I 9 S 
Cassia ala to (Kegummosoe) Daun Gelenggang best known as an 
application for ring-worm (See skin diseases) is used as a mild 
purgative. A decoction of the leaves in water being given 
Mirabiiis Jalapa , Adans. (. Nyctaginea ?.) 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 Wcdelia 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 chiefly used to 
promote suppuration, 
eslmm a grand flora, Pers. (Legu mi nosed). 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 ^ watt's Dictionary ) says that when taken very freely they 
produce diarrhoea. J 
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— N ireh bark. '1 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 i 
in spirits and t\vo teaspoonfuls given in water every day. It has a I 
high reputation in dysentery and seems to be well worth the atten- 
tion of pharmacists. 
Gatcima M angostana, 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 dysmenorrhcea also. 
Mclastoma Mala bat hri cum , L. var. poly inthum 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 Surn- 
bong leaves {Blumea bals ami f era) it is employed as a bath for , 
flatulence and acidity and tenderness of the legs (Kelantan — Dr. 
Gimlette.) 
M i mu sops elengi , L. ( Sapotacece ) “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 
