302. A common plant in waste places throughout India. The seeds, which in their native state are an acro-narcotic poison, yield on expression about 30 per cent. of a pale yellow oil, which in doses of 12 to 15 drops acts as a purgative equal in action to one ounce of Castor Oil, but is far less certain in its operation and causes more griping than the latter, hence it is rarely employed. Its ill effects are corrected by Lime Juice, as in the case of Croton Seeds (Sec. 120). Diluted with a bland oil (1 part to 2 or 3), it forms a useful embrocation in Chronic Rheumatism. The leaves locally applied to the breasts, as directed in Sec. 85, are stated notably to increase the secretion of Milk; it is worthy of a trial. More important, however, than the preceding is the alleged power of the fresh juice to arrest Bleeding or Hæemorrhage from Wounds. Baboo Udhoy Chand Dutt (Indian Med. Gazette, Oct. 1, 1874) details two cases in which a piece of lint, soaked in the juice and locally applied, at once arrested the bleeding; in one of these cases alum, perchloride of iron, &c., had been previously used without effect. He states that it does not cause pain nor act as a caustic, but seems simply to coagulate the blood, and covers the bleeding surface with a tenacious layer. Further evidence of its styptic powers is recorded by Mr. B. Evers (Indian Med. Gazette, March 1875), who furnishes also an interesting account of a pulsating tumour, "a varicose aneurism," situated just above the inner ankle, which was cured (?) by the subcutaneous injection of a drachm of this juice. The styptic properties of this agent seem well worthy of further trial.
302b.
Plantago, or Ispaghúl Seed.
The seeds of Plantago Ispaghula, Roxb.
Ispaghúl, Isbaghól (Hind.), Isapghól (Duk., Punj.), Eshopgól (Beng.), Ís-mogul (Kash.), Ishappukól-virai, Iskól-virai (Tam.), Isapagála-vittulu (Tel.), Isabakólu (Can.), Isabagóla (Mah.), Isapghól (Guz.).
303. Ispaghúl seeds, ovate-elliptical, concave, about an eighth of an inch in length, of a greyish colour, yielding to water an abundance of tasteless mucilage, are procurable in most bazaars, and constitute a highly useful demulcent medicine.
304. In Dysentery and Diarrhœa they have been long held in well-deserved repute when given, as advised by the late Mr. Twining, of Calcutta. "In the Chronic Diarrhœa of Europeans, who have been long resident in India, benefit [he remarks] often follows the use of demulcents followed by mild tonics. For this purpose the Ispaghúl seeds seem to answer better than any other remedy. The dose for an adult is 2½ drachms mixed with half a drachm of powdered sugar candy. The seeds are exhibited whole, and in their passage through the intestines they absorb as much fluid as makes them swell, and by the time they reach the central or lower portions of the canal, they give out a bland mucilage, and in general they continue to possess the same mucilaginous properties until they have passed through the intestines. If the frequency of the dejections be restrained by anodyne enema, and by using only a small quantity of food, the mucilaginous properties of these seeds are most evident. It is said that a slight degree of astringency and some tonic property may be imparted to the seeds by exposing them to a moderate degree of heat, so that they shall be dried and slightly browned. This remedy sometimes cures the protracted diarrhœa of European and Native children after many other remedies have failed."
305. In many affections of the Kidneys and Bladder, in Gonorrhœa, &c. attended with pain, local irritation and scalding or difficulty in passing urine, the following decoction is likely to prove serviceable: Take of Ispaghúl Seeds bruised, 2 drachms; Water a pint; boil for ten minutes in a covered vessel, and strain. Of this the dose is from 2 to 4 ounces, three or four times daily or oftener.
306.