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The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s21.t1: Myrica Sapida, Wall.

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s21.t1

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Myrica Sapida, Wall.

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Sans. कट्फल, *Katphala*. Vern. *Káephal*, *Hind*.

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THE bark of *Myrica sapida* (a Himalayan tree), is its most valuable product, and is largely exported to the plans. It is dark or browish grey, with deep vertical wrinkles, and is considered heating, stimulant and useful in diseases supposed to be caused by deranged phlegm, such as catarrhal fever, cough, and affections of the throat. It enters into the composition of numerous formulæ for these diseases. The following is an example.

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*Katphaládi Churna*.⁴ Take of the bark of *Myrica sapida*, tubers of *Cyperus rotundus* (*mustaka*), root of *Picrorrhiza Kurroa* (*kaṭuki*), *Curcuma Zedoaria* (*saṭi*), *Rhus succedanea* (*karkaṭa śringi*), and the root of *Aplotaxis auriculata* (*kuṣṭa*), equal parts; powder and mix. This powder is given in doses of about a drachm with the addition of ginger-juice and honey in affections of the throat, cough and asthma.

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⁴ कट्फलादिचूर्णम् । कट्फलं मुस्तकतिक्ता शटोशृङ्गी च पुष्करम् । चूर्णमेषाञ्च मधुना शृङ्गवेररसेन च लिह्येत । ज्वरहरं कराटं च कासश्वासारुचौ-जयेत् । वायुहृदि तथाशूलं जयञ्चैव व्यपोहति । शार्ङ्गधरः ।

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In catarrh with headache the powdered bark is occasionally used as a snuff.

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NAT. ORDER URTICEÆ.

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FICUS RELIGIOSA, Linn. Sans. अश्वत्थ, Asvattha. Vern. Pipal, Hind.

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FICUS BENGALENSIS, Linn. Sans. वट, Vaṭa. Vern. Bar. Hind.

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FICUS GLOMERATA, Willd. Sans. उडुम्बर, Uḍumbara. Vern. Jagnoḍumar, Beng. Gular, Hind.

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FICUS INFECTORIA, Roxb. Sans. प्लक्ष, Plakṣa. Vern. Pákur, Beng. Pákri, Hind.

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THE root-barks of these four species of Ficus together with that of Azadarachta Indica pass by the name of panchavalkala or the five barks, and are used in combination. A decoction of these barks, called pancha valkala kasháya is much used as a gargle in salivation, as a wash for ulcers, and as an injection in leucorrhoea.1 The powdered root-bark of Ficus religiosa rubbed with honey is applied to aphthous sores of children.2 It is also sprinkled over unhealthy ulcers to improve the condition and promote granulation.3

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The figs of Ficus glomerata are considered astringent, stomachic and carminative and are given in menorrhagia and hæmoptysis in doses of one tolá of the dried fruits with sugar and honey.4 The fresh juice of the ripe fruit is given as an adjunct to a metallic medicine for diabetes and other urinary complaints, called Vrihat vangesvara rasa, (see Tin).

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CANNABIS SATIVA, Linn. VAR. INDICA.

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Sans. विजया, Vijayá, भङ्गा, Bhangá, गञ्जा, Ganjá, इन्द्रासन, Indrásana. Vern. Siddhi, Bháng, Beng. Bháng. Hind.

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THE Cannabis sativa has been used from a very remote period both in medicine and as an intoxicating agent. A mythological

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1 प्रदेहाः परिषेकाश्च शस्यन्ते पञ्चवल्कलैः । चक्रदत्तः । 2 अश्वत्थत्वक्चूर्णैर्मुखपाके प्रलेपनम् । चक्रदत्तः । 3 अन्तर्द्धकठारकोदहनजं लेपान्छिह्रिन्नान् । अश्वत्थस्य विशुष्कवल्कलं कृतं चूर्णं तथागुडनात् । चक्रदत्तः । 4 समाक्षिकः फलुगुफलोद्भवो वा पीतोरसः शोषितमाशुहन्ति । क्षौद्रयुक्तं origin has been invented for it. It is said to have been produced in the shape of nectar while the gods were churning the ocean with the mountain called Mandára. It is the favourite drink of Indra the king of gods, and is called vijayá, because it gives success to its votaries. The gods through compassion on the human race sent it to this earth so that mankind by using it habitually may attain delight, loose all fear, and have their sexual desires excited.¹ On the last day of the Durga pooja, after the idols are thrown into water, it is customary for the Hindus to see their friends and relatives and embrace them. After this ceremony is over it is incumbent on the owner of the house to offer to his visitors a cup of bháng and sweet-meats for tiffin.

