April t, 18^5.] 
THE TROPIC \L AGRICULTURIST. 
679 
not realised. Its growth was not checked, even 
under conditions where its applications seemed 
to he made under the most favourable circum- 
stances, i.e., in large ulcerating surfaces, where 
there was the best opportunity to act directly 
on the cancerous tissue. This failure, however, 
cannot come as a surprise. In pursuing these in- 
vestigations, the result arrived at was very differ- 
ent from the one expected when they were started. 
While it was a complete failure as a curative 
agent in carcinoma .... I found it (papain) 
a most valuable palliative on account of certain 
qualities possessed by it that have hitherto been 
overlooked — namely (1) its analgetic, (2) its anti- 
septic properties. This analgetic action of the 
pawpaw juice showed itself not only in cases of 
cancer — in a very extensive case of lupus, where 
the left eye had been destroyed by the progress 
of the disease, its effect was most striking. After 
the first application, which was orly made on a 
small part of the ulcerating surface, the patient 
declared that the pain, which had been formerly 
very distressing, had gone in the part treated, while 
it persisted in the remainder of the ulceration. There 
was no doubt that in his case the disappearance of 
the pain was not imagined, but due to the action of 
the juice. 1. It disappeared only from the part 
treated. As soon as the juice was used on the 
remainder of the sore the pain went away there 
too. It stayed away altogether for four months. 
2. It appeared for a very short time in the 
depth of the orbit, and on examination a foul 
smelling and secreting spot was discovered in a 
recess where it was difficult for the juice to 
penetrate. The application of some lint soaked 
in juice and pressed on to the spot, took the pain 
away speedily. 
As regards its antiseptic properties, I first 
noticed it in some experiments for the determina- 
tion of the comparative digestive powers of 
different solutions. In one test tube a piece of 
meat 10c. c. of water, to which ten drops of the 
fresh juice of the leaves were added, showed after 
a week no sign of decomposition. I followed 
this up, and will report about the result of the 
experiments on another occasion. The experiments 
in the test tube were amply conlirmed by prac- 
tical experience. In every case of ulceration 
that came so far under observation it was possi- 
ble to clean the surface from the slough within 
a very short time, mostly within twenty-four 
hours. In one case of ulceration of the foot that 
had been for some time in the hospital, in whom 
the dressings had to be changed five times in 
twenty-four hours, the secretion diminished at 
once, and" after day required changing once only 
in twenty-four hours. In this patient the pawpaw 
loaves themselves were used, after having been 
bruised in the mortar. This antiseptic action 
did not fail in any case In which the remedy 
was used, no matter by what the ulceration 
had been produced. I wish to draw your 
attention to the very essential difference that 
exists between the general body of antiseptics 
and the action of the papain. The antiseptics 
owe their antiseptic qualities to t he fact that they 
are piotoplasma poisons. They destroy the bacte- 
rium because they destroy every living cell, li 
is, therefore, impossible to use any antiseptic 
without injuring, more or less, at the same 
time the tissue on which the bacterium has 
settled. Papain acts differently. It destroys 
the bacterium by digesting it, while it 
cannot affect the living tissue in which blond 
circulates, and can only digest the gangrenous 
slough formed by pus corpuscles, extravas.-itcd 
blood, librine, &0. The analgetic action may bo 
traced to the same source. The best form of 
application is the juice of the unripe apple mixed 
With equal parts of glycerine. It keeps very well, 
and after allowing a little time for the sedi- 
ment to settle, a perfectly clear yellow liquid 
may be obtained. 
ORANGE CULTURE IN TAHITI. 
The orange-tree was originally introduced into 
the Society Islands, from Brazil, by the Naviga- 
tor Cook, and subsequently by the early mis- 
sionaries, from the Australian colonies. These 
two varieties, though still showing a slight differ- 
ence in species, have by acclimatisation and self- 
propagation, become merged into one variety, 
known in the markets as the Tahiti orange. 
Her Majesty's Consul at Tahiti, says that the 
fruit varies from oval to oblong in shape, being 
well flattened at the blossom end. It is 
moderately large, very heavy, very juicy, sweet 
and highly flavoured, thin skinned, pulp and 
division tissues tough, and the rind a light lemon 
yellow in colour. Trees growing on lowlands 
produce an inferior fruit to that found at higher 
elevations, and generally supply the early portion 
of the produce exported, on account of their 
easier accessibility. The orange-tree in Tahiti is 
not cultivated but grows in the wild state, pro- 
pagation being carried on by raiders, such as 
rats, <X:c., scattering the seed, which, owing to the 
moist, warm climate, germinates with certainty 
and rapidity. With few exceptions, occasionally 
found on clearings made for dwellings, planta- 
tions, and roadways, the orange-tree in Tahiti 
grows in the bush, straggling, moss-covered, 
enveloped by tendrils and creepers, and surrounded 
by weeds, and in this naturally weakened con- 
dition is becoming an easy prey to the many 
species of scale and insect pest now so prevalent. 
The more vigorous trees found in the open are 
better able to resist the ravages of this evil, but 
the consequences in course of time to the so-called 
orange groves of Tahiti, must be evident to all. 
The native, however, who so greatly depends on 
the orange crop as a source of income, does 
nothing whatever to save the trees. He makes 
no attempt to clear the chaos of jungle surround- 
ing them, or to destroy the pest. He contents 
himself with simply living on the fruits of nature 
as long as they are provided for him. Consul 
Hawes says that it is perfectly possible and 
practicable to make the culture of the orange in 
Tahiti a success, and the present condition of 
inactivity if continued must bring disastrous re- 
sults. To regain the markets of California, and 
to retain those of New Zealand, will necessitate 
attention being given to the cultivation of the 
orange-tree. — Journal of the Society of Arts. 
CEYLON TEA IN AMERICA. 
THE ATLANTA EXHIBITION. 
Following up the letter from Mr. S. Bierach, 
whose name has been so prominently before the 
public here in connection with his efforts to push 
the sale of Ceylon Tea in America, we give another 
communication today from Mr. T. A. Cockburn 
wIki has done splendid service on behalf of our 
staple product in the West and lias been described 
as " the valuable hustler from Ceylon." Mr. Cock- 
burn urges the importance of immediate action 
) icing taken to secure the represent at ion of the island 
at the Southern States' Exhibition to be held at 
Atlanta this year ; and we earnestly hope that the 
" Committee of Thirty," fully alive to the advisabi- 
lity of taking advantage of every occasion such as 
