390 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
or parts. This is generally sufficient to check the above 
symptoms ; but if they get worse and become more developed, 
they must be treated with some other and stronger remedies 
according to their nature” (Moodeen Shariff). 
In the Indian Medical Gazette for March 1902, Dr. Hem. Chan- 
dra Sen, Teacher of Materia Medica, Campbell Medical School, 
Calcutta, published an interesting paper on the Therapeutics of 
Semicarpus anacardium. According to him : — 
“ The oil has very powerful antiseptic properties, but is too 
strong an irritant to be used medicinally for any such purpose. 
% 
“The oil mitigated with butter or ghee (a dram of the oil to 
four ounces of ghee) is used in scaly skin eruptions, e. g., 
psoriasis, etc. The affected part becomes softened with marked 
rapidity and a normal condition returns. The strength may be 
varied according to indications. 
“ This application also does good in leucoderma. Sometimes 
the fruits are fried in mustard oil, and the oil is used for this 
purpose. The leucodermic spots show foci of fresh deposition of 
pigments ; and, after a prolonged use, distinct change of color 
is generally noticed. 
» * * * 
“ The oil is irritant to the whole of the digestive tract, in big 
doses, fn medicinal doses, it increases appetite and powerfully 
increases the secretions. 
» * « . ■» 
“ Partly by its own direct stimulating action, and partly by 
its powerful cholagogue action, it often acts as a purgative also. 
# . -:•} «!> * 
“ The kernel of this and of S. Occidentale has no irritant 
properties at all. It tastes like almonds, and is a good nutritive 
food. In fact, it is used in the preparation of sweetmeats in 
some districts of India. 
Si * Si Si 
“ As a general alterative, it is often used to increase appetite, 
* 51 The power of digesting fats is said to be enormously 
increased. It is also a powerful carminative. 
