N. 0. PASSIFLORiE. 
575 
The anthelmintic properties of the milky juice of the 
unripe fruit were first noticed in the 17th century by Hernandez ; 
and the attention of the profession in India was called to it in 
1810, by Hr. Fleming ( Asiatic Researches, vol. xi.) who cites an 
interesting, passage from .the writings of M. Charpentier 
Cossigni in support of its alleged virtues. Further confirmatory 
evidence has more recently been adduced by M. Bouton (Med. 
Plants of Mauritius, 1857, p. 05), and it may justly be con- 
cluded that the statements as to its efficacy as an anthelmintic 
are founded on fact. The following mode of administration, 
employed by the late Dr. Lemarchand, of the Mauritius (cited 
by Bouton), it would be desirable to adopt in all future trials 
with this remedy : Take of fresh Papaw milk and honey, of 
eactl a tablespoonful ; mix thoroughly, gradually add three or 
four tablespoonfuls of boiling water : and when sufficiently cool 
take the whole at a draught, following its administration two 
hours subsequently by a dose of castor oil, to which a portion of 
lime juice or vinegar may be added. This may be repeated two 
days successively if required. The above is a dose for an adult ; 
half the quantity may be given to children between 7 and 10 
years of age ; and a third, or a teaspoonful, to children under 
three years. If it cause griping, as it occasionally does, enemas 
containing sugar have been found effectual in relieving it, 
Talytig the dose abovenamed as correct, the statement of Sir 
W. O’Shaughnessy ( Bengal Disp. p. 352), that he had adminis- 
tered the milky juice as an anthelmintic, in doses of from 20 
to 60 drops, without obvious effect, is fully explained. It is 
principally effectual in the expulsion of lumbrici. On tamia it 
is reported to have little effect. Anthelmintic virtues have also 
been assigned to the seeds, which have a pungent taste, not 
unlike that of mustard and cress, but the evidence of their 
efficacy is very inconclusive. A belief in their powerfully em- 
menagogue properties prevails amongst all classes of women 
in Southern India ; so much so, that they assert that, if a preg- 
nant woman partake of them, even in moderate quantities, 
abortion will be the probable result. This popular belief is 
noticed in many of the reports received from India. In them it 
