390 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



or parts. This is generally sufficient to check the above 

 symptoms ; but if they get worse and become more developed, 

 they must be treated with some other and stronger remedies 

 according to their nature" (Moodeen Sharif!). 



In the Indian Medical Gazette for March 1902, Dr. Hem Chan- 

 dra Sen, Teacher of Materia Medica, Campbell Medical School, 

 Calcutta, published an interesting paper on the Therapeutics of 

 Semicarpus anacardium. According to him : — 



"The oil has very powerful antiseptic properties, but is too 



strong an irritant to be used medicinally for any such purpose. 



* * e * 



"The oil mitigated with butter or ghee (a dram of the oil 'to 

 four ounces of ghee) is used in scaly skin eruptions, e. g., 

 psoriasis, etc. The affected part becomes softened with marked 

 rapidity and a normal condition returns. The strength may be 

 varied according to indications. 



" This application also does good in leucoderma. Sometimes 

 the fruits are fried in mustard oil, and the oil is used for this 

 purpose. The leucodermic spots show foci of fresh deposition of 

 pigments ; and, after a prolonged use, distinct change of color 



is generally noticed. 



* * * * 



" The oil is irritant to the whole of the digestive tract, in big 

 doses. In medicinal doses, it increases appetite and powerfully 



increases the secretions. 



* m & 



"Partly by its own direct stimulating action, and partly by 

 its powerful cholagogue action, it often acts as a purgative also. 



$ y> * 



" The kernel of this and of S. Occidentale has no irritant 

 properties at all. It tastes like almonds, and is a good nutritive 

 food. In fact, it is used in the preparation of sweetmeats in 



some districts of India. 



* * * * 



" As a general alterative, it is often used to increase appetite, 

 t * The power of digesting fats is said to be enormously 

 increased. It is also a powerful carminative. 



