N. 0. ANACARDIACE^. 387 



In Goa, the nut is used internally in asthma after having 

 been steeped in butter-milk, and is also given as vermifuge. 

 In the Concan, a single fruit is heated in the flame of a lamp 

 and the oil allowed to drop into a quarter-seer of milk ; this 

 draught is given daily in cough, caused by relaxation of the 

 uvula and palate. The juice of the root-bark is also used 

 medicinally on account of its acrid properties (Dymock). 

 The bruised nut is applied to the os uteri by the native women 

 to procure abortion (Ph. Ind). Basiner found that within 12 

 hours the brown oil of the nut raised a black blister ; this should 

 be carefully protected from touch, as the fluid causes eczematous 

 vesicles on any part of the body it may come in contact with. 

 He has also noticed painful micturition, the urine being reddish 

 brown and bloody, and painful stools, as a sequel to the 

 external application of the oil (Am. J. of Pharm., 1882, 

 Dymock). 



" I have used the black, thick and acrid oil of the 

 marking-nut, prepared either by expression or with the aid of 

 heat, or the nut itself in the form of electuary, pretty extensively 

 in my practice, and found it so eflicacious in acute rheumatism 

 that it may be considered a specific in that disease. The drug 

 is also of great service in asthma, and more or less beneficial in 

 secondary syphilis, haemorrhoids, neuralgia, epilepsy, 

 anaesthesia, paralysis, lepra, psoriasis and a few other cutaneous 

 affections. Externally, the oil is a very cheap and pretty useful 

 counter-irritant, but requires great care and caution in its 

 employment. It should not be applied much or continuously 

 to any part, but always in the form of parallel lines by means 

 of a long needle or wire. In very severe cases, these lines may 

 be crossed with other parallel lines in an opposite direction. 

 In either case, when the blister is risen, it should be pricked 

 and the serum allowed to dribble away ; and then the use of 

 poultices for two or three clays renders the part very clean and 

 fit to be dressed with simple dressing, carron oil or plantain 

 leaves. The nut is more useful in haemorrhoids in the form of 

 fumigation than the internal administration of its oil or 

 electuary ; but unfortunately its smoke is attended with bad 

 effects in some constitutions. Out of the two severe and painful 



