Part 3

84 Aoode Belao.--Lutre Lutreola, (Shaw.) The Otter? An animal, named also Kunduss, called in P. Saqeabi. Its scrotum is called Jeunel bedesther. Its properties fully related in all Yunani publications.

85 Aoont Kutara.--A prickly shrub, about a yard high; both leaves and branches are full of prickles, and its flowers are yellow; its fruit round, and also full of prickles. It is bitter and pungent, useful in phlegm and cough, also wind; increases bile, and is diuretic; it promotes digestion, and increases the strength of the system. If the fresh root be cut into small pieces, and the oil extracted from it by heat, and this oil to the quantity of one masha, rubbed over a plaintain leaf, and externally applied, it will increase Aphrodisia, and lengthen its duration. This oil, applied to the parts, will restore strength. Its application will also remove an offensive effluvia from the axillÊ. Echinops Echinatus, (Roxb.)

86 Aoonk.--A plant, a yard or more in height, whose leaves are about 2 inches in breadth, and hard like the leaves of the Mocao; its flower is prickly, and its seed very small, even smaller than the Powar, which it resembles. There are two kind: the branches of one red, the other white; both bitter, and promoters of digestion, decreasing mucus and wind, removing flatulent swellings in the stomach or bowels, and pains therein; useful in piles and Psora.

87 Ahmlee.--Called also Buzuroolreshad.

88 Aegoor.--Powerfully astringent and bitter, easy of digestion, beneficial in disorders of blood, bile, mucus, and also in Juzam, an antidote to poison, and strengthening eye sight. P. Shingirff. (Cinnabar?)

89 Aechill.--The name of a reed.

90 Aent.--(Brick.) In P. Khysht. When the seminal secretion is too thin, this is given with success; the older kind is preferred in medicine. In the Tophutul Momeneen and other works, its virtues are described.

91 Padill.--Sometimes called Patill, and another kind denominated Kashta Padill or Kut Padill. Of this also there is another kind, but as the properties of all are the same, I have not particularly distinguished them from each other. It is the flower of an Indian tree, which in size is equal to the Mangoe or Jamin, its pod is 1 1/2 feet long, and 4 fingers in breadth, formed of different layers, and lined with a soft cottony substance. The seed resembles that of the Seriss tree, and its taste is astringent, sweet, and its properties mixed, cool and hot. It is beneficial in swellings of a general nature, in foulness of the blood, in difficulty of breathing, in thirst, nausea, and loss of appetite. Its flowers correct all the natural secretions, and remove bilious laxity of the bowels, and heartburn. The pod relieves hiccup, and corrects bilious and mucous secretions; some have described its properties as cool, and the Dhuntri recommends the first kind, as the one to be preferred for internal use.

92 Pa·.--Sulphur Zinci, a name for Zaje Suffed. It resembles the Shibbi Yemani, but of a more yellow tinge, and less transparent, but its pungency and astringency greater; placed in the fire it becomes sublimed; its nature hot and dry. If a cloth is wetted with its solution, and allowed to dry, and then placed in the vagina, it dries the part, and lessens its diameter.

93 Beekhbans or Beedjbans.--A kind of green bamboo, shot as arrows by the Nepaulese, and which poison the wound they inflict.

94 Bansa.--Called also Pi·bansa. Some say that it is the name of the Baadawurd tree; however this may be, it is the name of a very common tree, found in plains and waste places; it grows about the height of a man, more or less; has spreading branches, which grow out of its stem even to the root: its leaves are thin, small, and pointed, when the tree is young; but they increase in size as the tree grows, and become like those of the Jamin. Its flowers are white, with prickles on their stalk. The other kind called Pia Bansa has colored flowers.

It increases wind, and clears the throat; it removes disorders of bile, mucus, or blood, cough, difficulty of breathing, nausea, fever, seminal weakness, juzam, and marasmus. A tooth-brush made of its wood, materially strengthens the gums and teeth, and of this many have had experience. It strengthens the system, darkens the color of the hair, cures the itch, and is an antidote to poison. In its nature it is hot, and is useful in eruptions of the skin and leprosy.

In the Maadentezerrubad, that with the yellow flowers, is called Pia Bansa, and the tree is said to be about a yard high, with long leaves, hot, cool, and dry in an equal degree; a decoction of the root is beneficial as a gargle in toothache, or with the addition of the leaves, as a gargle in ptyalism.

