MACOGRAPHIA INDICA. \\" 


HISTORY 
OF THE PRINCIPAL DRUGS ~ 


OF VEGETABLE ORIGIN, 


, 


MET WITH IN “2 


BRELTISH:- INDIA, 


MENT OF MADRAS, 


THE CALCUTTA MEDICAL 
_ COLLEGE, OOTACAMUND, 


* 


(soeeetaetiginins sii 


VOL. Th 


CORRIGENDA IN VOL. II. 


29 419, 6th ” 


9 


99 


‘Page 81, 3rd line from oe for Deodail read Deoddai. 
84, 17th , 


top, for lightly read slightly. 
»» for apigenen read apigenin. 

», for confectis read confectio. | 

,», Arabic letters for Jl misplaced. 

» Jor either read ether. 

., for natural read neutral! 

»» for 1-087 read 1°187. 
bottom, for spirit read spent. 
for dialosis read dialysis. 
for acic read acid. 

» for naram read waram. 
top, erase Toxicology. 
bottom, for wae read fruit. 


2° 


oe 


CONTENTS OF VOL. 


Terabe sedate oe 
es 
Anogeiss us ition oi 
Quisqualis in ie 
Calye eh loribads ui 
Termin ee 
: pono ‘ 
oF aI es 
Myrracez. 
“ Barringtonia po ida 
emosa... 


Careya ‘arbore ‘ 
re) oe aaeicatioens 
e 


Wood ori 
Lawso alba an Sie 
Punica aide iy cw 


ONAGRACEA. 
Jussizea euffraticoss ae 
| Saucynacen. 


IL. 


‘ . PAGE 
Trichosanthes palmata .., seer AD 
; dioi ee Pee ei: 
cucumerina Rrra 24 
—_ — a ae Bs ef 
ochinchinensis a ae 
4 Charsniia : eS: 
ymbalaria ... ed i 
Luffa Seer lim ies bas oe 
echinat ae 81 
Cephalandra inden 5us Re 
ia um os 89 
Cotoonsees shal se 8 ) 
Bryonia laciniosa ... : ja 
Mukia rella .., : oe, 
Zanonia indica. iss ae 
Ecballi laterium : see 
Modecca palmata is eras 
Trichosanthes nervifolia eee 
Rh foetida 2 a 
Ampelosicyos scandens _.., viene 


DariscEm. 
Datisca cannabina ... sae 


Trianthema monogyna 
Mollugo stricta soi 
Spergula . 


Gisekia pharnacsidaill Se 
- UMBELLIFERR. 

Hydrocotyle asiatica 

Conium maculatum 


angos 
Ferula alliacea 
tida 


_ Alangium Lamarckii lk, 


CAPRIFOLIACER. 


Viburnum foetidum — 


CONTENTS. 


ape 102 
ica? 


PAGE 

Valeriana Brunoniana _... .. 240 

fs officinalis sak ... 240 

»  Hardwickii.., vee eee 
ComposiTz. 

Vernonia anthelmintica 241 

ea. a . 243 

Elephantopus se caber . 248 

Lampracheenium mierocepialam 244 

geratum conyzoides .. 244 

rao rium Ayapana ... w» 245 

-cannabinum ., see BAT 

perfoliatum ... sot 

el Virga- aurea... vee 247 

sie se EO 

rangea maderaspatana i wee 248 

Erigeron — pe vss 249 

roides aes oe. DOL 

Blumea bales ete Ramee A 8 

»  densitlora ... 252 

37> orient 254 

lacera ° . 255 

Ta . see *? 255 

Piucuea lanceolata. - 256 

8 nthus indicus ~ 257 

Inula Helenium _., : . 259 

», Tacemosa .., oes 260 

», Royleana “ . 260 

- -. 260 

na Pub ” e262 

Siegesbeckia orientalis ; . 264 

Ennydta tiuctans .., ee 

Kelipta alba... ae any ac 966 

Weuelia calendulacea ise .. 268 


oy zotla abyssynica 
socardia linearifo 


CONTENTS; oy 


ee ee : PAGE c PAGE 
Emilia sonchifolia !:; ... ~~... 319. «Jasminum arborescens ... - -.. 379 
_~ Sonchus oleraceus .... se i eae hed glandulifera ... ae io 4 
Echinops echinatus ai ine, Oa asminum flexile. ... = vow OB 
Dicoma tomentosa... ... —«.. 320 aR one xbupghii no. tes 380 
: Notonia grandiflora ies oe oS 
_@ Tagetes erecta i eee Sou _ SALVADORACE. 
pon halis neelgerriana ve 1. 322 ast e 
y nutans re ... 822  Salvadora persica ... be LESSRD a ar 
A Calcuaals officinalis ae e822 re cpr ip oe “us es 
: Azima tetracantha. sh w. 384 
CAaMPANULACER. 
Lobelia nicotianzfolia ss One --ArocrsAcBm. i 
: Hom scholars — ie <1 886 
ERICACER. Rhazy 891 
Ai F ator Hea tiack antidysenterica ie 38E 
Gaultheria fragrantissima i000 > eres oe ode rum us "398 
‘ Oleander ..:. a& v. 401 
PLUMBAGINER. 7 hevatia neriifolia .. ie ae we. 406. 
Plumbago zeylanica ba 398 Cerbera Odellam ie ie we 410 
; donee 399 Pao Pereira .. bee pe it ALZ 
as ee re Le: Tabernszemontana coronaria ... 418 
Prout Rau aserpentina... wo 414, 
sau ‘ Allamanda eathartica 417 
Dionysia diapensizfolia .., ne Cari ndas ».. 419 
‘ ee ites a : sare. 4 Plumeria acutifolia , 424 
Creme a cores ee "347  ‘Ichn frutescens 493 
Saromioem Galore gigantn 
pun OS Tylophora asthmatica ae 
oe dial ea ts + sciculata 
‘ butyracea ... igi ., 865 Demia oa ue 
oy Blengi” pi ... 862 Dregea volibilis ... me 
exandira ee ... 864 Hemidesmus indicus ae. 
Achras Sapota ie _. 365  Cosmostigma racetiiosum,,,° . 
Gynittema sylvestf® ~~. 
Thiele: is Ceropegia bulbosd., «1. 
he a Hea Re o ” juncea tee ots tm + 
—— Tapre Pt ris = - 366 x gat ero oo: . : 
” Ebennm eee w« 068 A é; 
< Sea, 888 pienso — prs ata ie oe 
Kaki <<. 369 te. esculentum .,. 
dy Pe hee a Rheedii Se 
STYRAcEs. Caralluma ahs : 
riata tae 


ica ae ... 369 Periploca aphylla .. oa 
racemosa Pentatropis spiralis 


wi CONTENTS, 


Logantace2. a PAGE 
ne PAGE a Quamoclit ri ... 540 
oo oe sii -.. 458 sinmate i362 wy w+» 540 
a .. 500 35 campanulata ...., ee 
colubrina se O02 &.  sepiaria 4 = vee 540 
i Stryehmos Rheedii .. ae vi 608 >>  pes-tigridis we ... 540 
potatorum -»+ 506 » ‘While, 00 ose eee 
». aquatica %, : -.. 540 
,.GENTIANACER. ss ‘ bona-nox .., b3 oy O40 
t ii Rivea ornata na i ... O41 
Gentiana dahurica.., em ee ia speciosa .. a ws 541 
uy UITOO .., * + 510 Convolvulus arvensis vee 542 
Swertia chirata 4.0.4 + 511 Evolvulns alsinoides en ¥55 049 
>»,  decussata . Sakmuni Oe Sy Ge 
% Cressa, cretica oe 545 
f an 5 , . 546 
Knushooth .., . 547 
Sonanacez. 
ec 1 eteempgar nigrum : eet 649 
ara vi e049 
i hae inane ve poe } 
xanthocarpum .., 55 5 
»  trilobatum us 669° 4 
1,  verbascifolium .., 560 
” - \ . a y 
+ ferox ee an 
re a 


_ Capsicum fru “ira 
minimum 
Withania somnifera 


alans 
- Atropa Belladonna 
Mandragora officinarum 
© Datura tura Stramonium 


HISTORY ms 
OF THE PRINCIPAL DRUGS 
OF VEGETABLE ORIGIN, — 


MET WITH IN 


_ SURGEON-MAJOR, BENGAL ARMY, QUINOLOGIST TO THE GOVERN- 


- PRovessor or cuumistry iy AND 
THE CALOUTTA MEDICAL 


2 os COLLEGE, 


MEN’ OF MADRAS, 


OCOTACAMUND, — 


| CORRIGENDA. 
; ‘ 
Page 81, 3rd_ line from bottom, for Deodail read Deodali. 
» 84, 17th ,,  ,, top, for lightly read slightly. 
gy eR Pn sg ge ge for apigenen read apigenin. 
| » 130, 16th ,, ,, —._ for confectis read confectio. 


» 272, 10th ,. Arabic letters for JG misplaced. 
» 291,10th ,, .,  ., for either read ether. 


9 eee 
wi, Ve pss Se 12 B 


tet apie: 


OPINIONS OF THE’ PRESS. 


Pharmacographia Indica. 
PART IF. 


We have received Part II. of the “Pharmacographia Indica,” 
which completes the first yolume. This portion fully sustains the 
promise of the previous one, and contains a large quantity of 
original information relative to Indian Vegetable drugs, as well as 
carefully collected extracts from the most reliable sources. Under 
the heading ‘*History, Uses, &c.,”’ the authors have got together 
some bighiy instructive notes, which will be useful reading, not only 
to those interested in drugs and chemicals, but to the — reader 
likewise.— Times of India, 

It will be seen that every thing wanting to be known about an 
Indian drug is made available, and such a book should be in the 
hands of medical officers and magistrates, both in the chief towns 
_ and the Mofussil. There is always a market in England, Germany, 
and America for Indian drags of acknowledged merit, and to 
those who speculate, or experiment with such a commodity we 
should recommend the “ Pharmacographia Indica” as a flail to 
separate the wheat from the chaff.— Madras Mail. 

Die vorstehenden Mittheilungen aus der Pharmacographia Indica 
bestaitigen, dass in dem Werke ein wichtiger Beitrag zur Kenntniss 
indischer Helpflanzen und Nutzpflanzen geboten wird, welcher der 
2 gas vieler Kreise in hohem Grade werth ist.—Pharm. 

eit 

The drugs are too numerous to be mentioned in a review of the 
work, but we are satisfied that we shall frequently have occasion to 


refer to Pharmacographia Indica for reliable information on Indian “ : 
drugs, and more particularly such which are not, or only toa 


_ limited extent, articles of European or American commerce. , Pent 

) IL. is fully equal to Part I. in interest and cor ess 

info ormation, The work is to be recommended to all : 
fedica, and more ly that of 


il 


Part II. of this valuable work has recently been put before us. It 
affords the same evidence of careful study as was exhibited by its 
predecessor, and it shows that the three joint authors have endea- 
voured to fill a gap that has long existed. We do not mean merely 
that such a book as this has long been needed, but that the native 
pharmacopeia has been too long neglected. : : . The 
arrangement of the work before us is convenient for easy reference, 
and it seems certain that the work will be found one of great value 
to every practitioner in this country. Elsewhere also it might = 

found extremely useful.—Madras Times. 

The ‘* Pharmacographia Indica” is, however, not valuable merely 
to those residing in India and to merchants importing Indian drugs, 
but also to students of materia medica in this country, since the 
information on a large number of the drugs used in Europe is 
brought more closely up to date than in almost any other work on 
Materia Medica. ‘ é . The chemical-work that has been 
done in India, although in many cases not carried to a definite 
conclusion, consisting rather of proximate analyses, is of great value 
for future reference, since the exact modes of treating the various 
drugs, and the solvents used are always stated. The physiological 
action is in many instances described, and the reputation of the 
drug among the natives confirmed, or contradicted, as the case may 
be. There is thus placed before Western nations a repertory of 


materia medica, replete with valuable, because practical information, — : 


from which the searcher for new remedies may cull many promising 
article.—  . ‘ - Dr. Dymock and his colleagues may be 
heartily congratulated on having brought to sucha pitch of perfection 
this useful work, which it may confidently be predicted will take 
as high a place in the pharmaceutical literature of the Hast as its 
namesake has in that of the West —Pharm. Journ., Aug. 9th, 1890. 


In regard to materia medica generally it must always hold a 


place as a book of reference, The favourable opinion ‘which on 


formed on the first part of the volume is enhanced by the uniformly 
good quality of the matter in this second one. We were at first 
disposed to think that this was a book which only specialists would 
have use for; but it grows so interesting, and is so full of valuable 
information, that we can recommend it to all pharmacists who have a 
love for books,—Chemist and Druggist, July 26th, 1890, 


PHARMACOGRAPHIA INDICA. 


COMBRETACE EH. 
TERMINALIA CHEBULA, Retz. ° 


Fig.—Rozb. Cor. Pl., t. 197; Bedd. Fl. Sylv. t. 27; Gartn. 
Fruct. ii., t 97. Chebulic myrobalan (Eng.), Myrobalan 
Chébule (’r.). 


Hab.—India (table lands). The fruit. 

Vernacular.—Har, Hara (Hind.), Wirada (Mar.), Kaduk-kai 
(Tum., Mal.), Hora, Haritaki (Beng.), Karakkaya (Tel.), Alale- 
kay (Can.), Harade (Guwz.), Hana (Puhart), Silim-kung 
(Lepeha). 


- 


History Uses, &c.—There are several varicties of this 
tree, some of which have probably been produced by cultiva- 
tion. 1’. citrina, Roxb., is considered by some to be a separate 
species. Dutt (Hinda Matarin Medica) informs us that Chebu- 
lic myrobalans, in Sanskrit Haritaki, Abhaya, and Pathyd, were 
highly extolled by the ancient Hindus as a powerful alterative 
and tonic. ‘hey have received the names of Pranada or life- 
giver, Sudha or nectar, Bhishakpriya or Physician’s favourite 
and so forth.* A mythological origin has also been attributed 
to the tree. ‘‘ It is said that when Indra was drinking amrita 
in heaven a drop of the fluid fell on the earth and produced the 
plant.” On this account it is called Shakra-srishtd “created 


* The following are the synonyms of Haritaki in the Raja-nirghanta :— 
Har, Siva, Pathy4, Chetaki, Vijaya, Jaya, Pramatthy4, Pramathé, Amogha, — 
 Kayastha, Pranad4, Amrita, Jivaniya, Hemavati, Patané, Brantand, Abhayé, 
_ Javastha, Nandini, Sreyasi, Rohini. In Sankrit prescriptions auy one of 
pa See: names ma used. fas ae, 


é 5 es 


2 COMBRETACELZ. 


by Indra.” Indian writers describe seven varieties of Haritaki, 
which however are nothing more than the same fruit in dif- 
ferent stages of maturity. Very large fruit are considered 
particularly valuable, and fetch a fancy price. Chebulic 
myrobalans are considered to be laxative, stomachic, tonic, and 
alterative. They are prescribed alone or in combination with 
Emblic and Beleric myrobalans in a vast number of diseases, 
chiefly those affecting the chest and abdomen. The three 
myrobalans together are called triphala or the three fruits n 
Sanskrit. Various original receipts for their administration 
will be found in Dutt’s Hindu Materia Medica. Myrobalans 
were known to the early Arabian writers, and through them to 
the Greek writer Actuarius, who mentions five kinds. Nicolas — 
Myrepsicus also notices them. The author of the Makhzan-el- — 
Adwiya, on the subject of chebulic myrobalans, says that the 
very young fruit, about the size of cumin seeds, are called — 
Halileh-i-zira ; when about the size of a grain of barley, — 
Halileh-1-jawi ; when of the size of a raisin, Halileh-i-zangi or 
Halileh-i-hindi ; when half arrived at maturity and yellowish, 
Halileh-t-chint ; when still further advanced, Hulileh-i-asfar ; 


and lastly, when quite mature, Halileh-i-kabuli, Of these | 


six varieties of chebulic myrobalans, the second, third, and last 
only are in general use for medicinal purposes, the fourth and 
fifth, also known as Rangéri har or hirade, are chiefly used by 
-tanners.. The Mahometans, like the Hindus, attribute a great 
many fanciful properties to the drug; shortly, we may sy, that 
the ripe fruit is chiefly used as a purgative, and is considered 
to remove bile, phlegm, and adust bile ; it should be combined 
with aromatics, such as fennel seeds, caraways, &c. The Arabs 
say,—* Ihlilaj is in the stomach like an intelligent housewife, 
who is a good manager of the house.” The unripe fruit 
(Halileh-i-hindi or Himaja) is most valued on account of its 
astringent and aperient properties, and is a useful medicine in 
dysentery and diarrhcea ; it should also be given with aromatics. 
Locally it is applied as an. astringent. The first and second 
kind are supposed to have the same properties as the third in 
__ aless degree, and the fourth and fifth the same as the sixth in 


Pee et ee | ee oe ae 


COMBRETACEM. 3 


a less degree. The best way of administering myrobalans as a 
purgative is to make an infusion or decoction of from 2 to 4 
drachms of fruit pulp with the addition of a pinch of caraway 
seeds and a little honey or sugar. 

Ainslie notices their use as an application to aphthe. In 
the Pharmacopwia of India, Dr. Waring mentions his having 
found six of the mature fruit an efficient and safe purgative, 
producing four or five copious stools, unattended by griping, 
nausea or other ill effects ; probably those used by him were 
not of the largest kind. Dr. Hové in his account of a visit to 
the Myrobalan Plantation at Bungar in the Concan in 1787, 
states that he found one fruit a sufficient purgative, though 


_ the manager of the plantation told him that two were generally 


used, Twining (Diseases of Bengal, Vol. I., p. 407,) speaks 
very favourably of the immature fruit (Halileh-i-zangi) as a 
tonic and aperient in enlargements of the abdominal viscera. 
We have found them a useful medicine in diarrhoea and dysen- 
tery, given in doses of a drachm twice a day. Recently, 

Apéry has brought to the notice of the profession 
in Europe the value of these black myrobalans in dysentery, 


-choleraic diarrhoea, and chronic diarrhoea ; he administers them 
in pills of 25 centigrams each, the dose being from 4 to 12 pills 


or even more in the 24 hours. (Journ. de Pharm. et de Chim. 
Feb. Ist, 1888.) Roxburgh states that the tender leaves, 
while scarce unfolded, are said to be punctured by an an insect, 
and its. eggs deposited therein, which by the extravasation of 
the sap, become enlarged into hollow galls of various shapes 
and sizes, but rarely exceeding an inch in diameter. They are 


powerfully astringent, and make as good ink as oak galls. 


They also yield the chintz painters on the coast of Coromandel 
their best and most durable yellow. They are called by the 
Tamils Kadu-cai-pu, and by the Telingas Aldicai, (Fl. Ind. 
Il., 435.) In the Pharmacopeia of India they are noticed on 
the authority of the Rev. J. Kearns of Tinnevelly as a valu- 


_ able astringent in diarrhea. The Himalayan tribes eat the a 
: seornels of sie L-appropeing; at — use the fruitas a os: for soré 
a = KL 


4 COMBRET ACE. 


Description—The mature myrobalan is of on ovoid form, 
from 1—1} inches long, sometimes tapering towards the lower 
extremity, obscurely 5 or 6-sided, more or less furrowed longi- 
tudinally, covered with a smooth yellowish brown epidermis, 
within which is an astringent pulp, enclosing a large rough 
bony, one-celled endocarp. : 

The unripe fruits are shrivelled, black, ovoid, brittle bodies, 
from } to $ ofan inch in length, having a shining fracture 
and an astringent taste ; on careful examination the rudiments 
of the nut may be distinguished. © 

Chemical composition —According to Stenhouse (1843), 
chebulic myrobalans contain about 45 per cent. tannin, also 
gallic acid, mucilage and a brownish yellow colouring matter. 
Hummel has obtained 31 per cent. of tannic acid, and Paul 
32°82, and 26°81 of gallotannic acid from two ordinary samples 
of the commercial article, but from a sample of inferior quality 
only 6°11 per cent. 

Herr Fridolin (1884) reported to. the Dorpat Naturforscher. 
‘Gesellschaft the isolation from chebulic myrobalans of a new 
organic acid, which he has named chebulinic acid, and considers 
to be probably the source of the gallic and tannic acids detect- 
ed by previous observers. He obtains it by saturating an 
aqueous solution of an alcoholic extract of the fruit with so- 


dium chloride, dissolving the matter that separates in water, — 


and shaking the solution with acetic ether, which takes up the 
chebulinic acid together with tannic acid. The residue after 
the evaporation of the ether is dissolved ina little water and 
allowed to stand for a few days, when the chebulinic acid crys- 
stallizes out in rhombic prisms. The acid, which is odourless 
and sweet, dissolves very readily in alcohol and hot water, not 
so freely in ether, and with great difficulty in cold water, the 
solutions having an acid reaction. In aqueous solution the 
chebulinic acid reduces Fehling’s solution, and in some of its 
reactions it closely resembles gallic acid, but differs from it in 

affording no colour reaction with potassium cyanide. 
Fridolin suggests as a formula 
composition, C29 H2+ Or9, 


Herr i 
; probably representing its — 
(C” H° 07?) When decomposed — 


COMBRETACE Zi. 5 


by heating an aqueous solution in a closed tube, chebulinic acid | 
takes up the elements of water, and the molecule is split up into 
two molecules of gallic acid and one-of tannic acid. Herr 
 Fridolin suggests the possibility of the existence in other 
instances of an organic compound splitting up into tannic and 
gallic acids. ; 

According to M. P. Apéry, black myrobalans contain an oleo- 
resin ofa green colour soluble in alcohol, ether, petroleum 
spirit and oil of turpentine; this oleo-resin, which has been 
named by him myrobalanin, is coloured red by nitric acid. 
(Journ. de Pharm, et de Chim., Feb. 1st, 1388.) 

Commerce.—See next article. Very large chebulic myro- 
balans are sold in the bazars as Sarvari or Sardari har, and 
often fetch a rupee each. Fictitious myrobalans of very large 
sizeare manufactured by glueing slices of the pulp upon a 
natural fruit. 


TERMINALIA BELERICA, 2ozd. 


; Fig.—Bedd. Fi. Sylv., t. 19; Wight Ic., t. 91 ; Theede 
’ Hort. Mal, iv., t. 10. Beleric myrobalan (Hng.), Myrobalan 
_ beléric(Fr.). 4 | 
Hab.—India. 
Vernacular.—Bahera, Bharla, Balra (Hind.), Bahera, Bohora 
( Beng.), Behada, Vahela (Mar.), Ténrik-kay, Thani (Tam.), 
Tandra-kéya (Tel.), Tari-kéyi (Ca i 


) History, Uses, &c.—tThis tree, in Sanskrit Vibhita 

_ and Vibhitaka (fearless), is avoided by the Hindus of North- 

ern India, who will not sit in its shade, as it is supposed to 

be inhabited by demons. Two varieties of T. belerica are found 

in India, one with nearly globular fruit. 3 to Zinch in diameter, 

the other with ovate and much larger fruit. ‘Uhe pulp of the fruit 
_ (Beleric myrobalan) is considered by Hindu physicians to be — 
astringent and laxative, and is prescribed with salt and. lo1 
Pepper in affections of the throat and chest. As a constituc 1 
of the triphala (three fruits), t.e., emblie, beleric and « 


6 COMBRETACE A. 


myrobalans, it isemployed in a great number of diseases,and the 
kernel is sometimes used as an external application to inflamed — 4g 
parts. On account of its medicinal properties the tree bear 
the Sanskrit synonym of Anila-ghnaka, or ‘‘ wind-killing.’ 
According to the Nighantés the kernels are narcotic 
Mahometan writers describe Balilaj (the beleric myrobalan) as 
astringent, tonic, digestive, attenuant, and aperient, and useful 
as an astringent application to the eyes. As long as the doc- 


sweet smelling. It is uncertain what this fruit was, but it 
_ appears to have been something similar to that of the Afri 
oil palm (Hleis guineensis), the outer fleshy coating of which. 
yields an oil of the consistence of butter, having a rather plea- 
sant violet-like odour when fresh. The later Greek physician 
apply the terms pvpo8adavos and pvpeyrxos to Indian myrobalans. 
YT’. belerica produces a quantity of gum of the Bassora type, 
which is collected and mixed with soluble gums for sale as 
country gum. 
Description.—The fruit of the smaller variety 
myrobalan is nearly globular, and suddenly narrowed into a 
bert stalk, it is from 4 to # inch in diameter, fleshy, covered — 
with a close fulvous tomentum ; the stone is hard and pentago- _ 
nal, and contains a sweet oily kernel, having three prominent 
ridges from base to apex. In the larger variety the fruit. is 
ovoid and about double the size, and the flowers have a power- 4 
ful stercoraceous odour exactly resembling that of the wood 
of Celtis reticwlosa in which W. A. Dunstan has demonstrated 
the presence of skatole. The gum is mostly in vermicula: 
pieces of a yellowish-brown colour ; in watet it forms a bul cy 
gelatinous mass of insipid taste, 
Chemical composition—The percentage of tannic Bae 

| these Lo appears to vary a Hummel c 


COMBEETACE. 7 


tained 17°4 per cent.; he remarks that the fruit consists of two 
distinct portions, an outer and inner; 100 parts contains 75°4 
per cent, outer, and 24°6 per cent. inner. ‘The inner portion 
only contains 1°25 per cent. of tannicacid. Paul obtained from 
two commercial samples of beleric myrobalans 5°03 and 6°70 
of gallotannic acid. (Watt., Selections from the Records of the 
Govt. of India, Vol. J., pp. 83 and 93.) We haveexamined the 
pulp of the smaller myrobalan removed from the shell enclosing 
_ the kernel, and the kernels separately, with the following 


POM RT ecco s eS Nene 


; results :— | 

3 Pulp. Kernel. 

Moisture 8:00 11°38 per cent. 

1 A cweswxing 4°28 4°38 _ 

j Petroleum ether extract... +12 29°82 i 

eer. OXGrACE {6 iics caaane 41 61 3 

4 Aleohoke 2 jf AA RAT EAD "61 s 
Aqueous ,, wa wavdttiaes 38°56 25:26 rr 


Pulp.—The moisture was determined by heating to 100° C. 
_ the finely powdered material. The ash contained no manganese. 
The petroleum ether extract consisted of greenish yellow oil. 
The ethereal extract contained colouring mattter, resins, a 
. trace’ of gallic acid, and oil. No alkaloid was present. 
‘The alcoholic extract was yellow, brittle, and highly astrin- 
gent. In warm water it was partly soluble. The aqueous 
_ solution gave the following tannin reactions : with ferric chloride 
 indigo-blue, changing to damson on the addition of ammonia ; 
: with lime water a light yellow precipitate, turning onsediadl 
__ blue on adding an excess ; with bichromate of potash a dirty 
_ reddish brown precipitate ; with bromine water no precipitate ; 
_ with sulphate of copper a slight precipitate ; on adding ammo- 
_ nia a dense nearly white precipitate, rapidly becoming yellow 
and then yellowish brown. No alkaloidal principle was detected. 
Kernels ——The moisture was determined first by exposure 
over sulphuric acid ina vacuum : and then at 100° C. The 
ash contained no manganese. 
The petroleum ether extract heathen of a pale yellow, thi 
nsoluble — c 


cf or 


8 COMBRETACE. 


standing no crystalline deposit was formed ; there was nothing 
specially noteworthy regarding its colour reactions. No alka- 
loidal principle was detected. The ethereal extract was whitish 
and oily ; in light petroleum ether *52 per cent. was soluble, 
which added to the petroleum ether extract, would increase 
the oil content of the kernels to 30°44 per cent. ; the resi- 
due insoluble in light petroleum ether amounted to ‘09 per 
cent., and did ‘not afford reactions for alkaloidal principles. 
Brannt states that the oil behaves in the same manner as 
mastic oil when obtained by expression, and he describes it as 
a green fluid oil, from which a white fat of the consistence of 
butter separates. 


es 1 We alsa Reels eH cad 


The alcoholic extract was whitish and partly soluble in hot 
water with acid reaction, tasteless; no alkaloid was detected. 


The aqueous extract did not reduce an alkaline copper solu- 3 
tion until after boiling with a dilute acid. The extract was _ 
specially examined for saponin with negative results. 

The powdered air-dried bark ofthe large variety of 7’. belerica 4 
contained 3°71 per cent of moisture, and 18°61 per cent of ash, 
in which no trace of manganese could be detected. 

With the exception of astringent matter, giving a brownish — 
coloration with ferric salts, nothing of special importance was — 
detected in either the bark or leaves—no alkaloids or glucosides _ 
were detected. An alcoholic extract, after separation of th 
alcohol, obtained from 10 grams of the bark injected into a — 
cat’s stomach, afforded the following symptoms :— 4 

Injected at 10-50 a. m. into a cat’s stomach which had fasted j 
for about 10 hours. 4 
11-15. Vomited twice. 
11-25. Solid motion. 
11-45, Vomited. 
No further symptoms were noted, and the following day the 
cat appeared to be in its normal condition. 
In the case of the leaves an alcoholic extract induced almo 
immediate vomiting without any other symptoms, 


ager a i I i aR 
= 


Bi a ed 


amapposed to be dead. ith difficulty he was made 


Veer 
. ee 


COMBRETACE®. "4 


Tu neither of the experiments was there heaviness, inability 
to move, or any symptoms of intoxication noticed. 


- Toxicology.—Roxburgh and Graham notice the popular belief 
that certain trees of T. belertca bear fruit the kernels of which 
have intoxicating properties ; these trees are said by some to 
be always those of the large fruited variety. Native evidence 
on this point is conflicting, some people say that they have 
eaten both kinds of the seeds freely without experiencing any 
narcotic effects, but that when water is taken after eating them 
giddiness and a sense of intoxication is experienced, If 
vomiting occurs these symptoms soon pass off. There is no 
doubt that children often spend many hours under these trees 
eating the seeds, and it is quite possible that severe attacks of 
indigestion may follow such excesses. 

The only cases of poisoning by the Bahira have been record- 
ed by Mr. Raddock, Sub-Assistant Surgeon in charge of the - 
Malwa BheelCorps. Three boys, from five to nine years of age, 
picked up and ate some of the dry nuts near the house of a 
Chamar, who had breught them from the jungles for the pur- 
pose of colouring leather. Two of these boys, became drowsy, 
complained of headache and sickness at stomach, and vomited 
freely a thick white frothy mucus The third, a rather weakly 
Loy of seven, was first seen by Mr. Raddock on the following 
morning. He was in his father’s lap, and appeared as if asleep ; 
the legs and arms were relaxed and bent; eyes closed, breath- 
ing soft. There was total insensibility; and shaking and call- 
ing did not make him stir in the least, or answer. The pulse 
was scarcely perceptible, action of the heart frequent and weak. 
Body of natural warmth, legs cold, eyes rather glistening, 
pupils fixed, neither contracted nor dilated, jaws closed, and only 
to be opened by much force. ‘This child had eaten the largest 
quantity of kernels—between 20 and 30, At the time, or sub- 
sequently, nothing was complained of. He played all day and 


at night before going to bed; went to sleep, and was not noticed 


until next morning, when he was found insensible, and was © 
te vo 


IL-2 


10 co ACE 


three or four times, the eyes opened with a heavy dull expres- s 
sion, and closed again; though he relapsed his condition was 
now improved, the insensibility was not so deep, and his hand — 
was moved to his throat. Small quantities of strong black 
tea were administered. About 10a. m. he became sensible, : 
opened his eyes, and answered, when spoken to; towards the - 
afternoon he walked abont and improved greatly. At 5 in the : 
evening he was sensible but drowsy, pulse small and rapid, . 
complained of being giddy, had vomited twice since morning, ; 
with relief to the symptoms. His recovery was speedy, Mr. 
. Raddock justly infers from these cases that the Bahira is a 
mild narcotic poison. In the last mentioned case he is con- 
vinced that it wouid have proved fatal had the stomach-pump 
not been used, or had emetics failed. He adds that, in two of 
the boys who ate about the same quantity, no effects were pre 
duced till about eight hours after, and the poison was got ri 
of by vomiting. In the third, who ate the most, no effects 
were produced in 12 hours; at least no vomiting resulted, an 
during sleep, insensibility came on, 


epee 0 


SA ee ae 


myrobalan (avola), so that it is possible that an accident. 
might occur from the use of spirit so drugged. 
~ Royle and Birdwood merely say that the seeds of the Termé. 
nalia belerica are eaten as nuts. O’Shaughnessy, however, 
adds that they “are deemed intoxicating.” (Chevers.) ‘ 
As regards the seeds eaten in moderation, 
lead to the conclusion that they are perfectly 
us has eaten kernels without any ill effect 
experiments we injected into a cat’ 
extract from 9 grams of the kernels 
another experiment we mixed 13-2 grams of kernels, equal t 
about 35—40 kernels, reduced to a fine pulp, with about 30 
grams of raw meat, also pulped : this mixture was readily eate: 
at 11°5 a. m. by a cat which had been fasting for many hours 


our experiments _ 
harmless; one of — 
8s. In one of our’ 
8 stomach an alcoholic © 
with negative results, In 4 


COMBRETACE. IL 


when the laboratory was closed at 4 p. m. the cat appeared in 
its usual condition, no symptoms having been induced, and on 
the following morning it appeared to be perfectly well. We 
learn that Jogis consider that one kernel eaten daily increases 
the appetite for sexual indulgence. Our experiments appear 
to be fairly conclusive that these kernels do not possess any 
toxic properties. 

Commerce.— Myrobalans are one of the principal forest pro- 
ducts of India; they are collected in large quantities on Govern- 
ment account, and yearly auctions are held by the Forest Con- 
servancy Department. Both chebulic and beleric myrobalans 
are largely exported for tanning and dyeing. The exports 
from the whole of India were :—In 1885-86, 706,000 cwts., 
valued at 30 lakhs of rupees ; in 1886-87, 597,000 ewts., valued 
at 23 lakhs of rupees; in 1887-88, 678,000 cwts., valued at 25 
lakhs of rupees. 


TERMINALIA ARJUNA, Beda. 
Fig.—-Fl. Syl., t. 28; D C. Mem. Combr. t. 2. 
Hab.—Deccan, Ceylon, North-West Provinces. The bark. 
_ _Vernacular.—Kahu, Arjun (Hind.), Vellai-maruda-maram 
_ (Tam.), Tella-maddi-chettu (Zel.), Arjun, Sh4rdul, Pinjal 
(Mar.), Arjun ( Beng.), Tora-billi-matti (Can.). 
History, Uses, &c.—This tree is the Arjuna and 
4 Kukubha of Chakradatta, who describes it as tonic, astringent, 
_ and cooling, and prescribes it in heart disease and for those pur= 
_ poses for which astringents are generally applied. He recom- 
mends it to be given in milk, treacle or water when used 
internally, or as a ghrita (medicinal butter) made with the = 
_ decoction and powder of the bark. a 


1» Bio tigi ike pia ted aa 


12. COMBRETACEE. 


extraordinarily large proportion of calcium carbonate. Exter- 
nally it is used in the form of an astringent wash to ulcers. 

Description.—The bark is generally sold in short half 
quills, frcm } to 2 of an inch thick, and several inches long 5 
it has a pinkish colour, which is seen through the thin grey ~ 
epidermis ; its substance is fibrous and gritty under the teeth ; 
it breaks with a short fracture, the internal surface being 
of a lighter colour and finely striated. The taste is agreeably 
astringent. The bark when magnified shows remarkably 
large cells in the medullary rays, and numerous large stone 
cells of a bright yellow colour contrast strikingly with the — 
pinkish tinge of the other structures. It contains much crys- 
talline matter. 


Chemical composition.—This is most remarkable, the ash 
amounts to 84 per cent. of almost pure calcium carbonate, — 
which if calculated into oxalate would amount to 43°5 per 
cent, The watery extract is 23 per cent. with 16 per cent. 
of tannin; very little colouring matter besides the tannin is 
extracted by alcohol. The tannin gave a blue-black precipitate 
with ferric salts. : Te 


ANOGEISSUS LATIFOLIA, Wall. 
Fig.—Bedd. Fl. Sylv., t. 15; Royle Ill., t. 45; Wight Ie., t. 


Hab.—Himalayas to Ceylon. The gum and leaves. 
_ Syn.—Conocarpus latifolia. 

Vernacular.—Dhéoya, Dhaura, Dhava, Bakla (Hind.), Davda 
(Que. ., Mar.), Vallai-naga, Vakkali (Z'am.), Chiriman, Yella- 2 
maddi (Tel.), Dinduga (Can.). a 

History, Uses, &c.—A large and very common tree j 
called in Sanskrit Dhava, Dhavala, Madhura-tvacha and Vaka-_ 
vriksha, or “crane tree,’ on account of the resemblance of 
its fruit to the head of a crane (vaka). The wood is ha: 
but not durable ; it affords a good fuel and excellent chare 
The tree is remarkable for the large amount of gum | 


COMBRETACEAE. 13 


flows from it, whence the Sanskrit name Dhava, from yj, to 
_ flow. The gum has a great reputation in India among calico- 
a printers for use with certain dye-stuffs, such as turmeric. The 
leaves are used in most parts of the country for tanning. 


Description.—Leaves short petioled, ovate, generally 
emarginate, entire, smooth, from one to four inches long, and 
from one and a half to two broad. Taste very astringent. 
In the variety villosa the leaves are rusty villose on both 
surfaces, and in the variety parvifolia they are very small and 
_ silky pubescent. For a description of the gum the reader is 

referred to the article upon the Substitutes for Gum Acacia, 

Vol. L, p. 544. 

Chemical composition.—The leaves have been examined by 
‘ Hummel, who obtained from them a pale yellow decoction, and 
15:5 per cent. of tannic acid. (Watt, Selections from the 
Records of the Govt. of India Vol. I., p. 93.) iyon, who has 
also examined them, obtained a similar result. 


QUISQUALIS INDICA, Linn. 
. Fig.—Lam. Iil., t. 857; Wiyht Ill., t. 92; Bot. Reg. N. 
_ §. XXX.,t 15. Rangoon creeper (Eng.), Liane vermifuge 
P(Fr.). , 
Hab.—Malaya. India, cultivated. The seeds. 
Vernacular.—Rangun-ki-bel( Hind. ), Vilayati-chameli(Mar.), 
 Trangun-malli (Tam.), Rangunu-malle-chettu (Tel.), 


roe 


| History, Uses, &c.—In the Moluccas the seeds have 
_ long been held in repute as an anthelmintic, and in 1853 they 
were brought forward by Dr. Oxley and Mr. Gordon of Singa- 
pore. (Calcutta Med. and Phys. Trans., vii., p. 488.) The 
_ testimony adduced in their favour by these authorities is strong, — 
and is to the effect that in cases of lwmbrici, four or five of 
these seeds, bruised and given in electuary with houey or jam, 
4 suffice for the expulsion of the entozoa in children. . puton é 
(Med. Plants of Mauritius, p. 58), who gives Liane v if 


14 COMBRETACEZL. 


as the name of the shrub in the Mauritius, states that if more 
than four or five seeds are given they are apt, in some — 
constitutions, to cause spasm and other ill effects. (Pharm. of 
India.) Loureiro states that the leaves are astringent. 
plant is cultivated as a flowering shrab in most parts of India, 
but except in the Southern Provinces it very seldom ripens its 
fruit, and its medicinal properties are consequently unknown 
in most parts of the country. 

Description.—The fruits are about an inch in length, 
oval or oblong, pointed at either extremity, and sharply pen- — 
tagonal ; they dehisce from the apex. The woody pericarp is — 


=r 
“a 


nally, (ig. in Hanbury’s Science Papers, p. 232.) 
Shemecal composition. —Quisqualis fruits consist of 41 parts 


ed by ether amounts to 15 per cent. ; :% is of a yellow colours 
peculiar odour, and has a specific gravity of 9169. It yield 
on saponification 94°7 per cent. of fatty acids melting at 43° 
The oil with sulphuric acid passes from a reddish-brown col 
through red and green to purple. The alcoholic extract, af 
removal of the oil, is intensely sweet owing to the presence 0 
an amorphous fermentable sugar similar to levulose th 
solution in water acidified with acetic acid and s 

ether affords on evaporation of the ether a crystalline residue, — 
soluble in sulphuric acid without colour, striking an orange j 


tates with the alkaloidal reagents. The drug now treated with 3 
water yields a deep reddish brown colouring matter of the 
nature of an organic acid. It darkens slightly with iron — 
salts, gives no precipitate with gelatine, and is wholly removed — 


evaporated. The bebavions of the extract points to 2 


COMBRETACEZ. 15 


presence of cathartic acid, or an analogous acid of the amidic 
series. ‘The seeds afford 7 per cent. of an alkaline deliquescent 
ash. 


CALYCOPTERIS FLORIBUNDA, Lam. 
Fig.—Roab. Cor. Pl., t. 87. 


Hab.—Western India, Assam. The leaves, root, ‘ata 
fruit. 

Vernacular.—Bandi-murududu (Tel.), Baguli, Ukshi (Mar.}, 
Kokoranj, (Hind.), Marsada, Baguli (Can.). 


History, Uses, &c.—This is a dense climbing shrub, 
The Marathi name Ukshi is evidently derived from the Sanskrit 
ga, to sprinkle or moisten, as plants loving shade and moisture, 
such as Naregamia alata, flourish beneath it. The leaves are 
bitter and astringent, and are chewed by the natives and the 
juice swallowed as a remedy for colic. The root ground toa 
_ paste with that of Croton oblongifolium is applied to bites of the 
‘ Phoorsa snake (Hchis carinata). In pandurog (jaundice) ukshi 
fruit and various spices, of each one part, are made into a 
4 comrenee powder, of which the dose is two massas. 

The fruit, with the root of Grewia pilosa, Lam., is rubbed 
a Fito a paste with honey and applied to ulcers. 


. Description.—Leaves opposite, shortly petioled, ellipti¢ 
/ or ovate, acuminate, entire. On the upper surface are thinly 


x) scattered long hairs which are most abundant at the edges; 


_ the under surface is rusty tomentose, the tomentum being 
_ collected in little tufts giving rise to a dotted appearance in 


; _ the fully mature leaf; taste very astringent and somewhat 
bitter. The fruit is about } inch in length, ovoid, 5-ribbed, 
) villous, 1-seeded, and is surmounted by the enlarged calyx; 


_ cotyledons conyolute. 
Chemical composition—The leaves assayed by Léwenthal’s 
_ permanganate and gelatine process yield 6°86 per combo 
_ tannin, expressed in pei of alessio acid using Ne 
hener’s — 3 Se ae 


16 COMBRETACEZ. 


The plants of minor importance belonging to this Order, 
which are sometimes used medicinally, are:— 


Terminalia tomentosa, Bedd. Fl. Sylv., t. 17, and 
its variety, T. glabra, Vern.—Asan (Hind.), Ain (Mar.), Kur- 
rupu-maruta-maram (Tam.), Piasal (Beng.), Nalla-maddi- — 
chettu (Tel.), Tembavu (Mal.), trees common in most parts of 

‘India, have an astringent bark which is used for tanning, and 
has been recommended for medicinal use by Dr. Al. Ross. 
Powdered and mixed with oil it is used for aphthe. The ash of 
the bark contains much potash and is eaten by the natives, and 
the leaves are used for manuring rice fields. (Bourdillon.) 
Paul found 5°97 per cent. of tannin in the bark, and Hummel 
40 per cent. We find that the bark of the variety glabra 
contains moisture 9°59, ash 14°94, and tannin 7°2 per cent. 
"Phe alcoholic extract contained 13°9 per cent. of tannin and 
colouring matters precipitated by lead. The tannin gave @ 
blue-black precipitate with ferric salts. 

The flowers of Terminalia paniculata, Roth. Bedd. — 
Fl. Sylw., t. 20, Maruthu (Tam., Mal.), a tree of Malabar, the — 
Nilgiris and Coorg, are used medicinally by the country people, 
pounded with the root of Cissampelos Paretra, as a remedy in 
cholera. The juice of the flowers along with that of Guava 
bark is administered as an antidote in poisoning by opium. If 
the flowers are not obtainable the bark may be used. Th 
juice of the flowers or bark, with melted butter and rock salt, 
is applied externally in parotitis. The Marathi name for thi 
tree is Kinjal, the Tamils call it Maruthu and Vella-maruthu o 
Ola-maruthu. 


vay 


Terminalia Catappa, lann., Bot. Mag. 3004; Bedd 
Fl. Sylw., t. 18, the Catappa of the Malays, is now cultivate 
all over India, and is known as the almond tree (Badam) to 
both natives and Europeans. The fruit is an oval, compressed 
smooth drupe, with two elevated grooved margins; it is about 
2 inches long and of a dull purple colour when ripe, the pul a 
being bright purple. The nut is rough, hard and thick, and 


j MYRVACE. 17 
3 


the kernel which is about half the size of an almond and 
nearly cylindrical, is iv common use in Bengal, amongst Huro- 
peans under the name of “leaf nut.’ According to Brannt the 
almonds contain 28 per cent. of oil, which excels almond oil as 
regards flavour and mildness, and has the further advantage 
of keeping well. It is of a pale yellowish colour and entirely 
- _ inodorous. Its specific gravity is 918 at 15° C., and it is com- 
__ posed chiefly of stearin and olein, the stearin separating at 
5° C. The bark is astringent, and has been recommended for 
internal administration in the form of decection asa remedy 
for gonorrhcea and leucorrhcea. (Pharm. de St. Dominque.) 
The tree yields a gum of the Bassora type. 


MYRTACE. 


BARRINGTONIA ACUTANGULA, Gartn. 


Fig.—Bedd. Fl. Sylv., t. 204. The fruit, Gartn. Fruct. it., 
4 97, te 101. i 


Hab.— Throughout India. The seeds. 


Vernacular.—Hijjal, Samandar-phal (Hind., Beng.), Samudar- 
| phal (Guz.), Samutra-pullam,. Kadapum (Tam.), Kadamik, 
| Kanapa (Tel.), Pivar, Séthphal, Dh&triphal, Ingli (Mar. Can.). 


’ History, Uses, &c.—This is an evergreen tree of 
] q moderate size, called by Sanskrit writers Hija or Hijjala. The 
) fruit is spoken of as Samudra-phala and Dhdtriphala or 
_ “nurse’s fruit,” and is one of the best known domestic remedies, 
F When children suffer from a cold in the chest, the seed is rub- 
| _ bed down on a stone with water and applied over the sternum, 
and if there is much dyspnoea a few grains with or without the — . : 
_ juice of fresh ginger are administered internally and seldom _ 
_ fail to induce vomiting and the expulsion of mucus from the 
‘passages. To reduce the enlarged abdomen of chi 


18 MYRTACEAE. 


is given in doses of from 2.to 8 grainsin milk. Rumphius 
states that the roots are used to kill fish, and this use of the 
bark is known in most parts of India. The fish are said to be 
not unwholesome. 


B. racemosa, Blume, has similar properties, the bark, 
root and seed being bitter. Ainslie states that in Java and in 
Ternate the seeds are used for intoxicating fish. The powdered 
seeds of these plants induces sneezing. 


_ Description.— The dry seeds as met with in the shops 
resemble a nutmeg in size and shape; externally they are 
somewhat rough, brown, and marked with longitudinal striz ; 
internally horny, hard and brittle when dry, but easily soft- 
ened by immersion in water ; the bulk of the seed consists of 
starch. Taste sweet at first, afterwards bitter and nauscous. 


Chemical composition.—The active principle of these seeds 
appears to reside in a body allied tosaponin. The aqueous solu- — 
tion forms a stable froth when shaken, and tastes at first sweet and q 
afterwards bitter and acrid. This solution precipitated with — 
barium hydrate, the precipitate collected, dissolved in hydro- — 
chloric acid, the barium removed as sulphate, and the clear liquor 
boiled, threw out an insoluble substance related to sapogenin, — 
and the filtrate gave the reactions for glucose. The aqueous — 
extract gave an immediate precipitate of a proteid nature witl 
acids, which, dissolving to some extent when heated and sepa- 


as saponin. Rectified spirit dissolved 24 per cent. of extract 
containing gallic acid, sugar and some saponin ; and the subse- 
quent treatment with water removed more saponin together 
with gum and proteids, The remaining principles that could 
be identified were a fat, caoutchouc, a very large quantity of 
- starch and cellulose, the ash consisting of alkaline and delique: 
cent salts, if 


MYRTACEZA. 19 


CAREYA ARBOREA, Rozb. 


) Fig.—Rowb. Cor. Pl. iié., 14, t. 218; Wight Ill., 99, 100; 
_. Bedd. Fl. Sylv., t. 205. Pera brava (Port. ), Wild Guave. 
— (Eng.). 

Hab -—Throughout India. 

Vernacular.—Kumbhi (Hind., Beng.), Kumbha (Mar., Gut. ‘' 
Putai-tanni-maram, Arjama (J'am.), Kumbhia, Gonju (Can.), 
Kumbhi, Dudippi, Gavuldu ray Pern (Mal.). The dried 
calices, Vékumbha (Guz.), Bakumbka (Beng.). 


History, Uses, &c.—0. arborea is a large deciduous 
_ tree, the leaves of which turn red in the cold season. Itis 
_ the Kumbhi of Sanskrit writers, and appears to have been so 
_ named on account of the hollow on the top of the fruit giving 
it somewhat the appearance of a water-pot. The bark of the 
_ tree and the calices of the flowers are well known Indian 
4 remedies, and are valued on account of their astringent and 
 mucilaginous properties, being administered internally in 
coughs and colds and applied externally as an embrocation.’ 
| Rheede (Hort. Mal. iii., 36,) states that wild pigs are very 
_ fond of the bark, and that it is used by hunters to attract 
Z them. An astringent gum exudes from the fruit and stem, 
_ and the bark is made into coarse cordage. (Bourdillon.) 
, The Tamil name Puta-tanni-maram signifies “ water-bark-tree,” 
in allusion to the exudation trickling down the bark in dry 
j weather. 


Bes 


Description -—Calyx ? to 1 inch, terete, campanulate, 
4 obscurely pubescent, lobes ovate, obtuse, ovules in two rows 
. in each cell of the ovary. Fruit 24 by 2 inches, globose, sur- 
q “mounted by an enlarged mouth having a depressed pit at the 
vertex within the calyx teeth. Bark thick, fibrous, externally 


abounds with thick mucilage, 


Chemical com position.—The thick red bark from old | sees e! 
ontain ee eee a blue-black | 


_ash-coloured, internally reddish when dry, the whole ane. — 


20 : MYRTACEZL, 


iron salts and containing 29 per cent of Pb O in its lead salt. 
The tannin was ina free state. The bark left 10°6 per cent: — 
of carbonated ash from the reduced calcium oxalate which 4 
occurred in large simple crystals in the liber. 


CARYOPHYLLUS AROMATICUS, Linn. 


Fig.—Bentl. and Trim., t. 112. Clove tree (Eng.), Giro- 
- flier aromatique (I’r.). 


Hab.—Moluccas, cultivated elsewhere. The flower buds 
and fruit. 


Vernacular.—Laung (MHind.), Lavanga (Mar., Can.), Long 
(Beng.), Lavang (Guz.), Lavangdlu, Lavanga-pu (Tel.), Ki 
_ rambu, [lavangap-pu, er (Tam. ). The fruit, N orl 
(Ind. Bazar). 


History, Uses, &c.—The clove tree is said to be i 
digenous only in the five small islands, which constitute 
Moluccas proper, viz., Tarnati, Tidori, Mortir, Makiyan an 
Bachian. It was afterwards introduced into other neighbour 
ing islands, where it is now cultivated, and ata later” : 


order that their breath might have an agreeable odour. (Pharm 
éographia.) It is difficult to say when they were first intre 
duced into India, but they are mentioned by Charaka, who 
considered to be the oldest Sanskrit medical writer, under the 
name of Lavanga, a name which, with various modifications, is 3 
applied to cloves all over India. They are regarded by Sans 
krit writers as light, cooling, stomachic, digestive and u 
in thirst, vomiting, Ralcdaaiess colic, &c., and are pres¢ 
with other spices and with rock salt. (Dutt’s Hindu Mat 
Medica.) A paste of cloyes is applied to the forehead and 


MYRTACEZ. 21 


as a remedy for colds. A clove roasted in the flame of a 
lamp and held in the mouth is a popular remedy for sore 
throat. ‘The early Arabian writers call them Karanfal, a 
name evidently derived from the Indian languages of the 
Malabar Coast, Ceylon, and the Straits*; this name appears 
to us to have been the source from whence the Greeks have 
derived the name xapvopvdAov which we meet with in Galen and 
Pliny; the latter writer speaks of Caryophyllon as resembling 
pepper but longer and more brittle and imported forthe sake of 
itsodour. We do not think it possible thata spice in such ” 
common use in the Hast can have escaped their notice. 
Paulus describes cloves as the flowers of a tree, and Kxapqroeidy 
(like a nail). Myrepsicus in a prescription calls mother 
cloves yapeépaXdov ro péya To Neydpevov map “IraXots avGopadov, In the 
debased Greek of the later Greek physicians, the name 
takes various forms more nearly corresponding to the Arabic. 
Later Arabian and Persian authors of treatises on Materia 
Medica describe cloves as the fruit of a tree growing in 
Java or Batavia, a territory belonging to the Dutch Chris- 
tians. In the Makhzan-el-Adwiya, a work written about one 
hundred years ago, it is distinctly stated that they are only 
_ produced in the Dutch possessions, and that they are of two- 
_ kinds, male and female. The fruit of the clove is called Nar- 
laung (male clove) in India, a strange mistake but a common 

one among Asiatics, who argue that the seed-bearing organ or 
plant must be the male. Mahometan writers describe cloves 
as hot and dry, and consider them to be alexipharmic and 
cephalic, whether taken internally or applied externally ; they 
_ also recommend them for strengthening the gums and per- 
a fuming the breath, and on account of their pectoral, cardiacal, — 
tonic, and digestive qualities. They have a curious supersti- 
tion to the effect that one male clove eaten daily will prevent 
conception. On the other hand, they tell us that the saliva 
after Cloves have been chewed, if applied to the orifice of the : 
male urethra before connection, increases the sexual orgasm 

in both parties. In modern medicine cloves are used as a 
> * Kirambu, Tamil; Karaémpu, Malay; Karambu, Cingalese 


4 
5 


4 


| 


eee MYRTACEAE. 


carminative and stimulant ; to relieve irritation of the throa’ 
accompanied by racking cough, and to deaden the pain 
toothache. 


