N. 0. 0ELA8TRINE,®. 
329 
as a sovereign remedy in Beri-beri. In doses of from ten to 
fifteen drops, twice daily, it is a powerful stimulant. Its action 
in this character is generally followed in a few hours by free 
diaphoresis, unattended by subsequent exhaustion. Though it has 
failed to realize Dr. Herklots’ encomiums, yet, in some cases treat- 
ed with it, detailed by' Dr. Malcolmson, its beneficial effects were 
unequivocally evidenced ; in others, however, it failed. It 
appears to be chiefly adapted for recent cases, and for those 
in which the nervous and paralytic symptoms predominate 
(Pharm. Ind.) 
The Santals use the oil in disorders of the stomach (Revd. 
A. Campbell). The seeds, bruised and formed into a poultice, 
are a good stimulant application to foul, unhealthy and indolent 
ulcers (Moodeen Sheriff.) 
I have been using the black oil myself occasionally in my 
practice during the last . thirty-nine or forty years; and for 
about fifteen years, at the commencement of this period, my 
opinion as to its therapeutic value was not very high ; but 
ever since I began, about twenty-five years ago, to employ the 
varieties of this drug obtained from Vizagapatam, Masuli- 
patam and Ellore, I consider it the best and most efficacious of 
all the remedies ever suggested for the treatment of Beri-beri, 
and quite agree with Dr. Herklots in everything he has said 
in its favour. I recollect many cases of Beri-beri which were 
not benefited, for weeks or months, under the use of other 
medicines, but began at once to improve when placed under 
the course of black oil. The first good effect of this medicine, 
according to my own observation, is generally an increase in 
the quantity of urine, and with this the dropsical effusion 
begins to disappear. A relief in paralytic and ansthetic 
symptoms is also noticed about the same time, but generally 
after the abatement of dropsical symptoms. During the use 
of black oil, the native practitioners invariably enjoin a very 
low and strict diet, giving nothing to the patient except water 
and wheaten cakes for a long period — a restriction which is as 
injurious as unnecessary in my opinion. The patients labor- 
ing under Beri-beri require a very liberal and nourishing diet. 
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