N. 0. OELASTRINEiE. 329 



as a sovereign remedy in Beri-beri. In doses of from ten to 

 fifteen drops, twice daily, it is a powerful stimulant. Its action 

 in this character is generally followed in a few hours by free 

 diaphoresis, unattended by subsequent exhaustion. Though it has 

 failed to realize Dr. Herklots' encomiums, yet, in some cases treat- 

 ed with it, detailed by Dr. Malcolmson, its beneficial effects were 

 unequivocally evidenced ; in others, however, it failed. It 

 appears to be chiefly adapted for recent cases, and for those 

 in which the nervous and paralytic symptoms predominate 

 (Pharm. Ind.) 



The Santals use the oil in disorders of the stomach (Revd. 

 A. Campbell). The seeds, bruised and formed into a poultice, 

 are a good stimulant application to foul, unhealthy and indolent 

 ulcers (Moodeen Sheriff.) 



I have been using the black oil myself occasionally in my 

 practice during the last thirty-nine or forty years ; and for 

 about fifteen years, at the commencement of this period, my 

 opinion as to its therapeutic value was not very high ; but 

 ever since Ibegau, about twenty-five years ago, to employ the 

 varieties of this drug obtained from Vizagapatam, Masuli- 

 patam and Ellore, I consider it the best and most efficacious of 

 all the remedies ever suggested for the treatment of Beri-beri, 

 and quite agree with Dr. Herklots in everything he has said 

 in its favour. I recollect many cases of Beri-beri which were 

 not benefited, for weeks or months, under the use of other 

 medicines, but began at once to improve when placed under 

 the course of black oil The first good effect of this medicine, 

 according to my own observation, is generally an increase in 

 the quantity of urine, and with this the dropsical effusion 

 begins to disappear. A relief in paralytic and ansthetic 

 symptoms is also noticed about the same time, but generally 

 after the abatement of dropsical symptoms. During the use 

 of black oil, the native practitioners invariably enjoin a very 

 low and strict diet, giving nothing to the patient except water 

 and wheaten cakes for a long period — a restriction which is as 

 injurious as unnecessary in my opinion. The patients labor- 

 ing under Beri-beri require a very liberal and nourishing diet. 

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