200 
Gvnum sarmentosa, Del. ( Composite ), “ Kula Mayi Me rah/' “Akar 
Subiak.” A climbing herb with purple involucre and yellow 
flowers. A decoction of the roots is used. 
Did ymoc at pus rep tans, Jack ( Gesneraceee ), “Akar Sumpuh Darah,” 
(lit. Dysentery root). A creeper with violet or white flowers com- 
mon in forests. Nothing is know n of its properties. 
Nepenthes Reinwardtii, Miq. (N epenf haceee) “Priok Kra Betina.” 
One of the common pitcher plants. A decoction of the roots 
is used. 
Cyathula prostrata ( Amarantacece ) “ Jarang-jarang.” A common 
village weed, a decoction of the roots given for dysentery. 
Lygodium scandens , L. “ Ribu-riho.” A very common climbing 
fern, the stem and frouds of which are boiled and the decoction 
administered for dysentery and hoemoptysis, an ounce is taken 
in sweetened water. 
Polyp or us sanguineus (Fungi). “Chendawan Merab." A com- 
mon bright red fungus often to be seen on dead timber, is boiled 
and the decoction administered generally in combination with that 
of other plants. 
Holmes states that the powdered fungus mixed with Eau de 
Cologne is used to disperse leprous tubercles and that in Brazil 
it is given in hoemoptysis. 
Nsglc marmelos ( Rutacece ) Bael-fruit. “Bila.” Mala) . This w 7 ell 
known antidote for dysentery is usually imported here from India. 
The tree is cultivated here and there, and at one time trees were 
planted at the Police Stations in Malacca, by the Resident so 
that the villagers could obtain the fruits when required. An excel- 
lent idea which might be more generally adopted. The tree fruited 
well in Malacca, but it has failed to fruit in Singapore Botanic 
Gardens. In dryer places near the sea it might do better. It is 
easily propagated from cuttings, and throws up root shoots regu- 
larly. It is said however, by Natives, that plants grown from 
cuttings do not fruit. 
The supply of this drug in the Native shops is not overlarge, 
as on one occasion when it w r as badly required, I was quite unable 
to get anywhere, the crude drug or any of its preparations. 
Gambier, Linear ia Gambir. The ordinarily prepared extract is used 
in combination with other astringents, Gambir is also used in Euro- 
pean medicine, as an astringent, for chronic diarrhoea, and dysentery 
Uterine Hcemorrhage and mucous discharges, also as an ointment 
for Ulcers, and to stop bleeding at the nose, leucorrhcea, etc. In 
the form of lozenges it is used for relaxed uvula, by singers and 
speakers. It is known as pale catechu in English Pharmacopoieas. 
Kosam, ( Brua a sumatrand) the Bidara Pahit, does not seem to be 
used to any extent by Malays at least as a dysentery medicine 
though it is known to the Chinese and sold in the shops for this 
purpose. It has been already described and figured in the Bulletin. 
The Javanese use the leaves as a substitute for an adulterant for 