Description.—The flowers of the Clove grow in cymes 
lection as witnessed by one of us at Zanzibar is by hand, eac 


clove is about two-thirds of an inch long, and consists of th 
calyx-tube, which divides above into four pointed spreadi 
- sepals, surmounted by a globular bud, consisting of 4 pe 
and enclosing a number of stamens. All parts of the cl 
abound iu oil cells. If of good quality it should be plump, 
a rich brown colour, and the oil should exude upon pressur 
being made with the finger nail ;the taste should be aroma 
and very pungent. 
Mother cloves, called in India Narlaung (male cloves), a 
ovate-oblong berries about an inch long, and contain two da 
brown oblong cotyledons which abound in starch; they h 
the odour of cloves, but contain much less essential oil. 
Clove stalks, in Guzerathi Vikunia, are oo Dont 
India for re-export to Europe. : 
‘The oil of cloves of the Indian bazars is made ey steeping 


cloves in sweet oil. No — oil is manufactured in the 
country. 


Chemical composition.—Oleum Caryophylli, whick is t 
most important constituent of cloves, is obtainable to the 
extent of 16 to 20 per cent. But to extract the whole, the 

_. distillation must be long continued, the water being returned 
to the same material. 


The oil is a colourless or yellowish liquid with a powe 
odour and taste of cloves ; sp. gr. 1:046 to 1-058. Itisam 
of a terpene and an oxygenated oil call 


ed Hugenol, i in) 


MYRTACE LZ. 23 


‘proportions. According to Schimmel & Co., the genuine oil of 
ves has a specific gravity of 1:067, and the oil of clove stalks 
specific gravity of 1:060 to 1:063. The former, which is 
med light oil of cloves, and comes over in the first period 
f the distillation, has the composition C? °H**, a specific gravity 
f 0-918, and boils at 254° C. Vapour density 7-7. It deviates 
the plane of polarization slightly to the left, and is not coloured 
on the addition of ferric chloride ; it is converted by Br into 
_ CS H22 (250°—260°). (Beckett and Wright Journ. Chem. Soc. 
29,1.) Eugenol has a specific gravity of about 1:080 at 0° C., 
and possesses the taste and odour of cloves. Its boiling point 
s 252° (Church), vapour density 64. Eugenol, C!°H'202, 
devoid of rotatory power, it belongs to the phenol class, and 
as been met with in the oils of pimento, bay, canella, cinnamon, 
According to G. Laube and H. Aldendorff, the percentage 


£37: 72, cellulose 10°56, ash 4°84. The dried spice yielded 
. Rtrogon 1:15, volatile oil and fat 27-72. A principle called 
caryophyllin, which occurs in silky needles in stellate groups, 
been isolated from cloves ; by the action of nitric acid it is 
verted into caryophyllic acid. (Watts, Dict. Chem., 2nd Ed.) 
Commerce—The imports of cloves into India in 1884-85 
ere 4,791,006 lbs., valued at Rs. 11,09,841, all from the east 
oast of Africa and Zanzibar. Of this quantity 4,598,419 Ibs. 
ame to Bombay. During the same year Bombay re-exported 
618,465 lbs., of which 1,112,224 lbs. went to the United King-° 
dom, and 473,799 lbs. to China and the Straits. 


MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON, Linn. 
Fig.—Bentl. and Trim., t. 108. 

_ Hab.—Indian Archipelago, Malay Peninsula. The essen- 
tial oil. : 
q Vernacular: -—Kayaputi-ka-tel (Hind.), Kaiyoppudl om i 
7 Tam.), Kayaputi-tail (Beng.), Kayputi-nu-tel (Guz.), Kayaputi- 


‘ 


24 MYRTACER. 


History, Uses, &c.—This oil appears to have been firs 
prepared as an article of commerce by the Dutch about 172’ 


account of their aromatic properties ; this led to their distilla 
tion, and Rumphius relates how the oil was obtained in ve! 
small quantities, and was regarded as a powerful sudorific. 


the present century, about the time when it first became 
article of commerce in England. The island of Bouro in 
Molucca Sea is stated by Bickmore, an American trave 
who passed some time there, to produce about 8,000 bottle 
annually ; but from the trade returns of the Straits Settle 
ments it appears that the largest quantity is shipped fr 
Celebes. (Pharmacographia.) The oilis much used in India 


psoriasis, eczema and acne so common in India. 
__ Deseription.—Cajuput oil varies in colour from yel 
green to bluish green; it is a transparent mobile flu itl 
an agreeable camphoraceous odour, and bitter aromatic taste 
sp. gr. 0°926, it remains liquid at 18° C., and deviates the ray 
of polarized light to the left. a 
Chemical composition.—The researches of Schmidt and oth eI 
chemists have shown that caj uput oil consists chiefly of hydrate 
of cajuputal or cineol, C'°H'®0, which may be obtained from 
the crude oil by fractional distillation at 174° C. If itis 
peatedly distilled from P?O* it is converted into terpe 
Cineol, a liquid smelling like camphor, is the chief constit 
of Ol. Cinw and Ol. Cajuputi; it occurs 
(Weber.) For its reactions and chemical composition 
reader is referred to Watt’s Dict. of Chem, by Morley 


MYRTACEZ. 95 


Muir (ii. 187), R. Voiry (Chem. News, June 15th 1888, 
p. 241,) states that on fractional distillation cajuput oil yields a 
terpilenol, which has no action on polarized light. He further 
obtained acetic, butyric and valerianic po: mixed with a _ 
carbide boiling at 160° in a vacuum. 

The green tint of the oil is due to copper, a minute propor: 
_ tion of which metal is usually present in all that is imported. 
It may be made evident by agitating the oil with very dilute 
_ hydrochloric acid. To the acid, after it has been put into a 
platinum capsule, a little zinc should be added, when the copper 
a will be immediately deposited on the platinum. The liquid 
- may be then poured off, and the copper dissolved and tested. 
_ When the oil is rectified, it is obtained colourless, but it readily 
_ becomes green if in contact fora short time with metallic 
copper. 
| Commerce.—The oil is imported into India from Singapore 
_ in large quantities packed in common black quart bottles. 
From the official trade reports of the latter port it appears that 
India is the chief market for this article. Average value, 
sour iE Ep bottle. eee 


EUGENIA JAMBOLANA, Lam. 

Fig.— Wight Ic., t. 585 ; Bedd. Fl. Sylv. 4., t. 197, 
Hab.—India. The fruit, leaves, seeds and bark. E 

P Vernacular.—Jémun (Hind.), Kalajam (Beng.), J&mbia 
_ (Mar.), Navel (Tam.), Jambiido (Guz.), Neredi (Tel.), Nevale 
| (Can.). 


_ dant crop of subacid edible fruit, during the hot weather, is com- 
— mon all over the country. In some places the fruit attains the 
of a pigeon’s egg, and is of superior quality. In Guzerai 
large kind i is called i tag amaae: iso 8 has num 

a n loud- yt 


skrit, itisecalled 


1). acohabie isan Pr ieniele ‘th ck. 


History, Uses, &c.—This tree, which yields an abun- 


26 MYRTACEZ. 


phala (king’s-fruit), &c. According to the Dirghama-Sutraitis 
one of the four colossal mythic trees which mark the four cardinal _ 
points, standing to the south of Mount Méru ; four great rivers 
rise at its foot. The Vishnupurana states that the continent of 
Jambudvipa takes its name from this tree. Ibn Batuta, who — 
visited India in 1332, mentions w»+> (Jamin) as one of the 
fruits of Delhi. A vinegar prepared from the juice of the ripe — 
fruit is an agreeable stomachic and carminative ; it is also used 
as a diuretic. A sort of spirituous liquor, called Jémb4va, 1s 
described in recent Sanskrit works as prepared by distillation 
from the juice. The bark is astringent, and is used, alone or 
in combination with other medicines of its class, in the prepa- 
ration of astringent decoctions, gargles and washes. The fresh 
juice of the bark is given with goat’s milk in the diarrhm@a of 
children. (Chakradatta.) The expressed juice of the leaves 
s used alone or in combination with other astringents in dysen- 
tery, as for example in the following prescription :—Take of | 
the fresh juice of the leaves of B. Jambolana and the Mango 
aboata drachm each, Emblic myrobalans a drachm, and admin- | 
ister with goat’s milk and honey. (Bhavaprakasa.) a : 
The author of the Makhzan notices the Jamin at conside — 
able length; after describing the tree, he says that the fruit is 
a useful astringent in bilious diarrhoea, and makes a good 
-gargle for sore throat or lotion for ringworm of the head. The 
root and seeds, he observes, are useful astringents, also the 
leaves. He tells us that a kind of wine is made from the fruit, 
and that the juice of the leaves dissolves iron filings, or, as lie 
expresses it, reduces them to so light a condition that 
float upon the surface of the liquid as a scum. 


A wine and syrup of the fruit has been shown to us by Mr. M 
C. Pereira of Bombay; they much resemble in flavour pene 
preparations made with red currants, and a 
stomachic and astringent properties, 


‘MYRTACEZ. 37 


, 
3 


Dri ©. Graeser, of Bonn, has published in the Centralblait 
fiir Klinische Medicina highly-interesting account of a series of 
experiments with the extract of the fruit of Syzygium Jambola- 
num on dogs, which had previously been made diabetic by the 
administration of phloridzin. 

Dr. Graeser thought that the best way of studying the phy- — 
siological and therapeutic action of the new drug was to admin- 
ister it to dogs which had artificially been made diabetic by a 
method introduced by V. Mehring, who found that artificial 
diabetes can at any moment be produced in dogs by the admin- 
istration of phloridzin. 

A young dog of 2,700 to 4,800 grammes body weight, to 
which 2°5 to 4°8 grammes of phloridzin (1 gramme to 1 kilo 
body weight) have been given, in the course of a day will show 
an excretion of sugar, lasting for twenty-four tc thirty hours, 
and amounting to 5°89 to 12-45 grammes. Graeser first gave 

_ the daily dose of phloridzin, but later on he split the quantity 

into doses of 1 gramme, given every two to three hours. In 

both cases the excretion of sugar was the same. Diarrhoea 
was caused by phloridzin in three cases. After “Graeser had 
experimented for some time with phloridzin alone he began to 
| administer simultancously phloridzin and extract of Syzygium 

_ Jambolanum. The latter was given before, along with, or after 

phloridzin, and invariably had the effect of reducing the 

expected excretion of sugar most considerably. This reduction 

_ amounted to at least half, in some cases even to nine-tenths, of 

_ the quantity of sugar which would have resulted had phloridzin 

' alone been given. At the same time the duration of the dia- 

_ betes was shortened. Dogs, which under phloridzin alone had 

_ excreted 5:89 to 12°45 grammes of sugar, showed under the 

_ jambul treatment a maximum excretion of 2:906 grammes of — 

_ Sagar, and a minimum excretion of 1-5 gramme. 


_ 4As jambul showed such a powerful effect on the avtificialtysd ay 
_ produced diabetes, it may be anticipated that when given ab) 
_ the proper time and ina dena dose it will —— patie ae 
: excretion of sugar, ; 


28 MYRTACEA!. 


It is not yet known how jambul given in large doses acts on 
the pathological diabetes mellitus of man. But it is well worth 
trying. The experiments on man are all the more justified as 
no ill effect has ever yet been produced by the new drug. 4 
_ favourable effect of such experiments would prove that phlorid 
zin diabetes and pathological diabetes are of a similar nature. 


In all the animals on which Graeser experimented no signs 
of any secondary effects of jambul extract were observed, not 
even after doses of 18 grammes. In one case diarrhcea set in, 
which, as further experiments proved, was caused by phloridzin 
and not by jambul. 

_All his experiments were made with extract of jambul pre- 
pared by Mr. R. H. Davies, F.1.C., chemist to the Society of 
Apothecaries, London, from seeds which the author had him- 
self brought over to Europe. As the fruit contains great quan 
tities of starch, it was thought advisable to eliminate this a 
much as possible in preparing the extract. Several extracts 
were prepared out of the whole fruit, or solely out of the kern 
or solely out of the pericarp ; 100 grammes of the fruit gav 
16} grammes kernel-extract, and 11% grammes pericarp extrac 
The most given in one single dose was 6 grammes, the m 
mum daily dose 18 grammes. 


_ Whether the active principle is contained in the pericar 
or kernel cannot as yet be decided toa certainty, Proba 
it is contained in both, but to a greater extent in the pericarp. 

From the long series of experiments which he has mad 
Graeser draws the following conclusions :— Lee 
~ 1. Phloridzin diabetes is considerably lessened by jamb | 
extract. ' 

2. Jambul extract is non-poisonous, and does not 
ill effect. 

3. The active principle contained jin jambul is not - 
known. It will have to be determined by carefal analysis 
further experiments. (Chem. and Pruggist 1889.) Ses 

With reference to Graeser’s experiments, G. I, Tay 
(Vratch., 1889, p. 1029,) records having obtained neg 


cause an 


MYRTACE. 29 


sults with the sceds in three cases of diabetes in which the urine 
_ contained from 6 to 7 per cent. ofsugar. In these cases the pow- 
_ dered seeds were given in doses of one gram 4 to 6 times a day. 


2 Description,—The fruit unless improved by cultivation 
is about the size and shape of a small olive, of a purple colour, 
and very astringent; within it is a thin white papery shell, 
which encloses a large green kernel, also very astringent. The 
bark is grey and fissured externally; internally it is red and 
fibrous ; its minute structure is remarkable in having several 
_ rows of very large, pitted, oblong-oval cells, which can be 
easily seen with the naked eye. The odour is like that of oak- 
_ bark, and the taste very astringent. The leaves are 3 to 6 
inches long, ovate or oblong, obtuse, more or less acuminate, 
_ coriaceous, smooth, shining, closely nerved, the numerous 
nerves uniting within the margin, When crushed they have 
_ an agreeable terebinthinate odour, and on distillation yield a 
_ bright green oil. 


Chemical composition.—The proximate composition of dry 
Jambul seeds according to Elborne is— 


Essential oil a trace — 
Chlorophyll and fat 0°37 — 
Resin soluble in alcohol aad ether sy imei OOO 
Gallic acid vey ee 
Albumin 1°25 
Coloured extractive soluble in water ............ 2°70 
Moisture 10°00 
Tusoluble residue Wicks, Oe 

100-00 


’ Jambulin, a eect is stated to have been found in the 
seeds; itis said to have the power of preventing the diastatic 
j conversion of starch, &., into sugar. The bark of the tree. 
= contains 12 per cent. of tannin and affords a Kino-like gum es 


Commerce.—The © at and seeds are ‘sold in the 
rkets, 


30 MYRTACEA. 


‘-PSIDIUM GUYAVA, Linn. | 
Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. iii. , t. 34, 35 ; Rumph. Amb. 1., 
47. Guava tree (Ung.), Goyavier (Fr.). 


Hab.—Anmerica, naturalized in India. The bark 
leaves. 


Vernacular.—Lal-safri-4m, Sufed-safri-Am (Hind.), Lal-jam 
Sufed-jam (Duwk.), Téambara peru, Pandhara peru (Mar), Shiv 
appu-goyy4-pazham, Vellai-goyy4-pazham (T'am.), Tella-jém 
pandu, Erra-jam-pandu (Tel.), Bili-shibe-hannu, Kempu-shibé 
hannu (Can.), Dhop-goachhi-phal, Lal-goachhi-phal (Beng.). 

History, Uses, &c.—The red and white guavas appea' 
to be only varieties of one and the same species. They ha 
been, introduced into India from America, probably b 
the Portuguese, and are now universally cultivated, and ir 
some parts of the country have run wild. ‘The fruitis a favo 
ite with the natives, who like its strong aromatic flavow 
It is astringent and has a tendency to cause costi 3S 
Europeans generally prefer it cooked, or in the form 
In Goa the Portuguese make a kind of cheese of it. The 
which is also astringent, is recommended in the Pharmacopet 
of India as a remedy for the chronic diarrhoea of children.” 
Dr. Waitz (Diseases of Children in Hot Climates, p. 225,) dire 
half an ounce of the root bark with six ounces of water to b 
boiled down to 3 ounces ; of this decoction, the dose is one o: 
more teaspoonfuls three or four times a day. He also recom: 
mends the same preparation as an external astringent in the 
prolapsus ani of children (p. 233). The leaves have also k er 
used successfully as an astringent in diarrhcea. 

Discourtilz places this plant among the aromatic anti 
modics; a decoction of the young leaves and shoots is prescrib 
in the West Indies in febrifuge and antispasmodic — a 
fusion of the leaves in cerebral affections, nephritis and cac 
the pounded leaves are locally applied in rheumatism ; an ex: 
is used in epilepsy and chorea; the tincture is red 
spine of children suffering from convulsions, The rv 


MYRTACE. al 


7 conserve are astringent and suitable to those suffering from 
_ diarrhoea and dysentery. (Corre et Lejanne, Résumé de la Mat. 
_ Med. Coloniale, p. 108.) 


_ Description.—The external surface of the bark when 
_ fresh is smooth and brown, marked by superficial scars indica- 
ting the separation of squamous plates of dead bark. These 
_ plates sometimes remain partially attached. Beneath the 
_ brown epidermis the fresh bark is green; its inner surface 
_ is marked by longitudinal striz, and is of a light brown colour. 
_ The taste is astringent and agreeably acid. The leaves are 
aromatic, egg-shaped or oblong, short stalked, covered with 
_ soft down underneath, and with the principal veins very 
_ prominent. 

Microscopic structure.—Sections show that the bark consists 
_ of an epidermis, made up of two rows of brick-shaped brown 
4 cells, and alternate zones of vascular and parenchymatous 
_ tissue, varied towards the inner part by three broken circles 
of liber cells. The medullary rays are numerous, and together 
_ with the parenchyma of the outer part of the bark, loaded with 
green colouring matter; in the rays this extends some distance 
to its substance, and makes them very conspicuous. The 
scular system is loaded with crystals, and contains a few 
arch granules. 

Chemical composition.—The watery extract of the bark con- 
4 tains, as the mean of two determinations, 27:4 per cent. of 
tannin, Spirit dissolves the same amount of extract from it 
as water, about 33 per cent. The tannin gives a blue-black 
_ colour with ferric salts, a pinkish precipitate with gelatine, and 
a dirty green with acetate of lead; the lead compound when 
_ perfectly dry yields 29 per cent. of oxide. 

_ After exhausting the bark by means of water and alcohol, 
_ another colouring matter is removed by soda, probably oxidized 
tannin. Ether extracts chlorophyll, and a little resin soluble 


_ ammonia are present. The mineral-matter obtained by i 
ion is 10 per cent., and consists of calcium ¢ 


_ with a bright red colour in alkaline liquids. No alkaloids ¢ OB: a 


oo MYRTACEM. 


afforded by the calcium oxalate which is present in the bark in 
the form of simple crystals. The tannage or inspissa 
watery extract of guava bark is reddish brown and brittle 
very soluble in water, and containing as it does tannin ina f "et 
state, should be a useful astringent. 7 


MYRTUS COMMUNIS, Linn. 
Fig.—Duhamel ed. nov. t. 48. Myrtle (Zng.), Myrte (Pry 


Hab.—Europe. Cultivated in India. The leaves, fruit 
and bark. 

Vernacular.— Aas (Arab.), Vilayati-mehndi (Hind.). 
berries, Hab-el-aas (Arab., Ind. bazars). 


History, Uses, &c.—Amongst the ancients the Myrtl 
(pvpoim) was a phallic emblem sacred to Venus, at the festi 
of Myrrha, the incestuous mother of Adonis, married wom 
wore wreaths of the leaves; and in Virgil’s infernal regi 
the victims of love concealed themselves among the my 
At Romethis plant was not allowed to be placed upon the 
of Bona Dea, but at the festivals of Hleusis every one 
crowned with it; it was supposed not only to inspire love, 
to maintain it. According to a Greek myth, the nymph Myr- 
sine, having outstripped Athene in a race, was turned into a 
myrtle bush by the goddess, who, however, repenting of he 
cruelty afterwards, became particularly attached to the plan 
The Romans, after they had intended fighting for the Sab 
women whom they had carried off, purified themselves w 
sprigs of myrtle, ideo tune lecta (says Pliny) quoneam conjuc 
et huic arbort preest Venus. Pliny also tells us that Romul 
planted two myrtles at Rome, one of which afterwards becam 
the favourite of the patricians, and the other of the people 5 _ 


withered, but when the power of the latter was in the ascen 
the patrician myrtle faded. Before pepper was known my 
berries were employed as a spice to season foo ical ci Ly 
flavoured with them, (Hist. Nat, 15, $5.), Das sia 


MYRTACEZ. 33 


superstitions concerning the myrtle extending down to modern 
times, see De Gubernatis (Myth. des Plantes, II., 283). 

The myrtle occupies a prominent place in the writings of 
__ Hippocrates, Pliny, Dioscorides, Galen, and the Arabian 
“writers. Pliny furnishes an account of it, of which the following 
is a summary: The berries arrest hemoptie ; they are used in 
dysentery and as an application to indolent ulcers and inflamed 
eyes; and in wine are an antidote to the poison of mushrooms; 
they also cure the bites of scorpions, inflammation of the blad- 
der, headaches, abscesses, aphthe, leucorrhces, and other 
mucous discharges. The juice is diuretic, but constipates. 
An ointment made with it cures eruptions of the skin and 
_ darkens the hair. The dried leaves in powder arrest sweats ; 
in fomentations check the white flux, correct prolapsus of the 
- womb and rectum, and are employed to cure ulcers, burns, 
_ erysipelas, otorrhcea, alopecia, and eruptions of the skin, to 
_ arrest hemorrhage, and as an application to lentigo, ptery- 

gion, panaris, condylomata, and swelled testicles. A wine 
_ made from the berries was used for most of these purposes, 
_ andwasregardedas tonic. Thus catalogue of virtuesis repeated, 
but hardly enlarged, by subsequent ancient writers, who, 

owever, following Galen, ascribe to myrtle the opposite quali- 
ties of cold and hot, or astringent and stimulant, the former 
residing chiefly in the leaves, the latter in the berries. 
In 1876 attention was directed to the medicinal properties of 
the plant by Delioux de Savignac, who recommended an infu- 
sion or diluted tincture of the leaves as an astringent lotion, 
and the finely powdered leaves as an application to ulcers, &c. 
He also used the powder in doses of -1 to 4 grams internally 
_ in chronic catarrh of the bladder and in menorrhagia; and 
_ the infusion in chronic bronchitis. The Oxymyrsine or ‘ wild 
_ myrtle,” mentioned by the ancients, the Aas-el-bart of Mahome- 
; tan writers, is not a myrtle, but the Ruscus aculeatus or ; 
_ “buteher’s broom.” : 
_ __ Of late years the volatile oil of myrtleleaves has been brought 
_ to notice as an antiseptic and rubefacient when used exter 
nally; Mes inteelaigs3 in spell ee! poe 
i 


No 160° and 170° C,/ B Jahns (1889) examined a samp 
gO 


34 MELASTOMACEZ:. 


promotes digestion like myrtle berries, but in large doses it 
acts as an irritant. It is excreted by the kidneys and through» 
the respiratory tracts, and communicates a peculiar odour to the | 
urine. According to Lauder Brunton the urine of perso 
taking it gives a precipitate with nitric acid ; he considers tha 
like copaiba it may be used asan expectorant inchronic bronchi 
with profuse expectoration and in chronic inflammation of the 
bladder or urethra. It is best administered in gelatine capsules: 
containing 4 to 5 drops of the oil. The fragrant water distilled 
from the flowers and leaves is known in France as Hau d’ ange. 
According to Brannt, the manufacturers of volatile oils in 
Southern France place a myrtle water upon the market wh: 
is actually prepared from the oil. 

Chemical composition. —Riegel (1849) obtained from the rip 
berries a volatile oil, resin, tannin, citric acid, malic acid, sugar, 
etc. Raybaud (1834) found the volatile oil, as distilled town : 
leaves, flowers, and fruit, to have ayellowish or greenish-yello 
colour, and to be lighter than water. Gladstone (1863) : 
tained it to have aspecific gravity of +891, to be de 
to consist mostly of a hydrocarbon, C!°H'S, boiling be 


Spanish origin, having a sp. gr. of °910 at 16°, and a rotat 
power of [a] =+26°7°. On fractional distillation the terpene, 
C! °H'®, came overat 158°— 160°; rotatory power [a]p= +386°8' 
and corresponded in its chemical properties with dextropin 
Cineol, boiling at 170°, a second constituent, was obtained bh 
Wallach’s process. A little camphor was also present but coul 
not be isolated: (Journ. Chem. Soc., J une, 1889.) The bit 
principle has not been investigated; it is probably a glucosid 

Oommerce.—Dried myrtle berries are obtainable in most ¢ 
the Indian bazars. 


MELASTOMACEA. 
MEMECYLON EDULE, Roos, 


Fig.—Rowb. Cor. Pl. I., t. 82; Wight Ic, t, 278. . 
wood tree (Hng.), Mémecylon comestible 


MELASTOMACEA. 85 


Hab.—Eastern and Western Peninsulas, Ceylon. 

; Vernacular.—Anjana, Yalki, Kurpa, Lokhandi (Mar.), 
_ Kashamaram (Tam.), Alli-cheddu (Zel.), Surpa (Can.), Wari- 
_ kaha, Seroo-kaya (Cingh.). 

History, Uses, &c.—M. edule, also called M. tincto- 
rium from its use in dyeing, is a shrub or small tree growing 
on hilly ground. In Sanskrit itis called Anjani, a name derived 
from anjana,a pigment or collyrium. The leaves are used 
in India and Ceylon as a dye, and afford an evanescent yellow 
_ lake when used alone. They are chiefly valued on account of 
_ their action as a mordant, and are used with myrobalans and 

Sappan wood or Chayroot (Oldenlandia umbellata) in pre- 
ference toalum in producing a deep red colour much used by mat- 
makers in Madras. Medicinally, an infusion of the leaves is 
used as an astringent collyrium in conjunctivitis, anda de- 
_ coction of the root in menorrhagia, The pounded bark with 
_ aromatics, such as ajwan, pepper, and zedoary is tied up in a 
_ cloth for fomentation or applied as a plaster (lep) to bruises. 
Dr. Peters has brought to our notice the use of the leaves in 
_ the Deccan as a remedy for gonorrhoea of considerable repute. 
Sprengel, apparently misled by the Cinghalese name Wari- 
_ kaha, supposed the leaves to be source of the Wars dye of the 


3 # Arabians. 


F Description.—The Flora of British India notices twelve 
' varieties of this extremely variable plant, which is generally a 
large bush, remarkable for its bright green foliage, and clus- 
_ ters of purplish-blue flowers on the bare branches, which are 
_ succeeded by globose deep purple berries about } inch in 
_ diameter, and crowned with the 4-toothed limb of the calyx. 
4 The berries are edible but astringent. The leaves are from 14 to 
' 8% inches in length, and 1 to 1} inch broad, entire, firm, and 
_ leathery, with short petioles, and very indistinct lateral vena- 
_ tion, they turn yellowish-green when dry; the taste is acid, 
_ bitter and astringent. 

Chemical composition. —Prof, Dragendorff (Pharm. Zeitchr. a 
_ fit Russland, xxi., 232,) proved the absence of an 


36 MELASTOMACEZ, 


and the presence of a yellow glucoside in the leaves. The 
latter he considered not to bear any resemblance to chryso- 
phanic acid. ie 
A proximate analysis of the leaves, which we have made, 
icdicated the following constituents :— 
Moisture 6-90 
Chlorophyll and resins . 5°5) 
Resins, malic acid and glucose; spirit extract 16-0 
Colouring matter, gum, malates and glucose; water 
extract 
- Dissolved by soda solution 
Starch and pararabin removed by boiling dilute HC)... 
Crude fibre and silica ro bikes 


23°32 


The total malic acid amounted to 6-48 per cent., glucose 6-25, 
and the total inorganic matter 11°80 per cent. The alcoholic 
extract was brown in colour, sweet and styptic to the taste, and 
nearly all soluble in water ; the solution readily reduced 
Hing’s solution, and gave a crystalline precipitate - 
acetate. The aqueous solution was yellow-culoured ; it a 
a precipitate of mucilage and salts with two volumes of alcoho 
and gave a crystalline precipitate with lead acetate. A dec 
tion of the leaves afforded a green colour with iodine solut 
through the blending of the natural colour with the starch 
iodide. The colouring matter is freely soluble in water, spar: 
ingly in spirit, and insoluble in ether. The aqueous solution 
turned greenish-brown by ferric chloride and is not affected 
gelatine, the colour is not precipitated by 
acetate or by acids ; 


LYTHRACEA, 37 


affords an intense yellow colour with diluted alkali, and orange 
brown when concentrated, and is precipitated in brown flocks 
- by acids. Sulphuric acid forms with it a yellowish-brown 
solution, from which it separates on standing in a pulveralent 
condition ; nitric acid dissolves it with the formation of a fine 

red hue. The decomposition product is resinoid and amor- 
phous, and is neutral in reaction, 


LYTHRACE®. 
AMMANNIA BACCIFERA, Linn. 
Fig.—Lam. Iil., t. 77, f. 5. 


Hab.—-Tropical India. The herb. 

Vernacular.—Dad-mari { Hind.), Guren, Bhér-jambiil (Mar.); 
Kallurivi, Nirumel-neruppu (Z'am.), Agni-venda-péku (Tel.); 
Kallur-vanchi (Mal.) ; 


_ History, Uses, &c.—Ammannia is supposed by some 
_ tobe the Agni-garbha, “ ‘or plant pregnant with fire ” of Sanskrit 
_ writers, but this is very doubtful, as the same name is applied 
_ to the Arani or soft wood used in the production of the sacrifi- 
| cial fire. The properties of this plant and its use by the natives 
asa blistering agent appear to have been first brought to the 
' notice of Europeans by Roxburgh. Ainslie quotes him, and 
_ remarks that the plant has a strong muriatic smell, but not 
disagreeable ; the leaves are extremely acrid, and are used by 
_ the natives to raise blisters in rheumatism, fevers, &c., the 
_ fresh leaves bruised and applied to the part intended to be 
4 blistered, perform their office in half an hour, and most 
effectually. In Pudukota, under the name of. Sigappup- 
_ pugat, the plant is used to prepare a liniment which is 
_ applied to the temples asa remedy for burning pain in the 
- eyes. The author of the Bengal Dispensatory states that he 


4 not produced. in less than twelye hours in any, and in three 
- andiyiduals not for 24 Baws The bruised leayes had _ 


a made a trial of the leaves in eight instances ; ‘‘ blisters were : 


38 LYTHRACE®. 


removed from all after half an hour. The pain occasioned was 
absolutely agonizing until the blister rose; they caused more 
pain than cantharides, and were far inferior to the Plumbago 
rosea in celerity and certainty of action.” According to Fleming, 
the leaves are applied to cure herpetic eruptions. The authors 
of the Pharmacopeia of India merely notice the unfavourable 
opinion of the drug expressedin the Bengal Dispensatory. We 
have made some experiments with an ethereal tincture of the | 
leaves, which lead us to form a much more favourable opinion of 
them; in several instances it blistered rapidly, effectually, and 
without causing more pain than the liquor epispasticus of the 
Pharmacopeia, which it resembles in colour. Upon evapora- 
tion of the ether a dark green resinous extract is left. 
spirituous tincture was. also tried, but it was not nearly 80 
efficient. Dr. Bholanath Bhose describes a mode of treatment — 
of obstinate spleen disease by the juice of the leaves administered 
internally, but its administration in this manner has been 
objected to as causing pain and yielding uncertain results. I 
the Concan the juice is given with water to animals when i 
heat to extinguish sexual appetite ; the plant fresh or dried i 

administered in decoction with ginger and Cyperus root for 

intermittent fevers, and its ashes are mixed with oil and applie ‘j 
to herpetic eruptions. Ammannia is common in low mois 
ground in India, and flowersin November and December. 


> 


Description.—An herbaceous, erect, much-branched — 
plant, having foliage something like that of rosemary ; stems 4 
sided ; leaves sessile, opposite, lanceolate, attenuated, about an 
inch long and 4 inch broad, much smaller on the upper parts 
the plant ; calyx 4-cleft to the middle ; lobes acute ; accessory 
teeth very small; flowers very minute, aggregated in the axils 
of the leaves, almost sessile; tube of the calyx at first narro 7 
and tightened round the ovary, in fruit cup-shaped ; petals 
wanting; capsule longer than the calyx, 1-celled; flowers red. 
The whole plant has an aromatic and rather agreeable odour. 

Chemical composition.—An alcoholic extract prepared 
80 per cent. alcohol was made from the air-dried and pow 


LYTHRACEZ. . 


plant: the greater part of the alcohol distilled off, and the 
remainder allowed to evaporate by exposure to air. When free 
from alcohol the extract was boiled with water, and the liquid 
_ separated from insoluble matter while hot. The filtrate was at 
first of a dark reddish brown colour, but became turbid on 
cooling, a dark resin separating on the sides of the capsule: no 
crystalline matter separated. After standing for some days the 
fluid was separated from suspended matter, and agitated with 
ether. The ether extract was of a yellow colour, indistinctly 
crystalline, possessed a very aromatic odour, and had a strongly 
acid reaction. An aqueous solution gave a deep brownish, almost 
black precipitate with ferric salts : with ammonia a deep caramel 
yellow colour, which darkened somewhat on exposure, With 
_ alkaloidal reagents negative results were obtained; after boiling 
with dilute sulphuric acid, the solutionslightly reduced Fehling’s 
solution, indicating the probable presence of a glucoside. 
Some of the aqueous solution rubbed on the skin of the arm 
produced no vesication. The dark resin which separated on 


_ water, dried to a brittle black mass, but with a purple tinge, in 
_ thin layers. This substance was easily soluble in alkalies, and 


cold nitric acid it dissolved at once, forming a deep reddish 
liquid, which after standing for a short time evolved nitrous 
fumes. In acetic acid it was also soluble, but less readily than 
in nitricacid. In ether it was insoluble. An alcoholic solution 
_ gave with ferric chloride a black precipitate, which was changed 
_ to dark brown on the addition of acids. Applied to the skin in 
_ alcoholic solution negative results were obtained. That portion 
_ Of the alcoholic extract originally insoluble in water consisted 
_ Of resinous matter. Some of the powdered plant was distilled 
with water, the distillate had a slight odour, but yielded 
_ practically no extractive when agitated with ether. In one 


_ with ammonia, but on repeating the experiment negative results 


q were obtained. An alcoholic tincture of the plant applied to the ; cs 
_ skin of the arm produced no vesication, and a pimeilnts negative = 


40 LYTHRACEZ:. 


result was also obtained with an ethereal solution, and though — 
there is very little doubt that plumbagin is the active principle — 
of the drug, only in one experiment wasany reaction similar to — 
that yielded by plumbagin obtained. It is probable that th 
sample operated on was inactive from the failure to obtain am: 


shaken with ether afforded a yellow crystalline substance which, : 
on re-solution, gave a red colour with alkalies. 


WOODFORDIA FLORIBUNDA, Salisb. _ 


. Fig.—Rozxb. Cor. Pl., t.31; Bot. Mag., t. 1906. Dow 
Grislea (Eng.), Grisléa multiflore (F'r.). 


Hab.—Throughout India. The flowers. 
Vernacular.—Dhai, Davi, Devti (Hind. \ Dhaitf, Dhaosh 


Phulsatti (Mar.), Dhaiphul (Beng. ), Serinjf (Tel.), Pe 
(Can.). 


History, Uses, &c.—The Sanskrit names of this shir > 
well describe its prominent characters. It is called Agni-jva 
(fire-flame), Tamra-pushpi (red-flowered), Guchchha-push 
(cluster-flower), Parvati (hill-born). The usual nameis Dhé taki. 
It is mentioned by Chakradatta and Sarangadhara on accou 
of its astringent properties. Asa medicine the flowersare chiefly 
prescribed by the natives in dysentery, beaten up with hon 
into a kind of confection, They are also thought to be of 
in menorrhagia ; externally they may be used as an astring’ 
The natives of the Concan in bilious sickness fill the patien’ 
mouth with sesamum oil, and apply the juice of the leaves 
the crown of the head; this is said to causethe oil inthe mou 

“to become yellow from absorption of bile; fresh oil is the 
given repeatedly until it ceases to turn yellow. Comm 

the flowers are of considerable ee as. a = dseing 
tanning material. 


LYTHRACEZ. 41 


Description.-—The flowers and their calices are red, the 
latter are permanent, and retain their colour after the flower 
has faded. As met with in commerce the calices generally 
contain the nearly mature capsules, which are two-celled and 
two-valved and completely enclosed. The seeds are light 
brown, very minute, oblong and very numerous; if the calyx 
is soaked in water it will be seen to be 12-toothed. In 
ordinary samples of the article some of the flowers are in small 
racemes, and a good many lanceolate leaves with a whitish 
under surface studded with black dots are mixed with them; 
both sides of the leaf will, if examined with a lens, be seen to 
be covered by a close dense tomentum. The enlarged calices 
are very astringent. 

Chemical composition.—The flowers yielded to Hummel 20°6 
per cent. of tannic acid, which explains their use by the Hindus 
in connection with alum as a mordant and with other dye-stuffs, 
(Watt, Select. from the Records of the Govt, of India, Vol. 1., pp. 
91 and 93.) 

Commerce.—The article is collected in large quantities. - 
_ Value, Rs. 15—-25 per kandy of 5¢ cwts. The variation in 
_ price depends upon the quantity in the market. 


LAWSONIA ALBA, Lam. 


Fig.—Lam. IIl., t. 296, f. 2; Wight Ill., t.87; Griff, Ic. Pl. 
Asiat, t. 580. Henna (Eng.), Henné (Fr.). 

Hab.—Western India; cultivated throughout India. The 
leaves and flowers. 

Vernacular.~-Méhndi (Hind.), Mendi (Mar-., Guz mF Masaioial, 
Aivanam (TZam.), Méhédi (Beng.), Goranta (Tel.), Gorante 
(Can.). 

_ History, Uses, &c.—Henna is the Mendika and Rakta- 
garbha, or “ plant pregnant with red colouring matter,” of 
Sanskrit writers. It is much esteemed by the Mahomete 
a There i is a tradition that their — ede of it as “ Sy 
11.—6 


42 LYTHRACEZ. 


ridhin”? (the best of herbs). In Arabic it is called Hinna 
‘Arabic and Persian works give Arkén and Fékiliytin as t 
Greek names ;* they describe the leaves as a valuable exterr 
application in headache, combined with oil so as to form 
-paste, to which resin is sometimes added. They are appli 
to the soles.of the feet in small-pox, and are supposed 
prevent the eyes being affected by the disease. They 4 
have the reputation of promoting the healthy growth of the 
hair and nails. An ointment made from the leaves is sp 
of as having valuable healing properties, and a decoc 
is used as an astringent gargle. The bark is given 
jaundice and enlargement of the spleen, also in calc 
affections, and as an alterative in leprosy and obstinate 
diseases, in decoction it is applied to burns, scalds, &c. 
seeds, with honey and tragacanth, are described as cephal 
An infusion of the flowers is said to cure headache, and to 
a good application to bruises; a pillow stuffed with them 
the reputation of acting as a soporific. (Dr. Emerson.) 
ointment is also applied to bruises, and a perfu 
prepared from them, which is called in Arabic Duhn 
and is used as a cosmetic. | 


Ainslie notices the use of an extract prepared from the 
flowers and leaves by the Tamil physicians of Southern India 
as a remedy in lepra, half a teaspoonful twice a day being t 
dose. He also says that the leaves are applied externally 
cutaneous affections. In the Concan the leaf-juice mixed wi 
water and sugar is given as a remedy for spermatorrhcea, a 
with milk in the condition popularly known as “ hot an d 
fits.’’ . 

In the Pharmacopeia of India attention is drawn to th 
use in an obscure affection called « burning of the f 
often met with in India; and the editor mentions his 
himself witnessed, when in Burmah, a great amount of | 

* The evmpos of Dioscorides (i., 109, a 
46) appear to be Henna, as nai his Wve tie at tac 
Arkan «\3 5! is an Arabic word meaning a blight or diuéiig: 


CO 


plants or men yellow (jaundice). 


LYTHRACE. 43 


rary relief from the remedy when numerous other means had 
previously failed. The fresh leaves beaten up into a paste with 
_ vinegar were applied as a poultice to the soles of the feet in. 
most cases, but some patients obtained greater relief from 
_ using strong frictions with the bruised leaves over the part. 
_ In Southern India Henna seeds are called Iswan, a corruption. 
of the Persian word Isband or Ispand, a name applied to the 
seeds of Peganum Harmala by the Persians. They are used 
_ by the Mahometans of those parts as a substitute for the true 
_ Ispand in certain superstitious observances. (See Peganum.) 
_ The use of Henna for dyeing the hands and feet appears to 
be common among Mahometans in Asia and Africa, and was 
_ probably practised by the ancient Egyptians and Jews. Sir G. 
_ Birdwood has the following remarks upon its history in more 
Western countries :—“ Solomon is supposed by Sprengel to 
refer to the Henna plant in his Epithalamium (I. 14), ‘ My 
beloved is unto meas a cluster of Samphire (or Cypress or 
Camphire) in the vineyards of Engedi.’”? It is undoubt- 
dly the «vmpos of Dioscorides and “ Cyprus in Egypt” of 
Pliny. It is mentioned by Avicenna also under the name of, 
‘ Henna.”’* 


-Description.—Leaves opposite, smooth, short petioled, 
oblong, or broad lanceolate, pointed at both ends, an inch or 
more long and less than half an inch broad; the flowers are in 
terminal, globular, cross-armed panicles, small, greenish white 
_ and very fragrant ; the fruit is round, the size of a pepper-corn, 
_ four-grooved, with the apex depressed, four-celled ; the seeds 
are angular, The decoction of the leaves is of a deep orange 
colour, which is destroyed by acids, and deepened by alkalies 
_and vegetable astringents; it stains the skin of an orange red 
colour, which does not disappear until the epidermis has been 
renewed. 
_ Chemical composition. —The colouring matter of Henna is a 
kind of tannin to which M. Abd-el-Aziz Herraory has given’ 
the name of hennotannic acid. This’ principle is brown, of 


* Cf. P. Bellonius Obs. I. 64. He visited Egypt in A. D. 


AA , LYTHRACEAE. 


resinoid appearance, and soluble in boiling water. 
the properties of tannin, such as blackening ferric salts 
and precipitating gelatine. It reduces oxide of copper im — 


de Pharmacie, Jan. 1863.) According to C.J. S. Thompson — 
the leaves yield to boiling water from 12 to 15 per cent. 0 the 
brown colouring matter, which is soluble in glycerine, st.ong 
solutions of potash and ammonia, and dilute acids, but very 
slightly in ether, chloroform or alcohol : the leaves also yield 
2 per cent. of an olive-green resin solable in ether and alcohol. 


PUNICA GRANATU\M, Linn. 


_ Fig.—Bentl. and Trim., t. 113. Pomegranate ( Eng.)y 
Grenadier commun (f’r.). 


Hab.—Socotra, Arabia, Africa (?). Cultivated throughout 
India. The fruit, rind, and root bark. 
_ Vernacular.—Anér, Darim (Hind.), Dalim (Beng.), Dalimba 
(Mar.), Dédam (Guz.), Médalai (Tam.), D4nimma | a3 
Délimbe (Can.) ; the flowers, Julnér, Gulnér (Arab., Pers 
Hind.), Pu-madalai (Tam.), Puyvu-dénimma (Te?.), Hushi- 
délimbe (Can.). 4 
History, Uses, &cC.—The pomegranate, which by Dine 
bach’s account is the Poa 2id7 of Hippocrates, is in culture in 
the south of Europe, Arabia, Japan, Persia, and Barbary. ek 
is also much cultivated in India, but the Indian fruit ig : 
inferior to that which is imported from the Persia Feats 
The Sanskrit name is Dadima, and the fruit is kt ee 
dana (parrots’ food) and Kuchaphala (breast fruit). Hinde 
physicians prescribe the juice of the ripe fruit nctaiel te i 
saffron as a cooling medicine. They also use the rind of 
fruit and the flowers, combined with aromatics, such as clo 
cinnamon, coriander, pepper, &c., as an astringent in g 
bowel affections as are not accompanied with tenesmus, pg 
Concan the juice of the green frnit, rubbed with waite a 


LYTHRACE. 45 


and ginger is given in honey as a remedy for piles, The 
juice of the flowers with Durva root juice (Cynodon daclylon) 

_ is used to stop bleeding from the nose. The root bark does 
not appear to be mentioned in any Sanskrit works on Materia 

_ Medica.. The Arabs call the pomegranate Rumman ; Anér is 

the Persian name. Mahometan writers describe three kinds, 
sweet, sour, and subacid. The Rummdén-i-bari or Wild Pome- 
granate of these writers is, perhaps, the P. protopunica discov- 
ered by Balfour in Socotra, and which probably exists in the 
neighbouring continents of Africa and Arabia, but this name 

is also applied by the Arabs to the Tutsan or large Hypericum. 

_ Besides using the flowers and rind in a variety of ways on 
account of their astringency, they recommend the root bark as 
being the most astringent part of the plant, and a perfect specific 

_ in casesof tapeworm : itisgiven, in decoction, prepared with two 

_ ounces of fresh bark, boiled in a pint and a half of water till 

_ but three-quarters of a pint remain; of this when cold a 

_ wineglassful may be drunk every half hour, till the whole is 

_ taken. This dose sometimes sickens the stomach a little, but 

_ seldom fails to destroy the worm, which is soon after passed.* 

4 The seeds of the pomegranate are considered to be stom- 
chic, the pulp cardiacal and stomachic. It would appear that 
the Arabs derived their knowledge of the medicinal qualities of 

_ this plant from the ancients, as a similar account of them is 

_ found in Dioscorides and Pliny. The balaustium of these 

_ writers is the double pomegranate flower, a word which in the 

' corrupted form of Balusitun is common in Arabic aud Persian 

_ books.t The root bark and rind of the fruit are official in the 

4 Pharmacopeia of India. _ 'Che official preparation of pomegran- 
_ ate root bark is open to objection on account of its nauseous- 
_ ness, and Mr. Siebold, inorder to obviate this, has suggested a 
process for removing the astringent rua eee ae J tt 
q ee av | 896.) With a similar object Dr. Von Sc 
: pare with Dioscorides i i., 131, epi — | 
___t Plin. 13, 34; 28, 57 to 61; Scribon. Comp. 85 
2 mig it is used to stop bleeding in accordance with the 


46 = LYTHRACEZ. ~ 


has recommended the use of an extract free from tannic acid; « 

ie 
Sept. 18, p. 556.) ‘The extract is prepared by treating 
decoction of the bark with milk of lime to remove the tannic 
acid, filtering, neutralizing the filtrate exactly with sulphurie 
acid, evaporating it on a water bath almost to dryness, treatin 
the residue with 70 percent. alcohol, and then driving off 
alcohol from the extract obtained, the product is described 
nearly entirely crystalline and soluble in water with a slight 
turbidity. Theyieldis about one gram of extract from twenty 
grams of bark. In order to retard as much as possible thé 
absorption of the pelletierine, which is present in the ext 
as a sulphate, it is recommended to add to this quantity on 
or two grains of tannic acid to convert the alkaloid into 
difficultly soluble tannate. 

It has been stated occasionally that the administration 0 
pelletierine to adults has been followed by symptoms of poison 
ing, though not very serious ones, and this has caused hesita- 
tion in administering it to children. Some recently reporte 
cases appear, however, to indicate that the physiological a 
of this tenifuge is relatively less energetic in infants ¢ 
in adults. (Archiv. der Pharm., Sept. 1886, p. 409.) 
Méplain administered six centigrams of pelletierine toa ch 
two and a half years old, and Dr. Bétencés the same quantity 
to a child five years old without the least symptom of poisonin; 
but with the removal of the worm in both cases. In anothé 
case a dose of ten centigrams was successfully administe 
to a child ten years of age. (Pharm. Journ., Oct. 2, 1886.) 


Description.—The fruit of the pomegranate tree, in 
nical language a balausta, is a spherical somewhat flattened 2 
obscurely six-sided berry of the size of a c 
often much larger, crowned by the thick, tubular, 5 to9-too 
calyx. Ithasa smooth, hard, coriaceous skin, which, chou 
fruit is ripe, isof a brownish yellow tint, often finely ee 


LYTHRACEZ. 47 


cells; below these,a confused conical diaphragm separates the 
lower and smaller half, which in its turnis divided into 4 or 5 irre- 
gular cells. Each cell is filled with a large number of grains, 
crowded on thick spongy placentz, which in the upper cells are 
parietal but in the lower appear to be central. The grains, 
which are about 3} an inch in length, are oblong or obconical 
and many-sided, and consist of a thin transparent vesicle, con- 
taining an acid, saecharine, red juicy pulp surrounding an 
elongated angular seed. 


The peel as imported is in irregular, more or less concave 
fragments, some of which have the toothed, tubular calyx still 
enclosing the stamens and style. It is y to #5 of an inch 
thick, easily breaking with a short corky fracture; externally 
itis rather rough, of a yellowish brown or reddish colour. In- 
ternally it is more or Jess brown or yellow, and honeycombed 
with depressions left by the seeds. It has hardly any odour, 
_ but has a strongly astringent taste. The bark occurs in rather 
_ thin quills or fragments, 3 to 4 inches long. Their outer sur- 
face is yellowish grey, sometimes marked with fine longitudinal 
striations or reticulated wrinkles, but more often furrowed by 
bands of cork, running together in the thickest pieces into broad 
t conchoidal scales, The inner surface, which is smooth or 
_ marked with fine strie, and is of a greyish yellow, has often 
_ strips of the tough whitish wood attached to it. The bark 
7 breaks short and granular; it has a purely astringent taste, but 
' scarcely any odour. (Pharmacographia.) 
: Microscopic structure.—The middle layer of the peel consists 
_ of large thin-walled and elongated, sometimes even branched, 
_ cells, among which occur thick-walled cells and fibro-vascular 
bundles, Both the outer and the inner surface are made up of 
smaller, nearly cubic and densely-packed cells. Small starch 


48 LYTHRACE. 


bark is traversed by narrow medallary rays, and very lar 
l hymat ll ttered through the liber. Touch 
with a dilute solution of a persalt of iron, the bark assumes a 
dark blackish blue tint. a 
Chemical composition.—“‘The bark contains, according 
Wackenroder (1824), more than 22 per cent. of- tannic ac 


Ellagic Acid, C'*H80°, and sugar. Punico-tannic acid 
accompanied by common tannic acid, yielding by means 
sulphuric acid, gallic acid, which appears sometimes to p 
exist in the bark. Ifa decoction of pomegranate bark is pre 
pitated by acetate of lead, and the lead is separated from t 
filtered liquid, the latter on evaporation yields a considerable. 
amount of mannite. This is probably the Punicin or Granatin 
of former observers.” (Pharmacographia, 2nd Ed., p. 2919 
Tanret (1878) announced the discovery of a liquid alkalo 
which has the tenicide power of the bark. The alkaloid 
obtained in a pure state by distilling its ethereal solution in 
current of hydrogen, and maintaining the residue at a tempey 
ture of 130° to 140° C. until it no longer gives off the vapor 
of water. The temperature is then raised, and the liquid colk- 
lected that distils between 180° and 185° C. 

Pelletierine so obtained is colourless, but in the open air 
in flasks incompletely filled it becomes coloured very rapid]; 
At zero its sp. gr. is. 0°999 and at 21°C. 0-985. It is ve 
soluble in water, with which it undergoes a contraction 
volume, a mixture of ] part of pelletierine with 2-5 parts of 
having at 21° C. a sp. gr. of 1-021. 

Pelletierine is dextrogyre, having in aqueous solution ar 
tory power of [a]s =+80, that of the sulphate prepared 
the distilled alkaloid is + 5-98. With sulpharie acid 
potassium bichromate pelletierine gives a green colour 
intense as alcohol under the same conditions, a 

Analyses of the alkaloid as well as of the crystalline 
that it forms with sulphuric and hydrochloric acids indicat 


” 


ONAGRACEA, 49 


formula O8H'3NO. It therefore furnishes another example 
- of a volatile oxygenated base, near to conhydrine, C8H!7NO 
_and tropine, C°H''NO. From some experiments made by 
Tanret it appears that the bark of the fibrilla of the roots 
_ contains by far the largest proportion of alkaloid, viz., 2°25 per 
cent. when dry. Tanret subsequently obtained from the bark 
a second alkaloid, isopelletierine, having anthelmintic properties, 
and two inactive alkaloids. 

Commerce.— Pomegranate root bark is seldom to be met with 
in the shops, as few gardens are without the plant; it is freshly 
_ dug when required. © The rind is brought to Bombay from the 
_ Persian Gulf ports chiefly. Value, Re. 14 per maund of 37} 
_ Ibs. The dried seeds are also imported, 


ONAGRACEZi. 


JUSSLZA SUFFRUTICOSA, Linn. 
Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. w., t. 50 ; Lam. Ill, ¢. 280, f. 3. 
Hab.—India, Ceylon. The plant. e 
_ Vernacular.—Lal-bon-lavanga (Beng.), Ban-laung (Hind.), 
ana-lavanga (Mar.), Nir-kirambu (Tam.), Kavacula (Can.), 
~Hemarago (Cingh.). 

