Part 4

34 Arnd.--"The Castor, Ricinus communis, W. Palma Christi." Wildenow says, "Planta semper annua, nunquam fructicosa vel arborea, nec in calidissimis terrÊ plagis liguescit." But this is incorrect; for the plant is perennial, and becomes a moderate sized tree. The natives, however, have a prejudice against allowing it to grow beyond 3 or 4 years, and even this is only in solitary places. The chief reason I fancy is, that it interferes with the cultivation of the soil, if permitted to remain. They usually sow it with grain, and reap the grain crop before it has attained its full height; this they can do annually, but seed sown under its shelter the second year, would not succeed.

A shrub, with broad soft leaves, like the fig tree; it grows about 6 or 8 feet in height; the root is hollow, and without flaw or wrinkle; the seed grows in bunches like grapes, and the shell of the pod, which resembles gall-nuts, is covered with soft prickles. The seed is like the coffee bean, and is stained with different colored spots, so as to appear like marbled paper; the kernel is white, soft, and oleaginous. There are two kinds of this; one with a red, the other with a green pod; the former is culled Jongia Arnde; both varieties are sweet, heating, and heavy. The oil of the kernel is useful in removing obstinate constrictions of the intestines, when given warm; also in flatulency; rheumatic swellings of the joints and lumbago; in strangury, spasms in the urinary bladder, headaches, dropsy, and feverish complaints. It is also recommended as an expectorant in difficulty of breathing, and in cough; in affections of the skin, and in superabundance of mucus in the intestines. It is a warm, stimulating purgative; the dose one or two table spoonsful. Both my father, uncle, and I, have used it with great success, in cases of obstinate cholic from costiveness. They also used the leaves moistened with ghee, as an external application in rheumatic pains and swellings. If the seeds are bruised, and mixed with curdled milk, and allowed to remain in this state till they become putrid, they form an excellent application for the cure of itch, and usually succeed in 7 or 8 days. It has also been said, that if one of the kernels be taken at first, and daily increased by one, till 100 are taken, and then decreased in the same gradual manner, it will cure Juzam, and other kinds of Leprosy.

35 Arusa.--A name for the Baan Tree; vide Bansa. In the Maadentezerrubad, it is thus described:--Arusa is a medicine of Hindoostan, hot and moist, or in the opinion of some writers, cool and moist, in the 2d degree: half an ounce of the juice, with as much honey, is a cure for hoarseness, or loss of voice; and used with the fruit of the Peepul tree, it increases appetite, and corrects mucous discharges. A decoction of the leaves in water, is useful in Jaundice, difficulty of breathing, Gonorrhoea, and hectic fever. As a gargle it strengthens the gums; and the leaves bruised, and taken in honey or water, cure Epistaxis, Hoematemesis, Nausea, Vertigo, and Suppression of the menses.

36 Arjun.--A tree, also the fruit; hot and astringent; useful in bilious affections, and in prostration of strength from fatigue, and an antidote to poisons. Its use is interdicted in disorders arising from cold; also in ulcers: but externally applied it cleanseth foul sores, and promotes healthy granulation. It prolongs Aphrodisia, strengthens the system, and expedites the union of divided parts. Some physicians call it cooling. Pentaptera Arjuna.

37 Arloo, Catoombura, or Sheunag,.--The name of a tree, a native of the hills; it is pungent, beneficial in loosening phlegm, and promoting appetite; it produces costiveness, and is vermifuge, and recommended in Juzam. It is an ingredient in the Dusmool.

38 Arvie, or Arum Colocasia,.--A root and seed. It is about 3 inches long, more or less, and when the outer rind is removed it is white. Its stem is about 3 feet in height; its leaves large like a shield, with the points reflected; in consistence and polish it is like the plaintain leaf. It is also called Cutchaloo, but the different names are only applied with propriety to different parts of the same root; the Cutchaloo being more like a Byngun or Egg-plant. They are both in general use in India. The Arvie is dressed with meat, and the Cutchaloo is roasted; the leaves and shoots are also commonly eaten. Its properties, I can declare from experience, are in a small degree cool; and it is useful in giving strength to the system; prevents the involuntary emission of semen; it produces wind, and is heavy and hurtful to the throat Its corrector is acids, and being repeatedly washed in water. The Cutchaloo is the most powerful, and the most hurtful of the two kinds. A. Culdass, at least it is so stated; but in the Yunani works, there is a material difference; as the Culdass is described, therefore, it is doubtful to me whether they are one and the same.

39 Armeede,.--A kind of cucumber.

40 Aorde Gunta.--A kind of Satawur.

41 Aistullkund.--The name of a root; also called Gir‡mkund; also a variety of the medicine Maankund: it promotes phlegm, and corrects bile and wind; it is also useful in foulness of the blood and general swellings. The other kind is useful in foulness of blood, and in bilious affections; it is sweet, cool, and heavy. It is likewise called IstolÈkund.

