tt. 0. GRAMINE^. 1383 



p. 28, No. 114). A belief in the emmenagogue properties of the 

 leaves is common alike in India and China ; but neither in this 

 nor in any other character does it appear worthy of attention as 

 a medicine. In positions where ordinary surgical appliances 

 are not at hand, it is well to bear in mind that, with very little 

 manipulation, splints of any required length or size can be 

 obtained with little delay from the stems of the bamboo. For this 

 purpose the older drier stems are to be preferred, the younger 

 yielding somewhat on pressure. A silicious concretion, Tabashir 

 or Tabasheer, found in the articulations of the bamboo, merits a 

 brief notice. The most complete account of its varieties, history, 

 formation, and properties has been published by Sir David Brews- 

 ter (Philosoph. Trans., 1819, and Edin. Journ. of Science, vol. 

 .viii., p. 286) ; and in the same paper are embodied some learned 

 remarks by Prof. H. H. Wilson on its nomenclature, and the uses 

 to which it is applied by the natives, drawn from Sanskrit works. 

 Several analyses of it have been made by Stnithson, Fourcroy and 

 Vauquelin, John, and Dr. E. Turner. The most recent and 

 complete is that of Prof. T. Thomson, of Glasgow (Records of 

 Gen. Science, Feb. 1836) who found its constituents to be, in 

 100 parts, Silica, 90'50 ; Potash, 110; Peroxide of Iron, 0'90 ; 

 Aluminia, 0*40 ; Moisture, 4'87 ; Loss, 2*23. It is highly prized 

 in native practice as a stimulant and aphrodisiac ; but from its 

 composition we are warranted in believing that as a medicinal 

 agent it is inert. (Madras Quart. Journ. of Med., April 1862, 

 p. 245.) (Ph. Ind.) 



The tender leaves of this plant used with black pepper and 

 common salt to check diarrhoea in cattle. (Thornton, Monghyr.) 

 The most efficacious application for dislodgment of worms in 

 ulcers is a poultice made by pounding the young shoots of the 

 bamboo. The juice is first poured on the vermin, and the 

 ligneous mass is applied and secured by a bandage. (Hony. 

 Surg. P. Kinsley, Madras.) The leaf-bud is used as decoction 

 to encourage the free discharge of the menses or lochia 

 when this is scanty. (Moodeliar, Madras.) Used in leprosy, 

 fevers and haemoptysis. (Thompson, Madras.) 



Tamil practitioners say the root is diluent, the bark cures 