History, Uses, &c.— Rheede under the name of Oatrainbu 


fa man,and Bhillavi-anga would signify « having a body like 
hallavi.” According to Rheede a decoction of this plant is 
used in Malabar to dissipate flatulence, act as a diuretic, purge 
he body and destroy worms; when ground small and steeped 
butter-milk it is administered in dysentery. Ainslie quotes 
‘neede, and says that the plant is called Hamarago in Ceylon. 
iller, he says, has noticed the resemblance of its fruit to the 


. 


ove, and in Jamaica J. repens is used as an 


50 SAMYDACEM, _ 


also noticed by Loureiro (Fi. Cochin. 226) under the name of 
Epilobium fruticosum. The Indian vernacular names all bear 
testimony to the resemblance of the fruit to a clove, and 


angustifolium). The astringent properties of Jussiea ap) 
to be known to the peasantry in most parts of India. 


Description.—An erect, branching, suffruticose plat 
to 6 ft. Leaves 3by ? in., moreorless villous, ovate-lanceolate 
sometimes nearly linear, shortly petioled or sessile. Ped 
very short. Calyx-lobes broadly lanceolate or ovate. Peta 
yellow, obovate, Capsule 1-2 in., linear-cylindric, more or 
villous, 8-ribbed, membranous, breaking up between the ribs. 


SAMYDACE. 
CASEARIA ESCULENTA, Rozt, 


Fig.—Bedd. Fl. Syl., t. 208. 
Hab.—Malabar, Bombay to Coorg, Ceylon. 


Vernacular.—Mora~égerti, Bithori, Pingri, Mormassi (Marj) 
‘Sétaganda (Goa.), Gundu-gungura (Tel.), Kaddlashingi 
{Tam.), Chilla, Chilara, Bairi (Hind ). 
_ History, Uses, &c.—The species of Casearia found 
India are not numerous, most of the genus being native 
America, where several species are used medicinally, 
esculenta is a small shrub of very variable appearance and 
unlike the species tomentosa figured by Rheede (Hort. Mal. 
50) which he calls 7’sjerow-kanelli, and for which he gives 
following synonyms.—Fruita caurins do mato (Port.), “ 
cowrie fruit,” Wilde dwerg appelen (Dutch), ‘* Wild ¢ 
apple.” Bedousi (Brah.). 2 

Roxburgh tells us that the roots of 0. esculenta are used 2 
purgative by the inhabitants of the Circar hills, that he 
unsuccessfully to extract a colouring matter from the fruj 
that the young leaves are eaten in stews, 3 


E. 
4 SAMYDACE AE. 5} 
i 


In Western India the root hasa great reputation as a remedy 
_ for hepatic enlargéments and for piles. A decoction made by 
boiling 99 to 120 grains of it for a dose in a pint of water down 
to one quarter of a pint is administered internally three times 
aday, anda paste made by braying the root ona stone is. 
sometimes applied locally as well when piles are present. The 
administration of the drug promotes the action of the liver, and 
the local application may be of use as the root is astringent. 
_ The Marathi word Gt (mora) signifies a pile, and siyj~ (dgeru) 
the intestinam rectum. Sdtaganda is compounded of ata 
(séta) seven, and az (ganda) a ring, and is applied to this 
plant because the transverse section of the largest roots shows 
seven concentric dark rings. Mormassi is a compound of 
Mora with a corruption of the Sanskrit av (masht), which 
gnifies a soft tumour. The root has long been known asa 
rag used by the Goanese in Bombay, but its source was only 
scidentally discovered in 1888 when breaking up some waste 
land for cultivation, In native practice the root is administered 
in decoction with garlic, and sometimes the leaves and root 
are given on the Western coast, We have received the root 
from Dr. P. S. Mootooswamy of Tanjore, who states that it is” 
used in the South as a remedy for diabetes, for which disease 
considered to be a specific. An extract of the root has 
n administered by us in doses of from 10 to 20 grains or 
more in a number of cases of chronic hepatic congestion with 
decided benefit ; it removes the feeling of weight and tension in 
t he hepatic region and acts as a gentle aperient upon the bowels. 
A syrup of the strength of 20 grains of extract in two fluid 
drachms has also been found to be an efficient preparation, 


_ Description.—tThe root is from } to 2 inchesin diameter, 
en very crooked, forming angular bends; it consists of a 
tral red woody column, having seven ora less number of 
k concentric rings. The bark is of a deep dull-red colour, — 
thick, and extremely hard, it is covered with a thin papery 

8 uber of an ochre-yellow colour. The taste is astringent. h 

root yields to water a Semen dark reddish-bro 


52 PASSIFLOREZ. 


silkiness of the liber cells. 
_ Chemical composition.—Operating upon the root-bark, oti 
removed 8 per cent. of brownish-yellow resin, partly soluble 
spirit, with a neutral reaction. Alcohol extracted about 
per cent. of dark-red colouring matter consisting mostly 
tannic acid. This extract was only partly soluble in water 
insoluble portion became clear with ammonia, but the li 
rapidly pectinised. The tannic acid gave a brownish-g 
colour with ferric salts. The aqueous extract was also da 
coloured, and nearly half of it was precipitated by ne 
plumbic acetate as one or more organic acids. This ex 
and that part of it forming a lead compound was tested ph 
logically and found to have a cathartic effect ; the lead 


The powder has a cobweb-like character due to the length ot 


characters of cathartic acid. The portion of aqueous extract: 
precipitated by lead contained a neutral principle erystulli 
in white transparent prisms. The root had still another co 
ing matter removed by soda solution, a small quant ity of s 
and it left 4:8 per cent. of mineral matter when bi 
tannin of Casearia root is related to Ratanhia-tannic aci 
the composition of its lead salt and in yielding a crystal 1 

- sugar when boiled with acids, The insoluble tannin is 
similar to the Ratanhia red. 


PASSIFLOREZ. 


; CARICA PAPAYA, Linn. 
Fig.— Bot. Reg. 459, Papaw (Eng.), Papayer (Fr.). 
Hab.—America. Cultivated ——— tains 
milky juice. 
Vernacular.—Papiya, Arand-kharbus (Hind. ) Pang 


Papai (Mar.), sii daira Aa 2 Ba 
nae (Can.) elie: 


PASSIFLOREZ:. 53 


History, Uses, &c,—In the Brazils the hermaphrodite 
variety of C. Papaya is called mamao macho (male mamao), 


the fruit-bearing variety mamao femea (female mamao), and a 


cultivated variety of the latter mamao melao (melon mamao). 
The anthelmintic properties of the milky juice were first noticed 
in the 17th century by Hernandez. Its digestive action upon 
meat was probably known in the West Indies at a very early 
date, and appears to have been communicated to the inhabi- 
tants of India upon the introduction of the tree by the Portu- 
guese, as it has long been the practice to render meat tender 
by rubbing it with the juice of the unripe fruit or by 
wrapping it in the leaves. The author of the Makhzan-el- 
adwiya (A.D. 1770) accurately describes the tree, and men- 
tions the use of the juice, mixed with that of fresh ginger, 
for making meat tender. Medicinally, he says, it is a remedy 
for hemoptysis, bleeding piles, and ulcers of the urinary 
passages; if is also useful in dyspepsia ; rubbing the wilk 
in two or three times cures ringworm, or psoriasis (4,5) 
_ causing a copious serous exudation attended with itching. (Op. 
eit. sub voce Papiya.) The attention of the profession in India 
was called to the use of the milk as an anthelmintic in 1810 by 
ee Dr. somiaaarg (Asiatic Researches, Vol. XI.), who cites an inter- 
a sage from the writings of M. Charpentier Cossigni in 
_ support of its alleged virtues, Further confirmatory evidence 
has more recently been adduced by M. Bouton (Med. Plants of 
Mauritius, 1857, p. 65), and it may justly be concluded that 
the statements as to its efficacy as an anthelmintic are founded 
on fact. The following mode of administration employed by 
the late Dr, Lemarchand, of the Mauritius (cited by Bouton), 
it would be desirable to adopt in all future trials with this 
remedy. Take of fresh Papaw milk, honey, of each a table- 
spoonful; mix thoroughly, gradually add three or four table- 
spoonfuls of boiling water; and when sufficiently cool take the 


whole at a draught, following its administration two hours sub- 


P sequently by a dose of castor oil, to which a portion of. lime- > 
juice or vinegar may be added. This may be repeated twodays 
successively if required, The above is a dose for an e 


o4 PASSIFLOREM. 


the quantity may be given to children between 7 and 10 yearso 


(Bengal Dispensatory, p. 352), that he had administered thi 
milky juice as an anthelmintic, in doses of from 20 to 60 dro 
without obvious effect, is fully explained. It is principall 
effectual in the expulsion of lumbrici. On teenia it is reported 
to have little effect. Anthelmintic virtues have also been 
assigned to the seeds, but the evidence of their efficacy is v 
inconclusive. A belief in their emmenagogue properties p 
vails amongst all classes of women in Southern and Wester 
India, and also in Bengal; so much so, that they assert that if. 
a pregnant woman partake of them, even in moderate qua 
ties, abortion will be the probable result; the same prejudice 
exists against eating the fruit. Facts in support of the allege 
emmenagogue properties of the Papaw are still wanting. (Pha 
of India, p. 97.) Lt.-Col. Cox has brought to the notice of 

_ Madras ‘Agri-Horti-caltural Society that the leaves ai 
the south to extract guinea-worms; an ounce of the leaf is rub! 
with 60 grains of opium and 60 grains of common salt, and the 
paste applied to the part. ‘‘Of course the worm has to b 
wound out in the usual manner, but it aware comes out mo 
quickly and easily when treated in this way.” 

__ Evers has employed the milk in the treatment of splenic 
hepatic enlargement with good results ; a teaspoonful with y 
equal quantity of sugar divided into three. doses was administere 

daily. (Ind. Med. Gaz., Feb, 1875.) In1877, the milky j 

began to attract attention in Europe as a digestive ferme 

and Herr Wittmack (1878) examined its properties with the 
following results :—He obtained, after repeated incision of | 
half ripe fruit, 1°195 grammes of white milky juice of» 

consistence of cream. This dried in a watch glass to a h 

vitreous white mass, having what appeared to be greasy spt 

on the surface, but which really were flocks of a o 
substance that always adheres to the more hardened | 


PASSIFLOREH. BS 


The odour and flavour of the fresh juice recalled that of petro- 
_leum or of vulcanised india-rubber- e microscope showed 
it to be a fine grumous mass containing some larger particles 
and isolated starch grains. Jodine coloured the juice yellowish 

_ brown. A portion of the juice was dissolved in three times its 
weight of water, and, this was placed with 10 grammes of 
quite fresh lean beef in one piece in distilled water, and boiled 
for five minutes. Below the boiling point the meat fell into 
Several pieces, and at the close of the experiment it had sepa- 
rated into coarse shreds. In the control experiments made 
without the juice the boiled meat was visibly harder. Hard 
boiled albumen, digested with a little juice at a temperature of 
20° C., could after twenty-four hours be easily broken up with 

_ aglassrod. 50 grammes of beef in one piece, enveloped in a 
leaf of C. papaya during 24 hours at 15° C., after a short boil- 
4 ing became perfectly tender; a similar piece wrapped in paper 
and heated in the same manner remained quite hard. Some 
comparative experiments were also made with pepsin, and the 
following are the conclusions arrived at by the author :— 

(1) The milky juice of the Carica papaya is (or contains) 
a ferment which has an extraordinarily energetic action upon 
nitrogenous substances, and like pepsin curdles milk ; (2) this 
juice differs from pepsin in being active without the addition 
of free acid, probably it contains a small quantity, and further 

_ it operates ata higher temperature (about 60° to 65° C. ) and in 
_ ashorter time (5 minutes at most); (8) the filtered j juice differs 
_ chemically from pepsin in that it gives no precipitate on boiling, 

_ and further that it is precipitated by mercuric chloride, iodine, 
and oll the mineral acids; (4) it resembles pepsin in being 
: precipitated by neutral whales of lead, and not giving a pre- 
_ cipitate with sulphate of copper and perchloride of iron. Sf ot: = 
4 Jour., Nov. 30, 1878. ) ee 

_ ‘The active principle has since been separated and given the — 
a name of Papain ; it is now an article of commerce in 
_ for medicinal purposes, and is said to be capable of d 
q 200 times its weight of Aibrin ; it has been used as a 
diphtheritic false ‘ and a 


| eet Paced ee 


56 PASSIFTOREZ. 


in old standing cases of chronic eczema, more especially of the — 
palms of the hands, and where other remedies failed grea 
benefit has attended its application in the following way :—1 
grains of papain, and 5 grains of powdered borax, in 2 drachn 
of distilled water, to be painted on the parts twice daily. 

In the Therapeutic Gazette (1886), Dr. A. Jacobi records 
successful results in several cases in which papain was appl 
topically to diphtheritic membranes. In these cases a mixture 
of one part of papain and two parts each of glycerine and wate 
were applied with a brush; within twelve hours the memb 
began to slough off, and was freely expectorated. Sim 
results were obtained in England a few years before this, but 
want of uniformity and hence uncertainty to a certain exter 
prevented the remedy coming into general use. 

Dr. George Herschell (Brit. Med. Journ., 1886, p. 6 
- records the treatment of the chronic stomach catarrh of c 
dren with powders composed of Papain-Finkler, gr. 4 to 
Sacch. lactis, gr. i; Sodii Bicarb., gr. v-,to be taken after ev 
meal. This relieves the aggravating symptoms of dyspepsi 
such as loss of appetite and sleep, irritability, headache, an 
sometimes a cough, which so much affect children. Dr, F 


dyspepsia of adults, when heartburn and flatulence are the chie 
indications of impaired digestion, he finds papain valuable ii 
conjunction with carbolic acid and an alkali, as in the follo 
ing draught:—Sodii Bicarb. gr. xy., Glycer. acid, carbolic. 
m. vili.; Spt. Ammon. Arom., m. xx., Aque ad Ziss. sis 
to be taken an hour after food along with 2 grains of Pa: 
Finkler. (Chem. and Druggist, 1886.) 


3 


Description.—The tree is from 20 to 80 feet h 
without branches when young, but old trees often produce 
number of separate heads. The leaves are alternate, pe ee 
7-partite; segments oblong, acute, sinuated, the ; iddle 
fid; corolla tubular in the male and d-lobed in the — 


a 


< _- PASSIFLOREBA, 57 


ivided nearly to the base into five segments; male flowers 
illary in slightly compound racemes or panicles, white ; female 
reap on a different tree, in the axils of the leaves, large 
md fleshy, yellowish ; fruit succulent, oblong, furrowed; the 
size ofa small melon, yellowish-green when ripe, and con- 
aining a number of round, grey, sliny seeds, which smell like 
ress, In the unripe state the fruit abounds in a thick milky 
_ juice. 

_ Chemical composition and Physiolegical action.—The fruit 
‘has been examined by Dr. T. Peckolt (Zeitschr. des Oesterr. 
Apoth. Ver. 1879, 361—373) ; it was gathered in the full-grown 
ut unripe condition, when it contains a considerable quantity 
of milky juice, which disappears almost entirely after it has 
been kept fora few days. The analysis of the fresh fruit of 
he three varieties freed from acid gave the following 
numbers :— 


; Fruit of | Fruit of Her. 
emale culti-| may dite 
female gama vated plant. 
pinboas ie substance oesesiesers nae Oe vive 0-046 
page ’ 0-165 Ce Oet eee 
N eee tee 0-020 uf vor 
Ibuminoids 1-070 0-500 0-735 
238 8°580 4°333 
ctinous matter 1°315) 
ric acid 0-075 
itric = {combine with bases. 0-020 + 0-483 2-332 
alic acid 0-083 | 
Stan, &e 5 +503) 
Ww 85-351 92-500 89-445 
RIND codes obi sc 5A cianiase bia ced veeses 3-180 . 2-920 5091 


~The fresh fruit of the female plant gave 1- 239 per cent. of 
h, and the dried fruit 8°457 per cent. It contained a large 
mount of soda, potash, and phosphoric acid. The 288 fruit 

no free acids. 

The seeds contain an oil, papaya oil ; caricin, an oil-liké 


58 PASSIFLOREZ. 


soluble in hot water and alcohol; a resin acid, having an irri 
tating and bitter taste, insoluble in water and ether, soluble i 
alcohol and alkalies ; and a soft resin similar to that found i 
the fruit flesh of the female plant. ( Year-Book of Pharmacy, 1880, 
p- 212.) Dr. Sidney Martin (Journ. Physiol. V., 218—230, 
VI., 336—360 ; Journ. Chem. Soc. 1886, 641,) has shown pap 
to be a protolytic ferment, which acts very similarly to tryp 


Experiments performed with fibrin and white of egg show 
that some degree of digestion occurs when the liquid is faintl 
acid (0°05 per cent. of HCl); the presence of more ati 
than this hinders the action of the ferment. Digestion t 
place actively only in neutral or in alkaline solutions (0°25 
cent. of sodium carbonate) ; it occurs most readily ata ter 
perature between 35° and 40°C. ‘The results of digestion a 
peptones, leucine and tyrosine and an intermediate globul 
like substance, similar to that formed in pancreatic. digestion. 


In the author’s second paper on the same subject the fei 
ment in papaw juice is shown to be associated with an a 
mose, and to give the following reactions in addition to t 
previously described by Wurtz:—The solution gives a biur 
reaction, and it is precipitated from aneutral solution of sodi 
magnesium sulphate or sodium chloride alone, as globuli 
are, It is soluble in glycerol, and if precipitated from 
solution by alcohol, the filtrate has no proteolytic power. 
kind of albumose is one nearly akin to the protalbumose 
-Kuhne and Chittenden, and is called a-phytalbumose, Pa 
juice also contains a milk-curdling ferment. The prot 

present in papaw juice were found to be as follows :— 

(1) Globulin, resembling serum globulin in its most im 
tant properties. 

(2) Albumin. 

(3) 8-phytalbumose precipitated almost completely by 
by saturation with. neutral salts, but not by dialysis. 
differs from the heteroalbumose of Kiihne and Chittenden | 
not being precipitated by dialysis, by copper sulphate, 
mercuric chloride, . Boe 


OUCURBITACES. 59 


(4) a«-phytalbumose; solublo in cold or boiling water; 
‘not precipitated by saturation with neutral salts, except in an 
acid solution. This is the vegetable peptone referred to by. 
ines (Journ. Physiol. ii.) as hemialbumose. It differs from 


-pitation by sodium chloride er by copper sulphate. Both these 
albumoses give the biuret reaction. 
No peptones occur in the juice, but leucine and tyrosine are 
_ present. By a series of digestion experiments carried out 
_on each of these proteids by papain in a neutral liquid, it was 
found that both the globulin and albumen are changed into 
‘@-phytalbumose, and that this becomes a peptone-like sub- 
stance, and forms leucine and tyrosine. The a-phytalbumose 
becomes a similar peptone-like substance, leucine and tyrosine 
q being formed. This peptone-like substance resembles the 
ld euteroalbumose of Kiihne and Chittenden, except that a 
solution of it, when rendered acid by acetic acid in the pre- 
~ of sodium chloride, dees not become cloudy on warming, 
No true peptones are formed. Probably digestion in the plant 
itself is very slow, as much more liquid was used in the experi- 
mts than is present in the juice. The albumose forms — 
bably the circulating proteid in the plant, (Year-Book of — 
Pharm., 1886, p. 97). 


CUCURBITACE. 


CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS, Schraa. 


| Fig.—Wight Ic., t. 498 ; Bentl. and Trim. 114. Bitter 
pple (Eng.), Cofoqaiais (Fr r.). 
Biggs —India, Asia, Africa. The fruit and root. 
: Vernacular, —Indrayan (Hind.), Indrayan (@uz.), Peykou 
natti, peer (Tam.), Kuruvrandawan (Mar.), Eti-puchcha, 
ipépara (Tel.), Dodda-hal-mekki (Can.), Indréyan Lage ). 
History, Uses, &c.—Wild colocynth is comr 
2 tracts of North-West, Central a nd South 


60 CUCURBITACEZE. 


ripens in the cold season. Aitchison observes that it is ve 
common all over the desert country of Beluchistan, where 
called Khar- kushta. The fresh fruit is brought for sale by 


use of the Government Sanitary Establishments. : 
Sanskrit writers-describe the fruit as bitter, acrid, cathart 
and useful in biliousness, constipation, fever and worms. The 
also mention the root as a useful cathartic in jaundice, as 
enlargements of the abdominal viscera, urinary diseases, r 
matism, &. Sarangadhara gives a receipt for a compo 
pill, which contains Mercury 1 part, Colocynth pulp, Sulp 
Cardamoms, Long Pepper, Chebalic myrobalans, and Pelli 
root, of each 4 parts. The Sanskrit names for colocynth 
Indravéruni and Vishalé. In India the fruit or root, wi 
without nux vomica, is rubbed into a paste with water 
applied to boilsand pimples. In rheumatism equal parts 
root and long pepper are given in pills. A paste of the re 
applied to the enlarged abdomen of children. (Qompare 
Serib. Comp. 80, and Pliny 20, 8.) 
Mahometan writers call the colocynth plant Heawg ori 
cuss its properties at great length. They consider it to | 
very drastic purgative, removing phlegm from all parts 
system, and direct the fruit, leaves and root to be used. 
drug is prescribed as with us, when the bowels are obsti 
_ costive from disease or lesion of the nervous centres, als 
dropsy, jaundice, colic, worms, elephantiasis, &c. 


minative aperient. A similar preparation is made wi 
barb root instead of pepper. The same author tells us 
seeds are purgative, and mentions their use for pri 

* Compare Hippocrates de morb. mutiers ii, yi y, 


CUCURBITACEZ. 61 


hair from turning grey, a purpose for which “ bitter apples” 
are apparently employed in England in the present day. As 
_ regards the purgative properties of the seeds he is incorrect, 
_ for when thoroughly washed they are eaten by the Arabs in 
_ time of famine. Colocynth was familiar to the Greeks and 
Romans.* 


Description.—The Indian fruit is nearly globular, of the 
size of an orange, smooth, marbled with green and yellow when 
fresh, yellowish-brown when dry, and contains a scanty greyish- 
white pulp in which a number of brown seeds are embedded. 
This pulp in the fresh fruit is spongy and juicy, and occupies 
the whole of the interior of the frait. Peeled colocynth is un- 
_ known in the Indian market except as an import from Europe. 
The seeds are disposed in vertical rows on three thick parietal 
‘placente, which project to the centre of the fruit, then divide 
‘and turn back, forming two branches directed towards one 
another. The seeds are of flattened ovoid form, 3-10ths of an 
inch long by 2-10ths broad, not bordered. ‘The testa is hard 
and thick, with a finely-granulated surface, and is marked on 
each side of its smaller end by two furrows directed towards the 
_ hilum. The leaves are glabrous and nearly smooth above, 
_-muricated beneath, with small, white, hair-bearing tubercles, 
_ many cleft and lobed, the lobes obtuse. The root is fibrous, 
tough and stringy, of a yellowish-white colour. All parts of 
the plant are very bitter, and the dust when dry very irritating 
to the eyes and nostrils. 

Chemical composition.—The bitter principle was isolated DY =e 
Hiibschmann in 1847, by Lebourdais in 1848, and by Walz 
(1858), whotreated alcoholic extract of colocynth with water, 
and mixed the solution firstly with neutral acetate of lead, and 
subsequently with basic acetate of lead. From the filtered 
liquid the lead was separated by means of sulphuretted hydrogen, _ 
and then tannic acid added to it. The latter caused the colo- — 
eyuthin to be precipitated; the precipitate washed and dried 

* kohoxivéis, Theophr. H. P. i, 19, 22. vii., 1, 8,6; Dios. iv 
“Colocynthis, Plin. 20,8. < oe 


_ bitter, and its alcoholic solution had a marked acid reaction. It 


62 CUCURBITACEZ. 


was decomposed by oxide of lead, and, finally, the colocynthin 
was dissolved out by ether. 

Walz thus obtained about per cent. ofa yellowish mass or 
tufts, which he considered as possessing crystalline structure, 4 
and to which he gave the name colocynthin. He assigns toit 
the formula 05° H®* 025, Colocynthin is a violent purgative. 

Colocynthin is decomposed, according to Walz, by boiling 
dilate hydrochloric acid, and then yields colocynthein, C** H% 
O'5, and grape sugar. 

The same chemist termed colocynthitin that part of the alco- 
holic extract of colocynth, which is soluble in ether, but not in’ 
water. Purified with boiling alcohol, colocynthitin forms 4 
tasteless crystalline powder. 

The pulp perfectly freed from seeds and dried at 100°C., 
affords 11 per cent. of ash; the seeds alone yield only 2°7 per 
cent, (Pharmacographia.) The seeds contain after decortica- 
tion about 48 per cent. of fatty oil and 18 per cent albumi- 
nous substances besides a small quantity of sugar. (Fliickiger.) 

We have examined the roots dried at 50° C., and reduced 
to powder ; the powder contained a large amount of starch — 
and woody fibre; for the chemical examination, no separation 
of fragments of woody fibre by asieve was attempted, the pow. 
dered roots being used as a whole. 

Dry ether was digested with a known weight of the powder 
for some days, and was found to extract ‘14 percent. only. The 
extractive was of a yellow colour, bitter, and consisted chiefly 
of oily matter. Water digested with this extract acquired a 
very bitter taste. Another portion of the powder was exhausted © 
with 84 per cent. alcohol, by which treatment 12°62 per cent. 
of a soft yellow non-crystalline extract was obtained dried at 
100° C, 


By the action of cold water on the extract, *88 per cent. of 
insoluble, soft yellow residue was left; this residue was not 


| had the properties of a fat acid. The aqueous extractive was — 
_ somewhat milky; repeated filtration failed to make it bright: it 


CUCURBITAOCEZE. 63 


was acidulated with acetic acid and agitated with acetic ether. 
‘he acetic ether extract was yellow and most intensely bitter, it 
mounted to ‘3 per cent. caleulatedon the roots. The greater 
art of this extract was soluble in water, the solution being 
intensely bitter. The residue insoluble in water consisted of 
fatty matter, and after repeated washing with water, it still had 
a bitter taste. The aqueous solution of the acetic extract gaye 
with tannic acid a white curdy precipitate, 

Acetic ether appears to be a better solvent for colocynthin 
than light petroleum ether, and it can be separated from either 
_ an acid or alkaline solution by the reagent. The acetic ether 
extract soluble in water may be looked upon as crude 
colocynthin. Henke appears to have obtained abont °6 per cent. 
of colocynthin from the commercial drug freed from seeds, 
while Walz obtained about °25 per cent. 


- Average value, Re. 1 per 100 fruits. The fruit sup-_ 
plied from Saharunpore, N.-W. Provinces, in no way differs 
i om that collected in the Deccan. 


4 compound extract from 60 Ibs of dried fruit. 


CITRULLUS VULGARIS, Schrad, 


Fig.—Hook. Kew Journ. Bot., :444., 45 Water-mclom: fe 
Eng.), Melon d’eau (Fr.) : ‘cau 


Hab.—Cultivated throughout the Hast. ‘The seeds, ~— 


Vernacular.—Tarbu 


’ j (Hind.), Tarmuj (Beng.), Kalin 
_ (Mar.), Pitcha-pullum (Tam.), Kérigu (@uz.). 


64 CUCURBITACE®. 


+ 


History, Uses, &c.—tThe distinction between the q 


when the latter, it is the Citrullus amarus of authors. C. Jis- 
tulosus, Stocks, has thick stems, leaves sparingly lobed, and 
is plentifully supplied with long somewhat hispid hairs. (Fl, 


is globular, about as large as colocynth fruit, does not become 
sweet when ripe, and is used in the same manner as the Vege- 
table Marrow. The seeds of the water-melon are of interest aS 
being one of the four cold cucurbitaceous seeds of the ancient s 
which, according to Guibonrt, were originally those of Cucumis 
sativus, L., Cucumis Citrullus, DC., (the water-melon), Cucumis 
Melo, L., and Lagenaria, vulg. clavata, DC., but he rems 
that in Paris the seeds of Cucurbita Pepo, Duch., and Cucur. 
bita maxima (the potiron of the French) are now substitute 
for those of Cucumis Citrullus and Lagenaria vulgaris. 
India the four cold cucurbitaceous seeds sold in the bazars a: 
those of Cucumis utilissimus, Benincasa cerifera, Cucumis Mel 
and Citrullus vulgaris. These seeds are in constant deman 
and are kept decorticated and ready for use. The natives. 


e— 


emetic, and in small doses with honey as a stomachic for chil: 
dren. (Murray.) Popularly the use of water melons is sup: 
posed to be specially conducive to choleraic Seizures, but t 
evidence upon which this opinion is based 

wholly inconclusive. According to Brannt th 
melon are brought from Senegal to France, 
pressed, yielding as much as 30 per cent. of a fluid pale ye 

oil which is used as a table oil and in the manufacture — 


OCUCURBITACE ZA. Gk 


CUCUMIS TRIGONUS, out. 


Fig.—Wight Iil., t. 105; Ic., t. 497; Rheede, Hort, Mal 
viii. 11. Var. pubescens, Royle Til, £. 47; Wight Te., t. 496. 
Hab.—India. The fruit. 
Vernacuier.—Bislambhi (Hind.), Kattut-tumatti (Tam.), 
_Adavi-puchcha (Tel.), Katvel, Karit (Mar.), Hal-mekki (Can. i 
Var. pubescens, Takmaki ( Mar.). 
History, Uses, &c.—This plant occurs in two very 
distinct forms, the wild bitter form has smooth fruits about the 
size and shape of a small egg, marked with green and yellow 
treaks like colocynth. The pubescent or semi-cultivated form 
as velvety fruits which are quite sweet when ripe, and are 
ten as a vegetable when green. The wild fruits are never 
aten, but are used sometimes medicinally in the same way 
as Citrullus amarus, The seecs are considered very cooling, — 
d are beaten into a paste with the juice of Cynodon dactylon 
Durya) and applied to herpetic eruptions, 
_ The bitter gourd, is like colocynth, called Vish4lé in Sanskrit, — 
ind is brought for sale in the Concan at the feast of the Divali 
new year of the Hindus, as there is a custom at that season of 


bly some be 

Deaced in these three sr on and on that account the 

eation gal attributed to them. But thei 

m to be this. It i is Pa: the same as that which 
ice bof eating Nimba 

. These leaves are bitte a 

by eating them, therefore, « 

evious year, and fits onese 

it Fonat Pitter, 

one h eat a 

vdieo 


e to the precipitate caking on the sides of the filter. 


66 CUCURBITACEZ. 


“supposed to be alexipharmic, and to have the power of remov- — 
ing all pains and aches. The fruit pounded or boiled with cow "ga 


strengthen the memory, and remove vertigo. Itis the Bali 
mucca-piri of Rheede, who gives Tindalica as the Portugu 
and Milten as the Dutch name. His brahminical na 
Carinti is Marathi, and most of his brahminical names a 
derived from the South Concan dialect of that language, sho 
ing that he obtained his information concerning the medicinal 
properties of plants from Shenvi and Sarasvat Brahmins who 
hhad migrated to Malabar from the Southern Concan. Modern 
investigation has shown that the medicinal properties of this 
gourd in no way differ from those of colocynth. 

Chemical composition.—The dried fruit was digested with 8 
per cent, alcohol, and the resulting tincture concentrated until 
most of the alcohol had been expelled ; water was then ad 
and the mixtureagitated with petroleum ether. The petro 


which left a greasy stain on paper: with the exception of a 
flocks it was soluble in alcohol, with acid reaction and bit 
taste. On allowing the alcoholic solution to evaporate, 80 
small warty masses separated which were destitute of crystal 
structure under the microscope. After agitation with petroleum 
ether, the aqueous solution, still containing some alcohol, 
heated on the water bath to drive off all the spirit, and thes 
extract was then mixed with water and agitated with a 
ether containing some acetic acid. The acetic ether extra 
was reddish brown, very bitter and partly soluble in boi 
water. The insoluble residue was brittle when cold and ve 
bitter, and had the properties of a resin, and would appear t¢ 
correspond with the resin of colocynth described by Meis 
and others- 

The aqueous solution obtained by the action of boiling 
on the acetic ether extract was cooled and mixed with aq 
tannic acid, and the curdy precipitate separated by filt 
and slightly washed ; thorough washing was not posible 


CUCURBITACE. 67 


residue was: obtained, in which prisms were detected on micro- 
scopic: examination. Generally the reactions afforded by this 
_ bitter principle -agreed with those usually ascribed to colocyn- 
thin. It failed, however, to-yield any dark green greasy, precipi 
_ tate with boiting aqueous hydrochloric acid, as is mentioned in 
_ Muir and Morley’s edition of Watts’ Chemical Dictionary. We 
4 further tested a sample of colocinthin, which had beewobtained 
from Dr. Schuchardt of Gorlitz, for this reaction, but with 
4 negative results. Regarding the- production of this dark 
a green greasy precipitate ; on boiling colocynthin with concen- 
trated aqueous hydrochloric acid, the first effect of heat was the 
rmation of a clear reddish yellow solution; on continued 
ullition the liquid became darker and turbid, and on the 
rface a dirty white scum appeared,. wholly destitute of «any 
en tinge, and on diluting with water, the scum.became of a 
ht reddish dirty tint. 
_ The dried fruit with a few seeds lost 12°22 per cent. whad 
heated to 100°C. The-ash amounted to 9°74-per cent. 


LAGENARIA VULGARIS, Seringe. 

a Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. viii, t. 53 a Tis t: 106. 
_ The bottle gourd (Hng.). 

Hab.—Cultivated throughout India. The fruit. 
Vernacular.—Tumba, Belaschora-tumbi, Karwa-tumba 
ind.), Tikta-lau (Beng.), Karu-bhopala, Bhopala ( poid 
orakai (Tam.), Anapa-kai (Zed.), Gara-dudi (Mal.), 
History, Uses, &c.—The shell of this - g 
dried is much used in the — : 


63 CUCURBITACEZ. 


of all kinds, and for making the native guitar or Tambur 
The fruit often attains an enormous size, and is used as 
buoy for crossing rivers and transporting baggage. Among 
the Hindus as amongst the Greeks gourds are considered to b 
emblematic of fecundity, prosperity, and good health. Ther 
are two varieties of the bottle gourd, a sweet one, called 
Sanskrit Aldbu, and a bitter one known as Katutumbi. Th 
fruit varies much in shape. The outer rind is hard am 
ligneous, aad encloses a spongy white flesh, very bitter, an 
powerfully emetic and purgative, The seeds are grey, fla 
and elliptical, surrounded by a border which is inflated at th 
sides but notched at the apex; their kernels are white, oil 
and sweet. In India the pulp in combination with other drug 
is used in native practice as a purgative; it is also applie 
_ externally as a poultice. The seeds were originally one of th 
four cold cucurbitaceous seeds of the ancients, but pumpk 
seeds are now usually substituted for them. : 
The Hindus administer a decoction of the leaves in jaundic 
it has a purgative action, . 
Toxicology.x—Dr. Burton Brown notices the poisonous pr 
perties of the bitter variety of this gourd, the symptom 
observed being similar to those after poisoning by elaterium ¢ 
colocynth. 


- BENINCASA CERIFERA, Savi. 

Fig.—BRheede Hort. Mal. viii., t. 8, 
Hab.—Cultivated throughout India. The fruit. 
_ Vernacular.—Petha (Hind.), Kumra (Beng.), Kohala (Mar. 
Birda-gimiidu (Tel.), Bhurun-koholun (Guz.), Kumbuli (Tam. 
Kuvali (Mal.). Rago. 

History, Uses, &c.—Dautt in his Hindu Materia Me 
gives us the following account of the medicinal use o 
gourd which is called Kushménda in Sanskrit :—“ The 
is considered tonic, nutritive and. diuretic, and a 
cheemoptysis and other hemorrhages from int ernal org 


eee. 


“i 


CUCURBITACE. 69 


would appear that the old Sanskrit writers were not acquainted 
vith its peculiar action on the circulatory system by which it 
pidly puts a check to hemorrhage from thelungs. The Raja 
lirghantu, the oldest work on therapentics, gives a long 
count of its virtues, but does not allude to its use in phthisis 
or hemoptysis. Neither does Susruta mention it in his chap- 
_ ters on the treatment of hemorrhage and phthisis, though the 
plant is alluded to by him elsewhere. The more recent compila- 
_ tions, such as Chakradatta Sangraha, Sarangadhara, &e., give 
_ numerous preparations of the article; of these Khanda Kush- 
_ mandaka or the confection may be taken as an example. In pre- 
_ paring this medicine, old ripe gourds are selected. Those not 
_ at least a year old are not approved. ‘They are longitudinally 
_ divided into two halves, and the pulp seraped ont in thin flakes 
_by an iron comb or scraper. The watery juice that oozes 


ied up tightly in a cloth, and the fluid portion allowed to drain 
ay. The softened and drained pulp is dried in the sun, and 
e watery portion preserved for future use. Fifty tolés of the 
prepared pulp are fried in sixteen tol4s of clarified butter, and 
again boiled in the juice of the fruit, till reduced to the con- 
sistence ofhoney. To this are added fifty tolis of refined sugar, 
and the whole is heated over a gentle fire till the mass assumos 
q such a consistence as to adhere to the ladle. The pot is now 
q removed from the fire, and the following substances, namely, 
_long pepper and ginger, each two tolés, cumin seeds, carda- 
_ moms, cinnamon, folia malabathri, black pepper and coriander, 
ch half a tol4 in fine powder, are added to the syrup and 


of honey are now added to the confection, which is preserved 


rred briskly with a ladle, till the mass is cool. Hight tolas — : 


70 CUCURBITACE. 


pei allowed to drain, saffron, leer cardamoms and mela 4 
sugar are then added. ‘4 

In insanity, epilepsy and other nervous diseases the fresh — 
juice of the fruit is given either with sugar or as an adjunct 
other medicines. According to Dr. Savinge of Rajamundry 
has been used with success in diabetes, 4 ozs. of the juice with 
100 grs. each of saffron, and the bran of red rice, are giv 
morning and evening and a strict diet enjoined. 

The fruit of B. cerifera is sub-rotund, 12 to 15 inches 
diameter, hairy when young, smooth with a whitish bloom wh 
ripe. 


TRICHOSANTHES PALMATA, fvzb. 
Fig.—Wight Ill., tt. 104, 105, 


Hab.—Throughout India. The fruit and stem. 

Vernacular.—Lal-indrayan (Hind.), Kaundal {Mar.), Mé4 
(Beng.), Koratti, Shavari (Tam.), Avagude (Can.), Kakapalam 
(Mal.), Avaguda, Abuvva (7'el.), 


History, Uses, &c.—Sanskrit writers describe Mahé. 
kéla as a kind of gourd with an exterior resembling an orange, 
but with pulp like cowdung. Mahikala is also a name of 
Ganesha, the god of wisdom, the causer and remover ol 
obstacles, the son of Shiva and Parvati. This gourd is useda 
a ear ornament (kundala) for the figure of Ganesha or aa 
which is dressed up and seated in state in every Hindu house 
once a year, to bring good luck to the inmates. At this sez 
large quantities of the fruit are brought for sale in the aise 
The plant and fruit are considered medicinal. According 
Ainslie, the fruit pounded and intimately blended with wa. 
cocoanut oil is considered a valuable application for cleani 
and healing offensive sores inside the ears, and is also used 
cure ozena. The root is said by Wight to be used asa c 
medicine, especially in inflammation of the lungs. In the 
gal Dispensatory it is stated that numerous trials were 


CUCURBITACE. 71 


_ with the fruit to ascertain whether it had purgative properties. 
_ Three grain doses thrice daily produced no sensible effect. 

. ‘In Bombay the natives sometimes smoke it as a remedy 
; for asthma. Sir T. Madava Row proposed in the Indian papers 
4 (1888) this remedy for the Crown Prince of Germany.—“Take 
the external cover of the fruit of 7’. palmata, powder it, and 
inhale the smoke of it, like that of tobacco. Do this three 
times a day for three days. This is found in an important 
work in Sanskrit on medicine.” The root with an equal portion 
F of colocynth root is rubbed into a paste and applied io car- 
_ buncles ; combined with equal portions of the three myrobalans 
and turmeric, it affords an infusion which is flavoured with honey 
_ and given in gonorrhea, 7. palmata is supposed by some to 
be the Hanzal ahmar or red colocynth of Mahometan writers. 


Description.—The fruit is round, oval, or pyriform, the 
: size of a small apple, crimson when fresh, of a dull orange 
_ colour when dry, marked at one end by a deep cicatrix with 
_ sharp raised edges, at the other there is a prominence to which 
a portion of the stalk sometimes remains attached. In the dry 

ruit, which has a thin, brittle, very bitter shell, the segments 
(of pulp with their seeds are loose, so that the contents of the 
gourd rattle. If a dry segment be soaked in water it soon 
_ Softens, yielding a dark green pulp which smells like savine, 
_ and has an acrid and bitter taste. The seeds, ranging in num- 
' ber from 60 to 100 in each fruit, are flat, but very 
' irregular in shape, generally somewhat triangular, and ave (2) 
 7-16ths of an inch in length ; they have a hard blackish shell, 
and sweet oily kernel. The vine is perennial, often as thick as 
_ @ man’s arm; it has a warty grey bark, marked by seven deep 
_ longitudinal fissures, which correspond to the medullary diyi- 
sions between seven wedge-shaped woody and vascular bundles 
_ into which the stem is divided. The vine is not bitter. 


72 OUCURBITACEZE. 


at first, a yellow solution passing to orange red and purple. 
Frohde’s reagent colours it first orange, then reddish brown, 
and finally greenish brown. The bitter principle resembles te 
some extent colecynthin, and the name “ trichosanthin”’ is pro: 
posed for it. The frnits when being burnt, and when decomp S- 
ing in moist situations, give off large quantities of ammonia, — 

The green pulp in the interior of the fruit in which the seeds _ 
are embedded, contains a colouring matter which has more © 


usual green colouring matter of plants. Prof. Michie &mitl 
(Proc, Roy. Soc. Edin. 1890), comparing the absorption spectre 
of this colouring matter with chlorophyll, finds in the fort 
two very dark bands, one in the red extending from near G 
about half way between C and D, the other in the yellow : 
the more refrangible side of D. ‘There are two other faint 
bands, one on each side of BE. The action of hydrochloric a 
and ammonium sulphide upon the colouring matter alters 
spectrum in a characteristic manner that i disti 
guishes it from chlorophyll. a 

Toaicology.—Roxburgh informs us that the fruit is reckon ed 
poisonous. ‘The Madras Chemical Examiner (1888) reported: 
“4 woman who is said to have eaten the seeds (fruit ?) of t 
plant with suicidal intent, suffered from vomiting, purging, a 
griping, and died collapsed. No alkaloid was found in t 
viscera, and a portion of the fruit was found non-poisono 
with a guinea-pig.” 


TRICHOSANTHES DIOICA, Roxb. 
Hab.—Throughout the plain of North India, Guzerat t 
Assam, Bengal. 
TRICHOSANTHES CUCUMERINA, Lin 


Fig. —Itheede Hort. Mal. viii., t. 15. Sabino Pb) 
pert (Dutch). 


« Hab,.—Thronghout India ed Ouse: Tho plant in 


OUCURBITACE 2. "3 


Vernacular.—Jangli-chichonda, Palwal (Hind.), Patol, Bon- 
_patol (Beng.), Rén-paryal, Karu-parval (Mar.), Parwar (Guz.), 
_ Kattup-pepudal (Tam.), Chyad-potta{ Ted. ), Gwal-kakri(Punj.), 
Dummaala (Cingh.), Padavalam {Mal.). - 

History, Uses, &c.—In Northern India, Bengal and 
Guzerat the fruit of T. dioica is considered to be the Patola of 
Sanskrit writers, and in Western and Southern India, where 
T. dioica is not found, T. cucumerina is used as Patola. 
Patola or Patolaka, “shaped like a muscle shell,” is a medicine 
in great repute amongst the Hindus as a febrifuge and laxative 
in bilious fevers, the decoction of the whole plant being 
administered in combination with other bitters. It is also 
considered to purify the blood and remove boils and skin 
eruptions; aromatics may be added to the decoction. The 
following prescription from Chakradatta may be taken as an 
example:—Take of Patola, Tinospora, Cyperus, Chiretta, Neem- 
bark, Catechu, Oldenlandia, Root bark of Adhatoda, equal parts, 
in all two tolas (360 grains), and prepare a decoction which is 


divided doses during 24 hours. The drug is also administered 
in combination with Turbith as a drastic purgative in jaundice 

nd dropsy; the Patoladya churna is a compound purgative 
powder of this kind. Both of these plants are found in a wild 


grains of the plant with an equal guantity of Coriander for a 
_ night, and in the morning add honey to it and strain the liquor; 
this quantity makes two doses, one of which is taken in tl 
morning and one at ni he Conca leaf 


74 CUCURBITACEZ. 


steamed, stuffed with spices, fried in melted butter, and eaten 
with wheaten bread as a remedy for spermatorrhcea. Ainslie, 4 
under the name of 7’. laciniosa, notices the use of 7’. cucwmerina 
as astomachic and laxative medicine among the Tamools, and q 
says it is the Patola of Southern India, Rheede gives the ~ 
following account of its medicinal properties :—‘‘ Decoctum 
cum saccharo sumptum, digestioni confert, tormina intesti- 


 epotus, valde purgativus est, in ipsa accessione februm quoti- 
dianarum ac quartanarum ex pituita provenientium, frigus vel 
diminuit vel in totum tollit, per vomitum scilicet: stipes im 
decocto datus phlegmati exroianwde conducit: fructus qua- 
quo modo sumpti tumores expellunt.” 
From our observation of the action of these plants we cannot 
find that they differ in any way from colocynth ; like that drug 
they require to be combined with aromatics to prevent griping’ 
Their febrifuge action appears to depend upon their purgative 4 
properties. | 
Description.—7. dioica—Stems twining, more or less 
woolly and scabrous. Leaves 3 by 2 in., harsh, sinuate-dentate, 
not lobed; petiole ? in.; tendrils 2- fd. Male peduncles in 
pairs. Calyx-tube 1? in., narrow. Fruit 2 to 34 in., oblong, 
acute, orange-red. | Seeds § to 3 in., half-ellipsoid, compressed, 
corrugate on the margin. Plant dicecious. 
- 4. cucumerina—Stems twining, more or less pubescent. 
Leaves 2t0 4 in., usually 5-lobed about half-way down, lobes 
obtuse, or if acute not acuminate; petiole 3 in.; tendrils 2-fid. — 
Male peduncles in pairs, often racemed, Oalys tabs 1 inch. 
Fruit 1 to 4 in., oblong, acute, red. Seeds 3 to 4 in., half- 
ellipsoid, compressed, corrugate. Plantdicecious. (FL Br. Ind.) | 


MOMORDICA DIOICA, Rozi. 


Fig.— Wight Ic,, tt. 505, 506; Rheede, Hort. Mal. viit., 18 
Hab.—Throughout India The tubers. — 


CUCURBITACE. 75 


Vernacular.—Kirara, Dhar-karela (Hind.), Karantoli (Mar.), 
_Palupaghel-kalung (Tam.), Agokara, Angakara (Tel.), Hrima- 
_ pavel (Mal.), Madahagala (Can.). 


Uses, Description, &e.—The muricated fruit of this 
plant is called Vahasa by Sanskrit writers, that of the wild 
; plant is extremely bitter, but under cultivation it loses much of 
its bitterness and. is commonly used as a vegetable. The fruits 
| burst irregularly when ripe showing the red arillus of the seeds, 

__ which are black, shining, and almost spherical. The plants 
are male and female, and have rather large yellow blossoms. 
The tubers of the female plant are the largest, and are used 
medicinally. Rheede says that the plant is truly cephalic, for 
mixed with cocoanut, pepper, red sandal, and other ingredients, 
and applied in the form of liniment, it stops all pains in the 
head. Ainslie notices the use of the root by Hindu doctors in 
the form of electuary in cases of bleeding piles, and in certain 
bowel affections connected with such complaints, the dose 
_ being about 2 drachms or more twice daily. In the Concan 
aq the juice of the root is a domestic remedy for the inflammation 
_ caused by the contact with the urine of the House-lizard. 
_ The roots, which often weigh a pound or more, much resemble 
_ aturnip, but are more elongated; they are of a yellowish- 
white colour, and marked externally with whitish, raised 
circular rings ; the taste is astringent. 

Chemical composition.—The air-dried roots lost 72°78 per 
eent, when heated to 100° C., and afforded 3°42 per cent. of 
_ ash.’ The ash contained a slight trace of manganese. 

The coarsely -powdered roots were exhausted with 80 per cent. 
alcohol; from the resulting tincture most of the alcohol was 
_ distilled off, and the remainder allowed to evaporate by expo» 
_ sure to the air. During evaporation a deep yellow oily looking 


was somewhat bitter, and lefs an unpleasant 
_ Metallic taste in the mouth. By the addition of water the _ 
_ extract was converted into a turbid orange yellow 

which was agitated with petroleum ether. ote 


_ matter separated, and the liquid gelatinized. The alcoholic 


76 CUCURBITACE. 


The petroleum ether extract was of a light yellow colou 
soft, non-crystalline, and possessed a fragrant odour similar to — 
that of methyl] salicylate. In ether it was wholly soluble; @ 
with the exception of a few white flocks it was also soluble i 
absolute alcohol, with acid reaction. In eold aqueous caust 
soda it was insoluble, but when gently warmed a portion dis 
solved, and the liquid assumed a deep orange colour; t 


during digestion with the caustic soda solution a very fragrant 
odour was noticed. The agitation of an ethereal solution of t 
petroleum ether extract with dilute hydrochloric acid, afforde 
traces of an alkaloid. 

The aqueous residue after treatment with petroleum spirit 
was agitated with ether. The ethereal extract was yellowis: 
soft, indistinetly crystalline, and had an odour similar to th 
noted in the petroleum ether extract. In water the extract w: 
partly soluble with strongly acid reaction, and the solu 
gave marked indications of the presence of an alkaloid : 
ferric chloride the solution gave a dirty violet-reddish color 
tion. ‘The residue insoluble in water was yellowish, and part 
soluble in ammonia with yellow coloration: the insolu 
residue was whitish. The addition of acids to the ammoniae 
solution caused the precipitation of white flocks. 

e original aqueous solution after separation of ether 
rendered alkaline with carbonate of soda and agitated 
ether; the ethereal extract amounted only to a trace, 
afforded indications of an alkaloid with the u 
no special colour reactions were noted. 

After separation of ether, the aqueous alkaline residue 
acidified with acetic acid and agitated with acetic ether: 3 
extract thus obtained was reddish, and partly gelatinized on 
evaporation : it was partly soluble in acetic acid, a turbidi 
being produced by dilution with water. i ice 

In order to ascertain whether a purgative principle was 
sent or not, an alcoholic extract from 10 grams of the root 
rubbed up with water and injected into a cat’s stomach, no] 
gative action was produced, and with the exceptic 


aa 
sual reagents: 


CUCURBITACE &. 77. 


ack of vomiting one hour and ten minutes after administra- 
ion of the drug, no symptoms appeared to be induced. 


MOMORDICA COCHINCHINENSIS, Spreng. 
- Fig.—Bot. Mag., t. 5145. 


Hab. +-Bongal to Tenasserim, Destale Peninsula, Canned 


Vernacular.—Kakrol (Hind., Beng.). 


History, Uses, &c.—The seeds after the shells have 
been removed are fried and eaten either alone or with other 
food. (Makhzan.) They are considered to be good for cough and 
ins in the chest. Powdered they form one of the in- 
edients of the hot stuff known as Jhal in Bengal, which, 
xed with melted butter, is given to women immediately after 
parturition, and daily for a few days afterwards. Jhal is 
believed to act as a stimulant, destroying the excess of 
legmatic humours which are supposed to be produced in the 

ly after delivery. (C. 'L. Boso. ) A plaster made with the roots 
s said to promote the growth of the hair, and prevent its fall- 
; off. The plant is called in Sanskrit Karkataka, from the 
semblance of the seeds to the shell of acrab. This plant 
is the Muricia cochinchinensis of Loureiro, who says that the 
berries are used for colonring food, and that the seeds and 
leaves are aperient and abstergent and useful in hepatic and 
lenic obstructions, in unhealthy ulcerations, lumbago; and 
ternally in procidentia utert et ani, fractures and pees: 
the bones. 


Description.—The seeds are 3 by & of an inch in 
ameter, and } ofan inch thick, ovate, compressed, black ; 
rugated on the margins and sculptured on the faces. The | 
lis fragile, and encloses an oily kernel. : 
Chemical composition.—Kakrol seeds deprived of siete 
elded 43°74 per cent. of a slightly greenish oil when eate 
ith light petroleam ether. ae oil pon 
properties a thin 


78 CUCURBITACEZ, 


and exposed to a temperature of 100° C., in the course of an 
hour the oil assumed a translucent white appearance, and could — 
be scraped off the glass as a white powder which, when boiled — 
with petroleum ether, yielded only a trace of soluble matter, 
consisting of oil. Exposed to the air without being heated, i 4 
24 hours a thin layer presented numberless little white cauli- 
flower like masses, while a portion of the oil assumed an arbo: 
escent pattern on the glass. After saponification of the oi 
and decomposition of the soap, the separated fatty acids had 
melting point of 48°—49° ©. 

In addition to oil, a very slightly bitter glucoside was pr 
sent, which afforded no special colour reactions with reagents. 


MOMORDICA CHARANTIA, Linn. 


Fig.—Bot. Mag., t. 2455; Wight Ic.,t. 504; Bot. Reg 
é. 980. | 


Hab.—tThroughout India. The fruit. 


Vernacular.—Karela (Hind.), Kéralé (Mar.), Pava-kai, P: 
vakkapchedi (Tam.), Kakara-chettu (Tel.), Karala (Beng.). 
Muricated var., Uchchhe (Beng.), Hagala (Can.). 


