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 REMARKS ON THE USES
 OF SOME OF THE
 BAZAAR MEDICINES
 AND
 COMMON MEDICAL PLANTS OF INDIA

 WITH A FULL INDEX OF DISEASES, INDICATING THEIR
 TREATMENT BY THESE AND OTHER AGENTS
 PROCURABLE THROUGHOUT INDIA

 TO WHICH ARE ADDED

 DIRECTIONS FOR TREATMENT IN CASES OF
 DROWNING, SNAKE-BITES, &c.

BY

EDWARD JOHN WARING, C.I.E., M.D.

 FELLOW OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON
 SURGEON-MAJOR (RETIRED) HER MAJESTY'S INDIAN ARMY
 EDITOR OF THE PHARMACOPŒIA OF INDIA, ETC.

_FIFTH EDITION_

 LONDON
 J. & A. CHURCHILL
 7 GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET
 1897




PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION.


Owing to the favour in which this work is still being held by the public
in India, as proved by the entire sale of the Fourth Edition, I have
taken upon myself to issue this, the FIFTH EDITION, with the generous
assistance of my late father's friend, J. E. T. Aitchison, M.D., C.I.E.,
to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude for the time and trouble and
valuable special knowledge he has so liberally bestowed on the work.

The only important changes that occur in this Edition are the
introduction of a couple of diagrams of a clinical thermometer, with a
few notes to guide the non-professional in its use; some alterations in
the text, where subjects that had been issued in the Fourth Edition as
notes to the text are now incorporated in the text itself; and lastly,
Dr. Aitchison has more fully entered upon his treatment of small-pox
with carbolised oil.

 C. WARING.




PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION.


That this little work should have reached a FOURTH EDITION may be taken
as pretty clear indication that it has met a recognised want amongst our
Indian fellow-subjects, for whose instruction and guidance it was
originally issued. To render it worthy of continued favour, and to make
it additionally useful, has been my anxious endeavour.

Of any merit which this edition may be found to possess over the
preceding one, a very large portion is due to Dr. J. E. T. Aitchison,
C.I.E., Surgeon-Major in H.M. Indian (Bengal) Medical Service, who, with
a liberality that demands my warmest thanks, placed at my disposal an
elaborate MS. commentary on the Third Edition, embodying his own
professional experience in India (extending over many years), and
supplying the vernacular names of the various drugs in the Punjábí,
Kashmírí, and Leh languages. Of this document it need hardly be said I
have availed myself largely, my only regret being that I could not
insert it _in extenso_, but to have done this would greatly have
exceeded the prescribed limits of the work. As it is, Dr. Aitchison has
laid me under a vast obligation, which I am only too happy to have this
opportunity of acknowledging.

Five new articles have been added to the List of Drugs: two at the
suggestion of Dr. Aitchison; namely, (1) Sugar, and (2) Kerosene Oil,
which latter, owing to its extensive use for lighting purposes during
the past few years, is now obtainable in nearly every bazaar in the
country; the other three being the (3) Cinchona Febrifuge (Quinetum),
(4) Petroleum, and (5) Rock Salt. The various ways in which these
articles may be utilised in the treatment of disease will be found under
their respective headings in the "Addenda," p. 171, _et seq._

In addition to these there have been introduced notices of Indian Hemp
(Gunjah) smoking in the treatment of Tetanus, of the antiscorbutic
properties of Ámchur (dried Mangoes), the lactifuge powers of Sambac
flowers (_Jasminum Sambac_), the emmenagogue virtues of Til or Jinjili
Seeds (_Sesamum Indicum_), and other points unnoticed in previous
editions. The therapeutic applications of Water are enlarged upon; as
also are those of Carbolic Acid, especially in the treatment of Leprosy.
The Sick Dietary has likewise been extended. Amongst the new matter has
been introduced a section (pp. 268-272) detailing the "Precautions to be
taken by persons residing in snake-infested localities."

By these and other additions (occupying upwards of thirty pages of new
matter), and by the revision and modification of other passages, it is
confidently hoped that the practical value of the work will be found to
be materially increased. Indeed, it has been my earnest endeavour
throughout to render this little volume as useful as possible, and if
through its instrumentality suffering humanity be in any degree
benefited my highest aspiration will be attained.

 E. J. WARING.




PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.


