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

Rice.

The husked seed of Oryza sativa, Linn.

Chával (Hind.), Chánval (Duk.), Chál, Chánvol (Beng.), Chánwal (Punj.), Thomúl (Kash.), Arishi (Tam.), Biyyam (Tel.), Ari (Mal.), Akkí (Can.), Tándúla (Mah.), Chókha (Guz.), Hál (Cing.), Sán, Chán (Burm.), Bras (Malay).

322. Rice may be utilised in the following ways in the treatment of disease:

a. In the form of Decoction—"Conjee Water," as it is commonly called, prepared by boiling one ounce of cleansed Rice in a quart of Water for twenty minutes, straining, and flavouring with Sugar, and with Lime Juice if desired, to taste. This forms an excellent drink in Fevers, Smallpox, Measles, Scarlet Fever and Inflammations of all kinds, also in Gonorrhœa, and other cases where there is pain and difficulty in passing Urine.

b. In the form of Powder—Rice Flour; this dusted thickly over the surface forms a very cooling and soothing application in Small-pox, Measles, Erysipelas, Prickly Heat, and other Inflammatory Affections of the Skin. It is pleasant to the patient's feelings, and allays heat and irritation. To Burns and Scalds, Rice Flour is an excellent application: it should be used as soon as possible after the occurrence of the injury, and it should be dusted thickly over the whole of the burnt surface, so as to absorb any discharge that may be present, and at the same time exclude the air as far as possible. If in a few days this becomes hardened and irritating, a warm Rice poultice should be applied, so as to soften it and allow its easy removal; the surface should then be dressed with Lime Liniment (229) or Resin Ointment (372).

c. In the form of Poultice.—Rice Poultice.—To prepare this, place a sufficiency of Rice Flour in an open vessel over the fire, gradually add Water, and stir until the mass has the required consistence. A more ready mode is to place the Rice Flour in a basin, and then gradually to add Boiling Water, constantly stirring it, as above. A piece of cloth of the required size being ready at hand, the poultice should be smoothly spread on it, to the thickness of from a quarter to half an inch, and applied over the affected part. In most cases it is advisable before applying it, to smear the surface of the poultice with a bland oil; this renders it more soothing and keeps it longer soft and moist. A rice poultice requires changing twice or even thrice daily. It is an excellent application to Abscesses, Boils, Buboes, Ulcers, and other local inflammatory affections, Inflamed Piles, &c. In Chronic Bronchitis and other Chronic Coughs considerable relief often results from the application of a large soft Rice Poultice placed over the chest at bedtime, and allowed to remain on all night; another may also be advantageously placed on the back between the shoulder-blades. The efficacy of these poultices is in many cases increased by the addition of a little Mustard Flour (1 part to 3 or 4 of Rice Flour), so as to produce a slight redness of the skin; or the surface of the poultice may be smeared over with Oil of Turpentine.

323.

Sal Ammoniac.

Hydrochlorate of Ammonia, Chloride of Ammonium.