Description, Uses, &c.—There aretwo chief varietie 
differing in the form of the fruit, the one being longer aD 
. more oblong, and the other smaller, more ovate, muricated 
tubercled. There are besides many intermediate gradations. 
The fruit is bitter but wholesome, and is eaten by the nativ 
It requires, however, to be steeped in salt water before be 
cooked ; the smaller variety is most esteemed. (Drury.) Fi 
Rheede, Wight and Gibson we learn that the Hindus use 
whole plant combined with cinnamon, long pepper, rice a0 
the oil of Hydnocarpus Wightiana, as an external appl 
tion in scabies and other cutaneous diseases. The fruit 
leaves are administered as an anthelmintic, and are app. 
externally in leprosy. One-eighth of a seer of the juice of 
leaves is given in bilious affections, as an emetic and purgati 
alone or combined with aromatics ; the juice is rubbed in, 


CUCURBIT ACE. 79 


‘burning of the soles of the feet, and with black pepper is rub- 
d round the orbit as a cure for night blindness, The Sans- 
t name is Karavella, the muricated variety is called Sushavi, 
d bears the synonym Kandira or “armed with arrows.” The 
author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya describes the fruit as tonic 
and stomachic, and says that it is useful in rheumatism and 
; ; he also mentions 
ts anthelmintic properties. He points out that some have 
erroneously supposed it to be identical with the Katha-el-himar 
a the Arabs, which is a violent purgative. Drury has the 
following description of M. Charantia:—“ Climbing, stem 
re or less hairy; leaves palmately 5-lobed, sinuate, toothed, 
en young more or less villoas on the underside, particularly 
on the nerves; peduncles slender, with a reniform bracteole 
Ba bout the middle, female with it near the base; fruit oblong or 
vate, more or less tubercled or muricated; seeds with a thick 
Rotched margin and red aril ; flowers middle- sized, pale yellow.” 
In n the rainy season the plant may be seen in almost every gar- 
Jen in India. The fruit is also offered for sale in the market, 
d when well cultivated attains the size of a cucumber. 


MOMORDICA CYMBALARIA, Fenzl. 
Fig.—Lyon Med. Jurisp. for India, p. 200, jf. 14. 
Hab.—Deccan Peninsula, Mysore, Concan. The tubers, 
Vernacular.—Kadavanchi (Mar.). 

History, Uses, &c.—The whole plant is acrid; it is 
eutioned here as a number of the tubers were ainewade to 
@ Chemical Analyser to Government, Bombay, from Satara, as 
ving been found in the possession of a person suspected of 
ministering drugs to procure abortion. Our specimen was 


80 CUCURBITACEZL. 
forwarded to Dr. Barry, Acting-Chemical Analyser, in connee- 
tion with a case of abortion. 
Description.—Root tuberous, ovoid; the tubers had th 
odour of cucumbers, and examined under the microscope, | 
central portion was seen to consist of starch cells, between th 
- portion and the epidermal layer irregular masses of a resin0' 
substance were observed; leaves 1—2 inch broad, 5-angult 
or slightly 5-lobed, middle lobe not elongated, glabrous ¢ 
slightly pubescent, often punctulate on both surfaces, dentate 
petiole ;—14 in. Male raceme 1—2 in., with usually on 
_two to four flowers ; calyx-lobes lanceolate ; petals } in., whit 
filaments two, one 2-fid, one 3-fid, so each with one anthe 
cell; filaments inserted near the top of the calyx tube, anthe 
completely exsert. Female peduncle 3—2 in., one floweret 
ebracteate (the male peduncle has a minute bract). Fruit $— 
by 7 in. Seeds §—+ in., few, shortly obovoid, smooth, shin 
(71. of Brit. India.) The fruit has eight prominent 
tai is covered with silky hairs ; while still green, it dehi 
into four parts, and discharges its seeds, which are obov 
dark brown, slightly warty, as large as a small peppere 
and with a prominent hilum. 
Chemical composition.—A bitter glucoside was isolated 


water. It was almost insoluble in ether, and was precipit 
from its aqueous solution by tannin and alkaloidal reag 
With strong sulphuric acid it turned bright red and the 20 
gradually changed to purple, which remained for several ho 
_ A yellow acid resin of very acrid properties was presen! 
the tincture, together with a saccharine principle. 
A tuber weighing 2 grams was incinerated, the ash amo’ 
ed to 6 per cent. 


LUFFA ACUTANGULA, Roxb. Var. am 
Fig.— Bot. Mag. 1638. : 3 
‘Hab.—Throughout India, The fruit and vine. 


Vernacular.—Karela-toria, Karvi-turai (Hind.), Kadu 
Kadu- dorka (Mar.), Ghosha-lata, Tito-torai (Beng.), re 


CUCURBITACEZ. 81 


D 'Tam.); Chedu-bira, Verri-bira (Tel.), Kadvi- ghisodi (Guz.), 
- Hire-bll (Can.). 
History, Uses, &c.—This plant iscalled in Sanskrit 
| Koshataki a general name for the genus Luffa, from kosha, the 
cocoon of a silk-worm, and in allusion to the way in which the 
: 4 ~ seeds are enclosed within a fibrous network. The names Dalika 
~ and Ghoshaka appear more particularly to appertain to this 
species. The Hindus apply the juice of the immature gourd, 
_ which has been slightly roasted, to the temples to cure 
a headache, and administer an infusion of the ripe fruit as a vomit 
a and purge. Roxburgh notices the cathartic and emetic pro- 
4 perties of the fruit. In the Pharmacopeia of India the plant is 
_ described as a bitter tonic and diuretic, and is recommended in 
_ enlargements of the spleen on the authority of Dr. J. A. Green 
and Mr. J.C. Dickenson. The juice of the leaves is used as an 
external application to sores, and the bites of venomous animals, 
d the pulp of the fruit is administered internally in the latter 
ass of cases to cause vomiting and purging, just as colocynth 
used where that plant is abundant. The dried fruit is pow- 


x 


videsmus is given with milk, cumin and sugar in gonorrhea, 
Description.—The vine of L. amara resembles that of 
the cultivated plant. The fruit is smooth, from 3 to 5 inches 


n inch in diameter, which is deciduous. Internally it is filled 
with white spongy pulp, of a cucumber odour. The seeds are 
grey and marked with small irregular black prominent — 
The leaves are bitter, the fruit less so. 


LUFFA ECHINATA, fozb. 
Fig.—Lyon, Med. Juris. for India, p. 201. : 
Hab.—Guzerat, Sind, Bengal, Dacca. The elses: ae 


Vernacular.—Kukar-lata, Bindaél, Chagst | 
Hind. )s rea cea a (Guz.), D 
ili (Cun.). 


82 CUCURBITACEZ.. 


History, Uses, &c.—This plant is used medicinally in 
most parts of India. In the Nighantas it bears the following 
Sanskrit, names : Devadali, Vrata-kosha, Devataddi, Gard, Jimti- 
ta, Taraki, Veni, Jélani, and Akhu-visha-ha ; it is described as 
expelling bile, phlegm, and removing piles, swellings, jaund 
phthisis, hiccough, worms and fever, and acting as an emetic 

In Guzerat the fruit is well known as Vapala-bij, a nat 
derived from the Sanskrit vdpa, ‘ weaving,” in allusion to 
cocoon-like network in which the seeds are enclosed. 
drug is a frequent ingredient in the compound decoctio 
which are prescribed for bilious fevers. In the Concan a 
' grains of the bitter fibrous contents of the fruit are giv 
infusion for snake-bite and in cholera after each stool 
putrid fevers the infusion is applied to the whole body, a 
in jaundice it is applied to the head and also given inte 
nally; the infusion has algo a reputation as a remedy 
colic. We have not met with any notice of the medicinal use 
of this plant in European works on the Materia Medica 0 
India. : 

Description.—The stems are herbaceous, scandent, fiv 
sided, slightly hairy ; tendrils two cleft ; leaves generally fir 
lobed, somewhat hairy, margins scallop-toothed; petioles | 
long as the leaves, ribbed; fruit oval, the size of a nutme 
_ armed with numerous long, rather soft, diverging bristle 
obscurely divided into three cells by a network of dry fibre 
and opening at the top with a perforated stopple, which 
off when the seeds are ripe; seeds about 18, ovate, compres: 
black and scabrous; testa very hard; kernel white. 
fibrous substance in which the seeds are enclosed is intense 


th 


bitter. 


Chemical composition.—The air-dried fruit deprived of s 
as much as possible was agitated with 80 per cent. alcohol: 
greater part of the spirit removed by distillation, a 
_ remainder allowed to evaporate by exposure to air. “a 

spontaneous evaporation the tincture gelatinized, Wh 
extract no longer smelt of alcohol it was gently warmed 
_ water bath, water added, and when cold the turbid 1 


ony 


CUCURBITACH ZL, 83 


_ repeatedly agitated with ether. The ether was much coloured ; 
ewenons flocks separated during agitation. 
‘The ethereal solution contained a large amount of chlorophyll, 
and after evaporation of the ether, the residue became partly 
crystalline. The extract was repeatedly treated with light 
petroleum ether, which removed some waxy and much salen’ 
_ jing matter, anda crystalline principle, appearing as needles and 
stellate masses under the microscope, which was not further 
examined. The dark residue insoluble in petrolenm ether was 
3 then boiled with water; the aqueous solution was slightly 
% yellow, became turbid on cooling, and possessed an extremely 
bitter taste. This aqueous solution was agitated with ether; 
on spontaneous evaporation a yellow transparent varnish was 
left, destitute of any crystalline structure. The extract treated 
with water afforded a white curdy precipitate with tannic 
acid: no precipitate with Mayer’s reagent: with ferric chloride 
it afforded a slight greenish coloration; after boiling with 
dilute sulphuric acid, the solution readily reduced Fehling’s 
lution. This principle would appear to be allied to, if not 
identical with, colocynthitin. 

Its physiological action was fied in the o following experi- 

ent :—0°0296 gram. was dissolved in a few drops of alcohol 

nd warm water, and injected into a full grown, fasting cat’s 

_ stomach at 10-50 a, m. 

11-20 a. m.—Vomited several times, first contents of the sto- 
mach, and then white frothy mucus, not tinged with blood. 

12-0 noon.—Passed a solid stool: lying on its side breathing 
slow. 

1-40 p. m.—Passed a semi-solid stool tinged with blood ; 
pupils somewhat dilated ; now and again contraction pt 
abdominal muscles: uneasy, chiefly on its side, but shifts” 
its position frequently. 

2-45 p. m.—Pupils widely dilated: less of power in hind: 
legs, unable to stand: appears to have some difficu 
raising its head, which it keeps between its fo 

which are eee _expression anz 


84 CUCURBITACEZ. 


2-55 p.m.—Slight convulsive movements of hind legs; — 
breathing very shallow ; pupils widely dilated ; position 
as before. 4 
2-57 p.m.—Marked convulsive movements of hind legs; 
breathing spasmodic and loud. a 
3-4 p. m.—Spasmodic gasps at intervals of about 10 second: 
3-15 p. m.—Died ; no further convulsive movements. 
Death thus resulted in 4 hours 25 minutes after introductio 
of the drug into the stomach, and only one stool was passed 
which could be ascribed as being due to its action. 
Post-mortem examination 20 minutes after death :—Bot 
lungs pale and collapsed ; no fluid in pleural cavity. 
Heart contracted, and empty ; no clots, 
Stomach contained frothy glairy mucus, and a deep yello 
fluid, walls darkly congested ; no effusion of blood. 
Liver congested. Spleen normal. Kidneys, central porti 
lightly congested. . 
Intestines—Rectum highly congested, with bloody adherer 
mucus ; the lower portion of the jejunum comparatively slightl} 
congested in patches, the upper portion more deeply congest 
until the duodenum is reached, when the whole of the | 
was of a dark claret colour, from uniform congestion. 
ilium was wholly free from congestion and was bile stained. © 
e gelatinous flocks which separated on agitating th 
aqueous alcoholic extract with ether had 
ties :—By boiling with water pal lution 
which was filtered. The insoluble residue on the filter y 
soluble in boiling absolute alcohol, on concentration micr 
copic needles, rods, and plates se 
further exam 


the following prop 
+ Int? likase 


CUCURBITACEM. 85 


ting off the alcohol, brittle yellowish flakes were left. In 
mmonia the principle dissolved forming a deep yellow solu- 
ion ; on the addition of acids the colour was discharged, slightly 
ellowish flocks being*precipitated, which redissolved in alkalies 
ith a deep yellow coloration: with tannin no precipitate 
was produced. Fréhde’s reagent gavea yellow colour in the 
cold, becoming emerald green on heating, and changing on 
cooling to blue, green, and finally to yellow. Nitric acid gave 
a yellow colour. Mayer’s reagent, after acidulation with sul- 

phuric acid, gave no precipitate. Concentrated sulphuric acid 
gave a deep yellow: on the addition of bichromate of potash 
there was n0 special colour reaction. On boiling with dilute 


in boiling water, and not eo tern iaties ; slightly soluble in 

ether; dissolving in alkalies with a deep yellow coloration 

and reprecipitated in gelatinous flocks by acids. The aqueous 
. : 


ghtly bitter, and precipitated an alkaline copper solution 
iling. 

The gelatinizing properties of this principle appear to be 
marked. *1016 gram when dissolved in 100 ¢. c. of boil- 


en expelled, agitation with acetic ether yielded an extrac- 
e, highly bitter, which afforded reactions similar to those = 
locynthin. 

ay were unable to obtain the principle in a crystalline 


‘The seeds contain a bland fluid oil free from bitterness, an 
ich possesses some siccative properties. sist 
Towicology.—Dr. Burton Brown (Punjab Poisons, 
otices the use of the fruit as an abo 


86 . CUCURBITACEM. 


Kirtikar recorded (Trans. Bomb. Med. and Phys. Soc.) a case of - 
poisoning with symptons resembling those of cholera, after the — 
administration of one fruit as a purgative; this dose prove 
fatal, The drug must therefore be used: with great caution. 


CEPHALANDRA INDICA, ‘Naud. 


Pig.— Wight Iil., t. 105; Hook. Ic. Pl. I., ¢. 138. 
Hab.—Throughout India. 


Vernacular.—Kunduri (Hind.), Telakucha (Beng.), Kova 
(Tam.), Ran-tondla (Mar.), Gholi (Guz.), Tonde-konde (Co 


History, Uses, &c.—This plant is called in Sansk 
Vimba, Vimbaja, Pandkéri and Tundiks ; it has a scarlet fruit 
and Indian beauties are descriped as Vimboshta, ‘red 
cherry-lipped,” by poets and story tellers. The root and ju 

the leaves is used medicinally ; the wild fruit is very biti 
but that of the cultivated form is sweet and is much used 
vegetable. In Hindu medicine the juice of the tuberous roo 
is used as an adjunct to the metallic preparations prescribed | 
diabetes in doses of one tola (180 grs.) every morning. UD 
states that he has known several patients who were ben 
by its use. Ainslie notices its use in southern India, and sa 
that the juice of the leaves is applied to the bites of anim: 
Moodeen Sheriff states that in the bazars of the south the 
is sold as a substitute for Caper root. In the Concan the 
pounded with the juice of the leaves is applied to the wh 
body to induce perspiration in fever, and the green fruit 
chewed to cure sores on the tongue. We have found the 
green leaves useful as a colouring agent in preparing Sa 
ointment from the essential oil, 

Description.—-Fruit bitter, fleshy, cylindrical, smooth, 
green, with ten white stripes when unripe, in which state iti 


CUCURBITACEZ. 87 


stony ground and becomes crooked and knotty. It is peren- 
ial and often attains a considerable size, but the average 
iameter in the wild plant is from 1 to 2 inches at the thickest 
art a little below the crown. Externally the root is of a pale 
yellowish-brown colour, with indistinct circular constrictions 
and longitudinal furrows. The transverse section is yellow 
with distinct medullary rays. The root is traversed by nume- 
- rous bundles of stout woody fibres; when wounded a clear juice 
exudes having a cucumber odour, which dries into an opalescent 
The root has an acid and astringent taste, and is not 


rom woody fibre. Dried at 100° C. the powder lost 6°76 per 
ent. of moisture. The ash amounted to 15°52 per ceut., there 


acid ; the acid solution gave indications of the presence of an 
kaloid. The separated ether left on evaporation a soft 
yellowish non- orystalline residue, possessing a fragrant a 


ether wad benzol. The aqueous solution after separation of 
ether was rendered alkaline with carbonate of soda, ont 
_ agitated with ether. Thehydrochloric acid solution referred to 
above was treated in a similar manner, and the separated eth 
ixed. The mixed ethereal solution left on sponenyee e 


88 CUCURBITACE. 
reagents. The special properties of this alkaloid will be con= 4 
sidered later. The principle insoluble in acids had the q 
properties of a resin, a 
The alkaline aqueous solution was subsequently agitated with — 
chloroform, and then with amylic alcohol. In both cases ex- 
tracts were yielded partly soluble in dilute acids, the solutions : 
affording precipitates with alkaloidal reagents. From colour — 
reactions and the physical properties of these alkaloids, they 
appeared to be similar to the one first extracted by ether. The 
three acid solutions were consequently mixed, agitated with — 
amylic alcohol, which removed a trace of resin; the acid then a 
neutralized with carbonate of soda, and the solution agitated 
with fresh amylic alcohol. On evaporating off the amylic 
alcohol, a varnish-like residue was left, easily soluble in alcohol 
and amylic alcohol, but less readily dissolved by ether chloro- 
form. In water the extract was only very slightly soluble; 
dilute sulphuric acid it was not wholly soluble, a trace of resin 
being left. The acid solution was strongly bitter. Wi 
alkaline carbonates it gave a white precipitate ; with platin 
and auric chlorides amorphous precipitates: it also yield 
precipitates with phosphomolybdic acid, potassio-mercu 


_ Ether chloroform and amylic alcohol also extracted a gol 
brown resin, insoluble in alkaline carbonates, easily soluble im 
caustic soda, and less readily dissolved by ammonia. In amyli¢ 
alcohol the resin was: more easily soluble than in ether 


CUCURBITACE. 89 


 ¢hloroform. From its alkaline solutions it was precipitated by 
_ dilute acids in yellowish flocks. 

_ After agitation with amylic alcohol the alkaline solution was 
_ precipitated with plumbic acetate; on decomposing the lead 
_ salt with hydro-sulphuric acid an organic acid was obtained, 
which afforded the reactions of citric acid. The liquid after 
separation of the lead precipitate was treated with hydro- 
sulphuric acid, the filtrate evaporated to a syrup, and heated for 
some hours on the water bath, on diluting with water a strongly 
__acid solution was obtained, the acidity of which was not due to 
- aceticacid; the nature of this organic acid was not determined. © 
_ Aprinciple which easily reduced an alkaline cupric solution 
__ was also present in the liquid. 

The tubers contained starch ; they did not afford any tannic 
matter. 


ZEHNERIA UMBELLATA, Thwaites. 
Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. viii,, t. 26. : 
Hab.— Throughout India, The fruit and roots. 
Vernacular.—Tarali (Hind.), Kudari (Beng.),Gometta(Mar.), 
id-danda (Tel.), Karivi-valli (Mal.). 

History, Uses, &c.—This plant is the Gointhi— or 


Karivi-valli of Rheede, who notices its use by the Hindus of 
Malabar as a depurative, useful in gonorrhcea, dysuria and — 


nd notices the use of the fruit and roots as a medicine by 
he natives, but does not give any particulars, The root is 
isually prescribed as a Paushtika or invigorating medicine, 
combined with roasted on 


oa CUCURBITACEH. 7 


~-In the Concan the juice of the leaves is applied to parts which 
have become inflamed from the application of the juice of the 
marking nut (Semicarpus Anacardium). a 


_ Description.—From the Flora of British India it will 
seen that this is a very variable plant common on hed 
throughout Jndia, Ceylon, Malaya, China and North Austre 
It is digcious, and has a root consisting of many pendu 
tubers. 
_.. The leaves are shortly petioled, cordate or sagittate 

' hastate at the base, the lobes longer than the petiole, 3 to 
lobed, or palmately 5-partite, sinuate and sharply too 
male flowers umbelled or shortly racemose at the apex 
long slender peduncle; female on a different plant, so 
short-peduncled ; berry oval or oblong, size of a pig 
egg, smooth, red when ripe. The tubers are of an 
gular, elongated form, usually about one inch in diame 
brown externally, white internally; they have a faint nau 
taste. 


CORALLOCARPUS EPIGAZA, Hook. f 
Fig.— Wight Ic., t. 503. 
Hab.— Panjab, Sind. Guzerat, Deccan. The tubers. 
Vernacular.—Ak&s-gadda, Chhilihinda, Garaj-phal (H 
Karvi-nai (Guz.), Akdsha—garudan, Gollan-kovaik—kizha 


(Tam.), Ak4sha-garuda-gaddalu, Naga-donda (Tel.), A 
garuda-gadde (Oan,), Siva-linga (Mar.). 


History, Uses, &c.—This plant is called in Sans 
Chhilihinda, Patdla-garuda and Maha-mula or “ great 

It is described in the Nighantas as very strengthening, ar 
begetter of phlegmatic humors, and a valuable remedy 
rheumatism. Ainslie remarks that the Vytians hold 
great estimation, and prescribe it in the latter stages of 
tery, and old venereal complaints. It is usually a 


CUCURBITACER. ; 91 


_in powder, the dose being about one drachm in the 24 hours, 
and continued for eight or ten days together; this quantity 
"generally produces one or two loose motions every day. It is 


_ onions,and castor oil. In the Deccan and Mysore the root has 
_ a repute as a remedy for snake-bite; it is administered inter- 
nally and applied to the bitten pat: This plant is used in - 
India as a substitute for the Lif or Liifa of the Arabian and 
Persian physicians, the Bryonia dioica of more Western coun- 
tries, and the dpmedos Aeven of Dioscorides. The Arabic word 
_ Liifa is probably a corruption of «ven, 
The vernacular names are mostly compounds of Akas, “the 
sky,” and Gadda, “a tuberous root.’ The Marathi name 
signifies ‘‘ the linga of Siva,” and is an allusion to the shape 
of the fruit. ? 


Description.—The root is a turnip-shaped tuber, some- 
imes weighing as much as 5 to 6 pounds. Externally it is 
Howish white and marked with raised circular rings; the 
taste is bitter, mucilaginous, and subacid. When cut the 
tuber exudes a viscid juice, which soon hardens into an 
opalescent gum. 


Chemical composition.—The bitter principle of C. epigcaa 

can be removed from an aqueous extract, previously separated 
from mucilage by treatment with alcohol, by agitation with 
chloroform or amylic alcohol. It is a whitish amorphous mass 
soluble in water and spirit, and very slightly soluble in ether. 
_ Its solution is precipitated by tannin and not by either basic — 
or neutral plumbic acetate, It is coloured reddish-brown b : 
= sulphuric acid, and after several hours assumes a purplish hi 
_ owing to the gradual deposition of a black powder. The pu 
colour is not so well marked as that afforded by trict 0: 
thin and the bitter principle of Momordica Cymbalaria. I 
solves in nitric acid without colour, This 
same as bryos which 1 


ot ee ary 
ose al 


92 CUCURBITACE. 


Bryony root, and we have been able to confirm this by finding 4 
in the decomposition products two resinoid bodies differing in” 
their solubility in ether. Bryonin is a glucoside resolved by 
boiling with dilute sulphuric acid into glucose and two amo 
phous bodies, bryoretin, soluble in ether, and hydrobryore 
insoluble in ether but soluble in alcohul 
C48 H84 O21 — O21 H35 07 + O21 37 OF + CS 
Bryonin Bryoretin Hydrobryoretin Glucose. 
‘We have been unable to find a second bitter principle in th 
tubers, for on washing the lead precipitate of the extract unti 
free from bryonin, and treating the lead compound with hy 
drogen sulphide, the solution was free from bitterness, and 
evaporated residue was not coloured by sulphuric acid. 4h 
tubers contained much starch, a little resin, and 10 per cent 
of white saline ash. ‘ 


BRYONIA LACINIOSA, Zinn. 
Fig.— Wight Ic., t. 500 ; Rheede Hort. Mal. viii, 19. 


Hab.—From the Himalaya to Ceylon, Pegu. The pla 
Vernacular.—Bajguriya, Ghargu-néru (Hind.), Kavya 
Kavale-che-dole (Mar.), Nehoemeka (Mal.), Lingatondi (Can} 


History, Uses, &c.—This plant appears to be the B 
of Sanskrit writers, and is-said to have been used in Ve 
times to frighten away evil spirits; it is still known in Hi 
as Bajguriya or “ Baja beads.” It is also probably one of 
plants included by the name Ghantéli (see Mukia scabr 
Rheede (viii. 19) calls it Nehoemeka, and says that the Po: 
guese call it Nhola, and the Dutch Slitten. The vernacula 
name Ghargu-ndéru signifies a string of ankle bells, such @ 
are worn by dancing girls. These bells have vertical slits i 
them, resembling the white vertical lines on the fruit of 
Bryony. The juice of B. laciniosa is given with milk, ho 
or sugar in bilious attacks, and in the commenceme! 
fevers when there is flatulence and constipation; it 


CUCURBITACEZL, 93 


out the bowels, and is often sufficient without further 
eecerment 3 in cases of this kind which arise from over eating. 


; Description. —A climbing plant with a smooth stem 
common in hedges. The leaves are palmately 5-lobed, more 
or less deeply divided, segments oblong, lanceolate acuminated, 

serrated ; petioles muricated, upper surface of the leaf thickly 
studded ‘with white, jointed, calcareous hairs, rising from a 
_ Calcareous areola; male and female flowers, in the same axils, 

the peduncles of the male flowers, which are numerous, remain- 
ing until the fruit ripens; flowers small, pale yellow; fruit 
round, smooth, marked with white vertical stripes, the size of 
a marble, red when ripe, with the exception of the stripes, 
which remain of a dead white. The whole plant is very bitter. 


_ Chemical composition.—An alcoholic extract of the plant 
was made with 84 per cent. alcohol, water added, and the 
turbid mixture agitated with light petroleam ether, which 
‘removed colouring matter and a small amount of fat. 

After separation of the petroleum ether the bright yellow 
queous solution was agitated with chloroform. The chloro- 
m extract was yellowish, non-crystalline and very bitter. 
ted with warm water the greater part dissolved, the 


f 


as produced; whereas in Watts’ Dictionary of Resecgene! 
dst Edition, sulphuric acid is stated to dissolve bryonin 
“forming a blue liquid which changes to green.”? Gmelin, 
owever, (Handbook of Chemistry) states that it is coloured 
brown by oil of vitriol. We have tested the action of con- 
trated sulphuric acid on a specimen of bryonin ob 
from Dr. Schuchardt, and find that no such eae 
described in Watts’ Petpet a bes 
rownish red, . age: 


94 CUCURBITACEM, 
MUKIA SCABRELLA, 4rn. 4 
Pig.— Wight Ic., t. 501; Rheede Hort, Mal. viii., 13. q 
Hab.—Thronghout India, The plant in fruit, : 


Vernacular.—Agamaki (Hind.), Mosumiski (Tam.), Pu 
budinga, Nédhosa (Tel.), Chirati (Mar.), Mucca-piri (Mal.). 


_ History, Uses, &c.—Ainslie gives Ahilaykum as 
Sanskrit name of this plant in Southern India. This is evide 
a corruption of sf¢s@—q (Ahilékhana), “ marked like a snak 
in allusion to the vertical white stripes upon the 
Another Sanskrit name which appears to have been applied 
this plant as well as to Bryonia laciniosa is Ghantdli, wh 
signifies a row or string of bells (Ghanté-4li), such as 
worn by dancing girls, and which have vertical slits res 
bling the vertical marks on the fruit of these plants. 
informs us that this herb is considered to be gently ape 
and stomachic, the infusion being given in doses of half 
cupful twice daily. It is used for the same purposes now, ail 
it enters into mixtures frequently given to children. Rhe 
mentions its use as a diuretic, 


Lane) 


Description.—Plant hispid and scabrous; tendrils § 
ple ; leaves cordate, lobed or angled ; flowers short-pedune 
male numerous, fascicled ; female, 1 to 4, small, campanulate 
yellow; berry globular, size of a pea, scarlet when ripé 
marked with white vertical lines, smooth or sprinkled y 
a few bristly hairs. Plant and fruit bitter. The fruits ri 
in October to December. 


ZANONIA INDICA, Linn. 


Fig.— Wight Ill., t. 103; Lam. Iil., t. 816; Pade 
Mal. viii., tt. 47, 48 8, 49, 


Hab.—Assam, E. Bengal, W. Peninsula, Ceylon. = 
Vernacular.—Chirpota (Hind., Mar.), Penar-valli (Mal. 


CUCURBITACEZ. 95 


History, Uses, &c.—In the Nighantas this plant bears 
_ the Sanskrit names of Chirpota, Dirghapatra, Kuntali and 
_ Tiktaka; it is described as cold, dry, and aperient, and bene- 
_ ficial in asthma and cough. Rheede (viii., 47, 48, 49,) calls it 
Penar-valli, which appears to be a corruption of the Sanskrit 
Pinda-valli ; he says that the Dutch call it Naet-klim and the 
Portuguese Fruita’ bandoliera. The latter name is given to 
the fruit from its resemblance to the leather cases called bando- 
leers, each containing a charge of powder, of which every 
musketeer wore twelve, suspended by a shoulder belt. In 
Malabar a bath made by boiling the leaves in water is used to 
remove the nervous irritation caused by boils, and an antispas- 
modic liniment is made by pounding the leaves with milk and 
butter. In Ceylon the plant is used as a febrifuge. 


Description.—Leaves 6 to 8 by 3 to 4 inches, usually 
_ acute ; petiole one inch; male flowers very small, pedicels } to 
_ Finch ; female flowers, including the ovary, } inch ; ovary early 
q Se cicaii one-celled by the separation of the heen fleshy 
placentas; seeds much compressed, hardly 1-10 inch thick ; ; 
_ capsule large, like a candle extinguisher. 


ECBALLIUM ELATERIUM, 4. Richard. 
; Fig.—Bentl. and Trim., t. 115. Squirting Cucumber 
| (Eng.), Concombre d’dne (F’r.). 
_  Hab.—Europe, Northern Asia. The fruit. 
Vernacular.—Khiyér-i-khar, Katha-el-himar (Pers., Arab.), 
Ka4tri-indraéyan (Ind. Bazars). . 
History, Uses, &c.—The git occasionally reaches 
India in a dry state. It is imported from Persia, and has evi- 
dently been gathered while immature, as the contents, pare not 


Georgian popular mae Faia “= name of me ana, it 
good reputation a as a 


96 CUCURBIFACER. 


of the Caucasian Medical Society in 1885, Dr. Minkevite 

referred to the subject, and stated that the paroxysms may be 
arrested by the use of the drug, but the relief is only tempo: 
rary, a8 they return in two or three weeks. Drs. Lisitzeff ant 
Astvaturoff also stated that in Kakhetian popular medicine 
Kitrana is used as a narcotic, and is believed to be speciall: 
serviceable in cases of hydrophobia. (Pharm. Journ., Feb. 271 
1886, from Med. Record.) Hlaterium does not appear to b 
known in Hindu medicine, but the Arabs and Persians are Wé l 
acquainted with it. The former call the fruit Katha-el-hima 
(asses’ cucumber), and the latter Khiydr-i-khar, which has she 
Same meaning, or Khiarzeh (little cucumber). Haji Lei 
gives Ispheridagrion (oaipidioy dypiov) as the Greek name. 

author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya describes it, and also 1 
method of preparing elaterium. To prepare this he diree 
the fruit to be sliced, thrown upon a strainer and pressed, 
pulp is then to be twice washed with water, and the depo: 
which is thrown down from the water, collected and dried. 
is then to be finely powdered and made into lozenges, wi 
equal weight of gum arabic or calamine, or half its weight of 


tance to elaterium as a purgative of the diseased hun : 
which they suppose to be the cause of a great number 
diseases. They also use poultices made with the fruit, lea 
and root of the plant, and direct the juice of the fruit 
snuffed up the nose to purge the brain, and to be dropped 1 
the ears in otitis. It is worthy of remark that the Hindus 


system, causing salivation, insensibility, tetanus and dyspr 
large doses administered by the mouth cause gastro-enteri 
and collapse, 

Chemical composition.—The active principle, late 
C?°H?8OS, is best obtained by exhausting elaterium 
chloroform. From this solution a white crystalline deposit 


* Compare with Dioscorides wept eXarnpwov and Pliny 20, 3. _ 


OUCURBITACEA. 97 


_ elaterin is immediately separated by addition of ether. I¢ 
_ should be washed with a little ether and recrystallized from 
chloroform. 
Elaterin forms hexagonal tables, insoluble in water, slightly 
soluble in ether, very soluble in alcohol. It gives a carmine 
colour with phenoland H*® SO*. (Fresenius’ Zeit. f. anal. Chem. 
17, 500; 24, 156.) 


Several other cucurbitaceous plants are more or less in use 


medicinally. Among these we may mention Modecca 
palmata, Lam. (Rheede Hort. Mal. viii., 20, 23), the juice 
of which with cocoanut milk is used as a pectoral in Malabar, 
and the roots as an ingredient in strengthening medicines 


( Paushtiks). 


Trichosanthes nervifolia, Linn. (Rheede Hort. Mal. 
_ vtii., 16, 17,) is used in the same part of the country to 
drive away evil spirits. According to Ainslie, the root of 
_Rhynchocarpa feetida, Schrad., is prescribed internally 
in electuary, in cases of piles, and in powder is sometimes 
_ ordered as a demulcent in humoral asthma, The root is about 
_ the size of a man’s finger, light grey, and has a sweet mucila- 
 ginous taste. The Tamil name is Appakovay. 
_ The seeds of AMpelosicyos scandens, Thou., Bot. 
_ Mag. 2681, 2751-2, have been introduced into Bombay from 
Zanzibar as a vermifuge; they are flat and almost circular, 


_ delicate basket work, and is very tough and strong ; the kernel 
_ yields a quantity of bland oil. The entire fruit is from 2 to 3 
4 feet in length and 8 to 10 inches thick, marked with deep — 
2 longitudinal furrows, the inside is divided into from three to six 

_ cells, and often contains as many us 250 seeds, 


11,—13 


98 DATISCEM. 
DATISCEZ. 
DATISCA CANNABINA, Linn. 
Fig.—ZLam. IIl., t. 823; Sibth. Fl. Grecc., t. 960. 
Hab.—Himalaya from Cashmir to Nepal; Sind. Th 
herb and roots. ; em 

Vernacular.—Akalbar (Hind.), Bayr-bunja, Bhangjala (Pun: 

Uses. —Datisca is bitter and purgative, and is occasional 
used in fevers and in gastric and scrofulous complaints. 2 
Khagan the bruised root is applied to the head as a sedativ 
and Madden states that under the name of Bujr Bunga it 
used medicinally in Kurnool. (Stewart, Cleghorn.) The plan 


may be administered in doses of from 5 to 15 grains. in inte 
thittents.: ; 


laomal 


- Description.—Stem 2—6 tt., stout, branching. Lower 
leaves 1 ft., pinnate ; leaflets 7—11, 6 by 1} in., petioled 
upper much smaller and less divided ; floral simple, 3 by 141 
Pedicels often carrying linear bracts ; anthers oblong, rath 
large; filaments very short; styles } inch; capsule 4 by Ie 
than $ inch (Fl. Br, Ind.), one-celled, opening at the apex j 
seeds numerous, striated, with a cup-like covering at the 
, PaaS ceecbns | : 

: Chemical composition.—The leaves and roots contain a gli 
coside, Datiscin, C?'H22012, Which may be obtained 
exhausting them with alcohol, evaporating to a syrup, am 
precipitating the resin with water; from the decanted liqal 
crystals may be obtained, which should be re-dissolved | 
alcohol and the remaining traces of resin removed by repre- 


CAOTES, 99 


CACTEZ. 


, OPUNTIA DILLENH, Hav. 
Fig. —Wight Ill. 114. Prickly pear (Eng.). — 


7 ~ Hab.—Amcrica. Naturalized in India. The fruit. 
Vernacular. —Nagphani, Bidar (Hind., Beng.), Naga-kali 
s ( Tam.), Naga-dali (Yel.), Chappdl-send, Vilayati-nevar ung 
4 (Mar. ), Kattali-Papas, Mullugalli (Can.). 


a: History, Uses, &C:—This plant isa native of Mexicoand 
Central America, and was introduced into India by the Portu- - 
 guese, doubtless with the object of feeding the Cochineal 
insect upon it, but it is uncertain whether they ever carried out 
their intention. It is called by the Portuguese Palmatoria a’ 
Te forno, from the resemblance of its flat branches to a palma- 
{ oria, or flat piece of wood used in their schools to beat children 
upon the hand, The Hindus have given it the Sanskrit names 
Midate, “tearing asunder,”’ and Vishva- -saraka, ‘* having, al} 
sence.’ 

In 1793—97, Drs, Anderson and bee attempted aA sea 
ce the Cochineal insect, but they appear to have been sup~ 
plied with the Cochinilla sylvestre, or wild Cochineal, which is 
id to be small and deficient in colouring matter ; this insect 
still found in India upon O. Dillenti. Dr Fontana, in a com- 
Munication to the As, Ann. Regist. in 1799, states that the 
Cochineal insect thrived best on the O. Dillenit, but the insects 
m Bengal were found to contain only 10 to 16 per cent. of 
os eghe matter, and fetched = Rs 5 sage seer, whoneas 


tra Buchanan in. 1801 found: ‘eochineal — care a 


100 CACTE, 


ing all expenses, the farmer sold the cochineal for 1] pence a 
pound. Dr. Buchanan calls the plants Nopals, their Mexican 
name, but states that it is the cactus “aboriginal of the 
country” ; he also reports that the insect is of the bad ki 
recently Tiierodiis — 
Roxburgh, speaking of Cactus indicus (O. Dillenii), says? 
‘Upon this plant the Cochineal insects lately brought fro 
America thrive and multiply abundantly.” In 1833-45, t 
culture of cochineal was again attempted by M. Sundt an 
others upon O. Tuna with the true Cochineal insect, and this 
culture appears to have been carried on to a certain extent, 
in 1857 silver grain Cochineal from Chittledroog and Ooso 
‘grown upon this plant was shown at the Madras Exhibition. 
In 1848, Dr. Dempster successfully dyed woollen cloths wi 
dye extracted from the insect foand on the common pas 


Dr. Dempster laid particular stress on the advantage of 
vating the native insect in preference to importing fo 
varieties, and his views were corroborated by Dr. McClelland 
the Calcutta Botanic Gardens, who wrote on the subject 
1848. Inthe same year, Dr. Fleming found numerous ville 
near Amritsar engaged in gathering Cochineal insects fromt 
hedges of cactus or prickly pear. The Cochineal was aie 
sold to the Amritsar dyers at one rupee a seer. It 2 

however, that the growth of wild Cochincal is very irreg 
the insects completely destroy the cactus plants wherever th 
appear, and some time must elapse before the plants can ¢ r 
again. The quantity of native Cochineal produced in Ind 
not known. Dr. Bidie, reporting on the culture of Cochinesl 
India in 1882, remarks :—“ The efforts made about the be 
ning of the present century to establish the industry f 
owing to the introduction of an inferior variety of the Co 
insect. One of the species of cactus on which the insect | 
in Brazil having been introduced with it in 1795 by 
Neilson, H. M. 7th Regiment, it has been ig 


CACTE. 101 


e are various other species here on which the insect will 
? The report concludes with a description of a Mexican 
fopalry or cactus garden, which could be easily imitated in 
nany parts of India, 

The Indo-Portuguese of the present day, as well as the 
atives of India, highly esteem the fruits of O. Dillenii as a 
remedy in whooping cough and asthma. From a few experi- 
- ments we haye made with a syrup of the fruit, which is ofa 
_ splendid purple colour, it appears to increase the secretion of 
bile when given in teaspoonful doses 3 to 4 times a day, and 
to control ‘the spasmodic cough and expectoration. In one 
ase of asthma, due to the irritation of pregnancy, after every 


i 


turned. Eventually a cure was effected. In several cases 
of whooping cough, a similar effect was produced as long as 
the syrup was taken daily, and in a case of bronchial catarrh 


entirely stopped the cough and expectoration within 24 hours. 
Its action is probably due to the soluble malate of manganese 
which we have found contained in the fruit. Kobert has 
own that the salts of this metal when injected into the 
ood or subcutaneously, paralyse voluntary movement and 
reflex action, and stop the heart in diastole; the paralysis 
of reflex action being due to the destruction of the transverse 
_ conduction of the spinal cord, longitudinal conduction remain- 
ing intact. 

Chemical composition. —'The air-dried fruit heated to 100°C, 
lost 26°21 per cent. in weight. The ash amounted to 9°65 per 
cent., and was of a very light dirty reddish colour. Chemically 
the ash was of interest on account of the extremely — 
amount of manganese present. Boiling water extracted 46°99 
per cent. of yellowish extractive, which contained 4-00» per 
cent- of ash. The solution had an acid reaction, and re 
reduced an alkaline cupric solution on boiling. e 
was a —— apiat 


. : effect i is produced. 


102 FICOIDEZ. 


The total free acidity of the air-dried fruit calculated as mali 
acid amounted to °63 per cent. The saccharine matter cal 
’ lated as grape sugar amounted to 29°76 per cent. of the : 
dried fruit. 
. An alcoholic extract of the fruit contained a fluid fatty ac1 
in small amount, also some wax, resinous matter, malic acid 
colouring matter, sugar, &c., &c. No alkaloidal principle co 
be detected. 


FICOIDER. 
TRIANTHEMA MONOGYNA, Linz. 

‘Fig.—De. Pl. Grass. 109; Wight Ic., t. 228. 
Hab.—Throughout India. The root. 
Vernacular.—Nasarjanghi, Bishkhapra (Hind.), Vishkhé 

(Mar,), Satudo (Guz.), Sharunnay (Tam.}, Ghalijeroo Se: ‘) 

Sabuni ( Beng.). 
History, Uses, &c.—This plant has been given 


Sanskrit name of Sveta Punarnava, or white Boerhaavia, frot 
the resemblance of its foliage when young: to that of Boerhaat 


having cathartic and irritant properties, and is said to be be 
times given to women to procure abortion. Ainslie says : 
root, which is bitter and nauseous, is given in powder in comb: 


these roots are considered useful in wbiiadiliad of the li 
asthma and amenorrhcea, The dose as a purgative is about 
drachms of the powdered root to be Beta eat the Ss 


‘Description.—a diffuse, prostrate, db i 
ae plant, which appears at the commencement 


; -FICOIDEA. , 103 


season ; leaves 4 to 1} in., obovate ; petiole tin.; flowers soli-+ 
tary; calyx-lobes obtuse, cuspidate ; stamens 10 to 20;  cap- 
sule 2 in., scarious below, beak exserted, coriaceous, Se 
een adnate to the enclosed seed, lower part 3 to 5-seeded. 
Seeds black, scarcely shining, with concentric, broken, and 
undulating, raised lines. (Fl. "Br, Ind.) 
_ Chemical composition. —The plant affords a thick mucilagi- 
nous decoction unaffected by iodine solution, and precipitated 
by ferric chloride and neutral acetate of lead. It gives a pre- 
cipitate with barium hydrate, which contains a glucoside hav- 
ing similar properties to saponin; the insoluble decomposition 
product when weighed pointed to the presence of a small 
amount of this body. 


: 
: 
E 


MOLLUGO STRICTA, Linn. 
Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. x., t. 26. 
Hab.--Throughout India, The plant. 


MOLLUGO See ots —_ 
Fig. —Rheede Hort. Mal. «., t. 24, 


Hab. -—lEhronglbout India, except the N.-Western pitts 

Vernacular,—Jima (Hind., Beng.), Toora-elley, Kacchantha- 
ra (Tam.), Chayntaréshiakoo (Tel.), Jharasi (Mar.), a 
_ jira ee ), Parpataka (Can.). 


& pot herb. The Hindi name is derived from the Sanskrit 
fim or 9H, to eat. Medicinally they are considered to ted 
stomachic, aperient and antiseptic. 

_ Rheede, speaking of M, stricta, says: ee ioe ex tots hac 
lanta confectum cholerg medetur; preparatur et ex illa 


‘minuit.” Ane (ii., ais writes to the : 


104 FICOIDEA. 


ing M. Spergula, and adds that the plant is administered for q 


ache. He considers that it is justly held in estimation by t 
native practitioners. In Pudukota the juice of M. Spergu 
is applied to itch and other skin diseases, and that of M. hir 
(Sirooseroopadi, J’am.,) is administered internally to weak ¢ 
dren. The latter plant is stated by Watt to be prescribed 
the Punjab and Sind for diarrhoea under the names of Poprang 
Gandi-buti and Kottruk. 


Description,—W. stricta: Glabrous, stems much branched, 
leafy, often a foot high in rich wet soil, sometimes only a few 
inches where the situation is unfavourable Leaves 3? to 13 i1 
whorled or opposite, from lanceolate acute to obovate obtuse, 


elliptic or round. Stamens 3 to 5, filaments dilated. ES ‘| 
3, Short, linear. Capsule as long as the sepals, globose, man 
seeded, the walls thin. Seeds dark chestnut-coloured; emb 
curled into three-quarters of a complete circle. (FU. Br. I; 

M. Spergula: Glabrous or nearly so, branching, diffuse, le 
Leaves } to 1 in., usually whorled, spathulate lanceolate 
elliptic; petiole 0 to} in. Pedicels } to } in. Sepals 3 to 
in., oblong, margins often membranaceous. Stamens 5 to 1 
Stigmas 3, minute. Capsule ellipsoid, a little shorter than tl 
sepals. Seeds many, covered with raised tubercular poles f 
and appendaged by a minute short subulate bristle, and s 
times by a second, yet more minute bristle. (Fl. By. Ind.) 


Chemical composition.—The bitter principle of M. stricta 
soluble in ether, alcohol and water, and is precipitated from 
the aqueous solution ky tannin, but not by neutral lead acetate. 
It solution does not respond to alkaloidal tests, and it is | 


FICOIDEZ. 105 


4 is a gum gelatinizing with ferric chloride. The dried herb 
3 deflagrated occasionally during the process of combustion in 
the open air; this was found to be due to the presence of 
alkaline nitrates. The white ash amounted to 68'1 per cent. 


GISEKIA PHARNACEOIDES, Linn, 
Fig.— Wight Ic., tt. 1167, 1168. 


_  Hab.—tThe Panjab, Sind, South Deccan Peninsula, Cey- 
- lon. The plant. 

_ _. Vernacular.—Bélu-ka-ség (Hind.), Walu-chi-bh4ji (Mar.), 
_ Manal-kirai (Tam.), Isaka-dasarikura (‘'el.), Attirilla-péla 
(Cing.), Baluka (Beng.). 


4 History, Uses, &c.—This plant is called in Sanskrit 
q Balu, Baluka, Valuka and Elavaluka on account of the number 
_ of large raphides contained in the leaves, and which give them 
_ the appearance of being full of sand (valu). Béluka is consi- 
dered by the Hindus to be aromatic, aperient and anthelmin- 
tic, and is used as a vegetable like the Mollugos; the Hindi 
and Marathi names signify “sandy potherb.” Capt. W. 
__H. Lowther (Journ. of Agri.-Hort. Soc. of India, 1857, vol, 
_ ix., p. 285,) appears to have been the first to bring the anthel- 
_ mintic properties of this plant to the notice of Europeans. 
The fresh plant, including the leaves, stalks, and capsules, is 
directed to be employed in cases of teenia, in doses of about an 
ounce, ground up ina mortar with sufficient water to make a 
draught. This is to be repeated three times at an interval of 
- four days, the patient each time taking it after fasting for some 
hours. ‘ ae 


Description.—A diffuse branched herb, Leaves 0 
or falsely whorled, fleshy, $ to 11 in., oblong.S or elliptic, 
narrowed at at the base ; petiole: 0 to ss in. Sepals 


106 FICOIDER. 


Chemical composition.—The most interesting principles pre- _ 
sent in the seeds are astringent principles which we provision- 
ally call a and 6 Gisekia tannin. « Gisekia tannin is obtained 
by agitating an alcoholic extract of the seeds with ether, it 
forms an orange varnish, in which nodules gradually form on 
standing, which on microscopic examination are seen to consist 
of narrow plates and a few needles of a deep yellow colour. 
The ether extract is easily soluble in alkalies with deep orange 
coloration, and is reprecipitated by acids in yellow flocks. In — 
water the ether extract is nearly wholly soluble with yellow 
colour and astringent taste. Ferric and ferrous salts give a 
dirty deep brown coloration, without any tinge of blue. Potas- 
sium cyanide a deep orange coloration. Both acetates of lead 


chromate deep yellow, slowly changing to yellowish bro 
Bromine water dirty brownish yellow. It reduces an alke 
copper solution on boiling and precipitates gelatine in white 
flocks. 


8 Gisekia tannin occurs as a deep orange powder, and is 
tained by acidulating the aqueous alcoholic extract after agita- 
tion with ether, when the tannin is precipitated. In cold water _ 
it is slightly soluble, but dissolves easily in boiling water 
a yellow coloration, the liquid becoming'turbid on cooling, 
_ is easily soluble in amylicalcohol — Ferric salts afford a n 
black precipitate, without any tinge ofblue. In alkalies it dis- 
solves with ® wine red coloration, the tint being brighter with 
ammonia than with the fixed alkalies. Potassic cyanide gives @ 
similar coloration. * Both acetates of lead afford flesh coloured 
precipitates. Bromine water a yellowish precipitate, sulphate 
of copper whitish. It precipitates gelatine in white flocks, a 
reduces slightly an alkaline copper solution on boiling. 
- ‘We failed to detect any al 
The anthelmintic properties of 
to these tannin-like principles. 


kaloidal principle in the see 
the seeds are very probably 


UMBELLIFERZ. 107 


Commerce.—The seeds under the name of Balukaare sold by 
ggists in Bengal. 


UMBELLIFER®. 


HYDROCOTYLE ASIATICA, Tinn 


Fig.—Hort. Mal. «., 46; Wight Ic., t. 565; Bentl. and 
_ Trim., t.117. Indian Pennywort (Hng.), Bevilacque (Mau- 
4 rice). 

_ . Hab.— India. The plant. 
___-~Vernacular.—Brahmamanduki, Khulakhudi, Brahmi ( Hind.), 
_ Thalkuri (Beny.), Karivana, Karinga (Mar.), Vallarai (Tam.), 
Khar-brahmi, Khi-brahmi (G@uz.), Babassa (Tel), Ondelaga 
Can.). 


History, Uses, &c.—In Sanskrit works this plant is 
alled Brahmi and Mandukaparni Chakradatta directs the _ 
fresh juice to be given with milk and liquorice, In the 
ighantas it bears many synonyms, and is described as cold, 
moist, sweet, light and alterative; it is said to improve the 
emory and understanding, and to cure leprosy, jaundice, 
gonorrhea and fever. The plant was known to Rheede by its 
alayalim name of Codogam or Kutakan, and also to Rum- 
hius. Ainslie informs us that an infusion of the toasted leaves 
n conjunction with fenugreek is given to children suffermg 
om bowel complaints and fever in doses of half a teacupful, 
also that the leaves on the Coromandel Coast are applied to 3 
parts that have suffered from blows and bruises, having, it is 
supposed, the power of keeping off inflammation. In Jaya, — 
according to Horsfield, they are considered diuretic, and on the 
Malabar Coast the plant is one of the remedies for le 
As a exerely | in this disease it was first brought prox 
notice by Boileau, in 1859. Dr. A. Hunter, who 

Madras Leper Hospital, came to the conel it 
claim to Considerar as. oe eed in lepro 
‘most useful in rt 


108  - UMBELLIFERA. 


general health. In the Pharmacopeia of India it has been — 
made official, and is described as an alterative, tonic and local 
stimulant, more especially useful in syphilitic skin diseases, in 
which it may be used both as an internal and local remedy. 
Directions for making a powder and poultice are given. More 
recent reports from Europe (1885) confirm this statement, and — 
there has been some enquiry for the drug in Bombay which 
has led to its cultivation on a small scale. In the neighbour 
hood of Bombay the plant is rare in a wild state, bub m 
often be seen in gardens ; it is a popular remedy for the slig 
dysenteric derangements of the bowels to which children 04 
subject ; 3 to 4 leaves are given with cumin and sugar, and 
the pounded leaves are applied to the navel. In the Conc 
one or two leaves are given every morning to cure stutterin, 
and the juice is applied to skin eruptions supposed to 
from heat of blood.* Dr. Clement Daruty de Grandpré ( 
veaux Remédes, 8th April, 1888,) states that this plant is 
abundant in Mauritius that it serves as forage for cattle, w 
milk it improves ; it is also greedily eaten by pigs and o 
domestic animals. He says it should be very carefully dri 
and bottled to preserve the volatile oil which is the acti 


The dose is 10 grs. of the 
der three times a day ; in short, this drug is in small dc 

powerful stimulant, especially of the cutaneous system, with 
results above described in the case of lepers. In large 


a en ae Urner meme ga eR re a Z 
* Generally as a ép with Cadamba bark, Ghi, and Black Camin 


UMBELLIFERZ. 109 


3 acts as a stupefying narcotic, producing headache, giddiness, 
4 a with some people a tendency to coma. 


3 Description.—The plant grows freely all the year round 
if watered, sending out long runners, which produce leaves, 
roots and fruit at the jomts. The peduncles and petioles are 
fascicled ; the latter are frequently three to fou inches long ; 
the peduncles are very short, and bear a 3 or 4-flowered 
simple umbel with very short rays; the leaves are reniform, 
' crenate, 3 to 2 inches in diameter, 7-nerved, glabrons, or when 
q young somewhat hairy on the under side; the fruit is laterally 
_ compressed, orbicular, acute on the back; the mericarps reti- 
_ culated, sometimes a little hairy, with 3 to 5 curved ribs; they 
have no vitte. The fresh herb has an aromatic somewhat 
_ ivy-like odour when crushed and a nauseous bitter taste, but 
_ these qualities are to a great extent lost in drying. 