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¹ जाता मन्दरमन्थनाज्जलनिधौ पीयूषरूपा पुरा त्रैलोक्यविजयप्रदेति विजया श्रीदेवराजप्रिया । लोकानां हितकाम्यया क्षितितले प्राप्ता नरैः कामदा सर्वाङ्गविनाशहर्षजननीयेः सेविता सर्वदा । राजवल्लभः ।

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An intoxicating agent with such recommendations cannot but be popular and so we find it in general use amongst all classes especially in the North-West provinces and Behar. In Bengal it has latterly become the fashion to substitute brandy, but I well remember having seen in the days of my boyhood the free use of bháng among the better classes of people who would have shunned as a pariah any one of their society addicted to the use of the forbidden spirituous liquor. At the doors of many rich baboos, Hindustani durwans could be seen rubbing the bháng in a stone mortar with a long wooden pestle, and the paste so prepared was not solely intended for the use of the servants. I do not mean to say that all classes of Hindoos without exception are or were addicted to the use of bháng. Some castes among the up-country men and some classes of people amongst Bengalis are as a rule very temperate in their habits and do not use any narcotic at all; but the ordinary run of orthodox Hindus, accustomed to have their little excitements, use

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फलरसं कोष्णोदुम्बरजं पिबेत् । अष्टग्दरबिनाशाय सशर्करपयोन्नभुक् । चक्रदत्तः । bháng for the purpose without incurring any opprobrium such as would result from the use of spirituous liquors.

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The three principal forms in which Indian hemp is met with in India are,—1, *Gánjá*, the dried flowering tops of the female plant, from which the resin has not been removed. 2, *Charas*, the resinous exudation from the leaves, stems and flowers. 3, *Bháng*, the larger leaves and seed vessels without the stalks.

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Sir William O'Shaughnessy has so well described the preparations of Indian hemp in use amongst the natives, and his name is so intimately associated with the history of this drug, that I cannot do better than quote his account of them.

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*Sidhee*, *Subjee* and *Bháng* (synonymous) are used with water as a drink which is thus prepared :—About three tolás’ weight (540 troy grains) are well washed with cold water, then rubbed to powder, mixed with black pepper, cucumber and melon seeds, sugar, half a pint of milk and an equal quantity of water. This is considered sufficient to intoxicate an habituated person. Half the quantity is enough for a novice. This composition is chiefly used by the Mahomedans of the better classes.

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Another recipe is as follows:—

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The same quantity of *Siddhi* is washed and ground, mixed with black pepper, and a quart of cold water added. This is drank at one sitting. This is the favourite beverage of the Hindus who practice this vice, especially the Birjobassies and many of the Rajpootana soldiery.

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From either of these beverages intoxication will ensue in half an hour. Almost invariably the inebriation is of the most cheerful kind, causing the person to sing and dance, to eat food with great relish, and to seek aphrodisiac enjoyments. In persons of a quarrelsome disposition it occasions, as might be expected, an exasperation of their natural tendency. The intoxication lasts about three hours, when sleep supervenes. No nausea or sickness of stomach succeeds, nor are the bowels at all affected; next day there is slight giddiness and vascularity of the eyes, but no other symptom worth recording.

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*Gánja* is used for smoking alone: one rupee weight, (180 grains) and a little dried tobacco are rubbed together in the palm

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of the hand, with a few drops of water. This suffices for three persons. A little tobacco is placed in the pipe first, then a layer of the prepared gánga, then more tobacco and the fire above all. Four or five persons usually join in this debauch. The hookáh is passed round, and each person takes a single draught. Intoxication ensues almost instantly and from one draught to the unaccustomed; within half an hour, and after four or five inspirations to those more practised in the vice. The effects differ from those occasioned by the siddhi. Heaviness, laziness, and agreeable reveries ensue, but the person can be readily roused and is able to discharge routine occupations, such as pulling the pánkah, waiting at table, etc.

