N. 0. ANACARDIACEjE. 
337 
In Goa, the nut is used internally in asthma after having 
been steeped in butter-milk, and is also given as vermifuge. 
In the Concan, a single fruit is heated in the flame of a lamp 
and the oil allowed to drop into a quarter-seer of milk ; this 
draught is given daily in cough, caused by relaxation of the 
uvula and palate. The juice of the root-bark is also used 
medicinally on account of its acrid properties (Dymock). 
The bruised nut is applied to the os uteri by the native women 
to procure abortion (Ph. Ind). Basiner found that within 12 
hours the brown oil of the nut raised a black blister ; this should 
be carefully protected from touch, as the fluid causes eczematous 
vesicles on any part of the body it may come in contact with. 
He has also noticed painful micturition, the urine being reddish 
brown and bloody, and painful stools, as a sequel to the 
external application of the oil (Am. J. of Pharir., 1882, 
Dymock). 
“ I have used the black, thick and acrid oil of the 
marking-nut, prepared either by expression or with the aid of 
heat, or the nut itself in the form of electuary, pretty extensively 
in my practice, and found it so efficacious in acute rheumatism 
that it may be considered a specific in that disease. The drug 
is also of great service in asthma, and more or less beneficial in 
secondary syphilis, haemorrhoids, neuralgia, epilepsy, 
anaesthesia, paralysis, lepra, psoriasis and a few other cutaneous 
affections. Externally, the oil is a very cheap and pretty useful 
counter-irritant, but requires great care and caution in its 
employment. It should not be applied much or continuously 
to any part, but always in the form of parallel lines by means 
of a long needle or wire. In very severe cases, these lines may 
be crossed with other parallel lines in an opposite direction. 
In either case, when the blister is risen, it should be pricked 
and the serum allowed to dribble away ; and then the use of 
poultices for two or three days renders the part very clean and 
fit to be dressed with simple dressing, carron oil or plantain 
leaves. The nut is more useful in haemorrhoids in the form of 
fumigation than the internal administration of its oil or 
electuary ; but unfortunately its smoke is attended with bad 
effects in some constitutions. Out of the two severe and painful 
