The Use of Cassia Fistula in the Treatment of Black-Water Fever *Read before the Indian Science Congress held at Madras during January 1940.

-t*lack-water fever is an acute febrile disease ?f unknown causation, characterized by rapidity the destruction of the red blood cells and the subsequent onset of hemoglobinuria and Jaundice. This disease occurs extensively in tropical Africa and in certain regions of India. It has "Gen reported to occur also in many other parts ?f the tropics. In the Madras Presidency, it is endemic in the Agency Tracts of Ganjam, Vizagapatam, and East Godavari districts, and Occurs sporadically in the Kollegal taluk of the ^oimbatore district, Gudalur taluk of the ^ilgiris district, and the Wynaad taluk of the Malabar district. In these areas it has been known to occur mostly during the winter Months, the onset being sudden, the course rapid, and the mortality high. The aetiology of the fever is still uncertain j^d no specific remedy is yet available for the treatment of the disease. However, it is claimed 111 some of the affected areas that the liquid e*tract of Cassia beareana gives satisfactory Jesuits in relieving the symptoms of this disease, ^his extract is prepared from the root-bark of Russia beareana, a tree native to tropical East Africa. The tree owes its present name to its discoverer O'Sullivan Beare, an English doctor, ^his species does not grow either in India or ^eylon. An investigation was therefore undertaken to find out if any of the indigenous species ?\ the cassia family could be utilized as a substitute for Cassia beareana in the preparation ?* a therapeutically active extract. In the bourse of the investigation an extract prepared r?m the root-bark of Cassia fistula was found 0 give encouraging results.