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"The Májoon or hemp confection, is a compound of sugar, butter, flour, milk, and siddhi or bháng. The process has been repeatedly performed before us by Ameer, the proprietor of a celebrated place of resort for hemp devotees in Calcutta and who is considered the best artist in his profession. Four ounces of siddhi and an equal quantity of ghee are placed in an earthen or well-tinned vessel, a pint of water added, and the whole warmed over a charcoal fire. The mixture is constantly stirred until the water all boils away, which is known by the crackling noise of the melted butter on the sides of the vessel; The mixture is then removed from the fire, squeezed through cloth while hot, by which an oleaginous solution of the active principles and colouring matter of the hemp is obtained; and the leaves, fibres, etc., remaining on the cloth are thrown away. The green oily solution soon concretes into a buttery mass and is then well washed by the hand with soft water, so long as the water becomes coloured. The colouring matter and an extractive substance are thus removed and a very pale green mass, of the consistence of simple ointment, remains. The washings are thrown away; Ameer says that these are intoxicating, and produce constriction of the throat, great pain and very disagreeable and dangerous symptoms.

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"The operator then takes two pounds of sugar, and adding a little water, places it in a pipkin over the fire. When the sugar dissolves and froths, two ounces of milk are added; a thick scum rises and is removed; more milk and a little water are added from time to time, and the boiling continued about an hour, the solution being carefully stirred until it becomes an adhesive clear syrup, ready to solidify on a cold surface; four ounces of tyre (new milk dried before the sun) in fine powder are now stirred in, and lastly the prepared butter of hemp is introduced, brisk stirring being continued for a few minutes. A few drops of áttar of roses are then quickly sprinkled in, and the mixture poured from the pipkin on a flat cold dish or slab. The mass concretes immediately into a thick cake, which is divided into small lozenge-shaped pieces. A seer thus prepared sells for four rupees. One drachm by weight will intoxicate a beginner; three drachms, one experienced in its use. The taste is sweet and the odour very agreeable. Ameer states that sometimes by special order of customers he introduces stramonium seeds, but never nux vomica; that all classes of persons including the lower Portugese or Kala Feringhees and especially their females, consume the drug; that it is most fascinating in its effects, producing extatic happiness, a persuasion of high rank, a sensation of flying, voracious appetite and intense aphrodisiac desire.”*

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The leaves of *Cannabis sativa* are purified by being boiled in milk before use. They are regarded as heating, digestive, astringent, and narcotic. The intoxication produced by *bháng* is said to be of a pleasant description and to promote talkativeness.

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In sleeplessness, the powder of the fried leaves is given in suitable doses for inducing sleep and removing pain.¹

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¹ भृष्टुं बिजयाचूर्ण मधुनानिशि भक्षयेत् । निद्रानाशेऽतिसारे च ग्रहण्यां पावकनये । दर्पणः ।

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*Játiphaládya churna*.² Take of nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon,

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² जातीफलाद्यं चूर्णम्। जातीफललवङ्गैलापत्रैस्त्वग्नागकेशरैः। कर्पूरचन्दन तिलैस्त्वक्क्षीरीतगरमलैः। तालीशपिप्पलीपथ्या चित्रक स्थूलजीरकैः। शुण्ठी विडङ्गमरिचैः समभागानि चूर्णितैः। यावन्त्येतानि सर्वाणि कुर्याङ्गा च तावतो। सर्वचूर्णसमा देया शर्करा च भिषग्वरैः। कर्षमात्रं तथाखादेन्मधुना प्लावितं सुधीः। अस्यप्रभावाद्यक्ष्णीकासश्वासारुचिञ्जयान्। वातश्लेष्मप्रतिश्यायः प्रथमं यातिवेगतः। शार्ङ्गधरः ।

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* Bengal Dispensary, p. 582.

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cardamon, tejapatra leaves, flowers of *Mesua ferrea* (*nágakesara*), camphor, sandal wood, sesamum seeds, bamboo manna, flowers of *Tabernæmontana coronaria* (*tagara*), chebulic and emblic myrobalans, long pepper, black pepper, ginger, leaves of *Pinus Webbiana* (*tálisa*), plumbago root, cumin seeds and the seeds of *Embelia Ribes* (*viranga*), equal parts, purified *bháng* equal in weight to all the above ingredients, and sugar twice as much as the *bháng*. Powder and mix. Dose, about twenty to forty grains. This preparation is given in diarrhœa, indigestion and loss of appetite.

