Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/655

The anthelmintic properties of the milky juice of the unripe fruit were first noticed in the 17th century by Hernandez ; and the attention of the profession in India was called to it in 1810, by Dr. Fleming (Asiatic Researches, vol. xi.) who cites an interesting passage from the writings of M. Charpentier Cossigni in support of its alleged virtues. Further confirmatory evidence has more recently been adduced by M. Bouton (Med. Plants of Mauritius, 1857, p. 65), and it may justly be concluded that the statements as to its efficacy as an anthelmintic are founded on fact. The following mode of administration, employed by the late Dr. Lemarchand, of the Mauritius (cited by Bouton), it would be desirable to adopt in all future trials with this remedy : Take of fresh Papaw milk and honey, of each a tablespoonful ; mix thoroughly, gradually add three or four tablespoonfuls of boiling water : and when sufficiently cool take the whole at a draught, following its administration two hours subsequently by a dose of castor oil, to which a portion of lime juice or vinegar may be added. This may be repeated two days successively if required. The above is a dose for an adult ; half the quantity may be given to children between 7 and 10 years of age ; and a third, or a teaspoonful, to children under three years. If it cause griping, as it occasionally does, enemas containing sugar have been found effectual in relieving it, Taking the dose above-named as correct, the statement of Sir W. O'Shaughnessy (Bengal Disp. p. 352), that he had administered the milky juice as an anthelmintic, in doses of from 20 to 60 drops, without obvious effect, is fully explained. It is principally effectual in the expulsion of lumbrici. On taenia it is reported to have little effect. Anthelmintic virtues have also been assigned to the seeds, which have a pungent taste, not unlike that of mustard and cress, but the evidence of their efficacy is very inconclusive. A belief in their powerfully emmenagogue properties prevails amongst all classes of women in Southern India ; so much so, that they assert that, if a pregnant woman partake of them, even in moderate quantities, abortion will be the probable result. This popular belief is noticed in many of the reports received from India. In them it