Chemical composition.—Hydrocotyle has been analysed by 
_ Lépine of Pondicherry (Journ. de Pharm. et de Chim. [3] 
_ xxviii., p. 46), who found in it a peculiar body which he named 
- Vellarin, and described as being obtainable from the dry plant 
the extent of 0°8 to 1-0 per cent. He describes it as an oily 
non-volatile liquid, with the odour and taste of the fresh herb, 
luble in spirit, ether, caustic ammonia, and partially in hy- 
rochloric acid, and volatilizing at 120°. The authors of the 


rganic compounds ; moreover, they failed to obtain “ee 
like it from the dry herb. os 
_ We find that the fresh leaves contain about 78 per cent. of 
water. 
Distilled with water some traces of a stearopten-like wily: 
‘Were condensed and the distillate was neutral. The ether 
extract contained a white crystalline substance possessing th 
odour of the drug, with resin and fat amounting to 8°9 per c 
the dried leayes. Alcohol dissolved 24° 5 per cent. of 
d sugar, the tannin gives a bulky green 
erric chloride and neutral apotate of di 


110 UMBELLIFERZA. 


line solutions, and isreprecipitated by acids. 11°5 per cent. of 
gum, sugar, and salts was extracted by water, and 12°5 . 
cent. of albuminous matter by diluted caustic soda. The po 
dered leaves yielded 12:4 per cent. of ash, nearly half of whi 
consists of alkaline sulphates. Lépine’s vellarin was most pr 
bably a mixed substance composed of the odorous fatty bot 
with some resin. “ 
Commerce.—The dried herb is kept by the duggists. Valu 
Rs. 7 to 8 per Surat maund of 37} lbs. It is generally much 
mixed with grass and weeds. 


CONIUM MACULATUM, Linn. © 


Fig.—Bentl. and Trim., t.118. Hemlock (Eng.), Ci 
(Fr.). 


Hab.—Enurope, Northern Asia, The fruit and root. 


Vernacular.—Kirdaména, Kurduména,* Khorasani 
(Ind. Bazars). 


History, Uses, &c.—We have met with no mentio 
Hemlock i in Hindu works on Materia Medica. 


celebrated Athenian state poison, by which Socrates died, | 
the Cicuta of the Romans.+ Moreover, xcéveov is the m 
Greek name for.Hemlock. Ibn Sina identifies the w 
(hemlock) of the Arabs and Persians with the covey of } 
corides. Ibn Baitér and Haji Zein-el-attér (A.D. 1368) : 
identify Showkr4n with the xéveov of the Greeks and Cieuta 
the Romans; the former tells us that it is called Ha’ 
Spain, and the latter writer says that it is known as Du 
the district of Yezd, and that the best is obtained from the 
*Kurduména according to the Burbin, where it e decribed ae oil 
way, mountain caraway, Syrian caraway and Turkish caraway. The 


identify it with Conium —_ ai 
‘t See Theophrastes H. 8; vi, 2) ix., 8. Dioscorides iv, 77 
ll. Pliny 25, 95. Phi, ins 29 E; Xenophon H tise 56. 


erates 


UMBELLIFER 2. 111 


ie and its termination by convulsions and failure of the 
respiration. The Indian bazar names, which signify “ Syrian 
or wild caraway” and ‘“Khorasién Ajowan” are apparently 
euphemistic. ; 
The ancients were well acquainted with the properties of 
_ hemlock, and it is said that the priests of Eleusis, who were 
under a vow of chastity, used to rub their bodies with its juice. 
_ The Arabian and Persian physicians repeat almost word for 


recapitulate, as they were those held by modern European phy- 
sicians up to a comparatively recent date. The preparation 
of the plant recommmended for medicinal use by the Arabians 
is an extract made by expressing the juice of the unripe fruit 
_and drying it; this preparation is doubtless far more efficient 
an the extract and tincture of our Pharmacopeeias. Harley 
(The Old Vegetable Neurotics, 1869,) has shown that the green 
unripe fruits are the most active part of the plant, and that 


a in cold-blooded animals. There is dilatation of the pupil 
nd ptosis from paralysis of the endings of the third nerve. 
ocally applied, it appears to paralyse the ends of the sensory 
erves. Methyl-coniine acts on the spinal cord, causing para- 
sis of reflex action. Dimethyl-coniine and conhydrine have 
action similar to that of coniine, but less poreee ide 
runton.) 
In ee hemlock is now chiefly used as a ‘neurot 
ressed and preserved juice of the. ‘wnripe 
red to the old preparations, y | 
ve principles, Tt has boon tried 


112 UMBELLIFERZA 


poisoning, but without success. In the Hast it is prescribed as 
& neurotic in painful affections of the skin and subjacent 
tissues, and as an antaphrodisiac. Mir Muhammad Mumin 
has a curious preparation in the Tuhfat, which he has named 
““Umrw’s raisins, ® and which he recommends as a preservative i 
of the seminal fluid. It is made by stewing together 5 dirhams 

each of hemlock root and hyoscyamus seeds with 150 large — 
raisins and 150 miskals of water until dry ; the raisins ave then. : 
removed and preserved. The dose is from one to three daily. 


Description.—Kirdamana resembles English hemlock 
fruit, but is a little larger and of a darker grey colour; it 
appears to have been collected when mature or nearly so. Ifa 
section of the fruit.is examined under the microscope it will. 
seen that there are no vittee, and that the cells of the end 
carp contain a brown substance, which consists of coniine 


cubic cells. When crushed in a mortar with a few drops 
liquor potassce, kirdamana seeds have a mousey odour. 


a 


Chemical composition—The most important constituent | 
hemlock fruit is the volatile alkaloid coniine (C®H'"N), aco 
less, inflammable, oily fluid, specific gravity -846 at 12° ¢ 
Coniine has a strong alkaline reaction, a penetrating suffocatin 
odour, and boils when pure at 168° to 169° C.. It is soluble: 
all proportions in alcohol, ether, chloroform, benzol, benzil 
and fixed oils, is less freely soluble in carbon bisulphide, : 
requires 100 parts of cold water for solution 
it forms dense white fumes with volatile acids, 
most metallic salts, some of the precipitates, 
soluble in an excess. It neutralizes acids, 
are freely soluble in water and alcohol, are 
and occasionally uncrystallizable, and are 
platinic chloride. Its hydrochlorate and 


Like ammo’ 
it precipitate 
like silver, be 
forming salts wh 
usually deliquescent 
not precipitated bj 
hydrobromate 


UMBELLIFERA. 113 


. ciate’ in ether, are phetiiaaied : in @ white crystalline form ; 
both are very soluble in water and alcohol, are not deliquescent 
_ and may be dried at 190° C. without decomposition. 

4 Coniine is accompanied by Conhydrine (C8H!? NO) and often 
by Methyl-coniine (C°H'7’N), the former of which is left in the 
retort on the careful distillation of crude coniine. Hemlock 
fruit contains also a fixed oil, a minute portion of non-poison- 
ous volatile oil having the odour of cumin, and probably 
malic acid in combination with the alkaloids. The fully grown 
green fruit yields about 0°8 per cent. of coniine, conhydrine is 
always present in a very small proportion. According to 
Wernecke the fruit yields 6°69 per cent. of ash. 


a ah a 


Coniine has been made synthetically by Ladenburg and its 
nature and derivation clearly shown. It is the dextro-rotatory 
anormal propyl-piperidine. In obtaining it, pyridine is first 
converted into a allyl-pyridine, which reduced by sodium in 
alcoholic solution yields an optically inactive a normal propyl- 

_ piperidine. The tartrate of this base is made and crystallized, 
_ when, following the analogy of the splitting of racemic acid 

into dextro-rotatory and levo-rotatory tartaric acid, we get a 
- dextro and a levo coniine, of which the first is the true alkaloid 
of hemlock. 

Toxtcology.—No cases of hemlock poisoning appear to have 
been recorded in India. For white mice the lethal dose is 
_ -0758 grm. per kilo body weight; whilst 075 grm. does not 
cause death. (Ladenburg.) 


Commerce.—The Persian seed is sold for Re. 3 per !b. 


CUMINUM CYMINUM, finn. 
Fig.—Bentl. and Trim., t. 134. Cumin (Eng., Fr.). 


Hab.—Africa. Cultivated in India. The fruit. 
Vernacular.—Jirva, Safed-jira (Hind., Beng.), Shi 
(am ), Jilakara, Jiraka, Jirana (Tel.), Jirakam (Mal. 
Can.), Jivé (Mar. )§ Gated nip (Guz.). ; 
“Ths ~ BN ee 


re 414 UMBELLIFER. 


weeear yy, S66, &C Tho use of cumin aaa spice and — 
medicine is of the highest antiquity, and appears to have spread 
from the cradle of civilization in Egypt to Arabia, Persia, Indi 
and China. Cumin is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, it is 
the «ipwov of the Greeks, and Theophrastus (H. P. 1X.) t 
us that it was the custom to utter curses when sowing it (pro: 
bably to avert the evil eye). Dioscorides (iii., 61,) calls 
kipuvov ypepov, and notices its medicinal properties ; in the sam 
chapter he mentions another kind of cumin, “ the king’s cumin 
of Hippocrates,” which the Arabians identify with ajowan, 
and in the next chapter two kinds of wild cumin. Populat 
allusions to cumin are common in the writings of the Greeks 
and Romans, cumin and salt was a symbol of friendship (Plut 
Symp. 5,10, 1). Pliny tells us that students eat it to make 
themselves look pale and interesting, Greek writers mention a 
kipwo-doxoy or cumin-box which was placed on the table li 
a salt-cellar. Fliickiger and Hanbury trace its use during t 
Middle Ages, when it appears to have been much valued 


i<>) 


for the same purpose in Italy, and on account of its suppos 
retentive powers is given to domestic animals to keep them 
from straying, and by girls to their sweethearts for the s 
reason. 

Jira and Jirana, the Sanskrit names for cumin, as wellas the 
Persian Zhireh or Zireh, and all the Indian vernacular names 
appear to be derived from the root J ri, and to allude to the 


digestive properties of the seeds ; other Sanskrit names are 


Ajaji “ that overcomes goats, ” 


|  UMBELLIFERA. 115 


these four kinds were, but it seems probable that the Kirm4ni 
or black cumin is correctly identified by the Indian Maho- 
 metans with the seeds known in India as Siyah-Jira, a species 
of caraway peculiar to Central Asia, The Nabti or Egyptian 
_kind is probably true cumin. 
Cumin is much used as a condiment in ee and is an 
essential ingredient in all the mixed spices and curry powders of 
the natives. Medicinally they regard it as stomachic, carmina- 
tive and astringent, and prescribe it im chronic diarrhoea and 
dyspepsia. A medicinal oil is expressed from the seeds. 
Cumin is applied in the form of a plaster.to allay pain and irri- 
_ tation. It is thought to be very cooling, and on this account it 
isan ingredient in most antaphrodisiac prescriptions, and is 
_ administered in gonorrhoea. 


Description.—The fruit consists of two mericarps which 
remain united together when dry, and form an elongated ovoid 
_ body about ¢ inch long and 75 broad in the ida. aur- 
- mounted by the styles ; each mericarp has five primary ridges 
nd four secondary, the vitte are six in number, two of them 
being situated on the commissural side ; the seed is pentan- 
gular with rounded angles. © 
Chemical composition.—Cumim fruits yielded to Bley (1824) 
7-7 per cent. of fat oil, 13°5 per cent. of resin, 8 of mucilage 
and gum, 15°5 of protein compounds, and a large amount of 
malates. Their peculiar, strong, aromatic smell and taste de- 
end on the essential oil, of which they afford about 4 percent. 
t contains about 56 per cent. of Cuminol (or Cuminaldehyde), 
HO, a liqnid of sp. gr. 0-972, boiling point 237° C. 
boiling cuminol with potash in aloskolia solution, cuminalcoho 
C'°H"*0, as well as the potassium salt. of cuminic 
019203, are formed. 


Poko as 


116 UMBELLIFERA. 


Cymene C'°H'* may also be artificially obtained from a 4 
large number of essential oils having the composition C!°H!®, — 
CrH'O, C'°H'60, or C1°H'8Q. It differs very remarkably — 
from the oil of the formula C!°H?6, inasmuch as cymene yiel 
crystallizable cymensulphonic acid, when it is warmed wi 
concentrated sulphuric acid. 

There is also present in oil of cumin a small amount of 
terpene, C!°H'S, boiling at 155°8 C. 

Warnecke obtained 8°09 per cent. of ash from cumin frui 

Commerce. —Cumin is grown in Northern India and is also 
imported from Persia and sometimes from Asia Minor. The 
exports, which range from 10 to 12 thousand ewts., are chiefl 
to Hastern ports, many of them Indian, Hurope only takin; 
from 500 to 600 ewts. The average value in India may 
stated at from Rs. 6 to 8 per Surat maund of 37% lbs. 


CARUM COPTICUM, Benth. 
Fig.— Wight Ic., t. 566; Jacq. Hort. Vind, tt. 52, OC 
Bentl. and Tsim., t. 120. Bishop’s weed, Lovage (Hug. 
Ammi de l’Inde (F’.). 
Hab.—Africa, cultivated in India. The fruit. — 
Vernacular.—Ajwain, Ajwén (Hind ), Joan, Ajowdn (Ben 
Ova, Ajma (Mar.), Ajamo (Guz.), Omam (Tam.), Om 
—-Vémamu (Tel.), Omu (Can.). : 
History, Uses, &c.—A small African seed called aps 
described by Dioscorides (ii 


. 


early Sanskrit writers under the name of Yavéni or Yavé 
“ of foreign origin,” and appears to have been one of se 


Ui agen ee 


UMBELLIFERAE 117 


and khah ‘relish.’ Ibn Sina notices it under the name of Nan- 


_ khah, but does not identify it with any of the kinds of cumin 
_ which he mentions. Pliny (20, 58,) says that ammi and king’s 
- eumin are considered to be identical. Haji Zein-el-Attér 


(A. D. 1368) identifies nankhah with the ammi of Dioscorides 
and Paulus Aigineta, and quotes the opinions of those physi- 
cians concerning its medicinal properties. He also informs us 
that the drug has a reputation for its antiseptic properties, and 
is used to promote the healing of foul sores, and to remove the 
offensive odour of the discharges from them. 


The author of the Tuhfat-el-muminin, and other Mahome- 
tan physicians, who have written in India, identify Ajowan 
with the ammi or basilikon kuminon of Dioscorides, and also 
with the zhinian and nankhah of Persia; they give it the Arabic 
name of Kamin-el-multki, “ king’s cumin.” 


The authors of the Pharmacographia speaking of Fructus 


_ Ajowan, remark: “ Owing to their having been confounded 
_ with some other very small umbelliferous fruits it is difficult 
~ to trace them precisely in many of the older writers on Materia _ 
Medica. It is however probable that they are the Ammi of 
- Anguillaria (1561), and the Ammi perpusillum of Lobel (1571), 
in whose time the seeds were obtained from Egypt. They are 
certainly the Ajave seeds of Percival (1773), who obtained 
_ them from India.” The plant is the Ptychotis Ajowan of later 
a European writers on Indian Materia Medica. 


In native practice, ajowan is much used as a carminative, 


either alone or in combination with rock salt, asafootida, myro- 


balans, &c. It is also thought to check discharges of a 
chronic kind, and is therefore used in making lotions, collyria, 


118 _UMBELLIPERA 


Description.—The fruits are of the size and shape 
those of parsley, of a greyish-brown colour, with a tubercul 
surface. Each mericarp has five prominent ridges, the inte 
vening channels being dark brown, with a single vitta in eae 
The commissural side bears two vittw. The odour resembh 
that of thyme. 


Chemical composition—The fruits according to Stenh 
(1855) yield 5 to 6 per cent. of an agreeably aromatic, vol 
oil, sp. gr. 0-896. At the same time there collects on the st 
face of the distilled water, a crystalline substance. This stea 
opten, under the name of Ajowan-ke-phul, was first ma 
known by Stocks, and was examined by Stenhouse and 
Haines, who showed its identity with thymol, as contained 
Thymus vulgaris. (Pharmacographia.) Thymol isthe phen 
of cymene, and its composition is shown by the formula C®E 
C*H’, CH’, OH. Widman (1882) has succeeded in pre 
it synthetically from cuminol by converting this into 
cuminol, acting upon this with phosphorus pentachloride, 
nitro~cymylene chloride, C'®H'!(NO#)CI%, is formed, 
treating this with nascent hydrogen, first at a low tempe 
afterwards with the aid of heat, to obtain cymidin, OC! 
NH?. <A dilute solution of cymidin sulphate is treated 
potassium nitrite, and finally distilled, when thymol is obt 
having the melting-point 44° C., which isthe same as foun 
Lallemand and Stevhouse for thymick from the oils of th 
and of ajowan, (S#til/ and Maisch ) Thymol is most ¢ 
niently and completely extracted from oil of ajowan by sh 
_ it repeatedly with caustic lye, and neutralizing the latter. 

According to Wernecke ajowan seeds yield 10°45 per 
of ash, 


Cultivation and Commerce.—Ajowan is cultivated on 
plains of India along with coriander, fenugreek and 
crops which require similar treatment. ae ‘sowing 
October to November; the reapi : 
soil required is a deep - Mu 
manured kath asmall gua: 


oe UMBELLIVFER. 119 


cattle droppings. Strong manures are considered injurious to 
his crop. During the growing season of ajowan the climate is 
paratively cool and very dry, rain falls at very irregular 
ntervals, but at the sowing season, the soil will probably be 
- saturated with moisture, and heavy dews prevail during the 
7 early half of the ee season. The temperature in the shade 
- varies from 80° to 50° 

Rain or irrigation to he extent of about} inch weekly is 
_ required, therefore the soil is prepared for irrigation by making 
- level beds about 8 feet square enclosed by ridges about Six 
inches high, The ajowan is sown on the ridges by dibbling in 
the seeds about 6 inches apart, and coriander or fenugreek oc- 
cupies the central bed. Assuming thatthe whole field was oc- 
-ceupied by ajowan the quantity of seed required per acre would 
e 10 lbs., and the out-turn nearly 100 lbs. (G. M. Woodrow.) 
“The average value of ajowan seed is about Rs. 2 per pharrah 
35 lbs.). In 1831-82, Bombay exported 1,195 ewts. of the 
eed valued at Rs. 6,066. 

The ernde thymol manufactured in India has an = 
alue of Rs. 8 per Ib. ey aon Se 

CARUM CARUI, Linn. 

Fig.—Benil. and Trim., t. 121. Caraway (Hng.), Carvi 
irs) 
Hab.—Cashmir, Gurhwal, Persia. The fraits. 
_ Vernacular.—Indian caraways: Siyah-jira (Hind.), Guniytin 
(Cashmere.), Umbhé (Ladak.), Sa-jireé (Mar), Shimai-shira- 
m, Pilappu-shiragam (Tam.), Sima-jilakara (7el.), Shime- 
irige (Can.), Shia-jira (Beng.), Kalun-jirun (Guz.). 

UP oropeen caraways : Vilayati-jira (Hind.,Mar., Guz.), 
i, Shimai-shombu (Tam.), Kekku-vittula, Shima-sopu ( 
(Can.), ores? (beng.). hase 


' 


~~ 
at 
~~ 


120 UMBELLIFERZ. 


known to the Hindus before the introduction into India ag 


nary caraways he named them Carum nigrum (Him. Bot. 228 
Stewart reduces Royle’s CO. nigrum to C. Carui, and in 
view he appears to be supported by Mr. C. B. Clarke in 
Flora of British India. Thesame variety of caraway is know 
in Persia as Zireh-i-siyah, and as it is principally cultivated i 
the neighbourhood of Kirman, is also called Zireh-i-Kirmfni. 

The European caraway is first mentioned by the Arabian 
under the name of Carawiya. Ibn Sina, Edrisi and Ibn Ba 
tar all treat of it as distinct from cumin. ‘The «apov of 
Greeks, so often identified with the caraway, appears to hav 
been quite a different plant, as it afforded a root in common U 
as a vegetable which Paulus Algineta classes with pa 
and carrots. The Mabometan physicians derive the 
Karawiya or Kuroya from the Syrian Karui, and give éppé 
the Greek for caraways, a word applied by Greek and 
writers to several of the products of Armenia. They des 


diuretic and anthelmintic. A caraway bath is recomme 
for painful swellings of the womb, and a poultice for p 
aud protruding piles. 


Description.—The fruits are ovoid, slightly arched, 
ally compressed, crowned by the style; they vary in size, 
are generally about 1-6th of an inch long and 1-20th in 
meter. Thecolour is brown, but the ribsare of a lighter 01 
than the furrows. The me 


UMBELLIFERZ:. 121 


have a’ powerful odour. The black caraway approaches very 
rly to cumin both in odour and flavour, the fruit is more 
Slender and of a darker colour than the common caraway, 
but a transverse section shows a similar structure. 


Chemica! composition.—Trommsdorff besides volatile oil 
S found i in caraways a green fixed oil, a little wax, resin, sugar, 

mucilage, and some tannin. By repeated fractional distilla- 
tion Vélkel (1840) separated carvene, C'°H'®, which has little 
_ odour and taste, boils at 173° C., and has a strong dextro- 
_ gyrate rotation. The higher boiling fraction contains carvol, 

4 C'°H'*0, which is liquid, has an agreeable caraway odour, 
_ boils at 227° C. (Gladstone) or at 250° C. (Varrentrapp), 
_ and has a levogyrate rotation. Carvol is isomeric with men- 
_ thol, myristicol, thymol, and cumin alcohol. According to 
Warnecke the fruit yields 5°27 per cent. of ash, . 


Commerce.—EKuropean caraways are imported into India from 
England, and occasionally from the Levant, and are sold for 
bout Re. 1 per Ib. The black caraway is imported into 
Northern India from Afghanistan, Cashmere, and other parts of 
the Punjab Himalaya, also from Persia. The average value is 
Rs. 8 per Surat maund of 37} lbs. if purchased in bulk, but as 
the bales contain much trash, the retail price of the clean 
seeds is not less than 8 annas per lb. In 1881-82 the imports 
nto Bombay from Persia amounted to 2,683 cwts., valued at 
Rs. 71,886. The exports were 5 cwts. to Mauritius and 4 
ewts. to Aden. 


Carum Roxburghianum, Benth. Wight Ic. 567, Ajmod 
_(Hind.), Randhani (Beng.), Réndhani, Karonjha (Mar.) is an 
herbaceous plant resembling single parsley, and i is supposed. ! 


122 UMBELLIFERA). 


by some on account of its coriander-like flavour. It is wortu) 
of remark that the Marathi name r4n-dhani (wild coriander) 
in use in Bengal. The fruit of this plant must not be co 
founded with the Bori-ajmod or Tukm-i-karafs of the shops 
which is celery fruit imported from Persia, Réndhani is som 
times used asa carminative in dyspepsia, and is probably a f 
substitute for caraways. The fruit is about ;4, of an inch 
length, and is studded with blunt simple hairs ; each merica 
has five ridges, which are paler than the spaces between them, 
and about 15 vittes. The wild form (C. stictocarpum) is a much 
more slender plant, and has fruit about half the size of t 
cultivated variety. . 
APIUM GRAVEOLENS, Lim. 
Fig.— Eng. Bot, zvii., t. 1210. Celery (Eng.), Céleri (F7-). 
Hab.—N.-W. Himalaya, Persia. The fruit. 
Vernacular.—Karafs (Arab., Ind. Bazar), Ajmod (Hind. 
Bodiajamo (Guz.), 
History, Uses, &c.—Celery does not appear to 
been known to the ancient Hindus. The Arabians proba 
obtained their knowledge of it from the Greeks. Diosco 
describes five kinds of ceAivov. Sprengel refers two of these 
Apium graveolens, viz., cedivov knraiov and édeooédwov, var, 8@ 
vum et sylvestre.* The Selinon of Theophrastus (H. P. i. | 
16, 19; iv. 9, viii. 5) was probably Celery; he also meni 
Hleioselinon (vii., 6). Hipposelinon (ix., 1.), a diuretic. 
root yielding a gum like scammony and Oreoselinon (vit:, 7 
Muhammad Husain, who wrote in India about one hundred 
twenty years ago, informs us that Karafs is the celery of 
Europeans and the Udasaliyun of the Greeks. . He desc 
three other kinds, viz., Sakhri, in Greck Fiturasaliyun ; N 
in Greek Akusaliyun ; and Tari, in Greek Shamarfniyun. W 
-* Conf. Dios. iii., 67, 68, 69, 70, 71. 
Scaerns ii, 25. wepi mabav 48. neients 
were given to the victors at the Isthmi 
upon tombs. It is the Apium | 


Ad 


Hipp. trepi vovecav ii. 19. 
‘made chaplets of ¢ 


UMBELLIFERLZ. 123 


all of these may be, it is difficult to decide. Fiturasaliyun is 
w the bazar name in Bombay for the fruits of Prangos 
‘pabularia, but it is evidently a corruption of the Greek Petro- 
elinon, and had once a different meaning, being described in 
Arabic works as like Aj owan. * The fruits imported into 
Bombay from Persia under the name of Karafs, and sold in 
the bazars as Bori-ajmud, agree in structure with those of A. 
 graveolens. Mahometan writers describe Karafs\as deobstru- 
ent and resolvent, and use it in the form of a poultice with 
barley meal; they recommend it internally as a pectoral and 
as a tonic and carminative adjunct to purgatives, also as a 
diuretic, emmenagogue, lithontriptic, and alexipharmic. 

In European medicine apiol, a camphor common to the fruits 
of this plant and of parsley, has been recommended as an em-— 
menagogue and febrifuge, but more exact observation has 

_ proved its inutility. The physiological effects produced by this 
_ substance are headache and passing intoxication, and after 
repeated ingestion, digestive disturbances, loss of appetite, _ 
even fever. 


é 

aq 
io 
: 


a 


bie Bae nee. 


Description.—Karafs or Borf-ajmud sarportert into 
Bombay from Persia is a very small fruit, which, when the two 
mericarps are united, as is often the case, is almost globular; it 
s quite smooth and remarkable for the size and prominence of 
its ridges; the vitte are 11 to 12 in number, two of these are 
onthe commissural side. The taste is at first like anise, but 
afterwards bitter. The odour like anise, but faint. 

Chemical composition.—Celery seeds, like those of ene : 
contain Apiin, a substance first obtained by Rump in 1836 from 
the leaves, stalks, and seeds of common parsley ; it was after 
wards more exactly examined by Lindenborn, who obtained 


124 } UMBELLIFERZ. 


glucose and Apigenin (66°13 per cent. C. 3°9H.). From these — 
numbers Lindenborn inferred that apigenen is isomeric with 
quinone, and assigned to apiin the formula C'?H'*0’, repres 
ing its decomposition by the equation, C!'%H'*07+ 
=C°H*0?+C°H""0*%, Quite recently apiin has been fart 


whose results agree in the main with those of Lindenborn, hi 
analysis of apiin giving 53°55 per cent. C., 5°36 H., and 
of apigenin 65°12—66-21 C., and 3°75 —3°91 H. 

Apiin is slightly soluble in cold, easily in hot water, st 
more easily in hot alcohol, insoluble in ether; from the aque 
or alcoholic solution, it always separates by slow cooling in 
form of a jelly. It dissolves in alkalies with a light yello 
colour. Its hot aqneous solution gives no precipitate with silve 
nitrate, lead nitrate, or copper sulphate, a brown-red precipi 
with ferric chloride, a blood-red coloration with ferrous sulph 
Apiin is powerfully dextrogyrate, its specific rotatory p 
for yellow light being + 178°. (Gmelin’s Handb. 16, 94; We 
Dict. of Chem. VIIL., Pt. I., 117.) The seeds and herb yie 
colourless or pale yellow essential oil, sp. gr. 0-881. Apiol ¢ 
Parsley camphor, which has lately been obtained from parsle 
seeds, is also found in those of Celery, 

Commerce.—Value, Rs. 6 per Surat maund of 374 Ibs. 


-FCENICULUM VULGARE, Gartn, 
Fig.—Renil. and Trim., t. 123, Fennel (Eng.), Fenouil (F ‘ 
Hab.—Cultivated in India. ‘The fruit and root. 
Vernacular.—Bari saunf (Hind.), Panmohuri ( Beng.), Wi 

riarf (Guz.), Bari-shopha (Mar.), Shombu (Tam.), Sopu (T 

Somp (Can.), 
History, Uses, &c.—Fennel is identified by Mahome 

writers as the rapabov of the Greeks, who also called it ud 

It is mentioned by Hippocrates and Dioscorides as a di 

and emmenagogue, and the jnice was Supposed to shai 

eyesight. Nicander and Pliny mention certain supe 


~ 


UM BELLIFER, 125 


q notions concerning fennel, which are expressed in the following. 
_ lines by Macer Floridus (De Vir. Herb 
eS um vino cunctis obstat hee herba venenis ; 
= Hac morsa, serpens oculos caligine purgat, 
‘Indeque compertum est humanis posse mederi 

Tilam luminibus, atque experiendo probatum— 

Urinas purgat et menstrua sumpta resolvit, 

Vel si trita super pecten hec herba ligetur— 

Tradunt auctores ejus juvenescere gustu 

Serpentes, et ob hoc senibus prodesse putatur. 
Indian Sweet Fennel is rather smaller and straighter than the 
_ European article, but in other respects is siwilar to it. Fennel 
_ fruit is used by the natives of India as a condiment and as an 
_ aromatic adjunct to medicines. A distilled water, known as 
_ Ark-i-b4dién, is prepared from it. The Sanskrit name is 
_ Madhurika (sweet). As pointed out by Mr. M. Sheriff in his 
_ Appendix to the Pharmacopeia of India, this plant and the 
anise are often confounded in Arabic and Persian works on 
_ Materia Medica. The Persians call the fruits of both Razianah, 
_ but the Hindu dealers in Bombay call Fennel Wariarf and 
q Anise Erva-dos. The root of fennel is rather an important 
_ medicine in native practice, being to the present day esteemed 
as one of the five opening roots of the ancients.* 


Description.—The fruits are oblong, cylindrical, sos 
4 - 3-10ths of an inch long and 1-10th in diameter, nearly straight, 
_ terminating with the two-pointed base of the style and smooth 
n the surface. Hach mericarp has five prominent ridges. 
Between the ridges are vittz, and there are two on the com- 
missural surface. The colour of the fruit is a pale greenish 
ellow, the odour like that of anise, and the taste sweet and 
aromatic. 


S 


Chemical composition.—Fennel fruit yields about 3 per 
ent. of volatile oil, which consists of anethol or anise camphor, 
3'SH'#0, and variable proportions of a liquid isomeric Mi 


The five ope roots 5 oe ah ee pent week 
tcher’s rine au “the wild bitter Fennel ia} : 


126 UMBELLIFER 2, 


wll 


oil of turpentine. Anethol is obtainable from fennel in two 
forms, the solid and the liquid; crystals of the former a 
deposited when the oil is subjected to a somewhat low tempe 


fuse between 16 and 20° C., the liquid form of anethol remai 
fluid even at —10°C. By long keeping the crystals slow 
become liguid, and Jose their power of reassuming the crystal 
lineform. (Pharmacographia.) Wernecke found 7°25 per cent. 
of ash in the fruit. 
Commerce.—Fennel is largely cultivated on the table lands 
India. The fruit sells for Rs. 8 to 4 per Surat maund 
874 lbs, The exports from Bombay in 1881-82 were 2,20 
ewts,, valued at Rs. 16,630; only 5 cwts. went to the Uni 
Kingdom, and the rest to Hastern ports. 


PEUCEDANUM GRANDE, @. B. Clarke. 
Hab.—Hills of Western India. The fruit. 
Vernacular.—Duakt (Hind., Bomb.), Baphali (Mar.). 


History, Uses, &c.—The fruit of this plant has bel 
adopted in India as a substitute for the Daucus seeds of t 
ancients, which were obtained from a species of Atham 
growing in Crete. This adoption was probably due to 
early visits of Greek travellers and traders to Thana, an 
the subsequent resort to the same port of the Mahometa 
early in the 14th century. The plant is common on the 
of the Concan, and was probably brought for sale to Thana 
those days, as it stillis at the present time. In Royles 
Materia Medica, Falconer is quoted as describing Dikt as @ 
fruit resembling that of Asafetida, and as ‘probably deriveé 
from some species of Ferula; this is just such a fruit, Dika 
was justly considered by the ancients as carminative, stimulan’ 
and diuretic. Other umbelliferous fruits aro not unfrequi 
substituted for this drug. We haye received those of De 
Ammoniacum from Bengal, and those of an Asafetida 
from Northern India. Haji Zein under the name of , 


UMBELLIFERZ. 127 


{marmaj) mentions an Indian seed having the appearance and 
properties of Daucus. 
Description,—Plant three to seven feet high, having very 
nuch the appearance of a garden parsnip which has run to 
- seed; root large, perennial, all quite smooth; leaves mostly 
radical, long-petioled, bipinnate; leaflets trilobate 3; lobes large, 
_ rounded; margins crenate serrate, shining on both sides ; 
cauline leaves 1 to 2, biternate ; stem round, smooth, striated; 
involucre and involucel leaves oblong or obovate, obtuse, par- 
_ tial rays numerous, many flowered ; flowers yellow ; fruit large, 
broadly elliptical, varying in size, the largest are 3 of ‘an inch 
- long and 3 broad ; foliaceous, convex in the middle, with a 
dilated border, consisting of coarse cellular tissue ; colour red- 
dish yellow over the seed, margin pale yellow; dorsal ridges 
_ seven, the three central filiform ; vittee in dorsal furrows ten to 
_ thirteen ; vitteo of commissure six. The fruit has a powerful 
q lemon odour with a sowpgon of carrot. 
_ Chemical composition.—Twenty-five pounds of the fruit dis- 
tilled with water yielded 6 fluid ounces of a light yellow 
essential oil having the odour of the fruit; it was dextrogyre, 
column of 100 m. m. rotating 86 degrees. ‘The specific 
tavity at 15°-5 C. was -9008. Cooled to —14° C. it was still 
quid and no crystals separated. After dehydration the oil 
mmenced to boil at 76° C., the temperature rapidly rose to 
100° C., when a few drops distilled over; the temperature 
ntinued to rise rapidly to 185° C., up to this temperature 
per cent. distilled over. The subsequent progress of ie 
pein may be tabulated as Eat — 
2nd fraction ...... 185° to 190° ...,.. 17 per cent. 
3rd 15 


eeuves £200 US AVY sorter 


seeuee 


ceeee 


128 UMBELLIFERZ. 


tint. Treated with reagents the oil in its original state affor 
ed the following reactions :—Bromine dissolyed in chloroform, 
at first nearly colourless, turning to dirty brown with a tinge 
of red, and finally to a dirty sage green. Concentrated s 
phuric acid, deep orange to red. Frohde’s reagent, voll 
deep brown, violet to deep blue, the changes in colour bei 
extremely rapid. Nitric acid gave a yellow coloration. a 
acid dissolved in the oil. With solid iodine much heat was 
evolved. Gaseous hydrochloric acid was passed into the oi 
for some time, but on cooling the liquid no crystalline dona 
separated. A slight precipitate of silver was produced from 
an ammoniacal solution of the nitrate. 
Commerce.—The fruit is worth about Rs. 6 per ee 
(about 25 lbs.). 


PEUCEDANUM GRAVEOLENS, Benth. 


Fig.—Bentl. and Trim., t. 182. Dill, (Eng.), Aneth, Fen 
puant (Fr.) 

Hab.—Cultivated in India. The fruit. 
Vernacular.—Sowa (Hind.), (Shepu Mar.), Shoyikirai-vi 
Shatakuppi-virai (Tam.), Shatakuppi-vittulu (Tel.), Sabba 
(Can.), Shonva (Beng.), Suva (Guz.). 

History, Uses, &c.—Dill seed is much esteemed by 
natives of India, who use it as a condiment and medicit 
An infusion of it is given asa cordial drink to women 
confinement. The leaves moistened with oil are used 
stimulating poultice or suppurative. The Sanskrit names 4 
Misreyé and Shatapushpa. Mahometan writers descri 
Shibbit as resolvent and deobstruent, carminative, div 
andemmenagogue. The Persian name is Shid andthe Yuné 
ee see 


60). Pliny (20, | 
ster cc: mepi Br i, eve patti sie Greek oe tere spel of A ath 
aaa _- e same plant, but Alexis A np. 2,7; 4 


UMBELLIFER.®. 129 


- Description.—The fruits of the Indian plant, which has 
some been called Anethum Sowa, do not differ in any im- 
ortant respect from those of the European plant. The meri- 
arps are somewhat narrower and more convex, the ridges 
more distinct, and the border less winged. 

— -Ohemical composition.— Dill fruits yield from 3 to 4 per cent. 
_ of an essential oil, a large proportion of which was found by 
' Gladstone (1864-72) to be a hydrocarbon, C'°H'®, to which 
q he gave the name Anethene. This substance has a lemon-like 
odour, sp- gr. 0°846, and boils at 172°C. It deviates a ray of 
a light strongly to the right. Nietazki (1874) ascer- 
_ tained that there is, moreover, present another hydrocarbon, 
_C'°F'S, in a very small proportion, which boils at 155 to 160°. 
third constituent of oil of Dill is in all probability identical 
with carvol. (Pharmacographia, 2nd Ed., p. 328.) 

_ Commerce.—Suva is cultivated throughout tropical and 
sub-tropical India in the- cold season. Value, Rs. 3% per 
narrah (about 35 lbs.). 


CORIANDRUM SATIVUM, Linn. — 
-Fig.—Bentl. and Trim., ¢. 133. Coriander (Hng.), Coriandre 


: Hab.— Cultivated in India, The fruit. 
Vernacular.—Dhanya (Hind.), Dhanya, Dhana (Mar., Guz.), 
amalli (J’am.), Danyalu (Zel.), Kottumbari (Can.). 
History, Uses, &c.--The Coriander plant is called 
othmir, a name derived from the Sanskrit Kusthumbari; when 7 


130 UMBELLIFER. 


native ; they prepare an eyewash from them which is supposed — 
to prevent small-pox from destroying the sight, and to be use- 4 
ful in chronic conjunctivitis. Coriander is also thought t 
lessen the intoxicating effects of spirituous preparations, 
with Barley meal to form a useful poultice for indolent ‘swel 
ings. It is the Kuzbura of the Arabs-and Kishnfz of th 


2. 


amongst Western physicians, “‘ coriandrum siccum frangit co. 
' tum, et erectionem virge impedit.” Apuleius says it assis 
women in child-birth and protects them from fever. The fol- 
lowing is an example of a cooling confection of the time © 
Charles the First:—R. Seminis Lactucs, Portulaces. Coriandri 
ana ana 3i. Menth. siccze 3ss, Sacchari alb. Ziv. Pulverisent 
omnia subtiliter, et post ea simul misce aqua nenupharis, — 
confectis solida in morsulis, ex his sumat mane unum quut 
surgat. | 


Description.—Indian Coriander is much larger tha 
grown in Europe, and of an ovoid form ; it consists of two meé 
ricarps firmly joined together, they are crowned by the stylo 
podium and calicinai tecth. Hanbury.and Fliickiger have 
following excellent description of the fruit:—‘ The peric 


besides the lateral ridges, which mark the suture or line : 

separation. There are no vitte on the outer surface of 

pericarp. Of the five teeth of the calyx, two often grow i 
eal erninstihacsciieg Meee chain 


* Confer. Dios, rep: Kopiou, iii, 64. Theophr. H. P. (xépsavvor), 


1, 3, 4,6. Pliny, 20, 82. 


UMBELLIFER ®. 131 


long pointed, persistent lobes; they proceed from the outer 
_ flowers of the umbel. Though the two mericarps are closely 
_ united, they adhere only. by the thin pericarp, enclosing: when 
‘ripe a lenticular cavity. On eaeh side of this cavity, the skin 
_ of the fruit separates from that of.the seed, displaying the two 
__. brown. vittes of eachmericarp. In transverse:section, the albu- 
__ men appears crescent-shaped, the concave side being towards 
the cavity. The carpophore stands in the middle of the latter 
as a column, connected. with. the pericarp only at the top 
and bottom,” 
Chemical composition.—The essential oil is isomeric with 
borneol, formula C'°H!8Q, According to ,Kawalier, if the 
elements of. water. are extracted by phosphoric: anhydride, it is 
converted into an oil-of offensive odour, formula C!°H?6, 
q The fruits yield from 0°7 to.1°J per: cent. of volatile oil and 
4 13 per cent. of.fixed oil. 
| Fliickiger obtained from the green. herb from 0°57 to 1-1. 
per mille of: an oil having an offensive odour, which deviated 
_ the ray of polarized light 1:1° to the right when examined in.a 
column of 50 mm.. long. The oil. distilled. by him: from. ripe — 
_ fruit deviated. 5:1° to the right... . 
_ Warnecke has found in Coriander fruit 5°21 ‘per cent: of- ash. 
_  Commerce.— Coriander is: cultivated throughout tropical and 
4 sub-tropical India; it is worth about Rs. 3*per pharrah (about 
35 lbs.). It is largely exported to eastern. ports. 


PIMPINELLA ANISUM, Linn. 

F ee Bentl. and Trim., ¢. 122.. Anise (Eng.), Anis (Fr.). 
Hab.— Persia, Europe, cultivated. The fruit. es 
Vernacular.—Erva-dos (Bomb.). The Indian names for Anise | 
are the same as those for Dill. = ee 

History, Uses, &c.—Anixe does not 
been known to the ancient Hindus, and is no 
Sanskrit works. ‘It was introduced — 


132 UMBELLIFERZ. 


metans from Persia, whence the supply for the Bombay market — 
still comes. Anise is now grown in Northern India. ae 
The natives use anise in the same way as we do. The Per- 
Sians call it Réziénah, which the Arabs corrupt into Razianaj. 
They identify it with the Anisum of the Greeks,* and. the Ma- 
hometan druggists of India know it by this name. The Bom- 
bay name, Ervados, is a corruption of the Portuguese ‘ Herba 
doce.’ M. Sheriff states that the seeds of Carum Roxburyhi- 
anum are sold in Southern India as Anisum. 
Description.—The froit varies a good deal in size; if 
well grown it should be about 2-10th of an inch long. The 
maericarps often adhere together with the pedicel attached, 
forming an ovoid body crowned by a pair of styles. Bach 
fruit has 10 ridges, and is covered with short hairs. ‘The taste 
is remarkably sweet and aromatic. ‘lhe vittee, which contain 
the essential oil, are very numerous, each mericarp being pr 
vided with about fifteen. 
Chemical composition.—The fruit yields from 2 to 8 per cent. 
of essential oil, which is a colourless liquid, but after a time 
becomes yellow. It has the taste and odour of the fruit, 
gr. 0°977 to 0-983. At from 10 to 15° C. it becomes a ery 
talline mass. Oil of anise resembles oil of fennel (vide Fennel) 
in that it consists almost entirely of anethol. Warnecke fou 
6-70 per cent. of ash in the fruit. ig 
Commerce.— Anise is imported from Persia, Value, Rs. 5: 


Rs. 6 per Surat maund of 37} lbs. 


ANTHRISCUS CEREFOLIUM, Hojim. 

Fig.—Eng. Bot., 1268; Jacq. Aust., 390. Chervil (Eng: 
Cerfeuil (Fr.). : : 
Hab.—Enurope. Cultivated elsewhere. 
Vernacular.—Atrilé| (Ind. Bazars). | 

_ History, Uses, &c.—One of the oldest of cultivate 
potherbs. It is mentioned by Aristophanes, who wrote ab 
* Comp. Dios, mepi avigou, iii,, 58, and Plin 20, 72, 73. 


UMBELLIFER:. 133 


430 B.C., as a herb sold by the greengrocers. In his Acharnes 
ine 478) he has oxdvdixd pos dds, pyrpdbev dedeypévos in allusion to 
the mother of Euripedes being a seller of Chervil. Theophras- 
3 and Diocorides were well acquainted with it, and describe it 
_ asdiuretic, stomachic and deobstruent. Pliny (22, 38,) speaks 
of Scandix aud Authriscum as nearly the same plants,—the lat- 
_ ter appears to have been the cultivated chervil—he says :—“ Its - 
_ principal virtue is that it re-invigorates the body when exhausted 
_ by sexual excesses, and acts as a stimulant upon the enfeebled 
powers of old age.” Ibn Sina calls it Rijl-el-ghur4b, and says 
that Paulus and others have recommended it in colic. Haji 
_ Zein-el-Attar (A.D. 1868) has the following account of Atrilal; 
_ “There are two kinds of sced, dark and light-coloured like 
_ celery seed in size, and cumin in shape, very bitter. The 
light coloured is the largest, and is the kind called Khilal-i- 
Khalil in Persian; this is true Atril4l, different from the Egyp- 
tian: it grows at Ahwaz. The Egyptian kind is also called 
Rijl-el-tair, Rijl-cl-ghurab, and Harj-es-shayatin “ devil’s bane”’. 
Atrilél is useful in white leprosy and tetter. One dirham 
alone, or with one dang of Pyrethrum, is rubbed down 


ischarge of yellow serum from the affected part, and the skin 
ecovers its natural colour. The powdered seeds used as a 
snuff cause abortion.” In the Madd-el-k4mus, Lane has the 
following summary from Arabian authorities :—Rijl-el-ghurab 
signifies a certain herb called, in the language of the Barbar, 
Atildl, and in the present day Zir-el-akileh, resembling the 


flower is white, and it forms grains nearly like those of Mak; 
diinis (parsley), A dirham of its seeds, bruised and mixed : 
honey, is a tried remedy for eradicating the eat 
leprosy) and the Ge (tetter) being drunk, and, someti 
ad to it a quarter of a dirham of pellit tb 


134 : UMBELLIFER. 


Atrilal are given to: Chervil and Buekshorn — (Plantago ~ 
- eoronopus). 

Chervil has. been cultivated in England since A.D. 1590, and 
has run wild in some parts of the country; it is much used on 
the continent of Europe as a pot-herb. A. sylvestris, or wild 
Chervil, is said to be poisonous; it has an acrid bitter taste. 

Description.—Fruits lanceolate, laterally compressed, 
almost cylindrical, black, smooth, terminating in a short 0 
angled beak, crowned with the depressed wavy receptacle of 
the flower. Taste aromatic, free from bitterness. 

Commerce.—In the Indian bazars the fruit of Vernonia 
anthelmintica is generally supplied for Atril4t by Mahometen 
druggists ; the genuine article is hardly ever obtainable. * 


DAUCUS CAROTA, Linn. 
Fig.— Wight Il, t. 117, fig. 7. 
Hab.—Cashmere, Western Himalaya. Cultivated thro 
out India, : 
Vernacular.—Gajar (Hind., Guz., Mar., Beng.), Gajjara-ke- 
langu,Manjal-mutlangi (Tam.), Gajjara-gadda, Pita-kanda 
(Tel.) 


History, Uses, &c.—-The wild carrot is a native 
temperate climates, and in the Himalaya grows to the height 
of six feet. It is called in Sanskrit Gazjara, and has probably 
been i in cultivation in India froma very remote period. There 


fruit, green gram (Cicer arietinum) and sweetmeats, e 
those made from Sesamum seeds, at the festival of Makar 
Sankrdénti, when the sun is worshipped upon his entry into 
the sign of Makar (Capricorn). These offerings are made upon 
the second day of the festival, which is called Kar, to friends 
and relations. In the temple of Apollo at Delphi, radi 
were offered upon golden plates as typical of natriment, at 
the Indian offering appears to have the same meaning. — 


UMBELLIFER &. ee 


Greeks cultivated the carrot (cragvdivos) and also the Romans ° 
who called it Pastinaca erratica. Itis clearly described by Dios- 
rides, and his commentator Marcellus Vergilius remarks that 
Pliny says “ Est et quartum genus in eadem similitudine 
_ pastinace nascens, quam nostri Gallicam vocant, Greeci vero 
daucon.” From this we may couclude that the Daucus was like 
the pastinaca erratica or carrot, but not the same plant. 
The carrot was also called by the Greeks xépas from its simi- 
larity to a horn ; in the old Greek lexicons we read “ craqvhivos 
dypwos dv vio nip kadovor’”’. The Daucus of the Greeks, according 
to Dioscorides, was of three kinds, the best or Cretan kind had 
acrid, white, hairy, odoriferous fruit; the second kind was 
a plant like Celery, with a pungent taste and aromatic odoar ; 
and the third kind had an acrid fruit, having the appearance of 
Cumin. The first kind is generally considered to have been 
a species of Athamanta growing in Crete. Of the third kind, 
Gronovius says :—“ Daucus tertius Dioscoridis, incolis Zarneb, 
Melchi, Rauwolf. Hodoep., Pt. I. c. 9, p. 116 et Pt. IL, c. 2, 
p-146. Seseli Cretense nodosum umbella lutea, Moris. Hist. 
ii., p. 287, f. 9.” (See Trachydiwm.) Apicius, a writer on 
_ cookery, about A. D. 2380, mentions an edible root called 
_ Carota, which no doubt was the same as our Carrot ; ; as is also 
s the Gazar of the Persians and the Jazar of the Arabians, which 
_ they do not identify with the Daucus of Dioscorides, but with 
his Staphylinos. The old writers on Materia Medica describe 
_ Carrots as hot in the extreme of the second degree, moist 
_ in the first, diuretic, laxative, emollient, strengthening the 
venereal faculty, emmenagogue and antiseptic. A decoction 
of carrots was long a popular remedy for jaundice in Europe, 
and the dried péduticle { is a favourite toothpick among the Arabs 
“on account ofits aroma. In India, the seeds are popularly 
Supposed to cause abortion, and are kept by ull the native 
4 druggists. In those parts of the country where the _ * 2 


more powerful antiseptics, but the fruits still hold 
Rt our stimulant coor the action be 


136 UMBELLIFER A. 


due to the volatile oil which they contain, acting locally upon 
the vessels or nervous structures of the kidney, during its 
excretion, F 


Description.—Fruit hat comp 1 from the back, 
ovate er oblong; mericarps with the five primary ridges fil : 
form and bristly, the three middle ones at the back; the two 
lateral on the plane of the commissure; the four secondary 
ridges equal, more prominent, winged, split into a simple ro 
of spines ; channels beneath the secondary ridges vittate. Seed 
anteriorly flattish. (Peretra.) se 

Chemical composition —The chief constituents of carrot 
root are carotin, hydrocarotin, oil, sugar, pectin, nitrogen 
compounds and a little volatile oil. Carotin is a crystallin 
ruby-red, tasteless, neutral substance, said to be proba 
formed by oxidation from hydrocarotin, which is a colourl 
substance. Landsberg describes the essential oil of the frui 
pure yellow, of anagreeable carrot odour and acrid tas 
sp. gr. at 20° C., 0°8829. It is levogyre, free from-sulp 
or nitrogen, and acid in reaction from the presence of aceti 
acid. The two principal constituents are a terpene belonging t 
Wallach’s pinene group, and an oxygenated body (C!*H!® 
standing in near relation to cincol (cucalyptol). 


TRACHYDIUM LEHMANNI, Benth. et Hook 
Fig.—Trans. Tinn. Soc, 2 Ser. Bot., Vol. itt., Pt. L, pl. 11 
Hab.—Persia. ; : 


ss eg: 
supposed to cause a pregnant woman to abort. Haji Zein-el- 
attar says that the plant is called Kirs-giyah “ bear’s wort” i 
Persian, and a kind of it at Shirdéz Badrdén ; he describes | 

foliage as like that of anise or fennel, and says that the f 
is yellow and pubescent. Ibn Sina mentions Shekaékul 


UMBELLIFERZ:. 137 


rodisiac, but gives no description of it. Other Arabian: 
ysicians give a similar account of it, and quote Dioscorides 
‘an authority for its use in dropsy as,a diuretic (cf. Diose. sub- 
ce kaveahis), ‘The Mahometans identify the drug with the 
aucalis of Theophrastus, ‘Dioscorides, Galen, Nicander and 
Oribasius ; the best is said to be that which comes from Egypt, 
and is heavy and ofa yellowish-brown colour. Theophrastus 
' classes caucalis among the dpovpawy or weeds of cultivation, and 
Galen says that it has the same taste and properties as Daucus. 
| Pliny notices it as an edible plant, and attributes to it 
_ a number of properties not mentioned by the earlier Greek 
' writers. Gronovius in his Flora Orientalis has the following 
notice of Shekikul :-—“Tordylium orientale, Secacul Mauris, 
Rauwolf. Hodoep. Pt. iv., t. 18. Sisarum Syriacum, Bauh. Pin. 
55. Apium Syriacum radice ampla eduli, Moris. Hist. ill., p. 
92. Secacul Arabum, Pastinaca Syriaca, Germanis gerelen, sive 
Sisarum species. Dalech App. 238. Ic., p. 24. Cresit juxta sepes 
t hortos urbis Halepi, locis praesertim apricis et. sub arbori- 
mus.” Sheik Déwood of Antioch describes shekakul as like a 


ible to say. In Persia, Trachydium Lehmanni, a very nearly — 
lied plant, produces the shekakul of Asia. Aitchison, when — 
ravelling in the Badghis district with the Afghan Boundary 
ommission, observed the roots of this plant being collected for 
xport to India as shekakul. nn he : hee 
_Description.—A root of the shape and size of a _ 
carrot, with a conical leaf-bud rising from the cror 
nally it is wrinkled and longitudinally furrow 
ight brown colour ; internally it is white 


ri 


te amylaceous and sw 


Buzid aucali, 
res 


- special attention as a fodder plant of particular value, 


138 UMBELLIFERZ. 


idaterk by Haji Zein-el-attar to be the xaveadis of Galen. After ay 
discussion in which he says that the truedrug comes from Egypt, 


ips some 0 be jection with buzidan, ail by others to be only 
shania to it, is called by the Arabs Mustaajil and Uruk-el- vid 


with in India; it is a shrivelled rhizome of a light brot 
colour, marked with transverse scars like Galangal, the taste 
sweet and gummy; when soaked in water it swells great! 
becomes quite soft, and is easily cut like preserved gingé 
The drug comes fromi China. 


PRANGOS PABULARIA, Lindi. 
Fig.— Wall. Pl. As. Rar, ti,, 7, t. 212. 
Hab.—tThibet, Cashmere. 