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*Jválánala rasa.*¹ Take of *yavakshára*, and *sarjikákshára*, (impure carbonates of potash and soda) borax, mercury, sulphur, long pepper, black pepper, *Piper Chaba* (*chavya*) and ginger, equal parts, fried leaves of *Cannabis sativa* equal to all the above ingredients, root of *Moringa pterygosperma* half the weight of *bháng*; powder the ingredients, mix and soak the mixed powder for three days in each of the following fluids, namely a decoction or fresh juice of the leaves of *Cannabis Indica*, the roots of *Moringa pterygosperma*, and *Plumbago rosea*, and dry in the sun. Then roast the mass lightly and make into a pill mass with the juice of the leaves of *Wedelia calendulacea* (*bhringarája*). Dose, about half a drachm with honey. This medicine is given in indigestion and loss of appetite with nausea and vomiting.

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¹ ज्वालानलरसः। क्षारद्वयं सुतगन्धौ पञ्चकोलमिदं समम्। सर्वैस्तुल्या जया भृष्टा तदर्द्धा शिग्रुजा जटा। एतत्सर्वं जया शिग्रु वह्नीनां केवले-द्रवैः। भावयेत् त्रिदिनं घर्मे ततो लघुपुटे पचेत्। भार्गवस्य द्रवैरष्टौ रसो ज्वालानलो भवेत्। निष्कोऽस्य मधुनालीढोऽनुपानं गुडनागरम्। हन्त्य-जीर्णमतीसारं ग्रहणीमग्निमांद्यम्। श्लेष्मगुल्मास्रवमनमजीर्णं मरुचिं जयेत्। भावप्रकाशः।

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Numerous confections of *bháng*, such as *Kámesvara modaka*, *Madana modaka*, *Bályasakrásana modaka*, etc., are described in books. These, as their names imply, are considered aphrodisiac and are used in chronic bowel complaints and nervous debility. Most of them are prepared with equal parts of a number of supposed tonic and aphrodisiac substances in small quantities and *bháng* equal in weight to all the other ingredients, together with sugar, honey and the usual aromatics. Májoon, the preparation of which has been already described, would I believe be a neater substitute for these complicated preparations. The following is an illustration.

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Madana modaka.¹ Take of the three myrobalans, ginger, long pepper, black pepper, *Rhus succedanea* (sringi), páchak root, coriander, rock salt, zedoary root, leaves of *Pinus Webbiana* (tálisa), bark of *Myrica sapida* (katphala) flowers of *Mesua ferrea* (nágakesara), ajowan, seeds of *Seseli Indicum* (vanuyamáni), liquorice root, seeds of *Trigonella fœnum-græcum* (methi), cumin and nigella seeds equal parts; hemp leaves with flowers and seeds fried in clarified butter, equal in weight to all the other ingredients; sugar equal in weight to the hemp. Prepare a syrup with the sugar, then add the other substances in fine powder and make into a confection. Lastly add clarified butter, honey, powdered sesamum seeds, cardamoms, cinnamon, *tejapatra* leaves and camphor, each two tolás, and make into boluses of about eighty grains each. This confection is used in cough, chronic bowel complaints and impotence.

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NAT. ORDER PIPERACEÆ.

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PIPER NIGRUM, Linn. Sans. मरिच, Maricha, उषण, Ushana. Vern. Golmarich, Beng. Kálimarich, Hind.

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THE use of black pepper as a condiment is too well known to require any notice here. Medicinally it is much used in combina-

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1 मदनमोदकः। तैलोक्यविजयपलं सवीजं घृतभर्जितम्। त्रिकटु त्रिफला षङ्गी कुष्ठं धान्यक सैन्धवम्। शटीतालीसपत्रञ्च कट्फलं नागकेशरम्। अजमोदा यमानी च यष्टिमधुकमेव च। मेषीजीरकयुग्मञ्च ग्टहीत्वा चूर्ण चर्षितम्। यावन्त्येतानि चूर्णानि तावदेव तदौषधम्। तावदेवसितादेया यावदायाति वन्धनम्। घृतेन मधुनामिन्नं मोदकं परिकल्पयेत्। भर्जितं तिलचूर्णञ्च मोदको परिविन्यसेत्। तिसुगन्धसमायुक्तं कर्पूरेणाधिवासितम्। स्थापयेत् घृतभाण्डे सु श्रीमदनमोदकम्। सर्वरोगहरं ह्येतत् संग्रह ग्रहणी हरम्। एतस्य सतताभ्यासाद्दृद्धोपि तरुणायते। एतत् कामप्रदार्थं नारदेन प्रभाषितम्। सारकौमुदी। tion with long pepper and ginger, under the name of trikatu or the three acrids. In fact, as any reader who has gone through these pages must have noticed, very few compound prescriptions are free from the three myrobalans, and the three acrids, which seem to be added often without reason, and sometimes for the sake of rhyme. Black pepper is described as acrid, pungent, hot, dry, carminative and useful in intermittent fever, hæmorrhoids and dyspepsia. Externally it is used as a rubefacient in alopecia and skin diseases.

