N. 0. ANACARDIACE^. 389 



one and a half drachm to two drachms and a half. In some 

 very severe cases, when the patients were very strong and 

 robust, the dose was increased to three drachms ; but the average 

 dose is two drachms, which is the one I have most frequently 

 employed in my practice. As soon as the patients are much 

 relieved and able to walk about to some extent without 

 assistance, I generally omit the drug and complete the cure with 

 milder or less active medicines, such as salicylate of soda, 

 colchicum, alkalines, and with stimulant embrocations. 



" In chronic and muscular forms of rheumatism, however, 

 the marking-nut is not half as useful as it is in its acute variety, 

 and I am therefore unable to speak much in its favour in the 

 treatment of the former diseases. 



" Marking-nut is also a good therapeutic agent in asthma, but 

 the relief it affords in so small doses as those mentioned in some 

 books, is very slight. To secure its best effects in this disease 

 it should be used repeatedly and in doses similar to those 

 I generally employ in acute rheumatism. Gout is so rare 

 among the Natives of this country that I never had an 

 opportunity of using this drug in any well-marked case of that 

 disease during the last two years ; but from its great influence 

 over acute rheumatism ; I am almost sure that it will also 

 produce good results in the acute form of the former. 



" There is a notion among the Natives of Southern India that 

 the internal use of the marking-nut is apt to produce sore mouth 

 or ptyalism, but I have never met with a single instance of 

 of these bad effects, though I have administered the drug in 

 many cases and in so large and repeated doses as those explained 

 above. 



" During the employment of the marking-nut, either external- 

 ly or internally, the least appearance of a rash or redness of the 

 the skin, or an itchy or uneasy sensation in any part of the 

 body, should be considered as a sign of the bad effects of the 

 drug, and it should, therefore, be stopped immediately. Spiritus 

 ammonite aromaticus is to be freely administered, with some 

 demulcent drinks, such as infusum lini ; and some oil, olive or 

 cocoanut, should be constantly smeared over the affected part 



