87. Several varieties of Catechu are met with in the bazaars. That best adapted for medical use occurs in the form of masses consisting of layers, occasionally enveloped in rough leaves of a blackish-brown colour, easily fractured, of a very astringent taste.
88. In Diarrhœa unattended by Fever Catechu is of much value; ten or fifteen grains in powder, with an equal quantity of powdered Cinnamon, may be given in honey or jaggery three or four times a day if necessary; or it may be given in infusion prepared by macerating three drachms of bruised Catechu, and one drachm of bruised Cinnamon in half a pint of boiling water for two hours, and straining. Dose from one and a half to two ounces thrice daily. From five to ten drops of Laudanum to each dose add to its efficacy, or one grain of Opium may be given at bedtime. These doses are suited only for adults; for the Diarrhœa of Children, three or four grains of finely powdered Catechu, with an equal quantity of powdered Cinnamon, generally answer well.
89. In Mercurial Salivation, in Ulceration and Sponginess of the Gums, a small piece of Catechu allowed slowly to dissolve in the mouth is often of great service. The same measure is often useful in Relaxed Sore Throat, Hoarseness, Loss of Voice, &c. In Toothache, where there is a decayed tooth, with a piece of loose flesh growing within, great relief sometimes results from inserting into the hollow a small piece of Catechu, and retaining it there till it is dissolved.
90. Chronic Ulcerations, attended by much or Fœtid Discharge, often speedily improve under the use of an ointment composed of a drachm of finely powdered Catechu and an ounce of Ceromel (167). In obstinate cases the addition of sixteen grains of finely powdered Sulphate of Copper to the above greatly increases its efficacy. Another mode of treating these old ulcers is bathing them twice or thrice daily with an infusion of Catechu (six drachms to a pint of water), and dressing in the intervals with Ceromel. The above infusion proves effectual in some instances as a preventive of Sore Nipples, for which purpose the breasts should be bathed with it daily, for some six weeks prior to the confinement, and thus the tissues become so hardened that when the infant begins to suck any ill-effects are obviated.
90 bis.
Charcoal Wood, Charcoal.
Lakrí ka-kóyelah (Hind.), Lákri-ká-kólsá (Duk.), Kásh-tha-kóyalá (Beng.), Aduppu-kari (Tam.), Katta-boggu (Tel.), Atuppa-kari, Muttí-kari (Mal.), Kattige-iddallu (Can.), Láka-dácha-kólasé (Mah.), Lákdu-kóelo (Guz.), Thén-misu-e (Burm.), Anguru (Cing.), Ahrang (Malay), Kóiláh (Punj.), Tsuíng (Kash.).
91. Charcoal is an article of great importance in a sanatory and medical as well as in an economical point of view. It possesses no mean power as a deodoriser, and in close sick rooms the smell of the air is deprived of much of its unpleasantness by hanging about the apartment thin muslin bags loosely filled with roughly powdered charcoal. The charcoal requires to be renewed occasionally. For purifying water an effectual plan is to boil it with a good-sized piece of freshly prepared charcoal; it also forms an excellent filter, placed in alternate layers with river sand, as is in use by the natives of Southern India. Charcoal, especially that of the Areca or Betel nut, forms an excellent tooth-powder; but it is essential that it should be very finely powdered, or it may scratch the enamel of the teeth. Lastly, it is of great value in forming the Charcoal poultice, which is made by adding finely powdered charcoal to a common Rice poultice (322 c.) in the proportion of one part of the former to three of the latter. A little of the Charcoal should also be sprinkled over the surface of the poultice previous to applying it. This is a valuable application to Ulcers and Wounds attended by a fœtid discharge; it proves useful in correcting the bad odour and stimulating to healthy action.
92.