N. 0. MELTACE^. 311 



In America, a decoction of the leaves has been employed in 

 hysteria, and is believed to be astringent and stomachic. The 

 leaves and bark are used internally and externally in leprosy 

 and scrofula ; while a poultice of the flowers is believed to have 

 vermicide properties and to be a valuable remedy in eruptive 

 skin diseases. The fruit has poisonous properties, but is used 

 in leprosy and scrofula, and is worn as a necklace to avert con- 

 tagion. In the Punjab, the seeds are prescribed in rheumatism, 

 and in Kangra they are pounded and mixed with apricots as an 

 external application for the same disease. In Bombay, strings 

 of the seeds are suspended over doors and verandahs during 

 the prevalence of epidemics to avert the disease. The oil is 

 said to possess similar properties to that of the nim ; and, 

 according to Ainslie, this species also yields a similar toddy. 

 Emerson states that the gum is used as a remedy for splenic 

 enlargement. 



Several parts of the Persian Lilac are considerably 

 employed in America. Thus, " the root bark has obtained a 

 place in- the secondary list of the United States Pharmacopoeia 

 as an anthelmintic. It has a bitter nauseous taste, and yields its 

 virtues to boiling water. It is administered in the form of 

 decoction (4 ozs. of the fresh bark to two pints of water, boiled 

 to one pint), of which the dose for a child is a tablespoonful every 

 third hour, until it sensibly affects the bowels or stomach, or a 

 dose may be given every morning or evening for several days 

 and then be followed by a cathartic " (Pharmacop. Inol.). 

 Moodeen Sheriff states that, after a careful trial of the above 

 preparation, he has arrived at the conclusion that " if the root- 

 bark is vermifuge at all, it is very weakly so." 



" Other preparations have been used in America. The 

 dried berries in whisky have been employed against ascarides, 

 tapeworm and verminous diseases, and the pulp of the berries 

 stewed in lard has been used with success against scald head. 

 A fluid extract and syrup prepared from the bark have been 

 recommended, the latter containing vanilla which is said to 

 wholly disguise the bitter and disagreeable taste of the drug 

 {Year Booh of Pharmacy (1875), 375). A recent writer on the 