95 Baluka.--Cucumis Madraspatanus. A species of Kitcherie; it is also called Kootoombur. Phoont is likewise a variety of this, and is in Persian named DustoombaÛyÈ. When unripe, its taste is sweet; it is cool, and heavy, removes eruptions of the skin from bile, and when ripe, it is hot, light, aperient, creating appetite, and bile.

96 Palewut.--Also Palook, a medicine of India. The first is sweet, hot, and cool, in an equal degree; it is heavy, and corrects bile and wind. The second kind, also called Malook, is sweeter than the first, and in all its properties resembling Padill, except that it produces less thirst.

97 Baraykund or KeetkuroÛdh, or Subbuzkund.--The produce of a wet or moist soil. Its capsule is thick and hard; it is sweet, bitter, pungent, and increases the powers of manhood, and generally strengthens the system; it increases bile, but removes a superabundance of phlegm or wind. It is vermifuge, and useful in seminal weakness. Its leaves used as greens, create appetite, improve the complexion, and are beneficial in Juzam. I have ascertained from several books of Hindoostan, that it is a species of Russain, and that Barayokand and Bedareekund are one and the same plant; but some books state the contrary.

98 BanjkakÛra.--A medicine of India, of a light nature, beneficial in mucous affections, antidote to poison, useful in boils and wounds, also in sores; called in Persian Khora. One kind of this bears no fruit, hence its name Banja.

99 Pakur.--A large tree, beautiful in appearance, as large as the Jamin. The leaves also resemble the Jamin, but broader, longer, and thicker; its fruit is yellow, and when ripe, like the apple, but when small, it is more like the peach; it is cooling, and cures boils, eruptions of the skin, and is effectual in mucous and bilious affections, it also allays swelling in wounds. The fruit bears the same name; it is acid, its sherbet cardiac, promotes appetite, and decreases bile. By some called Pakull.

100 Panee Amluk.--A medicine of Hindoostan, hot and heavy; it cures flatulency, and when ripe, it increases the bilious and mucous secretions.

101 Paadae.--Pungent and bitter, hot and light, cures wind, bile, Juzam, and fever; vomiting, dropsy, affections of the heart, general heat, itch, disorders from poison, difficulty of breathing, and is vermifuge. It also cures Badgola, boils and eruptions of the skin, and removes laxities of the bowels.

102 Babchee or Bakchee, an Indian medicine, the seed of which is black; it is beneficial in every kind of leprosy, and in every pain of the stomach; it is used both internally and externally. I have used 2 mashas of this, with other appropriate medicines, infused in water for a night, strained and given as a drink to those affected with white leprosy, and other affections of the same nature; and have used the strained refuse externally, with the greatest success. It is pungent and aromatic, hot and dry in the 3d deg. light and cardiac, creates appetite, and cures affections of bile and mucus; but is prejudicial to the eyesight, and lessens the seminal secretion.

In the Maadentezerrubad it is written, that Babchee is a seed about the size of gram, or rather less, of a dark color, and aromatic flavor, hot and dry in a small degree, cures wind, mucus, and Juzam; the itch and other eruptions of the skin when discoloration or ulceration takes place, and all complaints arising from foulness of blood. In Acouta, or that scaly leprous eruption that is often met with, it is very effectual, the part being first moistened with mustard oil, and the powder of the seed sprinkled over its surface.

"Tried in Lepra without effect, both in substance and in infusion, in 1818.--Translator."

103 Paperie.--A name for Shumshad, cool, and brightens the complexion, and is useful in mucous and bilious complaints.

104 Babur.--Called by some Nagbo, and also Badrouje.

105 Barasinga.--Cervus Elaphus. Called so from its many branched horns; it is about the size of a small cow, and is also called Thunkur or Eal. Its meat is sweet to the taste, and heavy; it increases Aphrodisia, cures wind, bile, and mucus. The horns rubbed down in water, and applied externally, cure rheumatic and other pains.

106 Parba.--Cervus Porcinus. Very common in the upper parts of India; its properties I have never seen noticed in any Indian publication. I have met with a description of another kind of deer, Cheetul, and in my opinion they are nearly alike in their properties; the flesh of both easy of digestion, quickly increasing the volume of blood and bulk of the solids; it is without fibres, hot and somewhat dry.

