (Ainslie, Mat. Ind. ii. 

 405.) The root of C. medica, Velloz, is employed as a substitute for cin- 

 chona. (Vogel, Linn., ii. 656.) 



The seeds of the C. auriculata are considered by Hindoo practitioners as 

 refrigerant and attenuant, and they prescribe them in cases where the system 

 is unduly heated or depraved ; they also order them in conjunction with 

 the Indian fig, in diabetes. The powder is used in inflammations of the eye 

 in the same manner as the C. absus (Ainslie, ii. 31). According to Rheede 

 (Hort. Malab.), the bark of the root of C. glauca mixed with milk and fresh 

 saffron, is used in Malabar against the gout ; the leaves pounded with sugar 

 and milk in virulent gonorrhoea, and the bark in diabetes. The juice of the 

 leaves of C. sophora, as well as the fresh root, is reckoned a sovereign reme- 

 dy in ringworm ; it is usually used in conjunction with lime-juice ; in Java 

 the leaves are considered to be cathartic (Ainslie, ii. 331). Among the spe- 

 cies found in the United States, the C.biflora is stated by Schoepf to be anti- 

 syphilitic, and the C. ckamcecrista to be purgative. 



Tamarindus. — Linn. 



Calyx tubular at base, bilabiate, upper lip trifid; lower, two-toothed. Petals three. Sta- 

 mens 9 — 10 ; seven short and sterile ; others longer, monadelphous. Style one. Legume 

 pulpy within. 



There is some difference of opinion among botanists whether this genus is 

 composed of a single species, or whether there are two, one peculiar to the 



