Treatise on the Diseases of the Eye, 215 



Reduce the above ingredients to a very fine powder, and with equal 

 quantities of the juice of Tamarind and Neem leaves mix the whole 

 into the consistence of thick cream. 



N.B. — "Where the leaves of Tamarind and Neem are not to be 

 had, their juice may be supplied by that of limes. 



This is to be used in the same manner as the other. Its efficacy 

 is often incredibly great ; operating like a charm. 



The natives however do not apply it till after the third or fourth 

 day of the inflammation. 



The following receipt for ophthalmia was given to me by Dr. 

 Young, by desire of Capt. Stuart, who procured it from Mr. Ballard. 



Burnt alum and opium of each equal parts, rubbed very fine, and 

 mixed with about double the weight of ghee into an ointment ; this 

 is rubbed or smeared over the closed eye from the eyebrow to the 

 lower part of the socket. Ballard adds, that " combined with leeches 

 or cupping it seldom fails of affording prompt relief in the descrip- 

 tion of the disease which is common in Hindoostan, and in its nature 

 is either infectious or epidemic." 



The following is the Recipe for the eye ointment from General 

 "Watson. 



No. 1 . — Neem leaves, Samur nimuk (salt), Kurwa tael (bitter oil), 

 which is expressed from a small yellowish seed called Sursun. 



To make the ointment, have a broad, flat, brass vessel, turn it 

 upside down — bruise the leaves, and then rub them with the salt 

 and oil thoroughly together on the bottom of the vessel with a new 

 copper pice or copper any thing placed under the palm of the hand, 

 collecting the ingredients frequently into the centre, and resuming 

 the rubbing till the whole is of a proper consistence. 



Then wash the ointment with water by sprinkling it when spread, 

 (as in rubbing) and gently rub the whole together with the palm of 

 the hand only, shake off the water and collect the ointment which is 

 now ready for use. 



No. 2. — The foregoing is the principal ointment. There is a 

 simpler kind (which I have generally sent you), it consists of burnt 

 alum bruised with ghee (ghee, the native butter made of buffaloe 