‘Vernacular,—Prangos (Thib.), Komal (Hind.), Fiturasaliyl 
(Indian Bazars), Badién-i-kohi (Afghan.). 


History, Uses, &c.—Sanskrit writers mention a pla 
called Komal and Avi-priya, or “dear to sheep,” which 
probably P. pabularia. In the first quarter of the pre 
century this plant created considerable interest in England. 
William Moorcroft, a veterinary surgeon of the Bengal Ar 
had heard that it wasan important factor asa food for cattle, 
_ was occasionally used as @medicine. When onan expeditic 
in 1822 to Upper Assam, for the purpose of opening trade r 
tions with the Chinese authorities at Bla, he made an exc 
sion fo Draz, in order to collect specimens of the plant and to 
study its use as a fodder plant by the natives. The p 
which hitherto had been unknown to botanists, was sent to ' 
Director of the Horticultural Society of London as deservi 


worthy to be cultivated in England and her colonies 
following reasons:—In its native Sees the dried 


UMBELLIFERZ. 139 


_ is used as a winter fodder for sheep and goats; it is described 

as being heating and fat producing, besides being a reliable 
remedy against the dangerous Fasciola hepatica, which often 
_ causes the death of thousands of sheep, especially after a wet 
autumn. Mr. Moorcroft drew special attention to the fact 
that the plant possessed a remarkable vital force, and thrived 
well in very poor soil without requiring culture or manure. - 


Only one bad quality was ascribed to it, viz., its having been 
observed that horses fed on its fruit suffered frequently from 
_ inflammation of the eyes and were sometimes subject to tem- 
_ porary blindness. Its cultivation was then tried in various 
_ colonies, especially at the Cape, but it scems that the great 
_ advantages expected from it were not realised, for no later 


- information is available. 


— Asa medicine Prangos commands a certain amount of interest, 
_ its fruit being sold by Mahometan druggists in India under 
_ the name of Fiturasaliyun as a substitute for the Petroselinon 
_ or Rock parsley of the Greeks, and Karafs-el-jibali of the Arabs, 
_ aplant which has not been identified, and which is described 
_ by Dioscorides as having fruit like Ammi, and as being | carmi~ 

native, diuretic and emmenagogue. 
The late Dr. Royle was of opinion that Prangos w was probably 
_ the kind of Silphium mentioned by Arrian, the historian of the 
_ campaigns of Alexander the Great, who records that in the part 
of the Caucasian mountains which corresponds to the present 
indu Kush, only pines and silphium grow, and as the country 


body crowned by the stylopodium and calycinal tecth; each 
mericarp has five very prominent convoluted ridges, and. mea 


_ Section of the mericarp shows five large irregularly formed 
ribs traversed by as many bundles of vessels, two more bundl 


140 ‘UMBELLIFER. 


‘sures 5°8.m.m. in .length, and 8:4 m.m. in breadth, # 
colour is a dirty yellow ; under pressure the fruit separates int 
two halves which remain attached to the carpophore. Second- 
ary ribs are not present. Under the microscope a transve 


are to be found on each side of the narrow uneven fissure 
surface. The rest of the tissue consists of parenchyme cel 
The pericarp incloses the seed, which is surrounded by man; 
large, oval-shaped oil vessels, about 40 in number. This ce 
line bends itself on both sides towards the interior, thus giving 
the seed the : appearance of ahorseshoe. The oil vessels are 
filled with a yellowish-brown oil, having an odour of caraw. 
The endosperm consists of a series of rows of many-s 
cells, containing a fatty oil and grains of aleurone; it surrou 
the embryo, which is dark brown and rather lara. Stare: 
not present. (H. Lojander Archiv. d. Pharm. 1887.) 

Chemical composition.—An examination of the air-dried fru 
resulted in the detection of the following constituents :— iz 

An essential oil. 

Traces of fixed oil, 

Resins. 

Traces of an alkaloid. 

Quercitrin in large amount. 

An ethereal salt of valerie acid. 

Sixty pounds of the fruit were distilled with water in tr 
portions, the water from the distillate of the first distilla 
being used with the second portion of fruit, Tho oil was alt 
entirely soluble in the water of the distillate, and had to be sepa 
rated by shaking with cther. e yield was very small, abot 
half an ounce. The ethereal oil recalled both the odour 
menthol and xanthoxylon oil with an after odour of caray 
it was a mixture of more than one oil, but the Amount 
disposal was not sufficient to admit of thorough fracti 
distillation: it was. = lighter than water, i, adi distill 


UMBELLIFERM. 141 


th water, the colour was slightly yellow. With reagents it 
the following colour reactions:—Bromine dissolved in ~ 
oform deep dirty red; alcoholic hydrochloric acid yellow ; 

centrated sulphuric acid deep orange red; concentrated 


veloped, but no marked reaction, the iodine freely dissolved ; 
h Fréhde’s reagent a deep red was produced, rapidly chang- 
ng todeep blue. Sulphuricacidand ferric chloride gave a dirty 
ed. Picric acid-dissolved in the oil easily in the cold. No 
rystals separated on cooling to 195 C. The alkaloid afforded 
marked precipitates with alkaloidal reagents :—concentrated 
ric acid yellow; sulphuric acid brown: no reaction with 
ric chloride. An alcoholic extract was agitated with ether, 
nd after driving off the ether, the ethereal extract was 
heated with caustic soda, when an odour was. developed very 
“similar to that of otto of roses. 


FERULA ALLIAC EA, Dieu 


: Hab. -—Persia. The gum-resin. 
Vernacular .—Hing (Hind., Beng.), ‘Kéyam, paaiaiin 
lam.), Inguva (Tel. ), Ingu (oan: ), Vagérni, Hing (Guz.). 


Fitistory, Uses, &c.—The old Greck and Latin writers 
n Materia Medica mention two kinds of Silphium—one good 
r sweet, and the other fetid. Theophrastus in his History of 
ants (vi., 8), speaks of two varieties, of the stem and of the root. 
Says: dmdv 8 Sirrov Eyer, Tov pev do TOU KavAod Tov dE dd THs pelns, 

s¢cav. - Dioscorides mentions — 


142 UMBELDIFERZ. 


of the Greeks of hisday. In the Rudens of Plautus (B. C. 920) — 
the scene of which is near Cyrene, frequent allusion is made to 
the growth of Laserpitium there, and the preparation and export 


obtainable in their time. Pliny relates that a single plant w 
presented to the Emperor Neroas a curiosity. ‘The gum resi 
of I’. alliacea is the Hing of the natives of India, the other 
kind being seldom used by them. In Sanskrit it is called 
Hingu, and is said to be so called from its killing er over- 
powering all other odours. Inthe Nighantas it bears various 
synonyms, amongst which may be mentioned Balhika, ‘‘ coming 
from Balkh”; Ramatha, Bh tita-ndsana, “destroying demons”; 
and Sula-ndsana, “ removing pain in the stomach” ; it is 
scribed as hot, digestive, appetizing, pungent; a remedy f 
phlegm, rheumatism, griping, flatulence, diseases of the belly, 2 
satiety and worms. It increases the secretion of bile. 


Hindu medical writers direct it to be fried before being u 
It is in great repute as a condiment among vegetarians, also 
an antispasmodic in nervous affections; taken daily it 
thought to ward off attacks of malarial fever. 


Asafoetida must have been used in India from a very rem 
period, as the earliest Sanskrit writers mention it. 

The plant is called Jatuka on Jaétuka, a word derived f£ 
Jatu, “ gum or lac’’; it is described as a fragrant plant. 0 
the Mahometan writers on Materia Medica, Ibn Sina men- 
tions two kinds of Asafoetida—tyis (good) and muntin (fetid! 
but gives no description of them. Ali Istakhri; who also 
lived in the 10th century, states that the drag is produced 
abundantly in the desert between Sistan and Makran, and is_ 
much used by the people as a condiment. The geographer 
Edrisi, who wrote about the middle of the 12th century, asserts 
_ that Asafcetida, called in Arabic Hiltit, is collected largely it 

Western Afghanistan, Haji Zein the druggist, in the 


UMBELLIFERA. 143 


ntury, tells us that the two kinds of Asafcetida are produced 
two different plants, the black and the white Anjuddén, and 
the later plant produces the kind known as tyib (good). 
r Muhammad Mumin of Shiraz, who wrote in the 17th cen- 
y, remarks that the Asafoetida known as tyib has a reddish 
lour, and is produced by a plant vulgarly known as Kulah- 
par (cap-leaf), that known as muntin has a disagreeable odour 
ike a leek, and is called at Ispahan Angusht-gandah, “stink 
nger.” Aitchison, who travelled in Eastern Persia, and the 
ghbouring districts of Beluchistan and Afghanistan, with the 
Afghan Boundary Delimitation Commission (1884—85) found 


moniacum as Kandal-kema. The primary meaning of this 
ord in Persian is a sleeve, and there can be no doubt that the 


Arabs and their followers is the drag of European com- 
, the produce of Ferula fetida, Regel, and not that of 
alliacea, Boiss., which produces the Hing of India. In 
ibing the medicinal properties of the drug, the Mahometan 
sicians closely follow Dioscorides. 


5 The flowering stems of the Asafcetida plants are eaten as a 
fegetable, as stated by Pliny. Aitchison notices their use 
this purpose, and Dr. Peters forwarded to one of us the 
ering stem of I’, fotida, Regel, which he had purchased 
the bazar at Quetta. 


Guibourt (1850) was the first European writer to point out 
difference between the Asafcetida of India known as Hing 
that of the European Pharmacopeias which is called in 
aHingra. Vigier, Gommes-résines des Ombelliféres (1869 
Hing Asafeetida nauséeuse. We are indebted to - 
eshir Mehrban, a merchant of Yezd, for most of the 
- particulars regarding the ~ : 


ee ‘UMBELLIFERZE. 


Ardeshir, having himself visited the hills where the plant — 


stony ground. The hill-men collect the gum-resin, taking 
advance from the merchants, The time for collecting it 181 
the spring. The plant is not nearly so large as that wh 
produces the Asafcetida of European commerce (Darakht- 
Anghuzeh-i-Lari), the diameter at the crown of the root bei 
seldom more than two inches. The collectors protect eae 
plant by building a small cairn of stones round it; the 
remove the soil from the upper portion of the root, mak 
kind of circular basin. When the stem begins to grow] 
cut off, and the upper part of the root being wounded, a sn 
quantity of very choice gum is collected, which seldom fi 
its way into the market. Afterwards a slice of the root, ab 
# inch thick, is removed every twoor three days with 
exudation adhering to it, until the root is exhausted. 


the Hing of Indian commerce; it ig imported into Bom 
in large quantities (about 2,500 ewts. annually), and is v 
at the Custom House for assessment at Rs. 55 per ev 
commercial Asafcetida (Hingra) being only valued at Rs. 
Karly in 1874, the late Mr. Hanbury was kind enough to ; 
ward to ove of us the proof-sheots of the article upon A 
feetida in the Pharmacographia, with a request for furtl 
information upon the subject. Unfortunately this could n 


plant and drug. In August, 1874, through the kindness 
hir Mel he first box of ‘specimens was obtain 
collected m the neighbourhood of Yezd. It con 


conta 


took place, at first opaque and 
ofa day or tivo into a light 


UMBELLIFER. 145 


d, the flower stem with flowers and very immature fruit ; 
the leaves. The plant arrived in a broken state, and was 
arded to Mr. Hanbury. Upon its receipt, he wrote :— 
his morning I have devoted to the Asafcetida plant, and to a 
‘Comparison of it with the figures and descriptions published 
y Borszezow, Balfour, and Hooker ; but to decide on its bota- 
nical name is at present a difficult, if not impossible, task, 


er 


They are remarkably glabrous, not pu 

in Borszczow’s plant ; but this is of small moment.” __ &: 
Karly in 1875, another box of specimens, with ripe fruit and 
large supply of leaves, was obtained. In acknowledging it, 

» Hanbury wrote :—“The box containing the Asafoetida 
lant arrived on the 29th January in excellent order, and 
contents have given me great pleasure. The large plant 
ugh it had been rudely broken up and stuffed into a narrow 
ce, proved to he fairly perfect; and by soaking in cold 
ater 1 was able to restore it to shape, and then to fix it 
gether so as to make a really beautiful specimen, measuring 
ee feet six inches in height. The leaves, also, by soaking — 
hem and taking some pains, form very decent herbarium. 
becimens, and there are enough of them to supply several — 
lections. But the chief point with me has been to deter- 
ine the plant. From the foliage, the pink colour of the stem 
the size of the fruit, I judged it might -be t 
cea of Boissier; but there being no 


ussected consists of fertile female, and abortive flowers, none 


146  UMBELLIFERZ. 


- Kew, [had to transmit a portion to M. Boissias, ' in Switzerland 
His reply was definite. The plant from Yezd agrees 
foliage exactly with F. alliacea, in stature, size of fruit, 2 and 
other respects; but the fruit has a broader margin than im 
M. Boissier’s specimens. However, M. Boissier thinks it m 


be set down as that species, a conclusion in which I entir 
agree. Ferula alliacea was previously known to me only 
description. You will observe that we have named it in 
' Pharmacographia asa possible source of Asafcetida, I hat 
thought it right to make a wide distribution of the f 
supply of seeds with which you have favoured me, and I h 
therefore sent packets to the Botanical Gardens of Ke 
Edinburgh, Oxford, Paris, St. Petersburg, Bern, Strassbul 
Florence, Pisa, Naples, Palermo, Athens, and to bo 
friends on the Mediterranean Coast, in South Africa, 7 
few other places. As the seeds seemed fresh and en 
in hopes that many plants may be raised.’’* 
. Chemical composition.—According to Hirschsohn, . 
tidas may be divided into two groups—viz., those which ; 
umbelliferon amongst other products upon dry distilla 
and those which do not. The first group of umbel. 
yielding samples, to which the European commercial 
tidas belong, is distinguished by the alcoholic tincture b 
_ precipitated by acetate of lead and the fluorescence « 
sulphuric acid solutions. The second group to which the E 
_ bay kind belongs are not precipitated by acetate of lead, 
their sulphuric acid solutions are not fluorescent. The turni 
of a red colour on exposure to light, and the malachite- 
spots produced by nitric acid (first observed by Fluckiger) al 
distinguish the common Asafcetidas from the Indian ; it 
also be particularly mentioned that stem-remains are foun 
some kinds of common aerate = the — 
always contains slices of roots 
Petroleum-ether, besides extracting the essential 
@ non-volatile sake vhich greases 

* For a review of the bot: literature of the Asafcetida pl 
Holmes in Pharm. Tous. Melt . XIX., 21-34; 41-44; 365-3 


‘UMBELLIFERZ. - 147 


sxtractive matter can be used to distinguish the two kinds of 
\safcetida, and also to estimate their worth; Asafcetida of an 
inary commercial quality in tears yields at least 7 per cent. 
extract to petroleum-ether, lump at least 5 per cent. The 
volatile constituents should not be less than 5 per cent, in 
tear or 3 per cent. in lump Asafcetida. Good Indian Asafce- 
tida should yield at least 11 per cent. to petroleum-ether, and 
this residue should not lose more than 6 per cent. when heated 
to 120° 

Fluckiger has obtained from Hing a reddish essential oil 
aving a specific gravity of 1:02 at 25 C., and deviating 38:8 

the right, when examined in a column of 100 millimetres in 
ngth. 
_ Commerce.— Hing is known in the Bombay market as Abu- 
shaher{ Hing ; it arrives in skins which contain about 100 Ibs.; 
tterly some boxes have been received. The quality varies 
reatly, inferior parcels contain an undue portion of the 
oot ; 3 in Bombay it is often still farther adulterated by mixing 


| moistened, the gum is then added, and the whole trodden 
ether by men with naked feet upon a mat. When suffi- 
tly mixed, it is sewn up in skins to imitate the original 
ackages. Recently adulteration with sliced potato has been 
observed, Hing of good quality is worth about Rs. 80 per 


- FERULA FCEETIDA, Regel. 
Fig.—Bentl. and Trim., t. 127; Trans. Linn. Soc. 2d. Ser. 
Botany, Vol. wi., Pt. ¢., pl. 12, 18, 14. 
Hab.—Persia, Afghanistan. The gum-resin. 
Vernacular.—Hing (Hind.), Hingra ele Ee Pe 
yam (Tam.), Ingava (Tol.), Ingu (e an.) ve 
History, Uses, &e.— ‘0 
lant in Western A 


’ 


148 UMBELLIFER ZA. 


the mature roots begin to send up a flowering stem, which 
cut off and the juice collected in the manner described 
Kempfer; who witnessed its collection in the province 
Laristan in Persia. It was long supposed that comme 
Asafcetida was the produce of F. Narthew, Boiss., a Tib 
plant which was discovered by Falconer in Astor, but the 
no evidence of the drug ever having been collected from 
Tn May, 1884, Dr. Peters, of the Bombay Medical Service, 
stationed at Quetta, observed the flowering stem of an Asa 
plant which was being offered for sale in the bazar as a 
table by the Kakar Pathans. Specimens which he 
forwarded to one of us were identified by Mr. E. M. Holn 
I’. fetida, Regel. Dr. Peters also found the dried root 
same plant in the drug shops, and learned that it was 


remarks:—‘ Jn all stages of its growth, every part 
plant exudes upon abrasion a milky juice, which is col 
and constitutes the drug of commerce. The stem ina j 
state is eaten raw or cooked.” Aitchison says that a ? 


The remarks made respecting the use of Asafectida b' 
natives of India under F. alliacea are more or less ap 
to the present article, which is often imposed upon the 
classes as a substitute for the more expensive Hing. Inm 
European medicine, Asafctida is used as a stimulant 
antispasmodic in chronic bronchitis, hysteria and ty 

it is often administered in the form of enema, as it is 
give rise to a sense of weight and heat in’ the stomacl 
given by the mouth. Dr. Paolo’ Negri has 1 


-UMBELLIFERZ. 149 


ssful treatment of two cases of abortion with Asafcetida 


are is of a pearly white, which by exposure to the air 
comes bright pink and finally dirty yellow. Inferior samples 
onsist of agglutinated tears, with | a certain proportion <2 


ght pink colour. The drug has a powerful but not purely 
ceous odour, and a bitter aérid taste. 
aeroscopie structure.—In the root, portions of which may 
etimes be obtained from a mass of second sort Asafoetida, 
may be seen a perfectly regular arrangement of the 
, contrasting strongly with the root of F'. alliacea. Itis 
hat root remarkable for very large laticiferous vessels, 
at these are distributed symmetrically, the largest occupying 
outer radius of the section. 
Chemical composition. —Asafcetida consists of resin, gum 
essential oil, in varying proportions, but the resin gene- 
y amounting to more than one-half. The authors of the 
armacographia say :— 
“As to the oil we have repeatedly obtained from 6 to 9 per 
ent. by distilling it from common copper stills. It is light 
ellow, has a repulsive, very pungent odour of Asafootida, — 
es at first mild, then irritating, but does not stimulate like 
mustard when applied to the skin, Itis neutral, but 
nage eae to the air acquires an acid reaction and differen 
r; it evolves sulphuretted hydrogen. In the Sel 
ie oil is free from onnaen git: beat boil 


150 ‘UMBELLIFERA. 


C., but with continued evolution of hydrogen sulphide, so th ; 
we did not succeed in preparing it of constant composi 
the amount of sulphur varying from 20 to 25 per cent. 

‘We found it to have a sp. gr. of 0°951 at 25° C., an 
strong dextrogyrate power. Ifa drop of it is allowed to 
on water it assumes a fine violet hue on exposure to 
vapours of bromine. 

‘<The essential oil of Asafcetida submitted to fractional 
tillation yielded us, at 300°, a considerable proportion 
most beautifully bigévonloured oil, By very cautiously oxi 
ing the crude oil, we obtained a small amount of ext 
deliquescent bryatals of a sulphonic acid. Sodium or 
sium decomposes the oil with evolution of gas, forming 
sium sulphide ; the residual oil is found to have the odour 
cinnamon. 

“The resin of Asafcetida is not wholly soluble in ether ¢ 
chloroform, but dissolves with decomposition in warm con 
trated nitric acid. It contains a little Ferulaic actd, 
lizing in iridescent needles, soluble in boiling a 
homologous with eugetic acid. 

“ Fased with potash, feralaic acid yields oxalic and cz 
acids, several acids of the fatty series and protacatechui 
The purified resin treated in like manner yields reso 
and by dry distillation, oils of green, blue, violet, 
tint, besides about } per cent. of Umbelliferon, C9H°O%. 
(Pharmacographia, 2nd Ed., p. 318). E. Schmidt (Ar 
Pharm. (3) xxiv., 584, 535,) has extracted small qua 
of Vanillin from Asafcetida by the following process 


filtrate shaken up with concentrated hydrogen sodium § 
solution, and the liquid thus obtained supersaturated 
dilute sulphuric acid. After expelling sulphurous anbj : 
the extraction with ether and sub Ww 
and a third extraction made. After removing the ether * 
distillation, the resulting vanillin was dissolved in 1 ra 
the filtered solution allowed to evaporate over a 
“well formed crystals were thus obtained. 


UMBELLIFERZ. 151 


<andahari Hing.—This substance appears to have 
quite unknown in Hurope, until. brought to the notice 
fessor Fliickiger and the late Mr. Hanbury by one of 
‘We have not as yet been able to obtain authentic speci- | 
s of the plant, but for the following reasons we consider 
kely that it will prove to be the same as that which pro- 
aces the officinal drug :— 

1. Bellew mentions a very high-priced Asafostida obtained 
wounding the leaf-bud of the plant which produces ordinary 
safcetida ; our article is generally mixed with numerous leaf- 
s, which have evidently been cut off by a sharp knife ; its 
e is also much higher than that of any other kind. 

When examining a number of bales of common Asa- 
da from Kandahar, we found some of them to contain par- 
s of the more expensive drug, and a large quantity of 
t appeared to be gum-resin in a transition stage between 
transparency of Kandahar Hing and the opacity of the 
mercial article. 

A portion of root found in a bale of Kandahar Hing 
d oo with a piece obtained from a bale of common 


4, Rihion. describes the juice of F. fwtida as a thick 
my reddish substance, and notices its adulteration with 
d clay ; this adulteration is only found in bales of Kandahari 
ndahari Hing comes to Bombay in small quantities ; it is 
n up in goat skins, forming small oblong bales, with the hair 
ide. When it first arrives it is in moist flaky pieces and 
s, from which a quantity of reddish-yellow oil separates on © 
sure; the gum-resin also is of a dull reddish-yellow colour, 
and somewhat elastic, with an odour recalling tbat - z 
lic and oil of caraways. By keeping, it gradually ns 
becomes brittle and of a rich red-brown pilents ; the ot 
becomes more purely alliaceous, and ; 
_eregpnes kind. ao Lig of ites i 


152 UMBELLIFERM. 


asafcetida, its strong odour and flavour make it especially 
valuable for this purpose, The average value is Rs. 257 
Surat maund of 374 lbs., but as the bales often contain m 

_ of a red clay, the actual price of the clean gum-resin is 1 
higher. 

Commerce.—Hingra arrives in Bombay from Persia 
Afghanistan. The Persian is produced in the provin 
Laristén, and is known to Persian merchants as Anghu 
Lari; it often arrives in a moist condition, but soon hard 
The latter comes from the country about Herat vid Kanda 
and is generally hard and dry. Very fine samples in tears 
not uncommon. The Stony asafcetida described by Pereira 18 
also met with in India; it is simply a mixture of very 
common asafcetida with the white sandy soil of the country 
which the plant grows; it fetches a very low price, and as far 
we can make ont, the mixture is made more for conveni nce ¢ 
carriage than for the purpose of deception. Besides, when th 
juice is unusually fluid, it runs out upon the surrounding gr 
and becomes mixed with the sand. The imports of 
into Bombay are about 2,500 cwts. annually from Pe 
Afghanistan. Value Rs. 10 to 20 per maund of 37% lbs. 
total imports of Asafcstida of all kinds into British India d 
the last five years have been 37,306 cwts., the agg 
exports have only been 2,014 cwts. 


FERULA GALBANIFLUA, Boiss ct Buh 
Fig.— Trans. Linn. Soc. 2d Ser. Bot. Vol. wi., Pt. i., 15,16, 
Hab.—Persia. The gum-resin. Cas 
Vernacular.—Jawashir (Arab., Ind. bazars), Gaoshir, 
had, Biriz (Pers.). ee 
History, Uses, &c.— Besides the plant which is p! 
at the head of this article, Boissier makes another sp 
F. rubricaulis, to grow in Persia, Borszezow, however, 
it as only a variety of F. galbanifilua. He states, 
from personal observation, that its gum-resin, which 


UMBELLIFERAE. 158 


’ sian galbanum is collected for commercial purposes round 
an. Aitchison says that F’. galbanifua is called in the 
Izhis territory near Herat Badra-kema, and that the fresh plant 
wn odour like celery. The gum-resin which usually exudes 
m cracks at the base of the stem is called by the peasantry - 
Shilm-i-barzad or Barzad-i-gaoshir or jawashir ; it is said to be 
given to parturient women, and to be hung round the house to 
keep evil spirits away at the time of parturition. 


Persian brokers in Bombay state that the galbanum plant is | 
ery abundant between Shiréz and Kirman, and there would 
‘seem to be no reason to doubt that the Indian market is partly 
if 
upplied from that district. 


The old Hindu writers make no mention of galbanum; Ainslie 

nd that the Tamil physicians were unacquainted with it. 

n many Mahometan works the notices of galbanum appear 

o have been copied from Greek writers, the synonymns given” 
ing generally Barzad and Kinoneh, but Haji Zein in the [khti- 

wit, A.D. 1368, describes two kinds of the drng,—one hard 

nd whitish, and the other soft and yellow, Tike honey; the 
r, he says, is called Jékushi at Shiraz. 


The author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya, speaking of Barzad, 
says it is called Kinneh in Arabic, Khalbani in Greek,* and 
Bireja or Ganda-biroza in Hindi, and is the produce of an 
umbelliferous plant like that which produces Sagapenum ; but, 
e adds, that the drug which he has met with in India under 
ese names is the produce of a tree called Deodar growing 
in the North of India. His experience accords with that 
the present day, the only Ganda-biroza obtainable being 
he turpentine of Pinus longifolia. In India Persian galba-— 
uum is known as Jawishir ; on referring to the Makhbzan we 
ind this word explained as an Arabic corruption of the Per- 
n Gaoshir. The author says, that it isa fetid gum-resin 
1 d describes its collection from an umbelliferous | plant ‘its 


Conf. Dies. repe cece. iii., 88; Theoph.. HS. 
A, 13. 


154 UMBELLIFERA. 


appearance, &c., and with regard to its properties informs us 
that it is attenuant, detergent, antispasmodic and expectorant, 
and is prescribed in paralytic affections, hysteria, chro: 
bronchitis and asthma,* also on account of its supposec 
stimulant action upon the uterus. Externally it is used asa 


physicians of the East have been in doubt as to the identi iY 
of the Persian Jaw4shir and the galbanum of Greek writers. 
In India galbanum is little used, the bulk of what is import 
into Bombay being sent to Egypt and Turkey as Jawdshu 
It is hardly necessary to add that those writers who 
identified Jawdshir with Opoponax can never have seen t 
latter drug. We have never met with Opoponax in India. — 


Description.—Persian galbanum as met with in 
Indian market is a yellow or greenish yellow semi-fluid 
stance having an odour between that of Levant galbant 
and sagapenum; it is generally .mixed with portions of | 
stem, flowers, and fruit of the plant: in some samples the 


samples, which seem to have been collected in a different mé 
ner, find their way to India: these contain slices of root a 
gum-resin in hard, dry tears, like that of Levant galbanum. 


Chemical composition.—According to Hirschsohn, 
Persian galbanum should yield to petroleum spirit not } 
than 65 per cent. consisting of volatile oil and resin, 
average yield of Levant galbanum being between 60 and 6: 
per cent. The amount of ash in Persian galbanum should n¢ 
exceed 4 per cent., being less than the ash of ordinary lum 
Levant galbanum by 2 per cent. The best Levant in te 
gives the same ash as clean Persian. As a qualitative 
action to distinguish the varieties of galbanum, hydroch 
acid can be used, as it colours the Persian resin yello 

* The Jawashir pill often prescribed in asthma consists of -—_ 
of Jawashir and colocynth pulp rubbed up with honey. 


UMBELLIFERZ. 155 


sing into red, and the Levant different shades of violet, 
petroleum spirit-extracts from the Persian sorts give 
th nitric acid a rose-red colour; those from the Levant 
s different shades of violet. Bromine vapour colours the 
Persian weakly or intensely violet, but the Levant yellow. 
The ether-resin from both kinds of galbanum upon boiling 
with water, gives indications of umbelliferon. 
As to the origin of galbanum, the author believes from its 
varied behaviour with reagents, the different action of the 
volatile oils upon polarized light, and the different proportions 
f volatile oil to the gum-resin, that it is derived from differ- 
t plants. He also points out that the Levant galbanum 
curring in commerce contains no fruit and seldom stalks, but 
ways slices of root, whilst the Persian galbanum always con- 
jains fruit and stalks. 
- According to Messrs. Schimmel & Co., galbanum oil is of 
pale yellow colour, and possesses a pronounced odour of the 
m. Its specific gravity at 15° C. is 0-914; it boils, appe 
tly without decomposing, between 165° wud 300°. 
A sample of galbanum, collected from FP’. galbanilua in 
sia by Aitchison, and examined by E.G. Baker in 1886, 
ve the following results :— 


Volatile oil “pe a ap ee 3°108 
Resin soluble in tlice see a 61:200° 
Pa 5, digied bay vee 7576 
Gum soluble in water ... eek ay 17:028 
Insoluble matter —s_.... sas oes 10°560 
ciicibe 


Sulphuric acid coloured the gum-resin a dark brows cold 
ydrochloric acid hardly affécted it, but when boiled the — 
ixture turned a dirty red colour, which was not altered by 
c ohol. A small portion of gum-resin boiled in water 
owed to cool gave on the addition of ammonia a faint b 
vorescence indicating the presence of umbelliferon 
ined no sulphur. Pecos am, _ es A66- 


156 UMBELLIFERA. 


Commerce.—Galbanum is imported from Persia into Bom 
‘bay. It is collected in the Hari-rud Valley and Badg 
( Aitchison) ; it is also said to be collected between Shiraz 
Kirmén. e imports are very irregular, most of it is_ 
exported to Egypt and Turkey. Average value, Rs. 
maund of 374 lbs. 


DOREMA AMMONIACUM, DPozn. 


Fig.—Trans. Linn. Soc. 2nd Ser. Bot. Vol. iii. Pt. 
24, 25 ; Jaub. et Spach. Ill. Pl. Or. L., t. 40. 


Hab.—Persia, Afghanistan. The gum-resin. 


Vernacular.—Ushak (Arab., Pers.,. Indian bazors\ i : 
(Afghan). 


History, Uses, &c.—'This plant and D. glabrum, 
et Mey., both natives of Persia, are known to produce | 
resin, but, according to Aitchison, that of the former 
alone collected. Of the latter plant he says: It yields a y 
gum-resin ; but I did not hear of its being collected ; it is¢ 
Kema-i-dsp (horse Kema). Dioscorides speaks of am 
cum as the juice of a narthex growing about Cyrene in 
and it appears to have derived its name from the te 
Ammon. Pliny + derives it from ‘Ammos,’ sand. Mos 
and Latin writers on medicine mention its use in fami 
and speak of itas Thus Libyeum, Ammontacum thym 
Ammoniacum suffimen. This. kind of ammoniacum has 
been ascertained to be the gum-resin of Ferula Ti 
Tinn., which grows in Morocco. It was probably the 
kind known in Europe in olden times. (Confer. Phat 


came into use cannot be exactly fixed. 


* Diose. mepi apzponaxod, iii., 89. It hes hcaicomgilic nit e 
cially in enlargements of the liver- and spleen. Serib. Co 
Persian ammoniacum has a a — mae . 

Tt 24, 14. Lg a 


- 


UMBELLIF ERA. 157 


is not mentioned by the Greeks or Romans, Ibn Sina 


k-el-dahab (= xpvdcodAa), because it is used in gilding, His 
oniacum is doubtless Persian, like that of Abu Mansur 
ajik, a Persian physician of the eleventh century, and of 
Anséri of the middle of the fourteenth century. The latter 


okhara the gum-resin bears the name Kandal. According to 
nge and Bienert, the same name, and Kama, are given to 
e plant in Persia. Aitchison, who observed the plant in the 
ari-rud valley, found it to be known to the natives as Ushak 
nd Kandal-kema. He remarks: “ No sooner is. the fruit well 
med and beginning to ripen than the plant is attacked by. 
ne boring insect, which causes the milky Juice to escape. 
his dries into hard blocks, frequently enclosing the fruit.” 


fakhzan~el- -Adwiya says that Ushak is an Arabic corruption 
the Persian Ushnah or Ooshah, and thatthe drug is also 
ed Khalbani, and in Arabic Ushajj, Wushaj, Wushok and 


ersian name. According to the dictionaries, Bal is the Per- 
n for Tarthith. Baghdadi tells us that Tarthith is not the 
ame as ammoniacum. In Bombay the current Persian name 


gas discutient and attenuant; for more particular opinions | 

especting it the reader may commute the Makhzan-el-Adwiya, 

rticle Ushak. Sanskrit writers do not mention it. Besides ~ 
gum-resin, the root of D. Ammoniacum is largely imported | : 
ito Bombay, and is one of the substances used by the Parsees as — 
acense under the name of Boi, a word cognate with Bu, or Bo, 
agrance. It is popularly ee of as a wood. 


158 UMBELLIFERZ. 


would not be at the trouble of importing it into Indi 
Mr. K. R. Cama informs us that the “wood of fragrant 
trees ” is mentioned in the Avesta as a class, and that one w 
in particular is named, “ Hadha Ndeptanam,”’ which wo 
mean translated into Persian, ‘‘ Hamisheh naft,’’ always m 
t.e.. green. He says: “ In modern days we identify thi 
wood, most likely mistakenly, with Pomegranate wood.” 
would appear then, that there is no specific description of 
in the Avesta, but that it is traditionally understood to be 
of the fragrant woods mentioned therein. It is this root 
was some years ago exported to Europe as Bombay Sum 
after having been cut up and impregnated with musk. 
old and worm-eaten it becomes of a loose and spongy text : 
and might easily be mistaken for Sumbul by a supe 
observer. 4 
Description. — Bombay is the chief mart for ammoniac 
and it is here that the original packages which come fro 
Persian Gulf ports areopened and sorted for the various ma 
The bales, generally of matting or coarse canvas, freq 
contain all parts of the plant broken up and encrasted with 
adherent exudation. Seed in the mature state is separated 


matured its fruit, and that hardly any attempt is made by 
collectors to separate the plant from the gum-resin ; the 
exudes from every part, even the fruit is coated with it, 
perforated by insects in the same manner as the stem. 
Ammoniacum is usually sorted into three qualities—: 
tears, middle-sized tears, and small; the last kind is ofte 
carelessly picked, and contains dirt and other refuse. If t 
drug is kept in Bombay during the monsoon, the tears 
soft and unite into a lump. . 


The roots vary in size, the largest being three inches i 


the root bark is thin and papery like that of the Sumbul, 
the root itself is compact, and has a resinous section. 


UMBELLIFERZ. ee 159 


cimen, powdered and exhausted with boiling water, yielded 
ut one ounce of dark-coloured ammoniacum. 
hemical composition.—The following account is extracted 
m the Pharmacographia.—‘‘ Ammoniacum is a mixture of 
olatile oil with resinand gum. We obtained only } per cent. 
of oil, which we find to be dextrogyrate ; we failed in obtaining 
terpine from it. 
“The volatile oil, which is lighter than water, and has the 
precise odour of the drug, contains, according to our experi- 
_ ments, no sulphur; a similar observation was made by Przecis- 
zewski. Vigier, who obtained the oil to the extent of 1°8 per 
nt. by distilling the gum-resin with water, asserts that it 
lackens silver, and that by oxidation with nitric acid, he 


black; we failed in obtaining this coloration. By diluting the 
1 with bisulphide of carbon, and then adding mineral acids, 
e observed only yellow coloration. The oil ciinted me 
ohol acquires a red hue with ferric chloride. 


«The resin in ammoniacum usually amounts to about 70 


n indifferent resin. He asserts that the indifferent resin 
‘when heated yields sulphuretted hydrogen. Our own experi- 
ents failed to show the presénce of sulphur in the crude 
g@; and the same negative result has been more recently 
tained in some careful experiments by Moss. Water, when 
iled with the resin, acquires a yellow hue and slightly acid 
ction; the liquid assumes an intense red coloration on 
ition of ferric chloride. 

‘Ammoniacum yields no umbelliferon; when melted with 
austic potash it affords a little resorcin. The mucilaginous 

er of the drug consists of a gum readily soluble in water, 
a smaller quantity of about } of an insoluble part, no doubt 
ntical with that occurring in Asafcetida and galbanu 
eous solution of the gum of ammoniacum As ve 


160 UMBELLIFERAE. 


levogyre.”? (Confer. Hirschsohn Phar. Lettscrift fiir Russ 
April 15, 1875, p. 225.) i 
Commerce.~- All the Ammoniacum which reaches Bombay 
comes from Persia. 
Value, about Re. } per }b: 3 
The root is also imported from Persia. Value, Rs. 41 
Rs. 5 per Bombay maund of 28 lbs. . 


DOREMA AUREUM, Stocks. 

Fig.— Hocker’s Jour. of Botany, iv., p. 149. 
ci Hab.—Beluchistan. 3 Te i 
The gum-resin of this plant, gathered by Dr. Stock 
Beluchistan, is described as being an opaque cream-co 
substance, closely resembling in taste, smell and gen 
appearance the ammoniacum of commerce. We have 
enquiries for it in the Sind bazars, but cannot find that 
anywhere an article of commerce. ; 


SAGAPENUM. 


Vernacular.—No Indian names. Sagbingj (Arad. I 
bazars), Iskabinah (Pers.). ee 


' History, Uses, &c.—'This drug is supposed to be 
juice of Perula Szovitsiana, DC., but there appears to 
record of its collection from that plant. Aitchison spea 
F’, Szovitsiana as a rigid herb, scarcely two feet high; co 
in the stony country and gravelly plains of the Hari-rud valle 
the root stock of which possesses a slight odour of asafé 
“The fruit frequently present in commercial sagapenum i 
lw in shape to that of F. galbaniflua, but larger and - 
yellow colour. ge 
_ Sagapenum was known to the Greeks, and throug 
the early Arabian writers probably became acquainted w 
medicinal properties. Dioscorides speaks of it as the j 
@ feralaceons plant growing in Media, and says that 1 
odour between that of silphium and gulbanum, whence 


* 


UMBELLIFERA. 161 


fer that the odour of silphiam wasalliaceous. Pliny says that 
is used to adultecrate laser and galbanum. We see no reason 
v ppose that the ancient Hindus knew the drag, although 


for it. The author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya gives a sufficiently | 
accurate description of Sagbinaj, and tells us that it is obtained 
from the district of Mah, near Ispahdén. Persian brokers in 


in the country between Shiraz and Kirmén. It is necessary 
to remark that Persian Sagapenum is distinctly different from 
what is known as Levant Sagapenum. Mahometan physi- 
cians consider Sagapenum to be attenuant and resolvent; 

when combined with purgatives it is thought to exert its 
solvent power upon every part of the system, removin 

noxious humours; they also value it as an anthelmintic and 
emmenagogue. For a full account of the diseases in which 
it is prescribed, we must refer the reader to the Makhzan-el- 
Adwiya, article Sagbinaj. A sagapenum pill is often pre- 
scribed in flatulent dyspepsia; it contains equal parts of Aloes, 
Sagapenum, Bdellium and Agaric. Two to three dirhems 
are to be taken with warm water. 


_ Description.—Sagapenum generally arrives in 1 Bombay 
in masses weighing from four to ten pounds, tied up in coarse 
cloth, but occasionally parcels consisting of fine, dry, separate 
tears are seen. 
The masses are made up principally of tears, which being 
ixed with a proportion of soft gum-resin, adhere together, 
_ forming a brownish-yellow cake ; when fresh some of the tears 
havea greenish tinge, and are more or less opaque, but by 
ooh they all become brownish-yellow and translucent. 
The dry tears are always of a brownish-yellow. 

‘The odour is distinctly alliaceous, but in other rome is 
much like that of Persian Galbanum 
Chemical composition.—Persian oe and 
 Galbanum closely resemble each othe and the 
said of Levant Sopagenum pil tG 
IL.—21 


4 


native country the reputation of a 


162 ARALIACE . 


ters for distinguishing Sagapeum from Galbanum may 
used—(lst), the presence of sulphur in Sagapenum ; an 
(2nd), their behaviour towards petroleum spirit, Persian Saga- 


from Levant Galbanum to 1 per cent. (Confer. Hirschso 
Phar. Zeitschrift fiir Russland, April 15, 1875, p. 225.) 


Commerce.—The quantity annually imported into Bombay 
varies greatly ; most of it goes to London. It is seldom to bed 
obtained in the retail shops. Value, Re. } to Re. } per lb. 


ARALIACES. 


Many species of Aralia are cultivated in gardens in 
on account of their foliage. Loureiro tells us that th | 
used medicinally in Cochin-China, and are aperient, diuretic 
diaphoretic. The famous Ginseng of China is derived 
this family, and our Indian gardeners have discovered ant! 
rile properties in Aralia Guilfoylia, which they have na 
Tapmari, “fever killer? We have found that a syrup 
pared from the leaves is a useful expectorant in cough. 
leaves of most of the Aralias have a strong odour of Ivy w. ; 
crushed. A. Guilfoylia is the Frutex aquosus femina of Rw 
phius (VI., 51), who states that it reduces heat in Tev! 
Aralia Pseudo-ginseng, Benth., Wall. Pl. As. Rar. t. 187 
a native of Nepal, Sikkim, Bhotan and the Khasia mount 
Mr. C. B. Clarke considers it to be doubtfully separable fr 
the true Ginseng of Japan, Panaz Ginseng, C. A. Meyer, whi 
differs by having broader, more obovate, less bristly le: 
and not by the characters relied on by Meyer. The Indi 
examples show every form of root stock and tuber attribut 
specially to P. Ginseng and to P. quinguefolius, Linn. ; ' 
scale at the base of the stem is persistent even in some 


Wallich’s specimens, (Fl. Br. India.) Ginseng enjoys 
panacea, and PSpec! 


ee 


ARALIAOR. 163 


aphrodisiac. The affections for the cure of which it 
st esteemed, are such as are usually treated by aromatic 
ants, including dyspepsia, vomiting, and nervous’ affec- 
s. It is used as a masticatory and also in infusion, and is 
sionally brought to India by the Chinese. 


Description.—Ginseng root is fusiform, 4 to 6 inches 
long, with a rounded head, closely annulate, and with few 
wrinkles above, dividing below into two, or occasionally three, 
branches of even size. The branches are not, or are but 
ightly, annulate, and are longitudinally wrinkled. The root 
externally of a brownish-yellow colour, internally white, 
eaks with a short and mealy fracture, and has a faint sweetish 
our and a sweet slightly aromatic taste. The transverse 


the central portion, which consists of linear wedge-shaped 
owish wood-bundles and broad medullary rays.. 
Chemical composttion.— Besides starch, gum, albumen, and 
. 8S. Garrigues (1854) isolated a sweet principle, pana- 
1, C!2H2509, by adding to the syrupy infusion a concen- 
ed solution of sodium sulphate and dissolving the preci- 
te in alcohol. It is yellow, amorphous, sweet, insoluble in 
ther, and precipitated by tannin. Concentrated sulphuric 
cid dissolves it with a purple-red colour, converting it at the 
ne time into panacon, C!'H'90*, which is white, tasteless, 
d d insoluble in water and ether, but soluble in alcohol.—(Siillé 


h was dissolved out by ether and stronger ome 

uld not be obtained by distillation. The distillate was 

tly acid, and contained a white fatty substance mee 
| that 


aqueou 
cid, nee soluble - in — — the portion 


7a 
a 
Ao 


164 : CORNACEA. a 
the usual reactions for an alkaloid. The alcoholic extract was 
very sweet and contained a large quantity of a body readily — 
reducing Fehling’s solution; the extract also contained 
organic acid and ammonia, an alkaloid, and a soluble chlo j 
in the portion soluble in water. The resinous part of bash 
extract insoluble in water formed a gelatinous magma wit 
that menstruum, and instantly dissolved, without deepenit 
of colour, with the aid of an alkali. The aqueous extract 
sweet and had the peculiar odour of liquorice. It contam ie 
sugar and an organic acid similar to that found in the spirit 
extract; it gave a precipitate without colour with f 
chloride, mixed clear with gelatine, and precipitated with 
mineral acids as a jelly-like substance. The ash amounte 
15:2 per cent., and consisted mainly of alkaline salts. 
alkaloid contained in these leaves is not bitter. 


CORNACEA 
ALANGIUM LAMARCKII, Thwaites. 


Fig.— Wight Ic., t. 194; Ill., t. 96; Rheede Hort. Mal. v 
17, 26. 2 


Hab.—Throughout India. The roots, bark, seeds, 
leaves. | 
Vernacular.—Dhera, Akola, Ankul (Hind.), Ankul (Gu) — 
Ankoli (Mar.), Ankalige (Can.), Bagh-ankura, Dhe aknra 
(Beng.), Azhinji-maram, Alangi (Tam.), Uduga-chettu, A 
lam-chettu (Tel.). 
History, Uses, &c.—tThis tree, in Sanskrit Ankot 
_ Nikochaka, and Gupta-sneha, “ the oil of which is hidden,” 
described in the Nighantas as bitter, mucilaginous, punge? 
light and aperient ; it expels worms, wind, phlegm and po! 
The fruit is cold and sweet, and begets phlegm, it is streng! 
ening and aperient, and cures wind, bile, inflamma’ 
phthisis and skin diseases, Rheede says :—‘* Ceterum 
hee varias ob causas emblema Regis majestatis Malabare 


-CORNACEM, 165 


» quarum preecipua est, quod flores diademati Imperiali 
| absimiles, rigidis inhereant spinis. Insuper succus ex 
s radice expressus, et exhibitus vermes necat, nec non 
osos ac pituitosos humores per alyum expurgat, et aquas 
dropicorum ducit.’’ 

Mr. Moodin Sheriff has drawn attention to the emetic pro- 
erties of the bark in the Pharmacopeia of India. He 
ays:— It has proved itself an efficient and safe emetic in 
oses of fifty grains; in smaller doses it is nauseant and febri- 
ige. ‘The bark is very bitter, and its repute in skin diseases 
not without foundation. If it is continued for a sufficient 


ed, except dysentery. As a diaphoretic and antipyretic it 
s been found useful in relieving pyrexia. Doseasa nauseant, 
liuretic and febrifuge, 6 to 10 grains of the root bark ; as 
n alterative, 2 to 5 grains; it is given in leprosy and syphilis ; 
2 natives consider it to be alexiteric, especially in cases of 
from rabid animals,” 

- 8. Arjun (Bomb. Drugs, p. 70,) states that the leaves 
used as a poultice to relieve rheumatic pains. 

The reports of several medical officers are quoted by 
Watt in his Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, 
t none of them, except Mr. Moodin Sheriff, appear to speak 
rom personal experience. 


escription.—Root heavy, wood close-grained, yellow, 
g an oily appearance; it and the bark turn of a dirty- 
en colour on being touched with a solution of perchloride 
m. The bark is of a cinnamon-brown colour, the 
i ce separating in thin corky flakes, which are 


166 CAPRIFOLIACEM. 


black, closely pubescent or finally glabrous ; endocarp: bow, 
The leaves are 3—6 by 1—2 inches, oblong or elliptic, acu 
or subobtuse, base unequal, above nearly glabrous with pub 
scent nerves, beneath hairy and often with tufts of hai 
hollow glands in the axils of the primary nerves. 


sent in the roots, is a very bitter non-crystallizable alkale 
which we have provisionally called Alangine. It is soluble im 
alcohol, ether, chloroform, and acetic ether, and practi 
insoluble i in water. With the mineral acids, and with ace 


it occurs as a yellowish, varnish-like deposit wholly dest 
of any crystalline structure. From an acid solution it is 
cipitated in white flocks by the addition of alkalies, and 
the ordinary alkaloidal re-agents it affords marked precipit 
With concentrated sulphuric acid, alone or with the addition 
of potassium bichromate, no special colour reactions 
observed. Fréhde’s re-agent gave an indigo-blue colorati 
the cold, and on gently heating and then cooling a very lig 
brilliant blue resulted. With nitric acid a reddish hb 
solution was yielded, and on gently warming it nitrous fam 


platinum salt was prepared which contained 20-703 per 
of platinum on the salt dried at 100° C. 


CAPRIFOLIACEA. 
VIBURNUM FQ: TIDUM, wall. 
Fig.—Wall. Pl. As. Rar., Vol. i., t. 61. 


Hab.—Burma. Cultivated in India. The leaves. 
Vernacular.—Narvel (Mar.), Naruval (Can.). 


History, Uses, &c.—Though a native of Burma 
shrub is found in cultivation throughout Western India. 


CAPRIFOLIACEA. —  SIBy 


E appears to be confounded with, and to be used for the 
@ purposes as Premna coriacea, Clarke, and other strong- 
ling Premnas which bear the Sanskrit names of Sriparna 
Jaya. How and when V. fetidum was introduced into 
India is unknown; ; ib seldom flowers and fruits here. It is 
+ customary for Hindu women who have been confined to hang 
a branch over the door of the room in which they lie, as a 
_ protection against evil spirits and post-partum hemorrhage. 
_ Another superstition is, that if seven pieces of the stem of this 


ly in menorrhagia daily, also in post-partum heemorrhage. 
tis remarkable that V. prunifolium, an American plant, is © 
Iso said to be useful in all uterine diseases characterised by 
OSs of blood and in prec abortion. ( Cf. beg Nouveaua 


Two of the Vibteniine are common garden shrubs in 
urope, V. Opulus and V. tinus, the former is probably the 
pavrados Of Theophrastus ; the fruit is edible. The cultivated 
ariety of this plant is the Gueldres Rose, in which the flowers 
orm a white ball. The latter is the well known Laurestine. 
'V. Opulus is said to have the same medicinal properties as 
prunifolium. (Purdy, On the use of V. Opulus in dysmenor- 
hea and uterine pain. New York Med. Journ., Nov. 1882.) 


Description.—A shrub, leaves variable, usually ovate- 
anceolate, serrated, length 13 to 2 inches, flowers small, 
enish white, berries small, ovoid, and of a vivid red colour. 
parts of the plant have a sai eer 
hat of Premna integrifolia, 
Chemical composition.—The viburnie 
btained from the bark of V. 


168 COAPRIFOLIACEZ.. 


(1845) to be identical with valerianic acid. The viburnin of 
Kramer is a light yellowish substance or whitish powder of 
neutral reaction, and of a purely bitter taste; it is slightly 
soluble in water and more freely so in alcohol. Enz (1863) 
found in the fruit of V. Lantana, a hygroscopic neutral bitter 
principle readily soluble in water, algo valerianic, acetic, tar 
taric and tannic acids. 


The odorous principle of the leaves of V. fetidum is removed 
by distillation in the form of fetid volatile oil, separating from 
the distillate in white greasy flakes neutral in reaction. he 
decoction remaining in the retort had a nauseous animal-like 
odour, and when filtered, showed the presence of much muci 
lage by giving gelatinous precipitates with ferric chloride, 
acetate and alcohol. Ether removed the fetid principle toge 
ther with chlorophyll, some resinous matter, and a trace of 
alkaloid from the dried and powdered leaves. The alcoho 
extract was sweet, with a peculiar sharpness on the palate, 
was acid in reaction. The aqueous solution of this e3 
gave abundant precipitates with potassio-mercuric iodide, iod 
solution, tannin and ferrocyanide of potassium, indicating the 
presence of an alkaloid, which was subsequently confirmed 
Separating it from this solution by the cautious additio 
ammonia or caustic soda. Ammonia added to its sola 
caused a precipitate of cross-shaped crystals ; soda threw d 
the alkaloid as a whitish powder, which agglutinated into 
brown mass soluble in excess of the alkali The alkaloid h 
peculiar sharp taste, was soluble in ethylic and amylic ale 
and chloroform, and slightly in water and ether. It formed’ 
crystalline sulphate, hydrochlorate and nitrate. It gave 
peculiar colour reactions with the strong mineral acids, b 
dissolved in nitric acid, and the solution when evaporated let! 


and gave off alkaline fumes. The leaves left 12-25 per ce! 
white ash when completely ignited. ae 


RUBIACEA, 169° 


RUBIACEA. 


ANTHOCEPHALUS CADAMBA, Miz. 


_ Fig.—Bedd. Hl. Sylv. 127, t. 35 ; Korth. Verh. Nat. Gesch. 
dot. 154, ¢. 48. Wild Cinchona (Eng.). 


Hab. ‘egos to Ceylon, wild or cultivated. The fruit 
bark. 

ernacular.—Kadamb (Hind., Beng.), Kalamb, Nhyu (Mar.), 
-kadamba (Tam.), Kadambe (Tel.), Kadavala-mara (Can.). 


History, Uses, &c.—This tree is sacred to KAli or 
ti, the consort of Siva; it is the Arbor Generationis of the 
tha Kunbis, and a branch of it,is brought into the house 
he time of their marriage ceremonies. The tree is planted 
villages and temples, and is held to be sacred. In Sans- 
it is called Kadamba or Kalamba, and has also many 
ynonyms, such as Sisu-pala, ‘protecting children’; Hali-priya, 
wr to agriculturists,” &e. The Kadamba Blossoms at the 
of the hot season, and its night-scented flowers form a 
globular, lemon-coloured head, from which the white 
bed stigmas project. They are compared by the Indian 
s to the cheek of a maiden mantling with pleasure at the 
roach of her lover, and are supposed to have the power 
irresistably attracting lovers to one another. This idea. 