107 Bander.--Monkey. The flesh is beneficial in flatulencies, difficulty of breathing, and Jaundice, and is vermifuge; in P. Bozeena.

108 Baag.--In P. Sher. The Tiger. Its flesh is hot, and cures affections from wind, and complaints of the eyes. Its milk, mixed with Soorma, is an excellent application in that disease of the eye called Mootiabin. My grandfather experienced its good effects in his own case in the cure of this disease.

109 Palug.--A much esteemed kind of culinary vegetable (Spinnach.) A. Isphanach: cool and heavy, laxative, producing wind and mucus, as also swelling of the abdomen. It is beneficial in difficulty of breathing, and eruptions from bile. Some say that it produces intoxication in a small degree, but this I have not found to be the case.

110 Paan.--Aromatic, bitter, astringent, hot, and aperient. ("Piper Betel, Lin. Warm juice, febrifuge; given in indigestion in children, and combined with musk in Hysteria.") It creates appetite and agreeable sensations; it also increases semen, and is aphrodisiac. It cures disorders of wind, mucus, and of the blood; corrects vitiated breath, preserves the gums, clears the blood, is useful in prostration of strength from fatigue, and cures nervous head-aches. Its juice is beneficial in giving tone to the stomach and heart, and it promotes digestion. It corrects a cold temperament, cures cholicky disorders, and pains of the bowels, and this I have repeatedly found by experience. In my own opinion, and in the opinion of every Yunani writer whom I have consulted, (with the exception of Shaik Boo Alli,) it is hot; but the physicians of Hindoostan very generally agree with the Shaik. Those of a hot temperament, who use much of this plant, are subject to eruptions of the mouth, and fissures in the tongue. Its correctors are almonds and the kernel of the cocoa-nut, but the former is to be preferred, and the addition of the almond increases its effects on the mental powers.

The distilled water of Paan, as described below, is recommended for correcting a melancholic temperament, strengthening the stomach and circulation, removing spasms in the stomach, creating appetite, correcting flatulence, and loosening phlegm.

Take flowers of Bugloss 5 scruples, rose leaves 6 drachms, cloves 13 scruples, Paan 4 ounces, distilled water of Bugloss two pounds, rose water 6 pounds: distil, and give as a dose from one to four drachms. Another: take of cinnamon 13 scruples, Indian Spikenard and Galangal, each 14 1/2 scruples; Bugloss, Soad Kufah, and dried mint, each 19 scruples; rose leaves and cloves each 24 scruples; anise seed (Nancha), and another kind called Rajiana, and sweet-scented flag of Toorkistan, each 19 scruples; Paan 50 leaves or more, good rose water 15 pounds: distil. The dose to be regulated by the temperament of the patient.

Another: take of Indian leaf (Tezpat), 1/2 a pound; cloves, Indian Spikenard, and anise seed (Nancha), each 4 ounces, good Paan 200 leaves; bruise all the ingredients, and let them remain in infusion for 24 hours in 20 pounds of water, then draw off by distillation 14 pounds: the dose will be from 8 to 10 scruples given after meals.

Another: take of cloves, Oodghoorkee, each 13 scruples; reduce both to a coarse powder; flowers of Bugloss, raspings of white Sandal wood, each 5 1/2 scruples; Bugloss, rose leaves and Indian leaf, each 4 ounces; white Paan 100 leaves, rose water 8 pounds, distilled anise seed water 4 pounds; infuse 24 hours in the heated liquids, and draw off by distillation 8 pounds.

111 Pariss Peepul.--Called also Palass Peepul, (Hibiscus populneoides, Roxb.)

112 Para, or Parud, (as it is called in Sanscrit,) Mercury. It is hot, gives strength to the eyesight, is useful in Juzam, and is vermifuge. A. Zeebuck. P. Seemab. It is very generally used throughout India, in many ways, both in its native and prepared state; but in the latter we ought to be very cautious, for it is seldom sufficiently killed, or removed from its native state, in which it is a dangerous drug. One grain or two grains, or even a little more, is taken for a dose, and in some cases with success. Cups are also made of it, from which milk is drank; they possess this virtue, that a greater quantity of milk may be taken in this way than in any other. It is said, that if a little Mercury be tied up in a cloth, and boiled in milk, that the milk will have an aphrodisiac property. Should any one have taken live Mercury, and the result be, that he is attacked with Juzam, or other leprous affection, let him take the whole of an Indigo plant, and cutting it in small pieces, let it be boiled in a large quantity of water; then straining it, drink a cupful of the water very frequently, till all is taken, and till then eat no food. All the Mercury will in the course of the day be evacuated per urethra, and if the whole does not make its escape the first day, the treatment must be repeated. If the urine be received into a brass vessel, or any other with a polished surface, the Mercury will be detected; many people having been in this predicament, have followed this advice, and found the result to be as I have stated it.

