304 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
wounds and ulcers, and syringing out the vagina in the after- 
treatment of parturition, &c. When the pustules of small or 
cow-pox burst and begin to ulcerate, the Hindu medical practi- 
tioners invariably recommend the application of the paste of the 
fresh margosa leaves two or three times in the twenty-four 
hours, and speak highly of its healing power. As the paste is a 
slight stimulant and antiseptic, I thought the supposition of 
Vythians is not without foundation, and therefore watched some 
of the cases under its use and found the result to be good in 
all the slight and ordinary cases. In some severe forms of 
ulceration from small-pox, however, it proved quite useless, as 
naturally expected. On the whole, the use of the paste is quite 
justifiable in many slight and ordinary cases of ulceration from 
the pustules of small or cow-pox. The aroma of the fresh or 
recently dried leaves is sufficient to prevent, the attack of insects, 
and they are therefore often placed in books and clothes by the 
natives of this country ; but they are much inferior to camphor 
in this respect. 
“ The flowers are useful in some cases of atonic dyspepsia 
and general debility. The gum being bestowed with a slight 
tonic action in addition to its demulcent property, it is a better 
auxiliary to other remedies than Gum Arabic and feronia gum 
in catarrhal and other affections, particularly when the latter 
are accompanied by great debility. The toddy of the margosa 
tree appears to be of great service in some chronic and long- 
standing cases of leprosy and other skin diseases, consumption, 
atonic dyspepsia and general debility, and although I have not 
prescribed it myself, I am acquainted with several persons who 
praise the drug very highly from personal use and observation. 
It is, however, extremely scarce, and this is a great drawback 
to its use and adoption into general practice. 
“Preparations . — Of the root-bark, bark and young fruit — 
Decoction, tincture and powder. Decoction : Take of the inner 
layer .of the root-bark, cut into small pieces, four ounces ; 
water, two pints ; boil on a slow fire till the liquid is reduced to 
one pint, and strain while hot. The decoction of the bark is 
prepared in precisely the same manner, and in both cases the 