Fourteen years have elapsed since this work, in an elementary form, was
first issued for the use of the District Vaccinators of Travancore,
whose sphere of action was far removed from regular medical aid. It was
originally published in English and Tamil on opposite pages;
subsequently it was reprinted in Tamil alone by the London Missionary
Society's Press at Nagercoil, for the use of the catechists and others
connected with that Mission. In 1868, a Malyalim translation, by Dresser
Ramswammy Rajoo, was issued by the Travancore Government. From reports
received from various quarters, there is reason to believe that the work
has enjoyed a wide circulation amongst the people of Travancore and
Tinnevelly, and that it has exercised a considerable influence on the
practice of the native doctors of those districts.

Were I wise, I ought, perhaps, to rest satisfied with these results,
which far exceed what were originally contemplated; but recent
observation has convinced me that there are other classes scattered
through our great Indian possessions to whom a work of the kind would
prove most acceptable, by pointing out to them the agents—either
purchasable in the bazaars at an almost nominal price, or procurable at
the cost of collection, from the road-sides, waste places, or gardens in
the immediate neighbourhood of almost every out-station—by means of
which, with the exercise of ordinary intelligence, they may often be
enabled to relieve the sufferings of those amongst whom their lot has
been cast.

And at the head of these classes stand the Missionaries, whose stations,
for the most part, are too far removed from the busy haunts of men to
allow of their calling in regular medical aid in cases of sickness, and
who are consequently thrown, at such times, very much on their own
resources. Many of the missionaries have under their charge large
establishments of catechists, pupils, &c.; and it cannot be otherwise
than highly desirable that they should be put in possession of any
information regarding the available means of relieving the sufferings,
and treating the diseases, of those placed under their care. This is not
the place to enter into a disquisition on missionary work, but I cannot
refrain from expressing my firm conviction that the more the principle
of Medical Missions—making Religion and Medicine go hand in hand—is
carried out, the greater, humanly speaking, will be the success of
missionary efforts. How many a door for the admission of Gospel truth,
which would otherwise be shut, would be opened, and that readily, to one
who, with "the glad tidings of great joy" in the one hand, would bring
in the other the means of relieving physical suffering and curing bodily
disease! The highest distinction that I would claim for this little work
is, that it may constitute, as far as India is concerned, a
Missionaries' Medical Vade Mecum.

Next on the _rôle_ comes a large army of European and Anglo-Indian
officials, whether within the magic circle of "the Service" or beyond
its pale, who are attached to the Public Works, Forests, Railway,
Telegraph, or other Departments, or employed in Tea, Coffee, or Cotton
plantations, in commercial pursuits, &c., many of them married men, with
families and a large number of dependants, the majority at distant
"up-country stations," miles away from medical aid; how important for
persons under such circumstances to possess a knowledge of the means
lying (literally so in many instances) at their very feet, by which pain
and suffering may be alleviated, and, perhaps, a valuable life saved.

Lastly, but by no means least, either in point of numbers or importance,
comes the daily increasing array of educated Natives, who, as a class,
readily avail themselves of every scrap of knowledge drawn from
trustworthy European sources, which tends to throw light on the products
and resources of their native land. Whilst, on the one hand, I am
perfectly prepared to admit that much of the knowledge I possess of the
properties and uses of Indian drugs has been derived from Native
sources, I think I may, on the other hand, without presumption, claim
the credit of repaying the debt with interest, furnishing in return a
considerable amount of information on the uses of even the same drugs,
of which the Natives themselves had previously no idea. It is to this
class that I venture to think this little work will prove most useful
and acceptable.

In addition to the above, I venture to hope that to even duly qualified
Medical Officers, especially at up-country stations, a work like the
present may prove serviceable on emergencies, _e.g._, a failure of the
supply of European drugs, &c., by showing them what resources they have
at command in the bazaars or in their immediate neighbourhood, by means
of which many a gap may be stopped till more efficient remedies are
available.

In undertaking a Second Edition of this work, I have been further
influenced by a desire to render its scope and contents more complete.
With more extended knowledge on my part, drawn partly from subsequent
personal experience in the use of Indian drugs, and partly from the
Reports received from Medical Officers during the preparation of the
Pharmacopœia of India, I realised how imperfect the original work was;
and feeling myself in a position to add much information which would
tend to increase its usefulness, I determined upon issuing another
edition. The whole work has accordingly been rewritten and greatly
enlarged.

