N. O. MF.I.UOEffi. 
307 
eagerly. The price nf it was very variable, but generally 
between 4 and 10 annas per bottle, ami at one time it rose to a 
rupee for the same quantity. The sap was more or less bit- 
terish in taste, with a slight and peculiar aroma of the nim tree 
and was never known to ferment or possess any intoxicating 
property. The word toddy is, therefore, not correctly applica- 
ble to this liquid drug. I have already mentioned the diseases 
which were most benefited by its use, under the heading of 
1 Therapeutic Uses.’ 
“ The nim trees which yield the sap artificially seem to be 
more rare, for I have heard only of three or four of such plants. 
All these are said to have been pretty young and large trees, 
and were found near water or on the banks of nullas or water- 
courses which were constantly wet. The air passing through 
nim trees is thought to be highly beneficial to health, and hence 
the practice among the natives of planting nim trees near their 
dwelling-houses. Many Europeans even believe in this, espe- 
cially in the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, and frequently 
cite villages surrounded with nim trees as proverbially free 
from fever, while adjoining villages have suffered severely. 
Dr. C. Macnamara advocates the use of the watery extract of 
dry leaves in leprosy (Moodeen Sheriff).” 
The seeds are eaten as a substitute for almonds tTrimen.) 
The dried leaves powdered are applied locally to the anus 
of children suffering from Intestinal worms (B. D. Basu). 
The Therapeutic uses of Neem— By Major D. B. Spencer, I. M. 8. — 
I have used the leaves, barb, and oil of Neem. All parts of the plant are 
medicinal. 
1. Leaves. A handful of leaves, crushed and flattened, will make an excel- 
lent poultice for boils and sores ; its action is stimulant and antiseptic. 
The dried leaves I have used to preserve books and clothes from vermin. 
Internally, two ounces of fresh leaves, made into an infusion, with a pint of 
boiling water, form an exceedingly useful bitter vegetable tonic and alter- 
ative It has a marked action upon the liver — the stools often become brilliant 
yellow in colour after its use. 
Thi3 infusion is also valuable in chronic malarial fever, although not so 
efficacious as the oil. In chronic syphilitic affections it acts as a powerful 
alterative. I have used it also in leprosy, but, except perhaps in one case, it 
had no specific effect upon the disease. 