In a state of calcination, if it is mixed with strong vinegar, or lime juice, and afterwards dried, if no live Mercury appears it is good; otherwise it is dangerous. Others have said, that if mixed and rubbed with the juice of the radish leaf, till they are incorporated, and then a little lime juice poured over it, and again rubbed and dried, it will be fit for use; and the less live Mercury that is perceptible, the less dangerous it is.

To make cups and balls of Mercury, triturate the Mercury well with pounded bricks, in an iron pot, moistening the mixture with water; wash the whole in water, and strain through a moderately fine cloth, till the Mercury becomes perfectly clear like a looking glass. Take equal parts of this purified quicksilver, rock salt, and sulphate of copper, and put them into an iron pot, with strong vinegar or lime juice, and let the whole be well triturated for 7 or 8 hours, when the compound will appear like butter; wash this well in water, that the salt and sulphate be carried off, and the Mercury left behind; take this Mercury and coat over the outside of an unburnt earthen vessel or cup, till it shall be well covered and appear like Mercury; place this in a dish filled with lime juice, and let it remain for a week, then take it out and place it in the sun to dry and harden; when quite hard, it may be used in this way, or it may be filled with water and kept so, till the clay becomes soft enough to be separated from the quicksilver. Milk drank from this cup will have an aphrodisiac quality, and will increase appetite. For the formation of this cup, 9 or 10 tolahs of quicksilver will be requisite, and for the balls one tolah.

The Balls.--When the ingredients above-mentioned have, from long trituration, acquired the consistence of butter, balls may be formed of the composition in a fine cloth, and allowed to remain for 7 days in lime juice; then take them out and throw them into a boiling decoction of the Dhatura leaves, allowing it to be well boiled. The balls are then to be taken out of the cloth and preserved for use.

In the Maadentezerrubad it is said, that if a small parcel of Mercury be boiled in soup, made from the Bis-Copra, it will become hard.

113 Baboona, or Marehtee: Anthemis Chamomile; a common flower, Akhgwan.

114 Bans.--A. Russub. P. Ney. Its leaves like those of the Joowar, when they are young; it is cool and a little astringent, beneficial in dysuria, gonorrhÊa, piles, in stomach complaints, bilious disorders, and those of the blood, in cholicky pains from flatulence. Some say, that it increases the secretion of bile. A preserve is made from the young shoots which is much esteemed, and is useful in promoting appetite and giving tone to the stomach, correcting an increased secretion of bile or phlegm. The young shoots are first cut into small pieces, and steeped in salt and water; then dried, and afterwards put into the vinegar or other acid, in which it is to be preserved. The root of the bamboo in equal parts, with Judw·r (Zedoary), and Suronjan (Hermodactylis), applied externally, I have found very effectual in removing pains from the joints. The oil expressed from the fresh joints of the plants, is also very beneficial in pains of the joints and other rheumatic affections. Mention is made of this oil in the Hajul Umeer and Ejale na·f, works written by me.

The joints of the bamboo are very useful as a diuretic, and they also are effectual in producing abortion, and made into a decoction with Cassia fistula, are recommended for recorrecting and stopping the discharge after such an occurrence.

115 Badgan Khutay.--No account having been given of this in any of the Yunani works, it is left for me to give a description of it. It is a seed of a dark red color, the capsule resembles the stone of the tamarind, but is more thin and pointed, and a little open; it is used as an infusion with tea; it is hot, strengthens the stomach; is discutient, removes flatulence, and the tea corrects any bad effects that it may possess.

116 Baremoo.--A name for Dookoo.

117 Barehie.--A name for Zedoary.

118 Patirr.--The Wagtail, called in Yunani, Suffraghoon.

119 Parjath, or Parbhudder, (Bombax heptaphyllum.) The gum useful as an expectorant in worms, corpulency, swellings, and wind; it also increases certain secretions; the gum is called Moocherriss.