42 Asperuck.--A name for AklÈel ul Mulk.

43 Asgund.--Physalis flexuosa. A very common white root, also called Asgund'h, about half a yard long, like the sweet potatoe, (Convolvulus batatas.) When thin and dry, it resembles the Sh˙k·kul mysrie, (carrot;) its leaves are very like those of the kuth, (Mimosa catechu,) but rather less. It grows about a yard along the ground; its taste is astringent and bitter; it is hot, and strengthens the powers of virility; removes bilious and mucous affections; is beneficial in general swellings, and white leprosy.

Some give this name to the Kaknej, or Winter Cherry. In the Maadentezerrubad, it is thus described. Asgund is a medicine of Hindoostan; the best sort of which is procurable at Nagour. It is hot and dry in the 1st degree. The people of India use in its stead, the Soorinjan, (the Hermodactylus.) It is especially beneficial in pains of the joints. The root, when arrived at perfection, has a strong scent of the horse; from which circumstance it has in India, derived its name; Asp, signifying the horse, and Gund, smell: it is also called Bajecund.

If 3 drachms of the root be boiled in 2 pounds of cow's milk, and 1 ounce of sugar mixed with it, and this taken for 14 days, it increases peculiar secretions, and improves the complexion.

44 Asphill.--Padmunie, a variety of Kunwul. The Lotus, (NymphÊa Nelumbo,) which is produced on dry land. It is sweet, bitterish, and cool; is useful in vomiting, Diarrhoea, and foulness of the blood.

45 Astull.--Bunt‡ki, a name for Buratha; it means a large Byngun, or Egg-fruit; the plant being the same.

46 Aspurka.--Cool and light; promotes peculiar secretions, and is useful in various disorders: it removes offensive exhalations; moderates profuse sweats; is beneficial in dropsy; restores strength; cures emaciation; and is an antidote to poisons.

47 Aoshire.--Kuss kuss. Ooseer? Andropogon muricatum, Koenig. A name for Kuss kuss. In the Dara Shekoi, it is called Aosire, and is described as the root of the grass kuss, with which houses are made cool in the hot weather. It is cool, and assists digestion, cures laxity of the bowels, and is useful in bilious affections, foulness of blood, and superabundance of mucus; allays thirst, is a grateful application to blistered parts, or where much heat is experienced; beneficial in difficulty of voiding urine, in boils and eruptions, and prolongs aphrodisia.

48 Asteghoon.--An article of food, made by mixing one part of Moong, with two parts of rice, boiling them together, and pouring off the water, with which is to be mixed rock salt, assafoetida, coriander, ginger, and peepul. This is an excellent drink in fevers, in bilious affections, and foulness of the blood; it increases appetite, and clears, and gives tone to the kidnies and bladder.

49 Apheem.--(Papaver somniferum.) Of this there are four kinds; the 1st, which is white, is called Chaarun, (promoting digestion;) the 2d, Maarun, is black; the 3d yellow, and the 4th, of all these colours mixed, called Saarun. Its properties are well known, and fully detailed in all Yunani works on medicine.

50 Aginmunt.--Agwunt. Names of Arnee; q. vide.

51 Agust.--(∆schynomene Grandiflora.) A tree, cool and dry, producing flatulence, curing bile, foulness of blood, and mucus; also fever. Its flowers beneficial in improving the sense of smelling, and in night blindness.

52 Akroat.--Vide Akhroat.

53 Akirkirra.--or Akirkirrh‡, (Dranculus.) In Yunani works called discutient and alternant.

"Anthemis Pyrethrum, Linn. Pelletory of Spain, Ainslie. Off. The Root. Pyrethre, (F.) Eaher Wustrell, (G.) Akk·r·c·rum, (Tam.) Powerful stimulant, useful as a sialagogue, to excite an increased flow of saliva; hence useful in headache, rheumatism of the face, toothache, in paralysis of the tongue and muscles of the throat."

54 Agur.--Dry and light, useful in affections of the eyes; it also promotes the secretion of bile. A. Oodh.

55 Agunie Char.--Pungent and very hot. In rheumatic affections of the chest, Soonpat from mucus, and rheumatic pains in the joints, it is highly beneficial. This medicine is the produce of the western provinces of India; and the best kind is red, and feels hot to the touch; it is found by the sides of rivers.

56 Akasbele.--Cuscuta reflexa, a name for Afteemoon, (Dodder of Thyme.)

57 Alsi.--"Linum Usitatissimum, W. Atasi, S. Tesi, H. Emollient and demulcent." Grows about 1 1/2 foot high; its leaves are thin, and its flower of the color of Lapis lazuli. In India it is supposed to decrease the secretion of semen, and to weaken sight; it is hot, and said to be discutient; it is useful in phlegm from cold. A. Buzz˙rkatan.