as a sovereign remedy in Beri-beri. In doses of from ten to fifteen drops, twice daily, it is a powerful stimulant. Its action in this character is generally followed in a few hours by free diaphoresis, unattended by subsequent exhaustion. Though it has failed to realize Dr. Herklots' encomiums, yet, in some cases treated with it, detailed by Dr. Malcolmson, its beneficial effects were unequivocally evidenced ; in others, however, it failed. It
appears to be chiefly adapted for recent cases, and for those in which the nervous and paralytic symptoms predominate (Pharm. Ind.)
The Santals use the oil in disorders of the stomach (Revd. A. Campbell). The seeds, bruised and formed into a poultice, are a good stimulant application to foul, unhealthy and indolent ulcers (Moodeen Sheriff.)
I have been using the black oil myself occasionally in my practice during the last thirty-nine or forty years ; and for about fifteen years, at the commencement of this period, my opinion as to its therapeutic value was not very high ; but ever since I began, about twenty-five years ago, to employ the varieties of this drug obtained from Vizagapatam, Masulipatam and Ellore, I consider it the best and most efficacious of all the remedies ever suggested for the treatment of Beri-beri, and quite agree with Dr. Herklots in everything he has said in its favour. I recollect many cases of Beri-beri which were not benefited, for weeks or months, under the use of other medicines, but began at once to improve when placed under the course of black oil The first good effect of this medicine, according to my own observation, is generally an increase in the quantity of urine, and with this the dropsical effusion begins to disappear. A relief in paralytic and ansthetie symptoms is also noticed about the same time, but generally after the abatement of dropsical symptoms. During the use of black oil, the native practitioners invariably enjoin a very low and strict diet, giving nothing to the patient except water and wheaten cakes for a long period — a restriction which is as injurious as unnecessary in my opinion. The patients laboring under Beri-beri require a very liberal and nourishing diet.