.” ‘Kama wields now-a-days a bow armed with the ons 
s of the Kadamba.” The flowers are fabled to impregnate 
honey the water which collects in holes in the trunk of 
28. _ Beal, in his Catena of Buddhist scriptures from the 

2 Sutra, 


IL.— 


* 


170 RUBIACEZ. 


du Buddha) says :—‘ L’arbre de Bouddha sort spontanément 
d’un noyau de Kadamba déposé dans le sol; en un moment, 
la terre se fend, une pousse parait, et le géant se dres 
ombrageant une circonférance de trois cents coudées. 
fruits qu’il porte troublent esprit des adversaires du Budd 


when the fontanelle sinks; at the same time a small quantity — 
mixed with cumin and sugar is given internally. In inflam- 
mation of the eyes the bark-juice with equal quantities ¢ 
lime-juice, opium and alum is applied round the orbit. 


Description.—The bark taken from the larger branch 
occurs in thick flat pieces, the external surface is grey 


layers in its substance. The inner surface and substance 
the bark is red and fibrous. Taste bitter and astringent. 


Chemical composition—The bark gave 9:8 per cent, of 
and 18 per cent. of alcoholic extract. The former con 


The extract soluble in water was red in colour, and gave a greel 
precipitate with ferric chloride, a bulky flesh-coloured preci 
tate with gelatine, and a brick-red deposit with iodine soluti 
Treated with caustic alkali, a yellowish brown liquor was 
obtained, which gradually assumed a deep red and gave off 

odour of cinchona bark solutions when treated under the same 
conditions. Boiled with dilute sulphuric acid for one hour 
red deposit occurred in the decoction. The extract insoluble 
water was for the most part soluble in diluted alkali wit 
rich red colour and a slight blue fluorescence, The sol 


RUBIACEA. | 171 


 Noalkaloidal principle is present. 
ADINA CORDIFOLIA, Hook. f. 
Fig.—Brand. For. Fl., t. 83; Roxb. Cor. Pl. I., t. 58. 


Hab.—Throughout the hilly parts of India. The bark. 
Vernacular —Haldu, Hardu, Karam (Hind.), Bangka, Keli- 
adam (Beng.), Manja- caddattibe (Tam.), Paspu-kadambe, Du- 
dagu (Tel.), Hedde, Yettega (Can.), Hedu (Mar. ). 

History, Uses, &c.—This tree is regarded by the 
indus as a species of Kadamba, and is the Dhéra-kadamba 
r Kalambaka of Sanskrit writers. It is well known in all parts 
India for its bitter medicinal bark, and valuable yellow 


neration of worms in sores. 


eee pon ihe bark occurs in thick curved pieces, 


srowth of a small Hepatica on its surface. Its inner surface 
d substance is reddish-brown and fibrous. Taste bitter and 
astringent. 
Chemical composition.—The bark contains the same con~ 
d 


ture gave 82 per cent. of dried extract, calculated on th 
po Salored bark. This extract contained an as tringent 
e a . % = : 5 


172 RUBIACEA. ‘ 


isin constituted the greater portion of the 10°4 per cent, 
of ash obtained on combustion, 


UNCARIA GAMBIER, fz. 


Fig.— Hunter in Trans. Linn. Soc. iz., 218, t. 22; Kor 
Verh. Nat. Gesch. Bot., t. 84; Bentl. and Trim., 139. 
extract, Gambier, Pale catechu (Hng.), Gambir cubique (Fr rac 


Hab.—Malacca, Penang, Bia gh pate. The extract’ of the : 
leaves, and young shoots. : 


Vernacular.—Chini+Katha or Kath, &c. (Ind.) In the In- 
dian languages it bears the same name as Acacia Catechu, with 
- the addition of the adjective Chinese. 


History, Uses, &c.—We meet with no account of thi 
substance in Hindu or Mahometan works on Materia M 
Anslie mentions the drug, but he appears to have been Vi 
imperfectly acquainted with it, as in his first volume he 
_cribes the different kinds of catechu found in Southern In 
without noticing Gambier. (Materia Indica, I1., p. \ 
Flickiger and Hanbury in their Pharmacographia remé 
that:—“If we may credit Rumphius, it would seem that 
important manufacture of Gambier had no existence at 
commencement of the last century, As to ‘Gutta Gambi 
his statements are scarcely in accord with those of more recent — 
writers. We may, however, remark that that name is very 4 
the Tamil Katta Kambu, signifying catechu, which drug ! 
sometimes made into little round cakes, and was certainl: 
large export from India to Malacca and China as early as t 


Stevens, a merchant of Bombay, in his Compleat Guide to the 

Eastern India Trade, published in 1766, quotes the prices 

of goods at Malacca, but makes no allusion to Gambier. 1} 

is there any reference to it in Savary’s Dictionnaire de 

merce (Edn. of 1750), in which Malacca is mentioned as 
_ great entrepét of the trade of India with that of China a 


RUBIACEA. 173 


, by a Dutch trader named Couperus. This person nar- 
es how the plant was introduced into Malacca from Pontjan 
n 1758, and how Gambier is made from its leaves; and names 
_ Several sorts of the drug and their prices. In 1807 a descrip- 
tion of ‘the drug called Gutta Gambier,’ and of the tree from 
which it is made, was Sis sce to the Linnean Society of 
London by William Hunter.” A good description of the 
manufacture of Gambier will be found in the Pharmacographia. 
The process consists in boiling the leaves and young shoots 
nd evaporating the liquor until it crystallizes. 


Description. -—Gambier is an earthy-looking substance 
of light brown hue, consisting of cubes about an inch each 
de, more or less agglutinated, or it is in the form of entirely 
compact masses. The cubes are externally dark reddish brown 
and compact, internally of a pale cinnamon hue, dry, porous, 
able, devoid of odour, but with a bitterish astringent eet 
coming subsequently sweetish. 

Under the microscope the cubes of Gambier are seen to con- 
sist of very small acicular crystals. (Pharmacographia.) Gam- 
ier is also imported into India in the form of small lozenges. 
Chemical composition.—In chemical composition Gambier 
rees with Kutch. (See Acacia Catechu.) Gambier from 
ngapore has lately been exported in a damp condition 
sing great inconvenience in the trade. Mr. W. N. Evans” 
has analysed some authentic field and trade samples with the 
following results :— 


Gambier Trade me 
from field. Gambier. ae 
Tannin 1148 14 68 257 « 

Organic matter 30°11 


a r @Georertsese 
Ash .. 


Loss 


174 RUBIACEA:. 


A substance named Than, used to adulterate kutch in 4 
Burma, was investigated by Dr. Romanis in 1888, Than is 
a red-coloured gum or mixture of gums, insoluble in spirit, and 
having no action on polarized light. Under some circumstances 
it ferments and evolves gases. It contains no leather forming 
property, but is thrown down by gelatine and alum; if, however, 
this precipitate is boiled in water, the than is dissolved. 
(Chem. Haaminer’s Report, 1888.) 

Commerce.—Gambier is imported into India from Singa” 
pore in large baskets. The exports of Kutch and Gambier 
from India are more than 300,000 cwts. annually. 

Value, Rs. 4 to Rs. 6 per Surat maund of 373 lbs. 


CINCHONA SUCCIRUBRA, Pavon. 
Fig. Howat d’s Illustrations, Neuva Quinologia. p. 7. Red 
bark. 
Hab. —Blopss of Chinhanas, S. America. Cultivated 

in Southern India, Sikkim and Ceylon. 


CINCHONA OFFICINALIS, Hooker. 
Fig.—Bot. Mag. 5364. The- Loxa, Crown, Condaminea 
or pale bark of commerce. 
Hab.—Eenuador and Peru. Cultivated on the Nilgir! 
Hills. : . 
G. CALISAYA ( Wedd.) and var. LEDGERIANA 
- Fig.—Howard’s Quinology, pp. 4, 5, 6. The Calisay - 
Ledger, or yellow bark of commerce. 


_ _Hab.—Bolivia and Southern Peru. Cultivated in Sikkim 
and Southern India. 


History, Uses, &c.—Cinchona bark was = ae 
“into ‘Europe in the 17th century, when it was brought ovet 
by Jesuit missionaries from America. The Countess of Chin 
chon, the wife of a » Aieerer. of the Spanish ey of Pert, 


RUBIACE. 175 


been cured of an attack of fever by its use, hence the 
rly names of the medicine were Peruvian or Jesuit’s bark 
d Countess’s powder. The trees yielding this bark were 
t discovered until a century later, when La Condamine and - 
ssieu, members of a French exploring party, obtained some 
plants. Linnaeus established the botanical genus Cinchona 
n 1742. Peruvian bark was acknowledged as a most valuable 
medicine soon after its introduction into Europe, and the 


jhe preservation of the natural forests in South America. It 
“would appear that the Jesuits in Peru about 1650 began 
0 distribute the bark to those of their fraternity stationed in 
her parts of the world, as was their usual practice upon 
the discovery of any new article of economic value. In this 
nner it probably reached India not long after its discovery 
nm America. 
_ After its admission in 1677 to the London Pharmacopeia, 
was necessarily sent out to the physicians of the English 
st India‘Company. Its use must have spread pil, as in 

i es 


ark (S) in the Makhzan-el-Adwiya of Mir ‘Muhammad 
Husain, showing that it was already well known to the native 
physicians. He describes it as a bark resembling Cassia bark 
t of a darker colour, and remarks that its medicinal proper-. 
ties are said to have been discovered in Peru by a sect of Chris- 
ns called Jesuits, who first broaght it to Hurope, and for 
his reason it bears the name of Jesuit’s bark. It is also 
alled Kina Kina. He correctly describes its use as an anti- — 
riodic, and pronounces it to be hot and dry in the second 


176 tei a 


Government, fearing that the supply might cease, or be obtain- : 
able at a price beyond the reach of the community, recom- 


the Andes for the purpose of collecting seeds and plants. 
Markham, accompanied by Mr. Weir, a practical, garden 


in the forests of Bolivia and Southern Peru. Mr. 
was to explore the Grey bark region of Huanuco and Huma- 
lies in Central Peru, and Messrs. Spruce and R. Cross were to 
collect the seeds of the Red bark trees in the mountams 
of Ecuador. Mr. Markham succeeded in collecting several 
hundred plants of Calisaya, but these were lost owing to-the 
treatment they received en route to India. The other coll 
tors were successful in their undertakings, not however 
-out some hardships and disappointments, and the first seed 
the Grey barks arrived in India in — 1861, and 
of the Red barks a few months later. . Cross was Ss 
quently commissioned to procure seeds - the C. officinalis 
the forests near Loxa, and this commission he executed with 
much success that the seeds were brought to India in 1862 
The seeds and young plants on their arrival were commit 
to the care of Mr. W. G. Mclyor, Superintendent of t 
Botanic Gardens, Ootacamund, and it was to his patience a 
skill that the cultivation of Cinchona in India became 
accomplished fact. Cinchona cultivation was introduced abou 
the same time in the Bengal Presidency under the directi 
of Dr, T. Anderson. The first seeds sent to the Sikkim 
Plantations were from Kew; these were soon followed by plants 
of Pahudiana, Calisaya Be Lancifolia from Java, and 80 
Succirubras fcom Ootacamund. The Cinchona was introd! 
in Ceylon in 1861 by Dr. Thwaites, and was subseqt 
taken up with much vigour by the planters of that is 
Plantations were opened up afterwards in in Wynaad, M 
Coorg, Travancore and Tinnevelly entirely as Private 5 


RUBIACE E. 497 


gs. For further information the reader is referred to 
eruvian Bark,” by C.. R. Markham; “ Cinchona Barks 
harmacognostically considered, ” by F, A. Flickiger; Blue 
Books. Copy of Correspondence relating to the Introduction of 
the Cinchona Plant into India, Sc., with Maps. 1852 to 1875, 
5 volumes; The Annual Reports on the Government Cinchona 
Plantations, Bengal and Madras, up to 1889. 
Small doses of cinchona preparations and quinine aug- 
ment the force of the heart’s constriction, increase the 
“appetite, and act as a general tonic, but if too frequently 
repeated, the contractile power of the heart is diminished, 
hough the rate of its movements progressively increases ; 
he latter effect is also produced by large single doses. 
isonous doses annihilate the heart’s contractility, producing 
rapid death; yet if the operation is not promptly fatal, the 
“respiratory movements cease before those of the heart. Theo- 
-retically, in moderate doses, quinine stimulates the trophic 
centres, and quickens tissue change, but in large doses it has 
The reduction of the pulse rate and force . 
quinine is attended by a reduction in temperature. — Obser- : 


e 


ains of sulphate of quinine are taken by an adult man at a 
gle dose, or two orthree times that quantity in the course of 
hours, there is apt to be some heaviness and confusion of 
hought, headache, buzzing in the ears, vertigo, and unsteadi~ 
of gait. Larger doses occasion, in addition, a sense of — 
fulness, tension, and pulsation in the hea d; the face becomes : 
suffused and animated ; the eyes are beehes epistaxis some- 
imes occurs ; the patient is restless and agitated, and com- 
ins of sGuvecain twitching in the limbs. After several — 
jours these phenomena are followed by some degree of exhaus- — 
ion and a disposition to sleep, with slight torpor ‘and mus-_ 
ular debility. Ifas much as 30 grains are given daily for 
eral es in divided doses there. simecd pene: 


“178 RUBIACHZ. 


sensibility is obtuse and the limbs tremulous. If, finally, the 
dose has been excessive, complete loss of consciousness may - 
occur, the sight and hearing fail, the skin loses its eam: = 
and the limbs their power of motion. = 


The usual and most probable interpretation of these pheno- 
mena is that quinine in moderate doses primarily stimulates 
the nervous centres and increases the amount of blood circula 
ing in them; that in excessive doses it diminishes the supply 
of blood to the same parts; and that this diminution results 
mainly from the depressed power of the heart. The most 
- important fact in support of this view is that the giddine 
confusion of sight, and faintness caused by quinine subside 
as soon as the patient lies dewn. - 


On the respiratory organs the primary action of quinine, is 
stimulant, slightly increasing the rate of breathing. Poi 
ous doses occasion dyspnoea and noisy respiration, which 
also jerking, interrupted, retarded, and finally arrested, d 
taking place with symptoms of asphyxia. In some cases 
sputa have been bloody, Doubtless the latter phenomena are 
due to a paralyzing influence exerted by quinine upon 
respiratory nervous centres, coupled with an analogous ac 
of the drug upon the cardiac nerves and ganglia. Accordi 
to certain experiments upon rabbits (Strassburg), qui 
does not diminish the exhalation of carbonic acid, even W 
_it lowers the temperature. 


On the digestive organs small doses of quinine, a8 © al 
pure bitters, stimulate the appetite and digestion, but in le 
and continued doses it irritates the stomach and confines t 
bowels at first, although it may afterward cause diarrhea. 


The fact that when quinine cures intermittent fever it also 
' contracts the spleen, if that organ is enlarged, isa familiar one. 
It is also known that when quinine is largely administered 
animals for various experimental purposes the spleen is fc 
pale and hard and its capsule wrinkled. These effects 0 
even when all the nervous trunks supplying the organ 
divided, Hence, it is concluded that quinine must act ~~ 


RUBIACEZ. 179 


nal nervous system of the spleen. (Binz.) The function of 
ryan, it is added, being to form the white corpuscles of 
blood and to prepare various oxidized substances, and 
cially uric acid, for excretion, and quinine having the 
wer of restraining both of these operations, necessarily the 
organ appropriated to them must contract in proportion to 
the restriction of its functions. 


Quinine, being excreted _with the wrine to the extent of at 
“least one-half, sometimes occasions irritation of the urinary 
passages, causing in different cases micturition, r retention of 
urine, and even hematuria. (Stillé and Maisch. 


But the most important property of quinine is its destructive 
action ‘upon the low animal organisms (heamatozoa), whose 
presence in the blood has been shown by Laveran (Archives de 
édecine Expérimentale, 1., p. 789; ii., p. 1,) to be the exciting 
use of malarial fevers. Previous to Laveran’s great discovery, — 
the power possessed by the cinchona alkaloids of preventing as 
vell as curing these fevers had long been a well recognised 
t, and it was known that a person under the influence of a 
se of quinine (2 to 5 grains given once or twice a day) might 
ge exposed to malarial contagion without danger. The anti- 
septic properties of quinine had also been sufficiently estab- 
ed, a dilute solution having been found to preserve fluids 
ntaining animal matter from putrefaction for a length of time, 
though it had not the same destructive action upon the lower 
rms of alge as it had upon the lower forms of animal life. 
averan’s observations, which have now been amply confirmed, 

show that the hematozoa of malaria are present in the blood 
in the greatest number immediately before the febrile panies 
which is an effort of nature for their destruction, and that t 
1dministration of the cinchona alkaloids, and more especially of 
inine, has a marked effect in reducing the number of these — 
rasites, and inasmuch as they remove the cause of the irri: : 
ion, they also prevent the recurrence of 
cit. 1889—90; Iasran, cohed con 


‘pregnant female, but when once parturition has commence 


180 | RUBIACE&. : 
‘Quinine has no power to originate uterine contractions in 


the flagging pains are greatly stimulated and increased b 
dose of ten grains of the drug, and when abortion is threa 
through malarial influence, no hesitation should be felt in 
it. Quinine should always be given in some easily sola 
form, as any salt of the alkaloid which escapes absorption 


hours previous to the last. -When there is sufficient time, its 
influence is almost always very sensibly aided by the e 
tion, 12 or more hours before, of a mercurial or other p 
In typhus and typhoid fever, scarlatina, severe erysi 
rheumatic hyperesia, &c., after the use of the cold bath, 
grains are often very efficacious in preventing a rapid ret 
of the excessive fever. (U.S. Dispensatory, 1889.) 
In the year 1866, the Madras Government appointed a 
cal Commission to test the respective effiacy in the treatm 
fever of quinine, quinidine, cinchonine and cinchonidix 
From the Report it appears that the number of 
paroxysmal malarious fevers treated was 2,4.72,—nam: 
with quinine, 664 with quinidine, 559 with cinchonine 
403 with cinchonidine. Of these 2,472 cases, 2,445 were cl 
and 27 failed. The difference in remedial value of the 
alkaloids as deduced from these experiments may be 


Quinidine—ratio of failure per 1000 ......... 
ining.) 2s hea eee te erg en ae 


ee 


RUBIACBE:. “181 


1880 a further report was made on some trials of cin- 
s febrifage in quotidian, tertian, quartan and febricula, Out 
81 cases, 92°2 per cent. were cured. The administration of 


The Cinchona Plantations and Pasa the Bark.—There 
three Government Cinchona estates on the Nilviris, 

tuated at Ootacamund, Naduvatam, and Pykara. Each estate 
‘consists of one or more plantations; Naduvatam comprises 
mison, Kilgraston and Napier; Pykara is composed of 
looker and Wood; and Dodabetta represents the whole of 
he minor plantations known under that name. The site 
ccupied by Dodabetta is the ravine behind the Botanic Gar- _ 
ens, situated at an elevation of from 6,500 to 8, 000 feet above 
a-level, and with a mean temperature in the shade of 60° es 
nd a maximum of 70°. During the months of December, —__ 
anuary and February the frosts are often severe, and con- _ 
iderable damage is done to the trees lying in the lower parts 
of the estate. This estate is named after the mountain, about 

wo miles off, called Dodabetta, from Dodda (great) and Betta 
hill), which is 8,642 feet above the sea, consequently the ; 
ighest point on: the Nilgiris, and one of the highest in ‘oe 
outhern India. The Naduvatam estate is situated about 22 : 
ules from Ootacamund, at the top of the Gudalur ghaut, and 
n the verge of the steep descent to the Wynaad plateau. The 
levation varies from 5,000 to 6,000 feet, with a mean tem- 
erature of 60° in the shade, and maximum of 80° and a 
tinimum of 54°, and an average rainfall of 195 inches. The 

es grown here are Succirubras and hybrids, and seve 
; perimental plots of Calisayas, recta tina Santa Fé and 

i kara estates are ‘of Hooker 


182 RUBIACEAE. 


covered by all these estates is 1,779 acres, the greater por- 
tion of which is under cultivation. The total number of t 
in 1889 were reckoned at 1,709,656, and included the foll 
ing varieties :— 


Officinalis 981,919 
Hybrids 655,856 
Succirubras 70,693 
SA er ce ne eeneee - 273. 
Other kinds 915 

Ae 1,709, 656 


In 1879, ten years Soviet the number of plants on 
estates was computed at 569,031, and was composed of 
following :— 


_ Officinalis 305,432 
Succirul | 260,837 
Grey ; 1,874 
Calisayas . a 552 
Other species ... .. wees tkees s hiss ves 336 

569,031 


The Cinchona officinalis, yielding the Crown bark of 
merce, is the chief species cultivated on the Nilgiris, and i 
of the most desirable kinds for the manufacture of quit 
The Calisaya bark is the best quinine yielder of all the 
chonas, but unfortunately will not grow on the elevateds 
the Government plantations. (inchona succirubra afford 
bark, official in the British Pharmacopeia, and which obt: 
but little favour now in commerce. The statistics of | f 
compared with 1889 show how the red and grey bark pl 
have given way in the plantations to species of much gi 
value, such as the officinalis and the officinalis hybrid. 

The outturn of bark from these estates is calculated ¢ 
100,000 pounds per annum, the whole of which has n 
recently been sold in AE eg or by public aucti 
country, but within the last two years the 
pnipbote of quinine and other alkaloids has 


RUBIACEA. 183 


such an extent as to consume all the bark likely to be 
oduced on these plantations in the future. 

Besides those of Government, there are several private 
tes on the Nilgiris, among which might be mentioned 
ssington, Devashola, Liddellsdale, and other estates at 
Coonoor and Kotagiri. Ciuchona is largely planted in Wynaad, 
where an estimate of 5,000,000 plants has been reported. 
The species mostly cultivated are Cinchona Ledgeriana and 
. succirubra, and a hybrid between these two kinds, which 


stricts about Devakolam, but the small remuneration accru- 
g to the planter has caused cinchona to be neglected, and 
, 48 a more promising plant, is being reared in its stead. 

The Darjeeling plantations of the Bengal Government are 
tuated some 17 miles from the station of that name in the 


ritish Sikkim. They were commenced in the year 1862 at 
ungbee, and the head-quarter buildings and factories are at 
Mongpoo. Some land has been opened out at Runjung in 


The Sikkim plantations are at an elevation of from 
400 to 5,000 feet, and occupy a tract of about 20,000 acres, 
y a part of which is cultivated. The Ledger cinchonas are 
here reared to a very large extent. Succirubra and its hybrid 
also grow well, and the Morada and Verde types of Calisaya have 
within the past few years been put out with very encouraging 
r sults. Ledgers thrive best at this latitude between 2,000 
to 3,500 feet, while the Moradas and Verdes prefer a some- 
_ what lower elevation. It has been noticed that Ledgers likea 
sunny aspect and Succirubras a northerly or shaded one. The 
plantations never reach an old age, for when the trees are 6 
or 8 years old, they are cut down and uprooted, and the whole 
the bark is scraped off. The plot of land is then left for 


184 RUBIACEAE. 


few years, after which it will be ready for planting up again. — 
These plantations, therefore, possess almost unlimited tracts 
the richest soil in which to extend the cultivation. The bar 
harvested in Sikkim differs from that of the Nilgiris in bei 
all of one kind—namely, natural, and it is estimated that 
much as 800,000 pounds can be harvested each year. In 
there were 311 plants. In 1875 there were 2,000 acres plan 
up with 3,000,000 trees from 4 to 30 feet high. At th 
of the financial year 1882, there were 4,731,608 plants 0 
following kinds :— : 


. Suecirubras ..., 3,873,285 
Calisayas .. 566,695 
Hybrids 291,628 

4,731,608 


At this time the Darjeeling plantations were using the : 


hence the plantations have been adapted for the production 
a larger yield of richer bark, and the statistics of the na 
of trees in 1889 show how this object has been attained 


Succirubras , 1,882,000 
Calisayas 1,768,060 
. Hybrids. ee a4 E78 
- . Other species ...... vy. 613 5,008 ae 
megeicas 4,810,231 


: ‘The number of Suecirubras has been reduced by one-half 


replaced by those affording pure quinine. 
The area of private plautations is— 
Bengal SPU on v0e Si save eeaeed evgutandes 1,355 acres 
IPAS +e eresseuees tevessesees 6,44 
Coorg and Mysore en ihigtcaat ve 


srrees 2,000. ,, - 


‘4, By taking it in BRE ey eae 


| RUBIACEZ. 185 


leaving the bark to renew over the exposed wood; 2, by 
ping and shaving off the bark; 8, by. coppicing; and 4, by 
ooting. The first is that most in use in, and peculiar to the 
giris, having been discovered by Mr. McIvor. The trees 
are barked preferably in the rainy season, when the bark “lifts,” 
or is more easily removed from the wood. The coolie inserts 
the point of a knife in the tree as far as he can reach and draws 
it down, making an incision in the bark straight to the ground; 
he then makes another cut parallel to the first, about an inch 
nd a half apart, and loosening the bark with the back part of 
e knife, the strip or ribbon is taken off. If the operation is 
performed carefully, and the cambium cells are not broken, a 
new layer of bark will. be formed in the place of that which is 
taken away. Other strips are taken at intervals around the 
m, and the tree is then covered by moss, grass or leaves of 
Phormium tenax, and bound on by coir string or fibre. The 
stem is covered after the operation of stripping in order to 
oster the growth of the new bark (renewed bark) from the 
bium, and to thicken the untouched layers of natural bark, 
which are now termed mossed bark. The moss which was first 
used to cover the partly decorticated stem is not now used on 
account of its scarcity, and grass, straw, leaves, tin and news- 
pers have been found to answer the purpose. After about 
o years, the trees are again visited, and if recuperation has 
ne on satisfactorily, the mossed bark is harvested in strips, 
aving the renewed bark to thicken, and to allow a further 
supply of renewed bark to take the place of the mossed. The 
enewed bark is always of greater value than the mossed and 
mossed than the natural, so long as the trees are under 20 
years old, for it has been found that after that time the bark 
ases to thicken, and the alkaloids remain stationary or even 
ease. The bark being collected in wet weather artificial 
at has to be used in drying it. Both at Naduvatam and 


i24 


186 RUBIACEH. 


are grown, and where the expense. of artificial heat could not — 
be met. The shaving process was first practised in Java, and 
consists in shaving. off the superficial layers of bark from the 
whole surface of the. stem, taking care that no point of the 
wood is laid bare. Coppicing Cinchona is to cut the tree down 
to a foot above ground, and to allow one or more shoots to 
spring up from the stool. Uprooting is adopted in the Bengal 
plantations, where the trees are uprooted and the whole of the 
bark is collected from the root, trunk and branches. 
Description.—Cinchona bark js usually exported in ¥ 
packages, which are subjected to hydraulic pressure and arrive 
in the market more or less in a comminuted condition. Crown 
bark occurs in single quills with a blackish surface, often covered 
with various lichens (Usnea, &c.); it breaks with a fibrous frac 
ture, and the powder of the bark is light brown. Succirubra 
bark is rough and warty on the outer surface, with fewer 
cryptogamic plants, and thicker than other kinds. It has 
fibrous and splintery fracture, a reddish inner surface, and 


Root bark from all kinds of Cinchona is in the form of short 
recurved or twisted pieces, thicker and lighter in colour that 
the stem bark, Shavings consist of the outer or cellular pore 
tion of the bark, and are co 
easily crushed in packing, 
is usually free from lichen, a ; 
quills. Renewed bark js 
account of the absence of 


amount. of quinine it contains which is determined solely 1 
_ chemical analysis, Indian Cinchona bark has never } 


RUBIACEZ., 187 


wn to be adulterated with any of the bitter indigenous 
's of the country. 


) emical composition. —The constituents of Ciiehone bark of 


a Eeost feat Gaperda, 

— Quinine, C2° H2* N2 02, ii alight-oolaene, amorphous, brittle 

ubstance in an anhydrous state, but may be obtained in a 
3H?O 


ions of the salts made with the oxygenated acids possess a blue. 
orescence, and when treated with chlorine water and am- 
nia, a beautiful green solution is produced, known as the. 
lleioquin test. The solutions deviate the plane of polariza= 
n to the left. The quinine salt mostly used in medicine is 
sulphate (C?°H?*N?0%)?,; H?SO', 71120; the theoretical 

tesimal composition of which is— 

Quinine a 74:31. 

Sulphuric acid 11°23 - 

Water of crystallization ..........006.- 14°45 
~Cinchonidine, C!9H?2N20, forms colourless” anhydrous 
ystals. The sulphate is more soluble in water than quinine, - 
the tartrate is very insoluble. The solutions show the 
ne optical behaviour as quinine but to a less extent. 


~Quinidine possesses the same formula as quinine, and the 
olutions of its salts are fluorescent and afford the thalleioquin: 
tion ; it differs, however, in deviating the plane of polariza- 
n to the right. It is — from the other alkaloids as 
n insoluble hydriodate. iiss Ht 
Cinchonine is not very soluble in ether and tialiel The. 
‘ormula is the same as that of cinchonidine, but has a 
ie Opposite action upon polarized light. ee 
morphous alkaloids, called also” Quincsdinaot Chinioiding 
ur in all Cinchona barks and leaves. It is the name give 
ion obtained in quinine factories, ee 
: i yuekon the mother li with -: 


188 LUBIACEZ. 


brown brittle mass softening below 100° and alkaline in 
reaction. 


Quinamine, an unimportant alkaloid, was discovered in 1872 
by Hesse in Succirubra bark cultivated at Darjeeling. Other 
Cinchona bases have been found and described, but as they do 
not occur in Indian grown barks, they need only be mentioned 
by name. Paricine in Buena hexandra; Aricine and Cusconmne 
in false Cinchona of undetermined origin. Pitoyine in China 
bicolorata Tecamez ; Paytine in white bark; and Homogquinine 
discovered by D. Howard and others in Cuprea bark from 
Remijia species in 1882, . 

_ The above bases are combined with Kinic and Cincho-tannic 
acids. Kinic acid, C’H?208, occurs in monoclinic prisms solu- 
ble in water and alcohol, but hardly in ether. The solutions 
are levorotatory. By heating it with peroxide of manganese 
and sulphuric acid, yellow crystals of quinone (C®H*0”) are 
produced. 

Cincho-tannic acid, the: astringent principle of the Cin- 
chouas, is soluble in water and spirit, and is precipitated by 
acids, acetate of lead and gelatine. It strikes a green colour 
with ferric chloride, and affords pyrocatechin by destructive dis- 
tillation. Its solution in the presence of an alkali, or by boiling 
with dilute sulphuric acid, decomposes into an oxidized pro- 
duct, Cinehona-red, and asugar, Cinchona-red occurs naturally 
in red bark as an amorphous substance soluble in alkaline 
solutions and alcohol, but neither in water nor in ether. j 

Quinovic acid crystallizes in scales, which are sparingly soluble 
in cold alcohol, more readily in -hot alcohol, but insoluble in 
water, ether, or chloroform. 

Quinovin, an amorphous bitter substance present in nearly 
every part of the plant, is resolvable into quinovic acid and 
mannitan. It is removed from the bark by diluted soda, from 
which it is precipitated with cinchona-red by an acid, from this, 

hi inovin and quinovie acid, which _ 
are again precipitated by an acid, and separated by chloroform, 
in which the former is very soluble, — ; ee 


RUBIACEA. T89 


The wax-like principle of barks has been designated by Ker- 

einchocerotin. Hesse has found two substances of this 
ure; cupreol, C?°H5* O, melting at 140°C, and cinchol melt- 
ig at 139°; they both crystallize in laminz, but differ in 
ptical properties, 

Cultivated barks yield over 3 per cent. of mineral matter; the 
average of three hundred estimations was 3°42 per cent. Re- 
newed and old natural barks are poor in ash, but scarcely, if 
ever, fall below 2 per cent., while young and branch barks give 
4 per cent. or more. Crown bark is richer in ash than that of the 
red, and the red than that of the yellow. From a complete ana- 
_ lysis of the ash of Officinalis bark, it appears that lime forms 
_ one-third and potash one-sixth of the whole, and in that of 
Succirubra bark, lime forms one-third and potash one-eighth of 
the whole. A full grown Succirubra tree has been analysed 
and found to contain nearly half a pound of pure lime (CaQ). 


Hfects of Cultivation on the Alkaloids.—The alkaloids first 


killed by frost, the alkaloids revert to an amorphous condition, 
and gradually disappear. 

Trees of the same species and height, and growing under 
exactly similar conditions of aspect and soil, are not neces- 
sarily of the same alkaloidal value. They vary in amount of 
total alkaloids, but the proportion of quinine in the total 
alkaloids remains fairly constant for each species. This pro- 
Portion averages 70 to 80 per cent. in Ledgers, 60 to 70 per cent. 
in Officinalis, and 20 per cent. in Succirubras. Hybridization 


very large extent taking up a mean between those of the 
‘Parents, Several analysis of the Officinalis hybrid show that — 


ynaad, forming characteristic hybrids, with their alkaloids to _ . 


190 RUBIACEM. 


the alkaloids contain 41 per cent. of quinine in the total 
alkaloids, and the Ledger hybrid 58 per cent. . 


Ledgers and Succirubras do not much increase in alkaloidal 
value after 6 years of age, and therefore should not be barked 
when young. The Officinalis, being of slower growth, does 
not mature or yield the full amount of alkaloid, until the 
trees are at least 7 years old. The faster-growing trees appear 
to begin to degenerate after 15 years, and the Officinalis after 
20 years. a 
~ The north or shaded side of a tree has a richer bark 
than that on the south side—a fact which explains the success 
of the mossing-system, where the bark is entirely protected 
from the light and heat of the sun’s rays, and a larger yield of 
alkaloids thereby encouraged. The renewal of most barks 
under moss, or a similar covering, has a tendency to increase 
the amount of quinine at the expense of the cinchonidine; 


(C. micrantha, &c.), where no quinine or cinchonidine are 
found in natural bark, cinchonidine is formed at the expense of 
_ the cinchonine, which is always present in these barks in large 


quantity. 


se 


A large number of experiments have been made in manur-— 


the bark of young trees more quickly than that of older 
ones; but, on the other hand, old trees of twelve years and 
upwards are greatly improved by manure when it is allowed 
longer time to work, about two years or more. 


: Some analyses of frost-bitten barks show that there is very ‘ 


bark analysed before the frost. It was formerly supposed 
that frost-bitten barks were Worthlesse Cicdeicies 


yer 


ha 


RUBIACEZL. 4191 


‘The object in the Indian plantations has been to propagate 

e species known by analysis to contain much quinine, or 
e will not grow, to raise robust trees which will yield 
quinine by cultivation. Hybrids are on the increase in 
any estates, and by careful selection from these, the value of 
the future cultivation will largely depend. 

The following table gives a list of the most important barks 
grown on the Government plantations at the present time, 
E with a full analysis of each :— 


+f \cincho- uini--|Cincho- Das Sulphate 
Quinine.) = peal Q eset EN i Al Total. Ste 
C. officinalis, natural .,....... 2-93 | 1-40 08 | -42| +42 | 5-25 | 3-94 
: ere ee eee 3°40 | 1°50 *20 “45 *62 | G17 | 4°57 
‘ rs eG 4°21 | -85 22 | °65 | -70} 6°68 | 5-66. 
-succirubra, branch . 1°38 | 2°28 1°59 | 1°16 | 6°41 | 1-85 
45 natural ...... 1:40 | 2°25 1:92 68 | 6°25 | 1-88" 
re mossed ...... 1°69 |.2-08 ‘ 1-68 *98 | 6°38 | 2°37 
i renewed....., | 1-84 | 1°48 te 1°25 4% FE 628 Sa 
shavings. 2°30 | 1°16 | ;., | 2-06 | 1-45 | 6:97 | 8-09" 
c. angoatifolie, natural... 3°97 | 1°32 | °12 | :12 |. °87 | 6°40 | 5-34. 
Ue -60 | 141} -33 | 8:35 | 7-53. 
renewed ‘91 |} °89] +88} -19}114} 7°51 | 6-60" 
ybrid, branch. ......s.+| 1°64 | 2°71 |... | 1:17 | 50 | 6°02 | 2-207 
tural $19 12°87 [ t *55.| 7°28 | 4-29 
oss wath Lea Been ae : | 6°20 "58 
ene cl £740] 3 O81. “51 | 1-65 | 9°10- | 5°92 
-micrantha, branch ......| ... ae as 4. thes ie Bata 
eae -& * [1-92 | °40 | 2°82]... 
wed tr. | 2:4 2°12 gee np A 
« *B4 -b6 | 1:10 | 1-98 ‘3 * 3°14: 
©. pitayensis, natural Bee in : ort mila es 
ashi" ery 2°50! -52 78 | 2:33 | +55 | 6°68 | 3°36 
B. Calisaya, natural ......++ 1°21 | 2°32 |... 2-18] +29 | 5°95 | 1°62. 
DYADGH sicsss 405 *59 °73 8 She a eh ee? 
a ‘81 “2 . . J Oo * 
Anglica, sions Ph 2-04 -36 | 2°65 tr, , 
C. Javanica, natural oe 1°32 | 2-64} +48 | 4°44 tes 
ranch ae 1°43 | 1°49] °45 | 3°37 ait 
Ledgeriana, natural..,...| 5:49 | 1:33] .. *82 88 | 8°52 | 7°38. 
branch ...... 2°21 “49 1-07 ‘50 | 4°27 | 9-97. 
-C. Humboldtiana ..... 2:24) 1°55] tr. -49 | -90 | 5°18 | 3°01. 
tida 1-42|2-45| ... | 1°45 | -67 | 5°99 | 1°91 
® PONGCIAUA .., 50-5) cee 10 : 39} +48] °*96 [+ 
bi sea vebbeese 40 |... | 1-64 ey ae 
Bie Bante EG. coin cnaxcsecs e712 A : : SO 
Succirubra, Sikkim ... 66°} 2°18] 0 4/1198 | *77- | 4°48: 4, 
geria’ WE ren eae Ale! hats Bae! (8°66 
es quveuaves “2°24 ed sow “69 +64 5-60. 
ety tag pee See a? Gag a pe xe 


192 | _RUBIACE. 


Manufacture of Alkaloids and Quinine.—The authorities in 
charge of the Cinchona plantations have for many years seen 
the desirability of extracting in the country the alkaloids so 
valuable in fevers and ina form that could readily be taken. 

At the suggestion of Dr J. E. de Vrij, the manufacture of a 
light-coloured powder, consisting of the alkaloids of red bark, 
was started in 1874. This powder was called “ quinetum” or 
“febrifuge,” or, with reference to the locality of its produc- 
tion, Sikkim or Darjeeling febrifuge- Febrifuge is made by 
exhausting the powdered red bark with water acidulated with 
hydrochloric acid, precipitating the liquor with caustic soda, 
and drying the crude deposit. This is again dissolved in suffi- 
cient acid, reprecipitated by soda in a pure condition, filtered, 
dried and powdered. It has a tolerably uniform composition 
of Quinine 15:5; Cinchonidine 29:0; Cinchonine 33:5 ; Amor- 
phous alkaloids 17-0 ; and colouring matter, &c., 5:0 per cent. 

About three years ago, Mr. J. A. Gammie, the resident 
Superintendent, with the co-operation of Mr. C. H. Wood, 
formerly Quinologist to the Bengal Government, elaborated 
a method of extracting quinine from yellow bark, called the 
“oil process.” - It is called the oil process, because a mixture 
of fusel and kerosene oils is employed in the manufacture. ‘Tho 
finely-powdered bark is mixed with water containing caustic 
soda in solution, the oils are added, and the whole is 
intimately agitated for a few hours and then allowed to rest. 
_ The alkaloids are then contained in the oil, which is decanted, 
and stirred up with water acidulated with sulphuric acid. 
The acid liquor now containing the alkaloids is transferred 
to pans and heated by steam; while still hot, the liquor is 
neutralized with soda and filtered, and on cooling, the solution 
yields the crystals of sulphate of quinine. The crude crystals 
are purified by dissolving them in a certain amount of hot 
water, filtering and cooling, and the crystals which form re 
collected and dried in a warm air-chamber, 

Commerce.—Indian Cinchona bark began to be exported in 
1867 ; the first three bal lized Rs, 287,and sold in London for 
2 shillings per lb. From 1871 to 1886, when the export ceased, 


RUBIACEZ.. 193 


e Madras Government plantations sent bark to England to 

extent of 31 lakhs. Red barks first sold for 2s. per pound 

| Crown barks for 8s. The total export from India from 
ctober 1 to September 31 was:— 

“ 1886-87...... 1,286,900 Ibs. 

1887-88..,... 1,449,315 

1888-89...... 3,074,098 


Cinchona bark is sold by the unit of sulphate of quinine. 
_ The unit is the price in pence per pound of bark containing 
one per cent. of sulphate of quinine. In 1885 the price of 
3 bark reached 7d, per unit; at the present time, 1890, it 
* is not more than 2d. In 1885, a bark containing 3 per 
_ cent. of sulphate would have been worth Is. 9d. per pound ; 
at the present time the same bark would not sell for more 


37 


33 


Instance, last year sold for 1s. per ounce. The price had been 
gradually en from 1877, when it was valued at 16s. 6d- 
‘per ounce in bu 


HYMENODICTYON EXCELSUM, Wall 
Fig.—Wight Ic., t. 79. 


hittagong. The bark 
 Vernacular.—Bhaulan, Barthoa (Hind.), Bandari (Tel.), 
Sagapu (Tam.), Kala-kadva, Bhoursal (Mar.). 


Hab.—W. Himalaya, Deccan, Central India, Tenasserim, 


yal 


194, RUBIACEZ), 


found to be most valuable. In 1870, Broughton examined the 
fresh bark of one of the Hymenodictyons, and found that the 


bark when dry was almost tasteless owing to the transforma- 
tion of that substance into esculetin, the decomposition having — 
been induced by contact with decaying organic matter. 


H. obovatum, the dry bark of the former tree being extremely 
bitter. . ogee 


Description,—The bark of H. excelsum is very bitter, 
and may be distinguished from that of H. obovatum by its red 
colour and bitterness. The minute structure resembles that of 
the Cinchonas, but the bundles of stone cells are larger, 
spiral and laticiferous vessels also are more numerous, the latt 


from branches about one inch in diameter, . 


Chemical composition.—From an examination of the b 
made by W. A. H. Naylor in 1883, it appears that the - bitt 
principle is not the glucoside eesculin, or its decompositi 
product, zsculetin, but an alkaloidal substance allied to qui- 
noidine, berberine and paricine. From quinoidine it differs 
being optically inactive, and from its double compound ¢ 
taining relatively less platinum. From berberine it differs i 
that it contains a higher percentage of carbon » while its donb 
compound also yields a relatively larger amount of platinun 
From paricine it differs only in the percentage of hydrogen 
gives. Mr. Naylor considers it to be a new alkaloid having | 
composition corresponding to the empirical formula C24H*°N 
and therefore an addition to the small class of bases devoi 
oxygen. Besides Hymenodictyonine, which is the name 
to the new alkaloid, Mr. Naylor has separated a bit 
neutral principle, represented by the formula C27H** 


RUBIACEZ. 195 


hich he thinks may possibly be a decomposition product of : 
rlucoside. 

In a paper read before the Pharmaceutical Society in 1886, 
~ Naylor gave the following account of further experiments 
ade with the alkaloid hymenodictyonine :— 


“On gradually adding a weak solution of iodine in ether to 
an ethereal solution of the alkaloid, the iodine became decolor- 
zed and a deep orange-red precipitate was formed, which 
“quickly agglutinated and presented the appearance of a black 
‘resinous mass. By continuing the addition of iodine until it 
ceased to be decolorized an excess could readily be recognised. 
Nhe resultant varnish-like mass was washed freely with ether, 
nN Which it was but little soluble, and then treated with hot 
Icohol. It was soluble to a considerable extent in cold 


8 of cooling, a crystalline derivative would separate. The 
xpectation was not realized, for the substance that separated 


oment of its formation, but toward the end of the reaction 
several particles began to coalesce. This viscid mass was 
eated precisely as the previous one, and refused to be coaxed 
crystallizing. 

“A third attempt was made by svessipttabing a weak solution 
the alkaloid in ether, with rather less iodine than would be 
uired to produce complete precipitation. The precipitate 
subjected to the same treatment as the previous ones, and 
mbled them in the Sawer se ocka of me separa- 
ons from alcohol, 
» definite form offered by | the varying econ 
ch they were — 


196 RUBIACEZ. 


“ Although, after much labour and thought, I have failed 
to obtain an iodo-derivative in a crystalline form, I do not 


the method last described. That portion of the viscid mass 
which dissolved in a limited quantity of hot alcohol and 
separated out on cooling, gave, in a series of iodine deter- 
minations by combustion with quick lime, the equivalent of 
47°52 per cent. The formula (C*3HN2)2I52HI would require 
47°92 per cent of iodine. Throughout these combustions it was 
observed that a fatty looking substance distilled over, having 
the characteristic odour of naphthaline. From solution in 
alcohol it crystallized in white scales. ‘ 


Several attempts were made to produce a crystalline bromo- | 
derivative, but without success. The flocculent precipitate 
which resulted from the reaction of ethereal solutions of bro- 
mine and alkaloid, after treatment with hot alcohol, gave on 
cooling a granular looking body, which was chiefly remark-_ 
able for the facility with which it parted with a portion of it 
bromine. A stable and definite compound was not obtained. 


silver salt, which was decomposed by sulphuretted hydroget 
Filtration, evaporation, and -snbsequent purification of th 


RUBIACEA. 197 


sidue with alcohol and water, left a feebly coloured acid 
ng the following properties :— 

It was markedly acid to litmus, and had a bitter after-taste. 
dissolved readily in alcohol and water, and was but little 
soluble in ether. It united both with bases and acids. Its 
hydrochloride in aqueous solution when evaporated over 
sulphuric acid assumed an arborescent crystallization; the 


_ plates or prisms. The acid was not precipitated with sulphate 
_ of copper, but gave with nitrate of silver a white gelatinous 
precipitate, which in the moist state became rapidly reduced 
: exposure. Lead acetate gave a white granular precipitate, 
Two determinations of the platinum in the platino-chloride 
dried at 115° C. gave 29-50 per cent. of platinum. The formula . 
(C® H* NO? HCl) 2P+ Cl* requires 29°72 per cent. of platinum, 
nd this is the platino-chloride of a pyridine-monocarboxylie 
id, viz., C° H* N. COOH. Further, the acid, or one of its 
Salts, when distilled with lime, yielded as a product of decom- 
sition a volatile base which possessed the peculiar odour 
and general properties of pyridine, This property of the acid, 
coupled with its behaviour towards reagents, and the per- 
centage of platinum in its platino-chloride, may be accepted 
as trustworthy evidence of its being a carboxylic derivative 
‘Of pyridine. If nitric acid be used in place of potassium 
rmanganate the same acid is obtained. 
It would therefore appear that in common with the rest 
of the non-oxygenated alkaloids hymenodictyonine is con- 
itutionally related to pyridine. 


~OLDENLANDIA CORYMBOSA, Linn. 
_ Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. z., t. 35. 
-Hab.—Throughout India. The herb. ae 
Vernacular.—Daman-papra, Bakra, Pit-pApra (Hind.), Khet- ie 
para, Pit-p4para (Beng.), Khet-papada, Pitpépada, Pari 
far.), Parpadagam (Tam.), Kallasabatra-sige (Can.), 
ella~vemu ( Tel.), Khet-pépra (Guz.). a | 


198 RUBIACEA. 


History, Uses, &c.—This plant, called in Sanskrit — 
Kshetraparpata, or field Parpata, from its frequent occurrence — 
in cultivated fields about the end of the rainy season, is the 
Oldenlandia biflora of Roxburgh and the O. herbacea of De 
Candolle. It is frequently mentioned in Sanskrit medicinal 
works, and is considered a cooling medicine of importance in 
the treatment of fevers supposed to be caused by deranged air 
and bile, that is, remittent fever with gastric irritability and 
nervous depression. The entire plant is prescribed in decoc: 
tion, and is combined with aromatics as in the Panchabhadra, 
which is a decoction of Parpata, Mustaka, Gulancha, Chireta — 
and ginger, of all equal parts, two tolas (360 grains) being 

given for a day’s consumption. a 
-  Rheede, who calls it Parpadagam, notices its use in decoction — 
with aromatics, for spasmodic fever, and also its application a8 
an apozem with sandalwood and honey in the same disease. 1! 
must not be confounded with the Pitpdpra of the Mahometans, 
which is Fumitory, and is distinguished in Sanskrit as Yavanda- 
parpata, or Greek Parpata, or with the various substitutes 
that drug which are in use in India under the name of Pi 
papara, ; 

Description.—An annual, slender herb, glabrous, rarely 
scaberulous, leaves linear or narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, 
margins often recurved, nerveless; peduncles solitary, ee 
flowered, pedicel long, capillary, calyx-teeth subulate, rath 
shorter than the corolla-tube, crown of capsule low. It is 


Leaves from § to 2 by 7; to } in., erect, spreading, or recurved, 
sometimes as broad as in narrow leaved forms of OQ. crystallin; 
stipules small, membranous, irregularly-cut, with a long 

several shorter teeth or bristles. Capsule usually broad didy 
mous, sometimes hemispheric or narrowed below the calyx: 
teeth, base acute or rounded, crown usually not rising above the 
base of the calyx-teeth, at others hemispheric and ap 3 


ing that of O. Heynii. (Fl. Br. India.) 


RUBIACEZ. 199 


hemical composition.—A watery extract of this plant gave 
ured precipitates with alkalies, a green reaction with ferric 
de, none with gelatine or acids, an abundant cream- 

ured precipitate with lead acetate, and afforded indications 


when evaporated to dryness it formed a mass of cubical, 
: eliquescent crystals. A portion of this extract ignited left a 
aline residue consisting of potassium, sodium, and a small 
antity of calcium, mostly existing as chlorides. Noammonia 
detected in the herb, and the alkaloid was shaken out of 
alkaline solution with ether, but had no very characteristic 
tions. The value of the plant as a cooling medicine no 
bt is due to the inorganic salts present.. The dried herb 
an unusually large incombustible residue, arnounting to 
per cent., very soluble in water. 


Ndenlandia umbellata, Linn., Roxb. Cor. Pl. t. 8. 
yroot or Indian Madder. 

slie says :—‘ The small narrow, pale green ‘ete of this 
growing plant the native doctors consider as expectorant, 
prescribe them accordingly ; of the virtues of the root in 
us bites, colds and cutaneous disorders, as mentioned 
ller in his Dictionary, I know nothing. When dried and 
red the leaves are sometimes mixed with flour and made 
kes, which are eaten by such as suffer from consump- 
‘asthmatic affections. The dose of the decoction of the 
is about an ounce twice daily.” The root is long and 
, with a few lateral fibres, and of an orange colour, 
est known as a dyeing material. An account of its use 
‘this purpose in India will be found in Drury’s Useful Plants 
India, 1873, pp. 240 and 470. 


OPHIORRHIZA MUNGOS, Linn, 
ig.—Gairt. Fruct. 4., t. 55. 


D.— Mountains of ie Western Fesitann le and 
The root and plant. 


200 RUBIACEZ. 


Vernacular.—Kiri-purand4n (Y'am.), Sarpashi-chettu (Tel.), 
Rasna, Nékuli (Hind.), Nanjére, Rashme (Can-), “a 
Munguavel (Mar.), Mungusvel, Nakuli (Guz.). 


History, Uses, &c.—This plant is described in oulgil 
krit in the following terms :— 
Nakuli, Surasa, Rasné, Sugandha, Gandhanakuli, 
Nakuleshta, Bhujangakshi, Chhatrica, Suvaha, Nava. 
The fifth and sixth synonyms signify that its odour is agree-_ 
able to the Ndkula, and the seventh that it is offensive to 
snakes. 


It was first brought to the notice of Europeans re Garcia. 
Keempfer, who calls the root Radia Mungo (Amen. 573 and 
577), says of it;—‘ Radix est, plantee Malaicé Ham: 
Tanab, id est, Fel terre dicta, 4 sapore amarissimo omnium feré 

tium, presertim radicis, que intensam bilis amarl 
exhibit, Lusitanis ibidem Raiz sen radix Mungo “pp 
mustela quadam seu viverra, Indis Mungutia, Lusitanis ibidem 
Mungo, Batavis Muncus. Garciz ab Hort, (Ar. Hist, L.t., & 
Quil et Quirpele appellata, que radicem monstrasse, et us 
ejus pro alexipharmico prima mortalibus prodidisse creditur: 
Est mustele huic is genius, ut serpentem naturali odio 
sequatur; et velut glirem catus invadat, Tradunt igitur, 
contingat morderi muncum, serpentis astutia roboreve Vi 
relicto hoste, pro alexipharmaco hanc radicem quzrere, et 
ejus illico restitutum, certamen redintegrare. Sit fides 
penes indigenas. Hoc tantum de mustela hac exploratum 
habeo, morsam 4 vipera, vel luctu fatigatum, dimisso victor 
ex paleostra in campum excurrere et obvias depascere herbaru 
radiculas, mox pastu, ut opinor refectam, rursus comparere 
certamen, cum hoste, si adsit, redauspicandum. » Kempfer 
also says that the plant to his knowledge grows in Java 
Ceylon, and Sumatra, is a foot or more in height, and nob 
unlike the lesser Centaury. It has a single root, a Bee 
length and as thick as the finger, much contorted, wit 
_ rough, brown, closely-adhering corky bark, and a hard, W 
fragile w ce column 5 it has a bitter taste like Gentian | 


RUBIACE 2. 201 


delicate and agreeable. (Op. cit., p. 577.) The sup- 
d alexipharmic properties of this plant have long since 
on time but it appears to be an agreeable copra 


_ hard and woody, bark light brown and corky; leaves opposite, 
3 elliptic-lanceolate, acuminated at both ends, glabrous, very 
- thin, unequal in size, 2—-5 by 1—24 in. , calyx-tube turbinate, 
mb 5-cleft ; covollatube snfundibaliform, short, hairy within, 
mb 5- bias stamens enclosed ; capsule compressed, crowned 
ith the calycine segments, 2-celled, 2-valved; seeds 
umerous, somewhat hexagonal; cymes peduncled, terminal, 


hese Mempler's description SDpaets more Pug to 


Chemical composition. —A decoction of ‘the an vine 
Starch but no astringent matter, An alcoholic extract evapo- 


ents, but showed no disposition to crystallize on gentle eva- 


Bescriptiot small shrubby plant, 1 to 14 foot; stems 


Benched ; flowers nearly sessile, white. The root consists of 


ation of these solutions. The filtrate from the. resin was : 


a ¥ 


202 RUBIACE, 


MUSSAZNDA FRONDOSA, Linn. 
Fig.—Wight Ill. t. 124; Rheede Hort. Mal. ti., t. 18, 


Hab.—Tropical Himalaya, Western Peninsula. Leaves, . 


fruit, flowers and root. 


