1268 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



solution, containing chiefly potash salt, which is used in curries, 

 especially as a cure for acidity, aud anti-scorbutic, and where 

 common salt is scarce, this is used by the people for seasoning 

 their curries." (C. T. Peters, M. B., Zandra, South Afghanis- 

 tan.) " I have known a diet of green plantain well boiled, and 

 curds (dalii), sweetened with sugar or seasoned with salt accord- 

 ing to taste, to be of singular benefit, in cases of dysentery and 

 diarrhoea. (2) Ripe plantain, well beaten up with pulp of old 

 tamarind and sweetened with old treacle or sugar-candy, is a 

 household remedy among the natives of Bengal for dysentery, 

 at the commencement of the attack. (3) Flour, made out of 

 green plantain, dried in the sun, is used in the form of ehappatis 

 in certain parts of Tirhoot in cases of dyspepsia with trouble- 

 some flatulence and acidity. I have known one case in which 

 it agreed remarkably well when even a diet of plain sago and 

 water brought on a severe attack of colic. The ehappatis are 

 taken dry with a little salt." (Assistant-Surgeon N. C. Dutt, 

 Durbhanga.) " A combination of ripe plantain, tamarind, and 

 common salt is most efficacious in dysentery. I have used it in 

 many cases both of the acute and chronic forms of the disease, 

 and seldom failed to effect a cure. It may, in fact, be said to 

 be a specific. It is simple, easily procurable, and may safely be 

 administered to a child. In simple cases, a single dose is suffi- 

 cient, as a rule, three or four doses are required to effect a cure. 

 The patient should be kept quiet and placed on low diet The 

 dose for an adult is, — ripe plantain one ounce, the pulp of ripe 

 tamarind half an ounce, common salt quarter of an ounce ; well 

 mixed and administered immediately. It may be given two or 

 three times a day." ;R. A. Parker, M. D.) " The juice of the 

 tender roots contains a large quantity of tannin and is used 

 with mucilage for checking hemorrhages from the genital 

 and air passages. The ashes, produced by burning the plant, 

 contain a large amount of potash salts, and are used as an 

 antacid in acidity, heart-burn, and colic. The tender fruit is 

 used as a diet for patients suffering from hemoptysis and 

 diabetes." (J. H. Thornton, B.A., M.B., Monghyr. > " The juice 

 of the bark and leaf is frequently given to children suffering 



