Far more dreadful are the consequences of the before-mentioned intestinal colic, called by the Indians _Shani_, _Mordexim_, and also _Nicomben_. It is occasioned, as I have said, by the winds blowing from the mountains, which carry with them a great many nitrous particles, and which commonly commence immediately after the rainy season, when the wet weather is succeeded by a great heat and continued drought. On the coast of Malabar this is the case from the beginning of October till the 20th of December; and on the coast of Coromandel in April and May. People are then liable to catch colds: and the consequence is, that malignant and bilious slimy matter adheres to the bowels, and occasions violent pains, vomiting, fever, and stupefaction; so that persons attacked with this disease die very often in a few hours. It sometimes happens that thirty or forty persons die in this manner, in one place, in the course of a day, unless speedy relief be administred. The bitter essence, _Droga amara_, which I have mentioned in the beginning of the present work, is the best remedy for this colic; as it opens the pores, thins the juices, counteracts the effects of the saltpetre, warms the body, brings on perspiration, and, in that manner, inspires it with new life. In the year 1782 this disease raged with so much fury that a great many persons died of it. The above essence is pretty dear; and it was not possible to procure it in such quantity as to supply all the patients. In its stead, therefore, we employed _Tàgara_, coco-nut brandy, distilled over horses dung. All those recovered to whom this beverage was given, but the rest died in three or four hours. This circumstance made so much noise among the Pagans, that the fame of our medicine, and the cures it performed, was spread as far as Cochin. When the physicians of the Dutch East India Company at that place, Messrs. Martinfard and Errik, were informed of this circumstance, they not only gave our medicine their approbation, but even employed it in their practice. The tertian fever is easily removed by a decoction of _Veppa_, or Malabar china[233]. _Veppa_ is the name of a tree which has a very bitter bark, and green prickly leaves, which are also exceedingly bitter. It grows on dry, sandy soil, without any culture or care. The decoction is prepared from its leaves, which are called _Vippela_. The property of this tree is well known to the Brahmans; but the common people have very little knowledge of it. The _Kàcil_, or inflammation connected with the _Gonorrhœa benigna_, is removed by means of rice-water, mixed with a little sugar, and given to the patient to drink. Cold fomentation, and decoctions of bananas, milk, salt-petre, and other softening, cooling and diuretic medicines are also prescribed. This malady is very prevalent on the coast of Malabar.