Remedies for Dysentery, Etc. 
267 
Visinia sessilifoUa Pers. also acts as a purge. The sap from the bark of 
Guarea Aubletii Juss. and O. tricJiilioides Linn, serves at the same time 
both as a powerful purge and emetic. The seeds of Hura crepitans also 
act as purgatives but have to be employed with the greatest caution, 
;because their effects are almost too drastic. The roots of Ceplia'elis 
Ipccachuanha Rich, supply the strongest ipccachuanha. Eemaining 
purgatives are AdciioropiU'Vi gossijpifoUuvi Pohl., Lhi/antJius alatus 
Aubl., Boerhavia hirsuta Linn., Allamanda Aiibletii Pohl., and Ascelpias 
curassavica. 
614. Eemedies for Diarrhoea and Dysentery : — 
An infusion of the bark of Byrsonwia ci'ass'ifolia, Willoiiglibcia 
acida Willd., ^tachi/tarpJieta jainmcensis and Acrodiclidmm Cainara 
Schomb. The properties of the last mentioned have already been 
described by Bancroft and Hartsinck, whoi speak of it under the name 
of "Akawai-nutmeg" by which the fruit is known in every family 
dispensary, while the late Dr. Hancock regarded its infusion 
as the most efficacious remedy for diarrhoea, dysentery, and 
colic. The tree had not hitherto been scientifically described: 
my brother recognised from the blossoms that it was a new species 
of Acrodiclidmm. and gave it its Indian name Camant. Its habitat 
would appear to be limited to the area between the 5th and 6th latitude 
N., particularly to the sandstone ranges of Roraima, because we found 
the tree hardly anywhere else. 
615. For sudorifics a decoction of the bark of Eri/thrina incrmis 
Burm., and Sicartsia tomcntosa is employed. 
616. Acting as astringents are Fsidium arornatioUin Aubl., luya 
Burgoni DeC, Macluicrlam fcrrugincum, the fruits of Anavardiunt 
EJiinocarpus DeC, Psychotrva glahrata Sw., and Virecta pratensis .VaJiL 
617. For syphilitic diseases which, though present among the 
Europeans and tue tribes in continuous touch with them, are prevalent 
amongst the coloured people and especially among the negroes, but do 
not however assume the awful character that they do in Europe, the 
people use a decoction of the leaves of Tetracera Tigarea DeC, 
u uuuiidina Boudiic Linn., different species of ISpci iiiucovv, I'otalia 
amara Aubl.* The sap and a decoction from the twigs of Costos sptcaUis 
Sw., act as an anti-syphilitic, as also do Phytolacca decandra, Eelio- 
teres iSarcarolha Juss., Waltheria Douradinha (St. llili., Mikauia (J uuco. 
618. For syphilitic blenorrhoea no use is made of the Balsam 
Copaiva, a remedy entirely unknown to the negroes and colonred people, 
recourse being had to Phyllaiitlms lathy roides Humb. Bonp. and 
Euphorbia hypcricifoUai Linn. The most effective cure however is a 
second Euphorhia which on closer examination I found to be new, and 
growing in all the sugar-cane fields, the Euphorbia erythrocarpa 
Klotzsch. Whether it is that syphilitic blenorrhoea does not assume 
the same virulent character in these warm climates as it does in colder 
ones, or whether this Euphorbia is a real specific— its 'quick and radical 
* A strong dos4e of this ia employed by tho Indians as a powerful antidote against 
poisoning from the juice of the bitter cassava ij^mihot utilissma). 
