about one scruple ; and that they also employ it in epilepsy and hysteria, and consider it a valuable rubefacient in palsy and chronic rheumatism. According to Fleming, the oil of the seeds is used as an external application for rheumatism in Bengal.
In Bombay, a decoction of the root-bark is used as a fomentation to relieve spasm. In the Concan the bark of the wild tree is ground with plumbago root, pigeon's dung and chicken's dung, and applied to destroy guinea-worms. Four tolas of the juice of the leaves of the cultivated tree are given as an emetic. The gum is said to be used to produce abortion ; it would be quite possible to use it as a tent to dilate the os uteri, as it is very tough, and swells rapidly when moistened. The root is accepted by Europeans as a perfect substitute for horse-radish (Dymock) The seeds (called by the French poisqueniques and chicot, are used in venereal affections in Sindh (Murray).
The fruit is administered by Hakeems in affections of the liver and spleen, articular pains, tetanus, paralysis, &c. The root is used for soreness of the mouth and throat ; and the gum for dental caries (Honnigberger).
The fresh root is stimulant, carminative, stomachic and stimulant-diuretic ; and the flowers also possess a slight stimulant property. The bark and root-bark used externally are rubefacient and vesicant.
I have found the root in the form of " compound spirit " very useful in fainting, giddiness, nervous debility, spasmodic affections of the bowels, hysteria and flatulence. The flowers are often resorted to as an aphrodisiac by the Native medical practitioners in Southern India ; but they have completely failed in my hands, though I have tried them in very large doses. They are at most a slight stimulant, but have not been found useful even as such in any particular disease. Applied externally, in the form of a paste, the fresh root-bark and the bark act as a good vesicant and rubefacient. The former is much superior to the latter in this respect (Moodeen Sheriff.)
The seeds yield oil of ben, which formerly had a reputation of being a thin oil suitable for fine machinery. Jamaica seeds consist of 40 per cent, of husks