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In intermittent fever, black pepper in doses of about a drachm, is recommended to be given with the juice of the leaves of Ocimum sanctum (tulasi), or Leucas linifolia (dronapushpi).¹ It enters into the composition of numerous prescriptions for dyspepsia, piles and indigestion. The following is an example.

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¹ पीतो मरिचचूर्णन तुलसीपत्रजोरसः । द्रोणपुष्पी रसोवापि निहन्ति विषमज्वरान् । भावप्रकाशः ।

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Pránadá guḍiká.² Take of black pepper thirty-two tolás, ginger twenty-four tolás, long pepper sixteen tolás, Piper Chaba (chavya) eight tolás, leaves of Pinus Webbiana (tálisa) eight tolás, flowers of Mesua ferrea, (nágakesara) four tolás, long pepper root sixteen tolás, leaves called tejapatra and cinnamon one tolá each, cardamoms and the root of Andropogon muricatus, (usira) two tolás each, old treacle two hundred and forty tolás; rub them together. Dose, about two drachms. This confection is given in hæmorrhoids. When there is costiveness and a sense of heat, chebulic myrobalan is substituted for the ginger in the above prescription.

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² प्राणदागुडिका । विपलं शृङ्गबेरस्य चतुर्थं मरिचस्य च । पिप्पल्यः कुडवाईञ्च चव्यायाः पलमेव च । तालीशपत्रस्य पलं पलाद्धं केशरस्य च । द्वे पले पिप्पलीमूलद्वकर्षञ्च पत्कात् । श्लक्ष्णैर्वाकर्षमेकन्तु कर्षं त्वगमृणा-लयोः । गुडात् पलानि तु त्रिंशत् चूर्णमेकत्रकारयेत् । अत्रप्रमाणगुड़िका-प्राणदेति च सास्मृता । पूर्वं भक्तेन्तु पश्चाच्च भोजनस्य यथाबलम् । मद्यं मांसरसं यूषं क्षीरं तोयं पीवेत्तथा । इत्याद्यांसि सर्वाणि सहजान्त्यसजानि च । वातपित्तकफोत्थानि सन्निपातोद्भवानि च । चक्रदत्तः ।

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The bald patches of alopecia are recommended to be rubbed with some rough leaves as of *Streblus asper* (*sákhoṭa*) and then sprinkled over with powdered black pepper.¹

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¹ हृत्स्य कर्कशैः पत्रैरिन्द्रलुप्तस्य गुण्डनम् । चूर्णितैर्मरिचैः कार्य्यमिन्द्रलुप्तनिवारणम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

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PIPER LONGUM, Linn. *Syn. Chavica Roxburghii, Miq.* *Sans.* पिप्पली, *Pippali*. कणा, *Kaṇá*, कृष्णा, *Kṛishṇá*. *Vern.* Pipul, *Beng*. Pipal, *Hind*.

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THE dried catkins and the root of *Piper longum* are used in medicine. They are considered heating, stimulant, carminative, alterative, laxative and useful in cough, hoarseness, asthma, dyspepsia, paralysis, etc. Old long pepper is said to be more efficacious than the fresh article. In the form of *trikatu* or the three acrids (see *Piper nigrum*), it is much used as an aromatic adjunct in compound prescriptions. Powdered long pepper, administered with honey, is said to relieve cough, asthma, hoarseness, hiccup and sleeplessness.² A mixture of long pepper, long pepper root, black pepper and ginger in equal parts, is prescribed by several writers as a useful combination for catarrh and hoarseness.³

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² मघनापिप्पलीचूर्णलिहिकाऽज्वरापहम् । हिक्काश्वासहरं कण्ठं प्लीहघ्नं बालकचितम् । भावप्रकाशः ।

