N. O. MELIAOE.35. 
311 
In America, a decoction of the leaves has been employed in 
hysteria, and is believed to be astringent and stomachic. The 
leaves and bark are used internally and externally in leprosy 
and scrofula ; while a poultice of the flowers is believed to have 
vermicide properties and to be a valuable remedy in eruptive 
skin diseases. The fruit has poisonous properties, but is used 
in leprosy and scrofula, and is worn as a necklace to avert con- 
tagion. In the Punjab, the seeds are prescribed in rheumatism, 
and in Kangra they are pounded and mixed with apricots as an 
external application for the same disease. In Bombay, strings 
of the seeds are suspended over doors and verandahs during 
the prevalence of epidemics to avert the disease. The oil is 
said to possess similar properties to that of the nim ; and, 
according to Ainslie, this species also yields a similar toddy. 
Emerson states that the gum is used as a remedy for splenic 
enlargement. 
Several parts of the Persian Lilac are considerably 
employed in America. Thus, “ the root bark has obtained a 
place in the secondary list of the United States Pharmacopoeia 
as an anthelmintic. It has a bitter nauseous taste, and yields its 
virtues to boiling water. It is administered in the form of 
decoction (4 ozs. of the fresh bark to two pints of water, boiled 
to one pint), of which the dose for a child is a tablespoonful every 
third hour, until it sensibly affects the bowels or stomach, or a 
dose may be given every morning or evening for several days 
and then be followed by a cathartic ” ( Pharmacop . Ind.). 
Moodeen Sheriff states that, after a careful trial of the above 
preparation, he has arrived at the conclusion that “ if the root- 
bark is vermifuge at all, it is very weakly so.” 
“ Other preparations have been used in America. The 
dried berries in whisky have been employed against ascarides, 
tapeworm, and verminous diseases, and the pulp of the berries 
stewed in lard has been used with success against scald head. 
A fluid extract and syrup prepared from the bark have been 
recommended, the latter containing vanilla which is said to 
wholly disguise the bitter and disagreeable taste of the drug 
(Year Book of Pharmacy (1875), 375). A recent writer on the 
