Sómráj, Bukchí (Hind.), Sómráj (Beng.), Káttu-shíragam (Tam.), Adavi-jila-kara, Visha-kanta-kálu (Tel.), Káttu-jírakam (Mal.), Kádu-jirage (Can.), Ránácha-jíré (Mah.), Kadvo-jíri (Guz.), Sanni-náegam, Sanni-násang (Cing.), Justan hutan (Malay).
373b. The plant which yields these seeds is common in waste places near villages throughout India, and the dried seeds are met with in almost every bazaar; they are about the eighth of an inch in length, of a dark brown colour, covered with whitish scattered hairs, cylindrical, tapering towards the base, marked with about ten paler longitudinal ridges, and crowned with a circle of short brown scales; taste, nauseous and bitter. These seeds enjoy a high repute amongst the natives as a vermifuge in cases of Lumbrici or Round Worms, which, under their use, are stated to be expelled in a lifeless state, thus showing that they exercise a specific influence on the worm. The ordinary dose of the bruised seed, administered in electuary with honey, is about two drachms, given in two equal doses at the interval of a few hours, and followed by an aperient. In this character they seem well worthy of further trials. In Travancore, the bruised seeds, ground up into a paste with lime-juice, are largely employed as a means of destroying Lice infesting the body. The reports received of their efficacy for this purpose justify farther trials with them.
374.
Vinegar.
Sirká (Hind., Duk., Beng., Punj., Kash.), Kádi (Tam.), Kádi-nóllu (Tel.), Káti (Mal.), Hulirasa (Can.), Kádi, Vená-kiri (Cing.), Pón-ye (Burm.), Chuka (Malay).
375. Many kinds of Vinegar are met with in India, but as they are of very varying strength and degree of purity the imported English Distilled or White Wine Vinegar should be preferred, when procurable, as it generally may be in large bazaars, for medical purposes. In its absence the best native kinds, especially that prepared from the Toddy of the Palmyra tree, should be used. At Peshaur and on our North-West frontier a very superior vinegar is manufactured from the juice of the grape; hence "Peshaur Vinegar" is well known throughout the Punjab and Kashmir, and even at Bombay and Kurrachee (Dr. Aitchison).
376. In Smallpox, Measles, Scarlet Fever, and other Febrile Affections, a mixture of one part of Vinegar and three of Water forms a soothing and refreshing application, with which the whole surface may be sponged twice or thrice daily, the temperature being regulated as described in Sect. 385. Sprinkled about the sick room, in these and other cases, undiluted vinegar acts in a degree as a deodorant, and is generally very agreeable to the patient.
377. In Relaxed, Ulcerated, and other forms of Sore Throat, especially in that of Scarlet Fever, in Hoarseness, &c., benefit is often derived from the inhalation of the vapour of hot Vinegar.
378. In Phthisis, sponging the chest with diluted Vinegar is said to be very effectual in allaying the profuse perspirations. A good mixture for this purpose is composed of one part of Vinegar, one of Eau de Cologne, and two of Water; it is a measure attended with salutary effects, and is generally of great comfort to the patient. As a preventive of Phthisis the practice has been strongly recommended of washing the chest every morning with Vinegar and Water, beginning with it tepid, and reducing the temperature gradually, until it can be used quite cold. The same measure persevered in has been found useful by persons subject to repeated attacks of Coughs and Asthmas; it often seems to diminish the liability to a return of these attacks, and to act as a preventive.
379. In Abortion and other forms of Uterine Hæmorrhage, the continued application of cold Vinegar and Water to the pubes is not only agreeable to the patient, but tends considerably to arrest the discharge of blood. In the absence of better agents, Vinegar diluted and sweetened to taste may also be advantageously given internally. Bleeding from the Nose sometimes yields to a piece of rag saturated with Vinegar introduced into the nostril.