i 9 S 



Cassia alata ( f.eguminosce) Daun Gelenggang best know n as an 

 application for ring-worm (See skin diseases; is used as a mild 

 purgative. A decoction of the leaves in water being given. 



Mirabilis Jalapa, Adans. {Nyctagineoe.) The Marvel of Peru. 

 "The seeds are given as a mild aperient in doses of 5 to 20 

 grains" (Holmes) who gives the Native name as Bunga Serunei 

 which properly belongs to Wedelia biflora. 



The plant is not of course wild in the Straits being of South 

 American origin but is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental 

 plant. As an aperient it appears to be feeble, and uncertain ; 

 according to Watt's Dictionary, and in India is chieflv used to 

 promote suppuration. 



esbania grandiflora, Pers. (Leguminosae). The leaves according 

 to Holmes are used as an aperient in the form of an infusion. It 

 is probably very mild as the leaves are a popular vegetable here. 

 Lisboa ( Watfs Dictionary) says that when taken very freely they 

 produce diarrhoea. 



Astringents. 



The Malay suffers much from dysentery and diarrhoea often 

 due to way of gorges on unripe fruit, so that medicines for 

 these complaints are in much request and a great number are 

 reported valuable. Most of them are astringent and probably con- 

 tain tannin. The most important of these are the following. 



Carapa moluccana, Gaertn — Nireh bark, i he bark of this common 

 mangrove swamp tree easily known by its large brown cannonball 

 like fruit, has long been used. The best method of preparing it is 

 to boil the bark for two hours in a copper pan, then after straining 

 to continue boiling till the decoction has become thick and then to 

 dry off by slow heat. It forms a crystalline mass of a deep brown 

 colour soluble in water and spirits of wine. It should be dissolved 

 in spirits and two teaspoonfuls given in water every day. It has a 

 high reputation in dysentery and seems to be well worth the atten- 

 tion of pharmacists. 



Garcinia Mangostana, L. Mangosteen husks. The rinds especially 

 of the unripe fruit is used. Treated in the same way as Nireh bark, 

 it gives a very similar extract. The dried rinds are sold in the 

 drug-shops and a quantity are exported to China. The roots are 

 used in dysmenorrhea also. 



M elastoma M alabathricum ^ L. var. poly intJium The Senduduk 

 or Singapore Rhododendron. The young shoots of this very com- 

 mon shrub are boiled and the decoction administered alone or in 

 combination with extract of mangosteen husks, mixed with Sum- 

 bong leaves {Blumea balsamifera) it is employed as a bath for 

 flatulence and acidity and tenderness of the legs (Kelantan — Dr. 

 GlMLETTE.) 



Mimusops elengi, L. (Sapotaceae) "Bunga Tanjong " "The 

 flowers and bark are used as an astringent tonic and febrifuge in 

 fever and diarrhoea/' (Holmes). The bark and unripe fruits are used 