It was evidently quite out of the question, in a small work like the
present, to include the host of medicines included under the general
headings of "Bazaar Medicines" and "Common Medical Plants of India," but
from them I have made a selection of about 80, comprising—1 Antacid, 8
Astringents, 3 Antispasmodics, 2 Antiscorbutics, 6 Antiperiodics, 5
Demulcents and Emollients, 4 Diaphoretics or Sudorifics, 4 Diuretics, 3
Expectorants, 2 Emmenagogues, 4 Emetics, 6 Purgatives, 3 Narcotics or
Sedatives, 5 Refrigerants, 9 Stomachics or Carminatives, 7 Bitter
Tonics, 5 Alterative Tonics or Alteratives, 2 Metallic Tonics, 7 Local
and 4 General Stimulants, 2 Vesicants, or Blistering Agents, 6
Vermifuges, and 17 Miscellaneous Articles, not included in the above
classes.

In making this selection I have been guided by the following
principles:—1. By the safety of the drug; hence Arsenic, Aconite Root
(Bish), Nux Vomica, Indian Hemp, and some other powerful medicines have
been omitted, as it was felt to be inadvisable, in a work like the
present, to introduce agents which, in the hands of unprofessional
persons, might do more harm than good if employed in unsuitable cases.
Where, however, a powerful drug, _e.g._, Opium, has been admitted,
minute directions as to its employment have been given. 2. By the
acknowledged utility or efficacy of the drug as proved by European
experience. 3. By the drug possessing a generally well-known, recognised
native name. 4. By its wide distribution and easy procurability in all
parts, and in all the bazaars of India generally. It is hoped that by
the addition of the native names and descriptions of the drugs (which
were omitted in the First Edition), even a new-comer will have little
difficulty in obtaining and recognising any particular article he may
require.

With this native "Apparatus Medicaminum" very much may be accomplished
under ordinary circumstances, in the way of relieving suffering and
curing disease; but it must be admitted that there are certain articles
included under the class "European Medicines" for which the Indian
bazaars supply no adequate substitutes. I have therefore (in Appendix E)
added a list of nine drugs which it appears desirable should be kept in
store. They are—1. Sulphate of Quinine; 2. Ipecacuanha; 3. Smyrna or
Turkey Opium; 4. Calomel; 5. Acetate of Lead; 6. Santonin; 7. Liquor
Ammoniæ; 8. Blistering Fluid; and 9. Carbolic Acid.[1] No attempt has
been made in the body of the work to enter into a description of the
properties and uses of these drugs generally (with the exception of
Opium), but in the Synopsis or Index of Diseases (Part II.) it has been
pointed out how these valuable agents may be utilised in the most
efficient manner. It is believed that, by adopting this course, the
practical utility of the work will be greatly enhanced.

Attention is particularly directed to the Synopsis or Index of Diseases
in Part II.; it is not pretended that the modes of treatment therein
detailed are the best which could be adopted; the object has rather been
to show how much good may be effected by the simple means at command at
almost every "upcountry station" throughout India; and those who follow
the directions may feel assured, that with the exercise of ordinary
prudence, if they fail to do good they will at any rate do no harm.

 LONDON, 1874.

[Footnote 1] To these Bromide of Potassium and Biniodide of Mercury
have since been added.




INTRODUCTION.


This work, it is presumed, will fall into the hands of many who are
wholly ignorant of, or very partially acquainted with, matters
pharmaceutical; hence some few introductory remarks are indispensable to
enable such persons to understand fully, and follow out correctly, the
directions given.

1. _Weights and Measures._—In Appendix C, a small set of Apothecaries'
scales and weights is included, but in the absence of the former it is
well to remember that a small set of scales, such as is used by native
jewellers, can be procured for a few annas in every bazaar; care,
however, is necessary to see that the balance is strictly correct and
even.

_Weights._—The Apothecary weights supplied from England have the
following marks or signs impressed upon them:

 ℈fs  = half a scruple        =  10 grains.
 ℈j   = one scruple           =  20  "
 Ʒfs  = half a drachm         =  30  "
 Ʒj   = one drachm            =  60  "
 Ʒjfs = one drachm and a half =  90  "
 Ʒij  = two drachms           = 120  "

The small circular indentations on the grain weights indicate the number
of grains each weight represents.

