152 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



The gum which flows from the wounded branches, mixed 

 with strips of the bark and leaves, is steeped in water, and the 

 oil which rises to the surface is used as an application to sore- 

 eyes. Horsfield says that in Java the tree is supposed to 

 possess diuretic properties (Drury). 



Rheede says that the tears which distil from the tree and 

 its fruit are emetic and purgative. 



The oil exercises a great beneficial influence over the 

 mucous membrane of the genito-urinary organs, and is therefore 

 highly useful in the treatment of gonorrhoea and gleet. Ex- 

 ternally, it is a good and useful embrocation in rheumatism 

 and gout. The watery paste of the kernel of the seeds, applied 

 to the painful joints and dried by the heat of fire, often affords 

 a great relief in the same diseases, and may be resorted to in 

 the absence of the oil. 



Although there is nothing in the sensible properties of 

 this oil to indicate a poisonous character, yet, as far my know- 

 ledge extends, it has never been administered internally in 

 this or any other country. Having satisfied myself by personal 

 use that it is neither detrimental to life nor deleterious to health 

 up to a certain quantity, 1 employed it in my practice and found 

 it to be a very valuable drug. It acts as a specific on the 

 mucous membrane of the genito-urinary organs, and its control, 

 therefore, over gonorrhoea and gleet is very considerable. It is 

 so certain and speedy in its action that its good effect in the 

 above diseases is often noticed a few hours after the exhibition 

 of its first dose (Moodeen Sheriff.) 



The leaves soaked in water are employed as an application 

 to inflamed eyes, in the Archipelago (Dr. Rice, New York). 

 The fixed oil, expressed from the kernels of the seeds, is said 

 to cure scabies (B. Gupta, Pooree.) 



According to the Hindoo writers, the bark is astringent 

 and useful in internal haemorrhages (U. C. Durr.) 



The juice of the bark is used as a purgative, and is said 

 to be very powerful in its action. (Surgeon Peacock, Nasik.) 



In rheumatism, the natives use the oil as an external appli- 

 cation (E. A. Morris, Madras). Watt's Dictionary. 