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³ पिप्पलीपिप्पलीमूलं मरिचं विश्वभेषजम् । पिबेत् मूत्रेण मतिमान् कफजे स्वरसंक्षये । भावप्रकाशः ।

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As an alterative tonic, long pepper is recommended for use in a peculiar manner. An infusion of three long peppers is to be taken with honey on the first day, then for ten successive days the dose is to be increased by three peppers every day, so that on the tenth day the patient will take thirty at one dose. Then the dose is to be gradually reduced by three daily and finally the medicine is to be omitted. Thus administered it is said to act as a valuable alterative tonic in paraplegia, chronic cough, enlargements of the spleen and other abdominal viscera, etc.⁴

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⁴ पिप्पलेर्वर्द्धमानानि । क्रमद्वादशाहानि दशपिप्पलिकं दिनम् । वर्द्धयेत् पयसासाईं तथैवापनयेत् पुनः । जीर्णे जीर्णे च भुञ्जीत यदिकं क्षीर-

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Long pepper and black pepper enter into the composition of several irritating snuffs. The following is an example. Take of black pepper, long pepper, seeds of *Moringa pterygosperma* (sveta maricha) and ginger equal parts; powder the ingredients and rub them together with the juice of the root of *Agaṭi grandiflora* (vaka). This preparation is used as a snuff in coma and drowsiness.

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Aṣṭakaṭvara taila.¹ Take of ginger and long pepper each sixteen tolas, mustard oil four seers, butter-milk thirty-two seers, curdled milk four seers and boil them together in the usual way. This oil is rubbed externally in sciatica and paraplegia.

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¹ अष्टकट्टं तैलम् । पञ्चाभ्यां पिप्पलीमूलनागरादष्टकट्टः । तैलप्रस्थः समोदधा मृध्रक्षुरमहापहः । अष्टकट्टतैलेऽत्रतैलं सार्षपमिष्यते । चक्रदत्तः

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PIPER CHABA, Hunter. *Sans.* चविका, Chaviká. *Vern.* Chai, *Beng.* Cháb, *Hind.* The fruits of this species of *Piper* are considered stimulant, anti-catarrhal and carminative and are much used as adjuncts to medicines for cough, cold and hoarseness.

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PIPER BETLE, Linn.

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*Sans.* ताम्बूल, Támbula. *Vern.* Pán, *Beng.* *Hind.*

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THE leaves of this creeper are, as is well known, masticated by the natives of India. The poorer classes make their packet of betle with the addition of lime, catechu and betle-nuts. The rich add cardamoms, nutmegs, cloves, camphor and other aromatics. Betle-leaf thus chewed acts as a gentle stimulant and exhilarant. Those accustomed to its use feel a sense of langour when deprived of it. The ancient Hindu writers recommend that betle-leaf should be taken early in the morning, after meals and at bedtime.

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सर्पिषा । पिप्पलीनां प्रयोगोऽयं सहस्रस्य रसायनः । दशपिप्पलिकः श्रेष्ठो-
मध्यमः षट्प्रकीर्तितः । यस्त्वपिप्पलिपर्यन्तः प्रयोगः सोऽवरः स्मृतः ।
बृंहणं वृष्यमायुष्यं प्लीहोदरविनाशनम् । वयसः स्थापनं मेध्यं पिप्पलीनां
रसायनम् । पञ्चपिप्पलिकस्यापि दृश्यते वर्द्धमानकः । पिष्टास्तावद्भिः पेयाः
श्वेतामध्ववलैर्नरैः । शीतौकबाहुस्रलैर्दोषामयान् प्रति । चक्रदत्तः ।

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According to Susruta, it is aromatic, carminative stimulant, and astringent. It sweetens the breath, improves the voice and removes all foulness from the mouth. According to other writers it acts as an aphrodisiac.

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Medicinally it is said to be useful in diseases supposed to be caused by deranged phlegm and its juice is much used as an adjunct to pills administered in these diseases; that is, the pills are rubbed into an emulsion with the juice of the betle-leaf and licked up. Being always at hand, *pán* leaves are used as a domestic remedy in various ways. The stalk of the leaf smeared with oil is introduced into the rectum in the constipation and tympanitis of children, with the object of inducing the bowels to act. The leaves are applied to the temples in headache for relieving pain, to painful and swollen glands for promoting absorption, and to the mammary glands with the object of checking the secretion of milk. *Pán* leaves are used as a ready dressing for foul ulcers which seem to improve under them.

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