Part 8

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.

127 Papotun.--A plant, about a yard high; its seed is like that of the nightshade, at first green, and when ripe, red; in appearance like the Goonchee, covered with a very thin capsule. The leaves heated and applied to swellings are discutient, and the root pounded and mixed with water, applied to the carbuncle or introduced on a seton, will effect a cure in a few days.

128 Paethaon.--Called also Culsi or Breshtpirnie. A medicine of India; sweet, hot, light, and aphrodisiac; remedies laxities of the bowels and abrasions of the intestines. It decreases general heat, allays thirst, and is useful in affections of wind, mucus, bile, nausea, and fever. In the Dhinteri, it is said to be pungent, and beneficial in asthma, phlegm, and dropsy.

129 Patole, vide Pulwul.

130 Patera, usually called PatËla, a name of Birdee, a reed, growing in marshy places, used for making mats. It grows about a man's height, sometimes higher, and about the thickness of one's finger. Its ashes are peculiarly drying, and in quality dry and moist; if sprinkled over a sore, they quickly dry it up; if mixed with vinegar, dried, pounded, and applied to a carbuncle, it will cure it. They are also useful in Ukula and Nufsoodum.

131 Patung.--A large tree, a native of the hills; its leaves are like that of the almond, and its flowers yellow. The fruit round, and of a dirty green color when young, becoming red as it ripens, and sweet to the taste.

Physicians of Yunan have described it as hot, useful in bilious affections, mucus, and blood; also in boils and eruptions. A. Bukkum. The wood is used by dyers. In the Topha it is written, that in the quantity of 15 masha it is a deadly poison. Its powder is excellent as an application to wounds and ulcers. A bath formed of a decoction of the wood, clears the surface of the body, and gives strength to the bones.

132 Putrudj.--A very common leaf, in length from three to five inches, and in breadth two inches; of a green color, and pleasant smell; it is strongly marked by veins, and is brought from the hills. It is hot and light, useful in wind and piles, nausea, pain at the stomach, flatulence, and is cardiac. A. Sadielj Hindui. Laurus Cassia, W. Tamalapatra, S. Tezpat, H. Tez (the bark), H. Twacha, S.