308 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
2. The bark has astringent, antiperiodic, and alterative properties, and 
may be nsed as an infusion in the same way as the leaves. 
3. The oil, F think, is the most active medicinal part of the plant. Ex- 
ternally, it has stimulant, antiseptic, and alterative properties and is very 
useful in chronic syphilitic sores and indolent ulcers, which show no tendency 
to heal. If the effect of the pure oil be found too stimulating, it should be 
diluted with equal parts of some bland oil or even a weaker strength maybe 
necessary. 
The oil is also extremely useful as a parasiticide in various cutaneous 
affections, such as ringworm, scabies, and others, where the presence of any 
kind of parasite may be suspected. It rapidly destroys the parasite and induces 
a healthy action. When the parasite is in the deeper layers of the skin, it 
will be necessary to rub the oil well in for perhaps 10 minutes or more at a 
time. I have used this oil in mange in dogs and found it useful. 
Internally, the oil in 5-10 minim doses, once or twice a day, is useful in 
chronic malarial fevers, in syphilis, leprosy and other diseases where an 
alterative action is indicated. 1 have used it internally for the last 12 years, 
chiefly in chronic malarial fevers, and have no hesitation in saying that it is 
a drug of undoubted value in these fevers. Vide my “Record of Indian 
Fevers," 1899, published by Messrs. Thacker, Spink & Co. 
Tn the Indian Forester for June 19] 3, pp. 264-265, 
Mr. T. P. Ghose, B. Sc., Assistant to Forest Chemist, Dehra 
Dun, writes : — 
NEEM TODDY. 
In the December issue of the Indian Forester, Mr. Allen brought to 
the notice of its readers the fact that leprous persons eagerly take the 
exudation of AVem as a remedy against the hateful malady. This belief is 
of very old standing, and has iu fact originated from the old medical literature 
of the Hindus. There can be no doubt about the fact that the leaves and 
barb, and -also the oil out of the seeds, have specific medicinal properties. 
Dr. Watt in his Dictionary of Economic Products has collected opinions of 
various medical men, both Europen and Indian, about the medicinal properties 
of the different parts of this tree. Prom all these it can easily be gathered 
that the bark is a good febrifuge, and is especially useful in periodic fever, 
also in thirst and nausea. Tfie leaves as well as the oil are very useful in 
skin diseases. They are also a germicide and an antiseptic. Since so many 
parts of this tree are medicinal, specially when some of them have specific 
action on the skin, it is but natural that people should ascribe some valuable 
medicinal properties to its spontaneous exudation. It is not every day that 
the Neern begins spontaneously to exude the toddy, and therefore the rarity 
of the occurrenee adds a good deal to the importance of this product in 
popular estimation. 
A sample of toddy received from Rai Bahadur Har Swarup, Conservator of 
Forests, Gwalior State, was chemically examined to find out its constituents 
and to ascertain whether there is any active principle that might produce the 
effects popularly ascribed to it. The toddy was a milk-like whitish emulsion 
