442 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
other astringents and rock-salt. He recommends this mixture 
as a remedy for pterygium and opacities of the cornea” (Dr. 
Dymoak, Mat Med., W. Ind., 187). U. C. Dutt informs us that 
the ancient Hindus used the gum as an external astringent only. 
The seeds internally are administered as an anthelmintic, 
but regarding the reliance which can be put upon their action 
considerable difference of opinion prevails. Some medical 
men think that they can be advantageously substituted for 
santonine, while others view them as much less powerful. 
They have at the same time a warm purgative action which 
often proves injurious to their anthelmintic property. They 
are, however, largely used in the treatment of round-worm. 
The following extract from Dr. Waring’s Bazaar Medicines 
will be found to give the leading facts regarding these seeds : 
Butea seeds are thin, flat, oval or k'dney-shaped, of a maho- 
gany-brown colour, H to If inches in length, almost devoid 
of taste and smell. European experience has confirmed the 
high opinion held by the Mohamedan doctors as to their power 
in expelling lumbrici or round-worms, so common amongst the 
Natives of India. The seeds should be first soaked in water 
and the testa or shell carefully removed ; the kernel should 
then be dried and reduced to powder. Of this the dose is 20 
grains thrice daily for three successive days, followed on the 
fourth day by a dose of castor-oil. Under the use of this 
remedy, thus administered in the practice of Dr. Oswald, 125 
lumbrici in one instance, and between 70 and 80 in another, 
were expelled. It has the disadvantage of occasionally purging 
when its vermifuge properties are not apparent : in some in- 
stances also it has been found to excite vomiting and to irritate 
the kidneys, and though these ill effects do not ordinarily 
follow, yet they indicate caution in its employment.” ( Bazaar 
Medicines, W aring, pp. 31-32). In the Bhavaprakdsa, the use 
of the seeds of the paldsa as an aperient and anthelmintic is 
noticed; and they are directed to be beaten into a paste with 
honey for administration. Sarangadhara also recommends 
them as anthelmintic (Dr. Dymock). Externally, the seeds, 
when pounded with lemon-juice and applied to the skin, act 