120 Balchur.--A name for Chur (Spikenard).

121 Baeberung.--A seed, black, roundish, and pointed; bitter and pungent to the taste, hot and dry, light and cardiac; beneficial in itchiness of the stomach, flatulent swellings, dropsy, affections of mucus, wind, or worms, and remedies costiveness. A. Birnuk Caboolie.

122 Badjera.--Holcus Spicatum. A common grain; in my opinion hot and dry; it strengthens the system and loins; is aphrodisiac, and corrects acidity in the stomach, but produces flatulence.

123 Papeyha.--Papeya, Carica Papeya, W. A native of South America, now common all over India; milky juice of the unripe fruit, vermifuge; dose,--two table spoonfuls in warm milk, afterwards a dose of castor-oil.

124 Papieha.--A common green bird; the poets of Hindoostan keep numbers of them, and have an idea that the noise they make at night, in the rainy season, produces inspiration. Its flesh is useful in affection from wind and mucus, and is alone sufficient to remove disorders from bile.

125 Papeitha.--"Papita nux, Nux Vomica Serapionis, Faba Indica, or Faba Sancti Ignatii, St. Ignatius's Bean, Catalougay, belongs to a genus called Ignatia Amara. The above description applies especially to the Papeitha, but not to the Nux Vomica, (Cuchila,) which is a Strychnos, this is not."

This is a medicine of foreigners, and it is said, that it has been in use for the last century; there is no account of it in any books of Hindoostan, or in the Yunani works; but in this part of the country it is in general use. I have partly taken the present description from the books of foreigners, and partly it is the result of my own experience. In foreign language, it is called Papita. It is a nut, round, more or less so, each weighing about a pice; it is depressed in the centre, and of a brown color, some darker than others. Its properties are said to be various. If one of the nuts be strung on a thread and retained about the person, it is a security against sorcery, and the attempted mischief will recoil on the sorcerer. Should any one be poisoned and this be administered, the poison will thereby be rendered innocent.

Whoever shall keep this constantly about his person, nor noxious wind nor evil eye will affect him.

If one retti or two retti weight of this be rubbed down in water and taken, it will cure pains in the stomach and cholicks.

It is very beneficial in the disorder called Elaous, also in paralytic affections.

In faintings and convulsions, if the teeth are forced open, and a little given internally, also the part of the forehead called peshanie scarified, and rubbed with a little of the medicine, the senses will be restored.

In bites of snakes or the sting of any noxious reptile or insect, it is highly beneficial.

The powder of the seed is styptic, and when applied over a wound in sufficient quantity to form a cake and bound up, it will stop any discharge of blood.

In intermittent fever, if about 4 barley-corns in bulk be given before the cold fit, it will render it much less severe, or remove it altogether.

In labor, if the pains are not sufficiently effectual, 4 barley-corns of this given, will expedite delivery; but if by mistake it be given after delivery, it will cause a protrusion of the bowels.

In all laxities of the bowels it is useful. If a seed be allowed to remain in the mouth, it will promote the discharge of mucus which may oppress the chest, and will relieve acidity in the stomach.

If the nut be cut into slices and fried in sweet oil, the oil will form an excellent application to chancres, venereal or other cuticular eruptions.

Should any one have swallowed poison and become senseless, this oil forced into the throat, if swallowed, will save the patient.

This oil will also have the effect of restoring sensation to parts deprived of it, if rubbed externally.

In suppression of the menses, 7 or 8 barley-corns in bulk administered, will give relief.

Should a tendon be cut through from a wound, filling the division with the powder, will promote adhesion.

A tincture of it in spirits, in the strength of 25 nuts to half a pound of spirit, allowed to remain 15 days in the sun, is aphrodisiac, in the quantity of 16 liquid grains every night.

I have found this medicine given to the quantity of half a drachm, more or less, mixed up into a bolus with rose-water, very beneficial in excessive vomiting.

Once my father and I were proceeding on a journey, it happened, that some of our people had ate in the morning, of the food prepared the night before, which being stale, produced incessant and violent vomiting; their sufferings were great, and the color of their bodies completely changed. My father having no other medicine with him, except this, gave it to them mixed with rose-water, in various proportions, with great success.

In unremitting vomiting, it ought to be given twice, when it will assuredly be successful.

126 Babool, vide Keekur. Acacia Arabica, W.