N. 0. PASSIFL0R.E. 575 



The anthelmintic properties of the milky juice of the 

 unripe fruit were first noticed in the 17th century by Hernandez ; 

 and the attention of the profession in India was called to it in 

 1810, by Dr. Fleming {Asiatic Researches, vol. xi.) who cites an 

 interesting passage from the writings of M. Charpentier 

 Cossigni in support of its alleged virtues. Further confirmatory 

 evidence has more recently been adduced by M. Bouton (Med. 

 Plants of Mauritius, 1857, p. 65), and it may justly be con- 

 cluded that the statements as to its efficacy as an anthelmintic 

 are founded on fact. The following mode of administration, 

 employed by the late Dr. Lemarchand, of the Mauritius (cited 

 by Bouton), it would be desirable to adopt in all future trials 

 with this remedy : Take of fresh Papaw milk and honey, of 

 each a tablespoonful ; mix thoroughly, gradually add three or 

 four tablespoonfuls of boiling water : and when sufficiently cool 

 take the whole at a draught, following its administration two 

 hours subsequently by a dose of castor oil, to which a portion of 

 lime juice or vinegar may be added. This may be repeated two 

 days successively if required. The above is a dose for an adult ; 

 half the quantity may be given to children between 7 and 10 

 years of age ; and a third, or a teaspoonful, to children under 

 three years. If it cause griping, as it occasionally does, enemas 

 containing sugar have been found effectual in relieving it, 

 Taking the dose above-named as correct, the statement of Sir 

 W. O'Shaughnessy (Bengal Disp. p. 352), that he had adminis- 

 tered the milky juice as an anthelmintic, in doses of from 20 

 to 60 drops, without obvious effect, is fully explained. It is 

 principally effectual in the expulsion of lumbrici. On taenia it 

 is reported to have little effect. Anthelmintic virtues have also 

 been assigned to the seeds, which have a pungent taste, not 

 unlike that of mustard and cress, but the evidence of their 

 efficacy is very inconclusive. A belief in their powerfully em- 

 menagogue properties prevails amongst all classes of women 

 in Southern India ; so much so, that they assert that, if a preg- 

 nant woman partake of them, even in moderate quantities, 

 abortion will be the probable result. This popular belief is 

 noticed in many of the reports received from India. In them it 



