442 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



other astringents and rock-salt. He recommends this mixture 

 as a remedy for pterygium and opacities of the cornea" (Dr. 

 Dymock, Mat Med., W. Ind., 187). U. C. Dutt informs us that 

 the ancient Hindus used the gum as an external astringent only. 



The seeds internally are administered as an anthelmintic, 

 but regarding the reliance which can be put upon their action 

 considerable difference of opinion prevails. Some medical 

 men think that they can be advantageously substituted for 

 santonine, while others view them as much less powerful. 

 They have at the same time a warm purgative action which 

 often proves injurious to their anthelmintic property. They 

 are, however, largely used in the treatment of round-worm. 

 The following extract from Dr. Waring's Bazaar Medicines 

 will be found to give the leading facts regarding these seeds : 

 Butea seeds are thin, flat, oval or kidney-shaped, of a maho- 

 gany-brown colour, H to If inches in length, almost devoid 

 of taste and smell. European experience has confirmed the 

 high opinion held by the Mohamedan doctors as to their power 

 in expelling Inmbrici or round-worms, so common amongst the 

 Natives of India. The seeds should be first soaked in water 

 and the testa or shell carefully removed ; the kernel should 

 then be dried and reduced to powder. Of this the dose is 20 

 grains thrice daily for three successive days, followed on the 

 fourth day by a dose of castor-oil. Under the use of this 

 remedy, thus administered in the practice of Dr. Oswald, 125 

 lumbrici in one instance, and between 70 and 80 in another, 

 were expelled. It has the disadvantage of occasionally purging 

 when its vermifuge properties are not apparent : in some in- 

 stances also it has been found to excite vomiting and to irritate 

 the kidneys, and though these ill effects do not ordinarily 

 follow, yet they indicate caution in its employment." (Bazaar 

 Medicines, Waring, pp. 31-32). In the BhavapraMsa, the use 

 of the seeds of the paldsa as an aperient and anthelmintic is 

 noticed ; and they are directed to be beaten into a paste with 

 honey for administration. Sarangadhara also recommends 

 them as anthelmintic (Dr. Dymock). Externally, the seeds, 

 when pounded with lemon-juice and applied to the skin, act 



