1324 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
is used under the name of mutel as an application to burns 
and rheumatic swellings ; sometimes black-pepper is added to 
it.” In the Thana Gazetteer a somewhat different process of 
preparing mutel ( ? muthel ) oil is given. “To make muthel , 
dried kernels are cut into thick pieces and boiled in water. 
The pieces are then crushed in water and the whole boiled 
again over a slow fire, when the oil rises to the surface and is 
skimmed off.” 
Cocoanut oil is said to promote the growth of hair ; “ hence 
it is much used as a local application in alopecia and in loss 
of hair after fevers and debilitating diseases.” “ The oil is 
given in plethora and as a vermifuge in Jamaica. It is given 
while fasting, warmed and with a little sugar, in flux. An 
emulsion of the oil and kernel is prescribed in coughs and 
pulmonary diseases generally. Pound the kernel with water, 
place it to settle, and skim off the cream. This is preferable 
to the expressed oil.” 
“Cocoa-nut oil was proposed by the late Dr. Theophilns 
Thompson (Proceed of Royal Society, 1854, Pt. III., p. 41) as 
a substitute for cod-liver oil, and in this character it has been 
favourably noticed by Dr. J. H. Warren (Boston Med. and 
Surg. Journ., Vol. III., p. 377) and others The substance 
uecd in these cases was not the ordinary commercial oil, but 
the oleine obtained by pressure from the crude oil (in the 
solid state it is met with in England), refined by being treated 
with alkalies, and then repeatedly washed with distilled water. 
In his Lettsomian Lectures, Dr. Thompson gives the result of 
his treatment with this agent in 53 cases of phthisis. Of the 
first 30, 19 were much benefited, in 5 the disease remained 
stationary, and in the remaining 6 the disease continued to 
advance. Of the second 23, 15 were materially benefited, 3 
remaining stationary, and 5 became worse. Dr. Garrod (Brit, 
and For. Med. Chir. Rev., Jan., 1856) has shown that it exercises 
a marked influence, almost equal to cod-liver oil, in increasing 
the weight of the body. The great advantage of its employment 
experienced by Dr Thompson, Dr. Garrod, and also by the 
Editor, who instituted some trials with it, is, that under its 