In the absence of these, the following hints may be useful:

A new rupee of the present currency weighs 180 grains or three drachms.

A half rupee of the present currency weighs 90 grains or a drachm and a
half.

A quarter rupee of the present currency weighs 45 grains or three
quarters of a drachm.

To obtain smaller weights beat a new quarter rupee into a long, thin,
narrow plate, and divide it carefully into three equal parts. You have
thus three 15 grain weights. One of these divided again into three equal
parts, furnishes three 5 grain weights. One of these subdivided into
five equal parts furnishes five 1 grain weights. Care should be taken to
see that the parts are of equal weight, and each part should be marked
with a figure to denote its weight. A native jeweller, at a very small
cost, will readily carry out the above subdivision.

With these, you may obtain any small weights you require; thus, if you
require nine grains, you use a 5 grain weight and four single grain
weights. If you want a drachm weight (60 grains), you use a quarter
rupee (45 grains) and a 15 grain weight, which makes exactly the 60
grains or one drachm. To get a scruple (20 grains) weight, you use one
of the 15 grain and one of the 5 grain weights = 20 grains or one
scruple.

Two rupees and a half rupee together weigh 450 grains or slightly over
one ounce, which weight they may be taken to represent, in the absence
of regular weights in making up any of the prescriptions given in the
following pages.

_Measures of Capacity._—For these, the English Graduated Measures,
glasses included, in Appendix C, should be employed. The marks on them
signify as follows:

 ♏                    =  1 minim.
 fƷj one fluid-drachm = 60 minims.
 f℥j one fluid-ounce  =  8 fluid-drachms.
 O   one pint         = 20 fluid-ounces.

In default of a graduated measure glass, it may be useful to know that a
small cup of silver or other metal, exactly the circumference of a
quarter rupee and 3¾ inches deep, will hold exactly one ounce, and
twenty of these full of liquid make one pint. Each ounce contains eight
fluid-drachms, so with the aid of this ounce measure you can calculate
the quantity required pretty accurately. The measure should be made of
silver, as some medicines, especially the acids, act on the other metals.

Any native jeweller would manufacture one of these measures in a short
time, and at a very small cost.

In the following pages other domestic measures, as they may be termed,
are mentioned; they represent approximately the following quantities:


 A wine-glassful (ordinary size) = one fluid-oz. and a half.
 Two table-spoonfuls             = one oz.
 One table-spoonful              = half oz.
 One dessert-spoonful            = two drachms.
 One tea-spoonful                = one drachm.

"A drop" may be taken generally to represent a minim, though in many
instances they differ considerably in capacity.

It must be borne in mind that these measurements apply solely to
fluids—never to solids. A tablespoonful of some solids, as powders,
would _weigh_ two or three ounces, whilst of others it might only be as
many drachms.

_Preparations._—A few hints on these may be useful to the uninitiated.
_Infusions._—In preparing these, the following points require attention:
_a_, the solid ingredients should be cut into small pieces or slices, or
bruised in a mortar, so that the water shall readily penetrate into the
substance; _b_, the water should be _boiling_; _c_, the vessel or
_chattie_ containing the ingredients on which the boiling water has been
poured, should be covered over to prevent evaporation, and set aside
till the liquid is cold, when it should be strained through a muslin or
thin rag. In hot climates infusions soon spoil, hence they should be
freshly prepared every other day at the furthest. _Decoctions._—These
differ from Infusions so far that the ingredients are subject to the
process of boiling. The requisite quantity of water having been heated
to boiling-point, the solid ingredients, prepared as for infusions, are
to be introduced, and the whole boiled in a covered vessel for the
specified period. The liquid whilst hot should be strained and set aside
in a covered vessel till cold. Like infusions, they rapidly become
spoiled in hot climates. _Tinctures._—These are formed by macerating the
solid ingredients, prepared as directed for Infusions, in a bottle with
the specified quantity of spirit, for seven days or more, occasionally
shaking the same to ensure the spirit acting thoroughly on the
ingredients. At the end of the specified period it should be strained,
and the clear liquid set aside in a cool place in well-stoppered
bottles, for use. Great care is necessary to prevent evaporation; hence
if a glass-stoppered bottle is used, softened wax should be carefully
placed round the stop