N. 0. MRLIACEiE. o07 



eagerly. The price of it was very variable, but generally 

 between 4 and 10 annas per bottle, and at one time it rose to a 

 rupee for the same quantity. The sap was more or less bit- 

 terish in taste, with a slight and peculiar aroma of the nira tree 

 and was never known to ferment or possess any intoxicating 

 property. The word toddy is, therefore, not correctly applica- 

 ble to this liquid drug. I have already mentioned the diseases 

 which were most benefited by its use, under the heading of 

 ' Therapeutic Uses.' 



" The nim trees which yield the sap artificial^ seem to be 

 more rare, for I have heard only of three or four of such plants. 

 All these are said to have been pretty young and large trees, 

 and were found near water or on the banks of nullas or water- 

 courses which were constantly wet. The air passing through 

 nim trees is thought to be highly beneficial to health, and hence 

 the practice among the natives of planting nim trees near their 

 dwelling-houses. Many Europeans even believe in this, espe- 

 cially in the North- Western Provinces and Oudh, and frequently 

 cite villages surrounded with nim trees as proverbially free 

 from fever, while adjoining villages have suffered severely. 

 Dr. C. Macnamara advocates the use of the watery extract of 

 dry leaves in leprosy (Moodeen Sheriff)." 



The seeds are eaten as a substitute for almonds (Trimen.) 



The dried leaves powdered are applied locally to the anus 

 of children suffering from intestinal worms (B. D. Basu). 

 The Therapeutic uses of Neem— By Major D. B. Spencer, I. M. S.— 



I have used the leaves, bark, and oil of Neem. All parts of the plant are 

 medicinal. 



1. Leaves. A handful of leaves, crushed and flattened, will make an excel- 

 lent poultice for boils and sores ; its action is stimulant and antiseptic. 



The dried leaves I have used to preserve books and clothes from vermin. 



Internally, two ounces of fresh leaves, made into an infusion, with a pint of 

 boiling water, form an exceedingly useful bitter vegetable tonic and alter- 

 ative. It has a marked action upon the liver— the stools often become brilliant 

 yellow in colour after its use. 



This infusion is also valuable in chronic malarial fever, although not so 

 efficacious as the oil. In chronic syphilitic affections it acts as a powerful 

 alterative. I have used it also in leprosy, but, except perhaps in one case, it 

 had no specific effect upon the disease. 



