99 s 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. [May i, 1882. 
tbat relief alleged to be given by vegetable pepsine 
The seeds are sometimes taken as a remedy against 
worms. There is another variety of papaya, which 
differs from that described above, by bearing flowers, 
one or two feet long in clusters, the unripe fruit 
it bears being used in preference as preserves. Of 
the former variety no male trees exist or are known, 
while the latter one has them. From the leaves of 
both sorts of papayas, and from the flowers of the 
second one, many tasty kinds of curries and snmbals 
are prepared in native cookery. Previously, however, 
their bitterness can be removed by boiling them 
thoroughly with the leaves of the Jamboobol and 
Jambooayer (two species of Eugenia) and those of 
the Sikadudu, whereby an article of food is ob- 
tained, which in bitterness is not inferior to endive. 
Ihe effects brought about by the u?e of the leaves and 
flowers of the papaya are again confirmatory of 
whatever has been written in recommendation of 
pepsine, for those who have experienc d them can 
bear witness that these leaves and flowers actually 
possess digestion-promoting properties. Hence the 
natives make frequent use of dishes prepared from 
the papaya, especially those who consume much 
animal and heavy food. It is, however, less to be 
recommended for persons of weak constitutions, 
becau-e on them, after use, the pepsine works in a 
disquieting manner, bringing on diarrhoea, which 
sometimes may degenerate into dysentry. This may 
serve as a warning. From the stem as well as from 
the blossoms and unripe fruit of the papaya, a 
milky juice may be obtained, which, after being 
exposed a short time co the air, coagulates. Botn in 
a fluid and coagulated state it causes a burning 
sensition when placed on the unprotected skin, fol- 
lowed not unfrequently, by blisters. Should by ill 
luck a single drop of it fall into the eye. total blind- 
ness is the unavoidable result. This fluid has been 
used with remarkable success in rooting out corns 
and warts. If the stronyer outward portions of our 
bodies are so greatly affected by the raw, unprepared 
juice, what may not be the consequence of injudiciuusly 
administering and using it ? The writer of this hence 
earnestly hopes that the.French apothecaries, who, by their 
preparaion of the papaya, aim at benefitting sufferers 
from indigestion, have taken or may take the fore- 
going into consideration. One comfort remains, how- 
ever, to us. Toe ripe fruit of the papaya is a sovereign 
remedy against dysentery. It is a native remedy 
(hence probably despised on that account) but the 
writer has experienced its healing powers. Not very 
lcng ago a schoolmaster here laid many parents 
under deep obligation to him for curing their children 
suffering from this dreadful disease, and whose recovery 
the doctor in attendance had despaired of more or 
less, solely and exclusively by administering to them 
ripe papaya fruit. Whether this doctor profited by 
it is doubtful. At least toe remedy h-is not yet been 
made widely known. Yet it is an efficacious remedy. 
A decoction of papaya leaves is also a wholesome 
medicine in obstinate inward fevers. A friend of mine, 
the late Mr. Ahrens, was once fully cured by means 
of it. That it is an exclusively native remedy may 
be inferred from the fact that it was prescribed for 
my friend by his mother-in-law (a native) and tbat 
the doctor in attendance stopped his visits on it 
being administered, on the ground that he would not be 
a witness to the death of the patient in consequence of 
the use of the papaya which he had been consuming. 
The root of the papaya rubbed fine and laid as pap 
on the forehead has been used with good effect against 
acute headache. It is also an excellent substitute 
for akar kelor in foot baths, and likewise does duty 
for mustard plasters, when prescribed. May this 
article draw the etteution of Netherlands India medical 
men and chemists to the papaya, which is not only 
useful in other respects, but also possesses much 
healing power. When we no longer need receive from 
abroad preparations from a plant so abundant in these 
countries, there will be fulfilled the wish of 
Ludw. H.A.S." 
THE SEASON IN INDIA. 
(For the week ending the 28th March.) 
Slight rnin has fallen in eome of the districts of the 
Madras, Bombay and Bengal Presidencies and in parts 
of the Punjab aud Mysore and Coorg ; in Assam there 
has been a good general rainfall. Harvest operations 
are in progress throughout Madras, and general pro- 
spects are good ; there is a good deal of fever aud 
small-pox about, as well as some cattle disease. In 
Bombay the rabi harvest is still in progress in some 
of the districls : scarcity of drinking water in Dhar- 
war coutinues, and th^-re is slight fever and cattle 
disease in parts ; cholera continues in Thana. In Ben- 
gal rain is wanted to facilitate ploughing and for 
crops on the ground ; owing to the scanty rainfall 
during the cold w ather, the rabi harvest is not ex- 
pected to yield a very good crop this year ; cholera 
and small pox continue in part- 1 , but no cas. s of cattle 
diseases are reported. Harvesting is nearly over in 
the southern districts of the North-Western Provinces 
and Ondh, and the outturn is generally fair ; there 
is some sickness in Allahabad and four other districts 
otherwise public health is good; cattle disease con- 
tinues in Jhansi and Kumaun, and there have been 
some fresh cases of cowpox at Benares. In the Pun- 
jab harvest prospects and health are generally good, 
although there is some small-pox in Delhi city, and 
fever and small pox in two tahsil of the Rawalpindi 
district. Rabi harvesting continues in the Central 
Provinces, and prospects are generally good ; but 
small- pox and cattle disease are somewhat prevalent. 
In British Burma there is a little small pox and 
cholera, and cattle disease continues in Henzada. 
Akyab and Toungoo. Prospects are good in Assam, 
Berar and Hyderabad, Central India, Raj pu tana, and 
in Mjsore and Coorg; but rain is still much needed 
in North Coorg. 
Madras. — No rain, except in Ganjam and Bellary ; 
general prospects good. 
Bengal. — There has been rain in several districts 
in Bengal Proper and in parts of the Bhagulpore 
Division ; elsewhere rain is much wanted to facilitate 
ploughing, and for crops on the ground ; rabi harvest 
is not expected to yield a Very good crop this year 
owing to want of rain during the cold weather ; in 
some places the crop is said to be much below the 
average, and in others it is only fair; mohua crops 
in Chota Nagpore and Sonthal Pergunnahs, and mango 
crop in many places, are very poor ; cases of cholera 
and small-pox continue to be reported from several 
places. 
Geological. — Amongst other useful work done by 
the officers of the Geological Survey of India dur- 
ing last year, the following results have been ob- 
tained : — An examination of a tract of gneissic up- 
land in Travancore dispelled the belief formerly 
entertained that the rocks were auriferous ; some 
good coal seams were traced in the South Rewah 
basin, unfortunately at present too far distant from 
auy line of railway for an attempt at working them 
to prove profitable ; and some copper beds in the 
Darjiling district were examined. ihe Government 
of -India has reviewed the annual report of the de- 
partment, and expresses satisfaction at the efficient 
manner in which Mr. Medlicott and his subordinates have 
discharged iheir important duties.— Bombay Gazette. 