Vernacular.—Bebina, Sribar (Hind.), Srivadi (Mal.), Vella- 
ellay (Tam.), Srivar, Srivardoli, Bhétkes, Lavasat (Mar.), Asari 
(Nipal). 


History, Uses, &c.—This is a well-known scandent 
shrub, and easily recognised by its orange-coloured flowers, which | 
contrast prettily with the white calycine leaf, making it a very 
remarkable object. All the flowers do not produce this leaf-like - 
-sepal, but two or three in each corymb, and occasionally two 
sepals are thus developed. M. frondosa is called Srivati in 
Sanskrit, and is a favourite of the goddess of fortune, from its 
bearing the white mark of Vishnu or Krishna; another name 
for it is Nagavalli. Among the Tamil people it is called the 
*‘white-rag plant.” The flowers are used in country places to n 
make the garland which is tied over the doorway on festive 
occasions. The rootin 80-grain doses is given with cow’s urine 
as a remedy for jaundice (pandu-roga), or two tolas (360 grains) 
of the white leaves may be given in milk. The juice of the 
leaves and fruit, which is very mucilaginous, is used as an eye 
wash. Rheede says:—The root in decoction expels phlegm, 
externally applied it is cooling, boiled in oil it cures aphthe. 
According to Loureiro, the flowers aro attenuant and diuretic, 
and are used in cough, asthma, ague, and flatulence; exter 
nally applied they clean foul ulcers, and cure skin eruptions. 
In Mauritius a species of Mussanda is called * wild cinchona” 
and is ased as a tonic. 


Chemical composition.—A_ bitter principle, having the 
peculiarities of a glucoside, pervades all parts of this plant- 
It was soluble in water and rectified spirit, afforded a reddish 
brown colour with sulphuric acid, passing from a fine red 
to a purple, and was not preeipitated by alkaloidal reagents | 
or by tannin. Evaporated with an excess of hydrochlori¢ 


RUBIACE®. 903 


id, the purple colour was developed, and boiled with the 
, the bitterness of the solution was reduced, a brown 
composition product separated, and the filtrate readily 


acrid, and the glucoside was not obtained in crystals. The 


the plant contained a yellow colouring matter related to the 
_quercitrin group, and a colouring matter of the nature of an — 
organic acid was present in the alcoholic extracts, precipitated 
by acids, and redissolving with the formation of an orange 
colour in alkalies. 


A proximate analysis was made of the white calycine leaves, 
the fruits, the green leaves, and the mixed stem and root barks. 
On comparing these results, there is seen to be a correspon- 
dence on the one hand between the composition of the calycine 
aves and fruits, and on the other hand between that of the ~ 
green leaves and bark,—resnlts which might naturally be 


 Calycine Fruit. Leaves. Bark. 


leaves 
Ether extract ajccuccuury ee Oe ou. fot 
Alcohohis , soccer BOt eto Uk are 
Aqueois ~ %,..... hectare es 1 1SS 5 FS 
Crude fibre 32°4 33:2 383 39:3 


Albumen, &c. by difference15"1 85 164 70 
Ash ~ (ou. 30 , ALS ie 


1000 1000 1000 1000 

The bark contained the largest quantity of ether-soluble 
in, which was yellow, opaque, tasteless and very tenacious, 
nthe leaves the resin was associated with a fat, and in the 


The fruits and calycine leaves : : 


204  RUBIACE A. 


albuminous matter was most ‘abundant in the expanded parts 
of the plant. | 

The fruits were specially examined for alkaloids, but with — 
negative results; they were much more bitter and acrid than 
the leaves, and would not be acceptable as an article of diet. 
Notice has recently been taken of an article called “ Musseenda E 
coffee” found in the isle of Réunion; but an investigation of — 

the subject proved that the fruits and seeds were those of 
 Gertnera vaginata, a loganiaccous plant, and that chemically ~ 
they were destitute of an alkaloid... (Kew Bulletin, December 
- 1889). 


RANDIA DUMETORUM, Lam. 


Fig.—Lam. Til. t. 156, f.4; Wight Te. t..580 ; Fowb. Cor. Pl, 
622865 | 


-Hab.— Throughout India. The fruit. 


Vernacular.— Mainphal, Mindhla, Pinda (Hind.), Mindha 
- (Guz.), Gela, Gelaphal, Peralu (Mar.), Menphal (Beng.), Meee 
kallén-kai (Tam.), Mangfre-bongére (Can.). 


History, Uses, &c.—Mainphal is described by Sans 
krit writers under the name of Madana as pungent and dry, 
and beneficial in leprosy and phlegmatic swellings, the best © 
safest of emetics; one ripe fruit is said to be a sufficient dose 5 
emesis is generally promoted by a drink containing bitters 
and aromatics. It is indispensable at the marriage ceremonies - 
of the Taisya caste, being tied upon the wrists of both bride 
and bridegroom along with the fruit of Helicteres Isora. The 
Mahometan physicians of India have adopted it as a substi- 
tute for the Jouz-el-kai of tho Arabs ; they describe it as aa 
emetic which expels bile and phlegm, at the same time acting 
as an aperient; it should be administered in combination with 

aromatics and honey. Ainslie says :—*‘ The Vytians consider it 
‘amongst their best emetics, and prescribe it in the quantity of 
about one pagoda weight. It is given commonly in the i of 
powder, the whole nut, seeds ineluded, being powdered.” A? 
‘infusion of the bark ‘of the root is nninstore, to nauscate : 


RUBIACE®. 805 


Jeomplaints. Roxburghin his Coromandel Plants observes 
he nut bruised and thrown into pools where there are 
intoxieates them, in the same way that Coceulus Indieus 
. This practice may be observed in the Concan, where the 
t is well-known asa fish-poison, and is also mixed with 
rn tv preserve it from insects. Mr. Moidin Sheriff, in his 
upplement to the Pharmacopeeia of India, says:—“ It is cer- 
inly not a good emetic if used as is generally done by powder- 
ng the whole nut. The thick shell and the numerous hard 
eds are not emetic at all; indeed, if anything they are slightly 
itant; only the dry pulp or mucus, which is the least part of 
the nut, possesses emetic and nauseant properties. The contents 
two to three nuts are generally a sufficient dose; they 
ould be bruised, macerated for ten or fifteen minutes in 


the administration of warm water. The ejected matter 
ins a large quantity of frothy mucus.” Mr. Sheriff has 
d the drug a good substitute for Ipecacianha in dysentery. 
recommends the powdered pulp as the most convenient 
for administration. Dose, 40 grains as an emetic; 
to 30 grains in dysentery,. according to the. severity of the 
ase, In colic the fruit is rabbed to a paste with rice water 
d applied over the navel. 
escription.—The dried fruit is about the size of a crab 
ple, globular or oval, reddish brown, crowned with the 
of the calyx, and ina fresh state has a strong odour of 
cently tanned leather. It consists of a pericarp and shell, 
hich contains the seeds embedded in pulp. The shell is hard 
md thick, 2-celled, the dividing septum being thin and mem-— 
amous. The pulp is grey, and has a nauseous taste and smell. 
seeds are small and oblong, about 1} lines in length; — 
ily flattened, very hard: and of a brown colour, and 108 


206 RUBIACEZ. 


Microscopie structure.—The greyish pulp surrounding the 
seeds is composed of large oval cells containing a little gra- 
nular matter. The pulp of the pericarp is remarkable for 
numerous large reddish-brown stony cells. The epidermis i 
formed of tessalated cells of irregular size and shape. The 
albumen of the seeds is horny and translucent. 

Chemical composition.—The active principle of the fruits is 
saponin, which forms a large proportion of the pulp surrounding 
the seeds. The fresh pulp was mixed with water and the juice 
expressed ; the filtered liquor had the following properties :—Ié 
was acid in reaction and very frothy, it gave opaque white 
precipitates with diluted mineral acids, a greenish colour and 
transparent jelly with ferric chloride, a yellow colour with caustic 
soda, noreaction with iodine, and ipitate with two vi 
of rectified spirit. Acetate of lead caused sucha thick mixture 
as to allow. the vessel to be inverted without the contents flow- 
ing out. A measured quantity of the solution, represent 
a weighed quantity of the dried pulp, was boiled for one hour 
with dilute HCl, after which the insoluble sapogenin was 


filtrate. Calculations from these results showed that the pul 
contained about one-third its weight of saponin, and that on 
an average about four grains of this principle existed in each 
fenthsy <5; : ee. 
An extract was also obtained by exhausting the pulp wit 
hot spirit and evaporating tke united liquors to dryness. This” 
extract was soluble in water, except a little waxy matter, and 
the solution was acid and frothy. It gave a green coloration 
with ferric chloride, turning red with ammonia, yellow pre- 
cipitates with barium hydrate and the acetates of lead, a red 
colour with caustic soda, and negative reactions with gelatine 
and iodine solutions and alkaloidal tests, This solution gave 
a precipitate when boiled with dilute acid, and showed an 
increase in glucose corresponding with that obtained in # 
decomposition of saponin, Evaporated. portions of the 
tion eae a purple colour in contact with strong sulp 
ric acid, : Pt Se es 


wt 


RUBIACEZ. 207 


| pericarp contained some of the principles Sisinibak to 
sup, such as saponin, wax, resin and colouring matter, 
addition a volatile odorous body of the nature of a 
ble fatty acid, which was obtained by distillation and 
med soluble salts with silver and barium. A portion of the 
: distillate was neutralized with caustic soda, and carefully eva- 
rated to dryness. The residue was crystalline, deliquescent, 
uble in rectified spirit, and sweetish to the taste; treated 


s acid no doubt existed in the pericarps of the fresh fruits 
a free state. . 

The unripe fruits of Randia uliginosa, DC., Wight Ie. 
897, are astringent ; roasted in hot ashes they are used as a 


cooked and eaten asa vegetable. They are ofa yellow 
ur, and have the appearance ofa small pear. ‘The struc- 
of the fruit is similar to that of R. dumetorum. It is 
ed Pind4élu or Pedalu in Hindi, Pinglu in Guzarathi, Chu- 
alu or Piralu in Bengali, Pendhéri Pendhru or Péndhar in 
athi, Nalaika in Telugu, Wagata in Tamil, Karé in Cana- 
», and Pindélu or Pinddluka in Sanskrit; and is described 
; sweet, cooling, and diuretic. 


GARDENIA GUMMIFERA, Liu. f. 
Fig,—Thunbd. diss. Gard., t. 2, f. 3. 


-Hab.—-Western Peninsula, Chittagong, Burma. The resin~ 
exudation. 

Vernacular.—Dikamili (Hind., Gua. ), Dikémali (Mar., Can.), 
umbai, Dikamali (Tam.), Tella-manga, Chiaka-ringuva (Tel. ). 


History, Uses, &c.—This remarkable substance is 

posed to be the Nadi-hingu, Hingu-n4dika or Pindahva of . 
krit writers, and is used by the Hindus in fever, as 

ulence, and chronic skin diseases. In veterinary p 

nh used to keep flies from sores, pare St 

have used it to expel round wo: 


_ from the amorphous greenish yellow resin, which forms by 


208 : RUBIACEHL. 


G. lucida yields a similar exudation, and ee states that — 
the fruit of (. campanulata is used as a cathartic and anthel: 
mintic, and to remove stains from silk. In the Concan, the 
root of G. florida, rubbed into a paste with water, is applied to 
the top of the head as a remedy for headache during preg- 
nancy, and is also given internally in hysteria, alone, or com- 
bined with Bharangi (Clerodendron serratum). 


Description.-—Commercial Dikamali occurs in the form 
of irregular flat cakes, of a dull olive green colour, more or — 
less mixed with bark, sticks, and the leaf-buds of the plant. 
The odour is peculiar and offensive, like that of cat’s urine. 
The resinous exudation, if carefully collected from the leaf- 
buds, is transparent and of a bright golden yellow ; it dissolves 
rapidly in rectified spirit, forming a solution of the colour of 
pale sherry, which, when poured into water, forms a delica 
primrose-coloured emulsion. This after standing for 24 hour: s 
deposits a portion of the resin in an opaque condition, and 
the colour of precipitated sulphur, but not in sufficient quan- 
tity to eects affect the colour or SAS of the emnlial, . 


XCVIII., 316), but the amount of gardenin obtained at that 
time was insufficient for a- satisfactory analysis. Stenhouse 
and Groves operating with a larger quantity of the resin found 
_ that the best method of-obtaining the crude gardenin was. bo, 
boil the resin with alcohol, filter the solution to separate t 
insoluble residue, consisting chiefly of small fragments ( of 
bark and wood, and allow it to cool. It then deposited almos 
the whole of the gardonin in slender pale yellow needless 
which were collected and washed with cold spirit, to free them: 


. _ the larger portion of Dikaméli gum. ‘These needles, howeve 
even after Sire crystallizations: from ‘aleohol,: v were found 0. 
be still i impure, 


RUBIACEH. 209 


low-melting point, somewhat resembling a fat in appear- 
After repeated trials in various ways, it was found that 
3 impurity might be removed by means of light petroleum. 
oiling saturated solution of the gardenin in alcohol was 
allowed to cool, and the almost pasty mass of crystals was 
agitated with light petroleum at a temperature of about 30°, 
the clear liquid poured off, and the residue again agitated with 
petroleum, repeating the operation several times, The ‘gar- 
denin was finally purified by alternate crystallization from hot 
benzine in which it is readily soluble, and from alcohol. 


When pure, gardenin forms brilliant deep yellow crystals, 

which melt at 163° to 164°. Dried at 100°, and burnt in a 

current of oxygen, it gave the following results:— ‘ 

I. 0:249 gram. of substance gave 0°567 gram. carbonic 

anhydride, and 0-119 gram. of water. age 

I. 0-202 gram. of substance gave 0°457 gram. carbonic 

ydride, and 0-102 gram. of water. ee 
‘Theory J. . Mean. Fliickiger. = 

| 60 61°86 62°12 61°70 61:91 59°47 

eS 516 631° 860 545° 671 
92° OB as OR aa eae ieee 


97 - 100-00 
Flickiger’s numbers do not agree with these, but as the 
pecimen he analysed had merely been purified by repeated 
-ystallization from spirit, it is not impossible that it was con- — 
minated with traces of the colourless fatty substance men- 
ned above. This is rendered very probable by the much 
lower melting point (155°) which he obtained. It was stated 

n the earlier paper (Stenhouse loc. ctt.), that when gardenia — 
digested with concentrated nitric acid, itis rapidly decom- 

ed, picric acid, but no oxalic acid, being produced. On 
eating the experiment, however, this statement was found = 
be incorrect ; gardenin when boiled with nitric acid, dis- aoe 
with evolution of nitrous fumes, forming: a yellow 
ion, which on evaporation leaves a yellowish "esi 


, on careful 


210 RUBIACEA: 


trinitrophenol. It was noticed in making this experiment, — 
that at the moment the gardenin came in- contact with the 
nitric acid, it assumed a brilliant crimson colour before dis- 
solving. The attempts made to isolate the red substance thus — 
formed were ultimately successful; one part of gardenin was 
dissolved in about thirty times its weight of boiling glacial 
acetic acid, and after being rapidly cooled two parts of nitric — 
acid of sp. gr. 1°45 were added to the clear solution. In a 
few seconds hair-like crimson needles began to form, very 
different in appearance from gardenin. At the expiration of | 
five minates, the mixture, which was kept cold, had solidified 
toa pulp of needles. It was then mixed with about 150 parts 
of cold water, and the gelatinous precipitate collected after — x 
it had stood a few minutes. The pasty red mass, after being — 
well washed, was pressed into a cake and dried. Gardenin 
yields nearly 90 per cent. of its weight of this substance, which 
is insoluble in water and dilute avids, but readily soluble in 
alkaline solutions, and reprecipitated on the addition of an 
acid. It has been provisionally named gardenic acid. It is 


spirit, in which it is but very slightly soluble, and crystalliz- 
ation from glacial acetic acid, it was found to melt at about 
236°. (Phar. Jour. and Trans., July 21st, 1877.) = 


Commerce.—Dikaméli is collected by hand, the leaf bud with 
the drop of resin attached to it being broken off. It is some- 
times made into circular cakes of about a pound weight; @ 
other times it occurs in large irregular masses, often very 
impure. Value, Rs. 8-12 per maund of 37% lbs. 


a small thorny shrub 
of the Western Peninsula and Ceylon, called Kirnt in Marat 


leave | is prescribed in 
stages of flux, and the last is supposed to have anthelmi 
qualities, though neither have much sensible taste ors) 

 . Mat. Ind. ti., 63.) ‘This shrub is best known for its 


RUBIACRA). 211 


it, which: is an obovate ‘eunngpiesaed drupe of a reddish- 
Brown colour about the size of a horse bean : ; it is sweet, and 
contains two seeds.. 


Canthium didymum, Rowb. Mallea, Varsangi (Mar. 
Naum-pdpala (Tel.), has leaves which smell like coriander. 
The pounded bark is applied by the natives to fractures.: 
These plants have really little, if any, medicinal qualities. 


Vangueria spinosa, Rozb., is the. Pinda and Pindi- 
E taka of Sanskrit writers, who. consider the fruit to be 
medicinal, and describe it as strengthening, cooling, and an 
expellant of phlegm and bile. It is a small tree or large bush, 
_ ¢ommon in many parts of India, from Northern Bengal to 
_ Canara, which bears.cymes of greenish flowers ; the fruit is a 
a drupe, the size of a cherry, of a yellow colour when ripe, sub- 
globose or turbinate, smooth and fleshy, pyrenes 4 to 5, woody, 
smooth, 


F Mayna (Beng.), Pedda-manga (Tam.), Vadanike, Chega- b- 2 
(Tel.), Chircholi, Madanvriksh (Mar.), Maggare- “aide Care ae: 


PAVETTA INDICA, Linn. 

Fig.— Rheede Hort. Mal. v., t. 10; Wight Ic., t. 148. 
Hab.— Throughout India. The root and leaves. 
Vernacular.—Kukura-chura (Beng.), Papari, Kankra (Hind.), 
Pavuttay-vayr (Tam.), Péputta-vayroo (Fel.}, oe (Mar.), 
_ Pappadi (Can.). 

History, Uses, &c.—This shrub, which is common 
on hilly ground, is called P4pata and Tiryakphala in Sanskrit. 
It is the Malleamothe of Rheede, who says that the leaves are 


used as manure, and a decoction of them as 8 fomtntatiie, and 
that the root with ginger is given in dewey Ainslie says i— 


The vernacular names are Pundrika, Pinditak (Hind.), es 


212 _ RUBIACER. 


tion; given in powder to children, the dose is about a drachm 
or more. 


Description.—The root is crooked, from inch tofinch 
ix diameter. The bark is grey, with a hight brown papery epi- 
dermis, and seems to be the most active part. It has a sweetish 
aromatic taste followed by a bitterness, A section placed under — 
the miscroscope shows large laticiferous vessels, containing 4 
greenish latex, and a parenchymatous structure containing many 
small starch granules. It is not an article of commerce. 

Chemical composition —The powder gave off a pleasant odour 
when boiled with water, and a greenish resinous scum separated 
on the surface of the liquid. The decoction showed the pre- 
sence of starch, the absence of tannin, and contained a coloured 
_ organic acid. Aloohol removed the active bitter principle of 


dont i Fa ee a’ 


inactivity and its greater solubility in water. 
IXORA COCCINEA, Linn. . 
__ Fig.—Wight Ic, t. 153 ; Bot, Reg. 513 and 154, Jungle 
Geranium (Zng.). ‘a 
_ Hab.—Western Peninsula. Cultivated elsewhere. : 


gu! (Mar.), Vitchie (Tam.). gir rede weaker 


RUBIACE&. 213 
ory, Uses, &c.—The shrub is sacred to Shiva, 


a 
ived from that of a Malabar idol. The Sanskrit word 
a which signifies god, and especially Shiva, would be 


r that god. In Southern and Western India the Hindus, 
strine of Si ceiran: as a remedy for dysentery. In the 


umin and nagkesar (cinnamon buds), and made into a 
s with butter and sugar-candy. In Southern India they 
) given with tyre or goat’s milk. Rheede notices the use 
2 root in fever and gonorrhoea, also its external applica- 
in headache, and to boils, with or without cocoanut milk, 
root was brought to the notice of the profession a few 
ago-as a remedy for dysentery by a medical man in 
, bat Dr. F. Willis reports :—‘“‘I tried it in many cases, 
y ina small number did I find it of any benefit, one 
@ only was cured without other drugs; it is, however, a very 
stomachic tonic, useful in cases of debility of that organ, 
that I think is its proper place in therapeutics.” 


Scription.—Root branched, } inch or more in dia- 
bark thick, smooth, brown, marked with small warty 
ences, it exudes a yellow juice when cut; wood hard, 
Commencing from 


214 RUBIACE 2. 


liquid, the aqueous solution of which was very acid and had an 
odour of butyric acid. A tincture of the root was red in colour, — 
astringent to the taste, and very acid in reaction. Evaporated — 
to dryness and heated with water, the solution gave evidence — 
of a tannin by giving a green precipitate with ferric chloride, 
pinkish with gelatine and bulky brown with iodine. The in 
soluble portion yielded to petroleum spirit one or more fatty — 
acids, liquid at 20° C., and the red precipitate insoluble in 
this medium was eelubio in spirit and soda solution, and con-— 
sisted of oxidized tannin. A white erystalline substance was 

associated with the tannin in the aqueous solution of the 
alcoholic extract, and gradually formed in small quantity whe 
the evaporated solution was set aside for a few days. The 
flowers have the delicate odour of cinchona flowers, and ¢ 


The aqueous solatioy is ‘einclechied by ferric chlomaiau precip 
tated by gelatine, destroyed in brilliancy by fixed silabead a 
restored by acids. Ammonia renders the solution dichromatic, 
and lead acetate throws down the colouring matter 
greenish blue precipitate, containing 32:9 per cent. of oxide 
Ether removes a wax and a yellow colouring matter related t 
quercitrin. Alcohol and water respectively remove from 
drag the same amount of extract, namely, 30 per cent., con 
ing largely of saccharine matter. The astringent colo 
matter occurred to the extent of 5°7 per cent., and the pap 
used in filtering the solutions retained a small quantity of 
colour, which changed to blue by exposure to the air, and 
paper acted as litmus in turning red with the least trace 
acid. The ash was 6:4 per cent. | 
The flowers of Ixora parviflora, Vahl., the Torch | 
pounded in milk, are given for whooping congh, and at th 
same time a necklace of the flowers is worn. This ever; 
shrub or small tree is common in many parts of ince and 
Dak (Post office) runners make torches of it. The v 
names are Kotha-zandhal (Hind.), = Pow: ) : 


al 


RUBIACEE - O15 


Maikadi (Mar. ), eatities (Can.), Shulundu-kora (Tam.), 
chipadel ( 7'el.). 


COFFEA ARABICA, Linn. 


Fig. — Bot. Mag,, t. 1303; Bentl. and Trim. 144. Coffee 
bush (Hng.), Cafeier (F’r.). 


_ Hab.—Africa. Cultivated elsewhere. The seeds: 
_  Vernacwlar.—Kahvah (Arab., Ind. Bazars). Corruptions of 
a the English name are now in general use among the natives. 


History, Uses, &c.—The plant is a native of tropical 
x Africa; it grows gregariously in woods at an elevation of 1,000 
E to 2, 000 feet or more. It is common in Abyssinia, whence it 
_ was introduced into Arabia by the Arabs, and through them 
3 the seeds became known to the Persians and Turks, The date 
4 of the introduction of coffee into Arabia is uncertain, the. first 
™ Arabian writer who mentions bunn (coffee berries) is Firuza- — 
 badi in the Kémus, which work was, according to the original 
_ copy, written by himself, completed A-H. 768 (A.D. 1366). 
He describes bunn as a certain thing which is taken like the 
condiments termed cs »# (murriye). —Ibn-es-Simani says, “It 
Pi is a thing reckoned among what are termed ere (kawamikh) 
which signifies the same as Murriye. The physician Dawood, 
says: “ [t is the produce of a certain tree in El Yemen, which 
grows to the height of about three cubits, ona stem of the 
thickness of the thumb, and has a white flower, which is suc- 
ceeded by a berry, like the hazel nut ; sometimes it is cut like 
: beans ; and sometimes, when it is avented of its covering, it 
s ae into two halves: it has been proved to be good for 
: alleviating humidities and cough and phlegm and defluxions, 
and for opening obstructions, and causing a flow of the urine: 


Looe 


boiled in water), it is now commonly known by the name of 
8943 (kahvah).” (Lane, in Madd-el-Kamus.) Kahvah in Arabic 
signifies ‘wine’ or ‘that which causes apa and, befor 
coffee was known to the Arabs, was applied to some other st 
2 drink ee kat), which aad were in 


when roasted (and pounded or ground) and well cooked (i.¢., | : 


216 RUBIACE#. 


using. Coffee is not mentiotied by Haji Zein-el-Attér, w 
wrote in A.D. 1868 ; consequently, it cannot have been kno 
in Persia at that date. Though coffee was known to the Ara 
aS a medicine in the 14th century, coffee-drinking does 2 


century, when, according to some authorities, Jamal-ed-deen 

Abu Abdulla Muhammad bin Said-ed-Dubéni, Kadi of Aden, 
returning from Abyssinia, where the practice is said to have 
existed from a very early date, introduced it at Aden, whence 


on the mountains of Yemen, being much worn out by fe 
and constant vigils, accidentally ate some of the berries of 
coffee bush, and finding them very refreshing, told the Ny 
of their discovery, upon which he ordered them to use a decd 
tion of the fruit as a drink. When first introduced the pra 
of coffee-drinking met with much opposition both in A 
and Persia, and its use was prohibited by some of the M 
metan law doctors. A Persian rhymster says of it: Ae 

Snel BT ALU 5 6 UT aile + Cao! B58 I eUS 5) Aww! 
_ t.e.—That black-faced drink called coffee is the preventer 
sleep and destroyer of manhood. On the other hand 
admirers were not silent, as will be seen from the follo 
lines :— = 
Soop, baelasy ole plyf + das Uns 5133 oy, top cme! 
ew ola ghl& Rat eh os Le lilye glia! oy 


It ministers to the pleasures of the youth of Persia, 
And alleviates the Pangs of decrepid old age. 


came and took up his 
Nugger division, named 
him, and where he established a college, which still 
endowed by the Government. It is said that he brough 


RUBIACEA. 217 


coffee berries from Mocha, which he planted near his hermit- 
age, about which are now to be seen some very old coffee 
lants. (Drury.). 
_ Coffee-drinking was introduced into India by the Persian 
Bieter, but its use appears to have been confined for a long 
time to the entourage of the Moghal Court, as Linschoten, 
who was in India from 1576 to 1590, does not mention the 
berry among the articles of trade found in the Portuguese 
Settlements in the Hast. Rauwolffis the first European writer 
who notices it, having observed its use at Aleppo in 1573. In 
1592, Prosper Alpinus published a figure and description of 
_ the plant froma cultivated specimen he saw in a garden in 
_ Egypt. For some time after this, Cahué, Coffa, or Kauhi as it 
is written in an Arabic and English pamphlet printed at 
Oxford in 1659, appears to have been known by name only 
to the learned in Europe, as Burton in his Anatomy of Melan- 
_ choly, which was published in 1621, says, “The Turks have a 
_ drink called coffee (for they use no wine), so named of a 
berry as black as soot, and as bitter (like the black drink 
which was in use amongst the Lacedwmonians, and perhaps 
_ the same), we they sip still of, and sup as warm as they 
can suffer,’’ . 
Coffee-drinking began to be practised in Western Europe by — 
Turkey merchants in 1650, and in 1652 it was introduced into 
London, when one Pasqua Rosee, the Greek servant of a Turkey 
merchant named Edwards, opened a house to sell it publicly in 
St. Michael’s Alley, Cornhill. There appears tohave been much 
prejudice for a long time against the Turkish berry as black as 
soot and as bitter, as in 1663 a a satire, entitled “A Cup 
pet oe or Coffee in its colours,” appeared, in which it is stigma~ 
tized as— 


A loathsome potion, not yet understood, 
Syrop of soot, or essence of old eo 
Dasht — diurnals and the book of ne 


218 RUBIACEZ. 


Charlotte Elizabeth from Marly to her step-sister in Germany : 
~**T am grieved to learn, dear Louise, that you have taken to 
coffee ; nothing is so unhealthy, and I see many here who have 


had to give it up because of the diseases it has brought upon : 
them. The princess of Hanan died of it in frightful sufferings. __ 


After her death they found the coffee in her stomach, where 
it had caused several ulcers. Let this then be a warning 
to you.” 


Coffee is cultivated by the Arabs in the lower valleys of the 


mountains of Yemen, the plant is watered regularly morning 


and evening, and takes three years to arrive at maturity, when 


it forms a shrub from 7 to 11 feet in height. A good bush of 


Oudanee coffee produces 28 Ibs. yearly. The beans are 


brought in December and January to Sanaa, from the sur-_ 


rounding districts. They are divided into seven classes, a8 
sherjee, the best ; oudanee, the largest, &c. From Sanaa they 
are carried to Mocha and Hodeida. The people of Sanaa never 
use the coffee bean, but employ the husk, which they call 


'“ Khishr,” and which is prepared in the same manner; they 
say that the bean is too heating, but that kishr is an infal- — 


lible remedy for all disorders. (0. J. Cruttenden, Trans. Bom. 


Geograph Soc. ti., 45, 1836.) Cruttenden notices the difficulty 


experienced by the merchants in forwarding their coffee to 
ocha, owing to the Turks having taken possession of the 


Tehama, and shortly afterwards we find that the trade was to — 


a great extent transferred to Aden, 
The Dutch were the first European people to grow the 


plant at the end of the 17th century at Batavia from Arabian — 
seeds. In 1690 one of these was sent to Witsen at Amsterdam, — 


and the plant soon became known in European gardens. The 


Dutch also imported the plant into the New World, the first 


coffee being grown at Surinam in 17 18, whence in 1725 it was 


secretly carried to Cayenne by the French. Its introduction 
into the West Indies appears to be due to a French naval — 
officer, who in 1720 or 1723 brought the plant to Martinique. — 

At the present time coffee is cultivated in nearly all. tropical : 


and subtropical countries. The berries of some other species 


Me 


ee Sir ay be copes ei 


Waste tee "= bier ie ta bas?) o—- x8 


RUBIACE:. 219 


l, especially those of C. liberica, Hiern., from the West 
f Africa. Itis a larger and more robust plant, and 
es at a lower elevation than O, arabica; its berries 
larger. Coffee leaves are preferred by the natives of 
tra to the berries; with boiling water they afford a 
wsparent, brown infusion, which when made sufficiently 
strong is by no means unpalatable. For fnll particulars, see 
Hanbury Science Papers, p. 84. 
Coffee is prepared in the East from the freshly-roasted berries 
hed in a mortar and boiled in water; as soon as the water 
“boils the decoction is ready for use and is taken without sugar 
or milk in small cups (finjan) about the size of a large egg 


mtains therefore hardly any of the caffeine, and its virtues 
t entirely depend upon the aromatic products produced 
ng the process of roasting. Coffee prepared in this manner 
a rapid process of infusion produces mental exhilaration, 
eal activity, and wakefulness. Jomand says, ‘‘ One hun- 
and twenty grams of powdered coffee and 3 litres of an 
on made with 200 grams of different kinds of coffee 

bled me to live for five consecutive days without lennengne. we 


r- 


ordinary occupations, and to usé more and more prolonge | 
cular exercise than I was accustomed to, without any other 
cal injury than a slight degree of fatigue and a little loss 
.” It appears to us highly probable that all the effects. 
ch are stated to be produced by the use of Kola seeds 
Lalso be induced by the consumption of coffee berries. 
r parative experiments are certainly worth trying. 

been proved by experiment that under the influence of _ 
‘theamount of blood circulating inthe brain isreduced, but = 


ebral congestion and drowsiness, it is this con- 
atly which coffee corrects by contracting the blood 
ount of blood in the brain. Co 


ed 


220 RUBIACEZ, 


secretion of bile, and by augmenting the peristaltic action of the 
intestine, promotes defecation; but if taken in excess, it para- 
_ lyzes the digestive function, a causes venous congestion of th 
liver, constipation and hemorrhoids. Coffee is often a useful 
stimulant in asthma, narcotism, delirium tremens, and du 
convalescence. Experiments upon animals have shown t 
coffee and caffeine are direct physiological antidotes to morph 
Coffee and caffeine have been used as diuretics in dropsy. 
von Schroeder of Strasburg, from experiments which he 
made, arrives at the conclusion that caffeine acts powerfully ant 


centres as to diminish the urinary secretion. 
eliminate the action of the vaso-motor centres upon the s 


by means of chloral hydrate. The result was a marked lo 
ing of blood tension. A rabbit of two kilos weight was 
tised with chloral, and canulas introduced into the ure 
Within 70 minutes 50 centigrams of caffeine was injected 
three separate operations into the veins, The quant 
of urine secreted during this time was about eleven tim 
greater than under normal conditions. Here the 
appeared to act directly upon the renal epithelium. To ¢ 
strate this more clearly, Schroeder cut the nerves of 
kidney, leaving those of the other intact. All vaso 

influence over one kidney was thus prevented, while to 
serve it intact over the otlrer, the animal was narcotised 
morphia before the experiment. When caffeine was” 
introduced into the blood of the rabbit, there was & 
greater urinary secretion from the kidney, the nerves of 
had been divided, than from the other. 


excitation of the nerve centres like strychnia, and stim 

of the secretory elements of the kidney, the latter being 
| completely neutralised by the former. Schroo 

this double action of. — to that of 


RUBIACEZ:. 29] 


es of these alkaloids are sufficient to cause a specific 
He considers that the action of caffeine demon- 


simple filter. (Nouveaue Remédes, Mars 24, 1887.) 
illustrate the toxical effects of coffee, the following 
amples may suffice: Fifty minutes after ‘taking a drachm 
itrate of caffeine a burning sensation in the throat was 
ee ned of, and giddiness with vomiting, purging, and 
abdominal pain. General paresis with tremor ensued, followed 
vollapse, but the mind remained clear (Routh, Practitioner, 
x1., 48). Fort took an infusion of eight ounces of coffee in 
: t of water in the course of a day. The pulse rose to 
sleep was impossible, muscular Spasms occurred all over 
dy, and were very painful in the extremities, chest, and - 
The tongue was dry, there was nausea with fre- 
f liquid stools, and the pulse ranged from 110 to. 
and was intermittent. The next day there was headache 
anorexia. (Bull. de Thérap., civ. 850.) The experiments 
eritz upon cultivations of various bacteria (Berl. Klin. 
schr.,1890,) show that tincture of coffee possesses marked 
eptic properties. These properties cannot be due to 
2, which has little effect as a germicide, the tannin may 
some influence, but it is probably the products formed 
ng roasting which are the most active agents. It is 
kable that a cup of coffee may be exposed to the air in 
om for a week or two without the appearance of any 
organisms in it. 
lescription.—The seeds are oval, longitudinally grooved 
the flat side, usually almost completely deprived of the 
hment-like, finely-wrinkled testa, fragments of which 
in the groove and sometimes upon the back. The horny 
men is of the shape of the seed, according to the 
, of a yellowish, brownish, bluish, or greenish tint, and 
ed, or rather rolled up, whereby the groove is produced. 
embryo is situated under the convex side near one end, is 
ly curved, and occupies about one-fourth the length 
r coffee has a~ rey faint done: pres: 


222 RUBIACEA. 


slightly astringent, and bitterish taste. The commercial vari 
ties vary considerably in flavour, in size, and in the shade 
colour. On keeping, coffee loses during the first year about 


_ being at the same time greatly improved. 
In Mocha coffee the seed is often quite ovoid, only a single 
grain being contained in each fruit, . 
Chemical composition.—The sweetish pulp of the pericary 
contains several sugars, of which Boussingault (1881) found 
2°37 per cent. cane-sugar, 8°73 per cent. invert-sugar, and 2°21 
per cent, mannit. According to Payen’s analysis (1849), cof 
contains 13 per cent. of fat, 15°5 of glucose, dextrin, and 
undetermined vegetable acid, 10 of vegetable casein, 
chlorogenate of caffeine and potassium, 3 of nitrogenized prin 
ciple, 0°8 of caffeine, 0-00) of solid volatile oil, 0-002 of liq 
aromatic principle soluble in water, 6°7 of ash, and 1. of 
ture, the remainder being cellulose. The fat consis ts of pa 
and olein. The acids contained in coffee have been the s 
of repeated investigations. These render it probable 
besides a little citric acid, the principal one is caffeo-tannic 
which, according to Rochleder, is Payen’s chlorogenic acid 
precipitate with gelatin is soluble in the tannin solution 7 
emetic does not precipitate it, but it yields with lead salts 


o 


Se wh eae 


forms mostly yellow-coloured salts, and, like the a 
as ial oc rt Pee ; * my 
gum-like caffeo ny ‘using potassa pro’ 


RUBIACEA, 223 


‘H°O*. By dry distillation pyrocatechin is obtained. 
er and Siebert (1861) obtained from Java coffee 0°3 per 
of kinic acid, which is most likely the coffeic acid of 
mse, obtained (1854) from coffee-leayes, and which 
‘yielded kinone when treated with manganic deutoxide 
; isulpharic acid. (Stillé and Maisch.) Kénig and others 
lave obtained the following results from the analysis of coffee 
four various sources :— 


ethan. 
Konig. Payen, yee 
average of 
Raw. Roasted.| net varieties. 
| 
tances soluble in water.| 27°44 27-45] ...... 
oven : pads 9 ae 2°26 - 
enous matter ovel 24°48 ~ 32°08) 34 to 18 
e LAS =) 388 
Bee c cas resdels O61 4 eee ae | 
gpeewes ee ‘i 15:03/10-to 13} 10°99 
i'd: Beas th -g Paice 
and dextrin ... on | et ar ; 
er peresennys matter: ft BLS2L SS she ee es 
NS ain sexe tecsneinesae Of 4a -aeeees ae 29°28 
: 3-48) 3-75! 0°7 4:19 
eo rcinses “fe DE eT Sec ce Or 
11°19) §3*°19112> 2°87 


information regarding the composition of various coffee 
tes, the reader is referred to Konig’s work already 
and to Battershall’s Food Adulteration. 


he roasting of coffee, which is best accomplished at a 
erature of about 250° C., renders the seeds pulverizable, 
at the same time gives hans a more agreeable taste and 
les them to yield more of their constituents to water. The 
hus acquires a chestnat-brown colour and loses about 
r cent. of its weight... The generation of gaseous com 
res the cells, and a peculiar and agreeable 
ybably.. the decomposition « 


294 RUBIACEA. 


tannin, But Payen’s (as well as Rochleder’s) investigations 
failed to point out the principle to which the changes are due. | 
Very probably they depend upon the decomposition of several 


it is slowly volatilized at the temperature stated; hence the 
roasting of coffee ought to be effected in closed vessels. Be 
heimer (1880) found nearly one-half of the products of roasti 
to consist of palmitic acid, the remainder being acetic a 
carbonic acid, probably acetone, hydroquinone, pyrrol, met 
lamine, 18 to ‘21 per cent. caffeine, and ‘04 or ‘05 cof 
C°H'°O?, to which the aroma of coffee is due; it is an oil 
ing at 195° C. (383° F.), and is probably a methyl ether | 
saligenin. (Stillé and Maisch.) 

The extract from roasted coffee, mean of eight analyses, 
the following composition : 100 parts of coffee yielded to + 
25°50 per cent. of extractive, containing ‘5 per cent. nitrog 
5°18 per cent. oil, 13°14 per cent, non-nitrogenous matter ¢ 
4°06 per cent. ash. (K@nig.) 

Mocha coffee yields as much as 7°84 per cent. of ash—cc 
sisting chiefly of carbonates and phosphates of potassi 
sodium, magnesium, and calcium, the earthy salts amounting 
one-seventh or one-sixth of the weight. 

The percentage of caffeine contained in raw coffee has 


Kind of Coffee. Moisture, Caffeine, - 
p: 100. p-100 
NOPE 6 seas seis sorceccou ctu tae 8-0 ." 1:20 
Guatemala au O6 1°29 
Travancore ste 10°C 1°29 
Liberia (1) 8-0 1°39 
ss (2) rs 8-0 1:39 
Rio een eenee bt diate h ) 9°] 1:20 


RUBIACEH. 995 


Kind of Coffee. : Moisture, Caffeine, 
‘ ~ p. 100 pee00. ss 
mentos, Brazil” ......-sscsess 90° | 1:29 
Manilla pee ig: 1°20 
Ceylon 6°2 1-24 
erak 78 1-22 
Costa-Rica pore 1:24 
Jamaica (pale) .....005..000 RE : | 1-21 
RE 0 rr eet, 9°0 1:28» 
Mysore lieuassGuveusheees 8:0 1:28 


he process for the extraction of the caffeine used by Paul 
Cownley was the following :—The coffee in fine powder 
ixed with moist lime and exhausted by alcohol in a Waitt’s 
or. After removal of the alcohol the dry residue was 
with a small quartity of water, acidulated by sulphuric 
to convert into sulphate the trace of lime present. After 

on the liquid was shaken with chloroform, and on the 
aporation of the chloroform the caffeine was obtained in 4 _ 

ine state. é 


merce.—The coffceecaltaraltt region is Bonikent Fadia} ; 


(et 


blight (which is caused by a is, Hemi vast ta br 
ing over the leaves and destroying their functions) it 
rted ae quantities to other countries, as the ne 2 
show :— 
Quantities in Cwts. Value i in Rupees. 
1,54,36,427 . 
1879-20 359,313 1,62,67,465 
1880-8] 869,357 . 1,59,96,688 _ 
1881-82... oy cisss..4055.+ 946,364 1,44,74,;650. - 
1882-83 353,324 1,39,22,040 


locha coffee is imported into Bombay, where it fetches 
arly double the price of Indian coffee. 


iplospora a anal Dalz. Haken in Kew. Journ. 


Ce _ RUBIACED. 


as a substitute for coffee either by the natives or Europe 
planters. The berries are from 4 to 3 of an inch in diameter 


the sweetish pulp, they are round and flattened in shape, 
glossy on the surface, light-brown in colour and horny in con- 
sistence. The seeds turn dark brown when roasted, throwing 
off the parchment-like testa, and when powdered possess. ! 
aroma resembling that of coffee. The roasted and powdered E: 
seeds were submitted to Brig.-Gen. A. Kenney-Herbert, 
great authority on Indian cookery, and he reported as 
follows—‘‘ The percolated liquor had a remarkably pleasant 
taste, havirig a marked flavour of coffee. Indeed, the only 
difference I could detect was this :—The liquor was not so dark 
in tint as coffee, being more golden brown than dark bro 
and the beverage brewed seemed not quite so strong as wol 
have been produced by a similar quantity of coffee powde 
There can be no doubt of the distinct coffee-like properties 
this powder, and the absence of any twang or conflicting fla 
to mar its pleasant taste. a 

The seeds contain an alkaloid, which can be separated 
same manner as caffeine, an astringent acid, an aromatic 
some fat, one or more sugars, and four per cent. of 
matter. The dried extract obtained by boiling water 
per cent., or something less than that obtained from cultivat 
coffee berries, : ; 

MORINDA CITRIFOLIA, finn | 
Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal, i., t. 52; Wight Tll., t. 126, 


MORINDA TINCTORI 
Fig.—Bedd. Fl. Sylv., t. 290. | 
Hab. 

and fruit. ee 
Vernacular—A’l, Atchi- (Hind.), A’, Baratondi 
Nagakuda (Mar.), Niina-maram (Tam.), Ach, Achhu ( Bt 
Munja, Pavattari (Tel. ), Maddi (Can.). ; 22 


A, Roxb. 


—Throughout India, wild or cultivated. The leaves 


RUBIACE@. 227 


istory, Uses, &c.—The roots of these plants, in Sans- 
chhuka, have long been in useas a red dye in India, and 
wes and fruit are used medicinally. A paste of the leaves 
bined with aromatics is given in diarrhcea and dysentery 
d is also used as a tonic and febrifuge. The juice is used as: 


‘deobstruent and emmenagogue, and when unripe is eaten as 
egetable in curries. Morinda is extensively cultivated in 
lalwa ; itissown broadcast or in drills, and the ground ploughed 
md harrowed. In from 15 to 20 days the sced comes up, the 
leld is then weeded, and the ground stirred. This operation 


s old, when the fruit is gathered, placed in heaps, covered 
straw and allowed to rot; the seed is then washed out. 
at or other grain is cultivated between the trees. The root 
ocrted to Guzerat and Hindustan, See As. Research, iv, 
» where an account of the method of dyeing with the root 
be found. The plant is also cultivated in Southern India, 


ng, smooth shining leaves, 10 to 12 inches long, and 4 to 
inches broad, veins pale, and prominent on the under sur- 
ce ; flowers white, with a long infundibuliform corolla ; fruit 
biong, 3inches or more in length, and composed of the 
ucculent enlarged calyces, enclosing many cartilaginous 
ed pyrenes ; it is vf a pale yellowish green colour, and is 


w 


are black and not unlike quince seeds. M. ti 
and fruit very sim 


tree, having leaves, flowers 


>» 


ed with numerous circular scars; when quite ripe it has 
extremely offensive odour like that of putrid cheese. The = __ 


298  RUBIACEA. 


M. citrifolia, but the fruit is smaller, and the leaves are — 
pubescent and in one variety quite tomentose. Some botanists 
consider it to be the wild form of M. citrifolia. Morinda tO 
has a reddish-brown nearly smooth bark, which has a nauseous 
slightly bitter flavour; the woody portion is hard and of an 
orange-yellow or reddish-yellow colour. The odour of the 
freshly dug root is acrid and disagreeable. 

Chemical composition.—Anderson has obtained from the root- 
bark of M. citrifolia by exhausting it with alcohol a crystallin 
principle, Morindin, C?8H5°Q'5, to the presence of whicht 
dyeing properties of the plant are due ; after repeated crystalli- 
zations from dilute alcohol morindin forms slender ye 
needles of a satiny lustre, soluble in boiling water, which 
- cooling deposits it in gelatinous flakes. Alkalies form 
morindin orange-red solutions. Heated in a clo 
morindin melts, boils, and emits orange vapours, whic! 
- condensation form long orange-yellow needles of Mo 
(C1 511095), Rochleder (Jahresb. f. 1851, p. 548,) con 
morindin to be identical with the raberithric acid which he I 
extracted from madder, and morindon to be identical wi 
alizarin, but morindin differs from ruberithric acid in 
insoluble in ether and in its behaviour with alkalies 
ruberithric acid it isa glucoside. (Wurtz, Dict. de Chim., t 
p- 454 5 Edin. Phil. Trans., «vi., p. 484.) Two papers ‘ 


the Chemical Society for 1887 and 1888 by Prof. T. E. Thorp 
_ Commerce.—One sumai (bundle) of 450 seers or 270 Ibs. 
worth Rs. 15. ‘The main root is 12 annas per maund, the s 
roots are more valuable and sell at Re. 1 to Re, 1-8 per mau 
PAEDERIA FQETIDA, Linn. 

Fig.— — Griff. Te. Pl. As., t. 479; f.3; Girt. f. Fruct. 
t. 195. 

Hab.—Central and Eastern Himalaya, Bengal, W. Peni 
sula. The plant 
e Vernacular, —Gandhali (Hind. a Gandhabhéduli ae 
— Hiranyel (Mar.), Gandhana . ), Paedebiri (Pahériya 


RUBIACEAE. 999 


tory, Uses, &c.—An article of the Hindu Materia 
lea in repute asaremedy for rheumatism. The Sanskrit 
sare Prasdrani, Apehi-vata, “expelling flatulence,” and 
-bhadiéliya. It is the P. fetida of Willdenow (Spec. I., 
| the Somaraji of the Asiatic Researches (IV., 261), the 
lvulus feetidus of Rumphius (Amb. V. 436, t. 160), and 
Apocynum ftidum of Burmannus (Ind., p. 71). The plant 
found i i most parts of India and all through the Malayan 
rchipelago, extending from the Mauritius. northward to 
uina and Japan; in Assam it is called ‘ Bedoli Sutta,’ and in 
‘ Jung-gala’; it has been lately brought to notice as a 
e-yielding plant ; Roxburgh says that the Hindus use the 
jas an emetic. Rumphius describes it as emollient and 
ninative, and useful in colic, spasms, rheumatism and. 
Corre and Lejanne say that in Cochin-China it is used 
emetic under the name of Toui dit. As a specific in 
umatism, used both internally and externally, it is best 
nin Hindu medicine. Bh4va Misra prescribes an elec- 
(Prasérani leha), which is made by boiling down a strong 
n of the plant with treacle to the consistence of a thick 
, and then adding ginger, pepper and Plumbago root. 
1akradatta the method of preparing a liniment (Kubja 
rani taila) will be found. (Duét’s Hindu Materia Medica, 


ern Concan. 


Description. —Stem ligneous, twining, young parts 
, smooth ; leaves opposite, long petioled, oblong-cordate, 
smooth, entire; stipules broad-cordate ; panicles axillary 
terminal ; cccce numerous, of a deep pink colour ; bracts 
e; berry ary, compressed, smooth, with five lines on each 


ive odour of bisulphide of carbon when bruised. — 
mical conposition.—By distillation with water 
s btained, which ba the ake offens 


9.) In the Bombay Presidency the plant is found in the _ 


one-celled, two-seeded ; seed compressed, smooth, with a | 


230 RUBIACER. 


fresh drug. We also obtained evidenee of the presence of at 
least two alkaloids; one was soluble in ether and was deposit 


second alkaloidal principle was only slightly soluble in amy 
alcohol, chloroform or benzene; we failed to obtain it ina 
crystalline form. No special colour reactions were obtained 
with either principle. We propose provisionally for the 
principles the names @ and 8 Pederine. 


SPERMACOCE HISPIDA, Linn. 


Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. ix. t. 76; Burm. Thes. Zeylan. 
20, f. 3. Shaggy Button weed (Hng.). 

Hab.—Throughout India. The roots. 

Vernacular.—Madana-ghettu (Tel.), Nutti-churi (Ta 


Ghanti-chi-baji, Dhoti, Gondi (Mar.), Thardavel (Mole 
ana-buntakadu (Beng.). 


History, Uses, &c.—In Southern India the Sans 


the plant. The seeds are thought to be aphrodisiac, 
plant is prescribed to cure hemorrhoids. Kirkpatrick 
_ the seeds are cooling and demulcent, and are given in dy 
tery in doses of one pagoda. Rheede says of it: 7 
expressus cum butyro decoctus lienteria prodest.” Ait si1¢ 
States that it is used as an alterative and purifier of the blo 
like sarsaparilla, and is prescribed in decoction, the dose 
_which is four ounces or more daily. In the Concan itis € 
along with other herbs as a vegetable. According to Béla 
it is used as a tonic and stimulant in Martinique. 


Description. —A procumbent, scabrous, or hirsute 
root fibrous, annual or perennial ; leaves obovate spath 
oblong or elliptic, obtuse or acute, coriaceous, 3—1} by $ 
in. ; flowers 4 to 6 in a whorl, blue or white ; capsules” 


tess ainibtacued; ; Seeds oblong, granulate, opaque. In 
forms of ~~ plant the leaves have Sarkiligiied oi 


RUBIACEZ. : 931 


RUBIA TINCTORIUM, Linn. 


1D.—Cashmere, Sind, Afghanistan, Europe. The roots. 
r (Hng.), Garance (L'r.), 


RUBIA Pecaipcis, Linn. 


‘Hab.—Thronghout the hilly districts of India. The roots 


Vernacular.—Manjith, Majith (Hind., Guz.), Manjitti, 
nh evelli (Z'am.), Manjishta, Tamra-valli (Zel.), Manjushta 
-), Manjit (Beng.), Manjeshta (Mar.). 


listory, Uses, &c.—Madder is used in Hindu medi- 
asa colouring agent: medicated oils are boiled with mad- 
give them ie It is alsoa useful external astrin- 


adatta recommends madder rubbed with honey as an 
lication to the brown spots of pityriasis versicolor. The 
it name is Manjishtha. Under the names of Fuvvah 


the produce of R. tinctorium. * 

ing not, however, make any distinction between the 
but simply mentiona wild anda cultivated variety. 
Diisicenctens consider the drug to be deobstruent, and 
cribe it in paralytic affections, jaundice, obstructions in 
urinary passages and amenorrhcea.t They mention the 
as useful in hepatic obstruction, and a paste made from 
roots with honey, as a good application to freckles 
other discolorations of the skin. The whole plant is 
uted to be alexipharmic ; it is also hung up in houses to 

ie author of the Makhzan gives Rubia as the European, Dazarlis as 
and ao is ets ee a. rey oe 


and is applied to inflamed parts, ulcers, fractures, &c, 


tinds, Arabic and Persian writers treat of madder, pro- 


= 


939 ss RUBIAOER. 


avert the evil eye, and tied to the necks of animals. with the 
same object.* 

Ainslie observes that the hakims are in the habit of p 
scribing an infusion of madder root.as a grateful and deo 
struent drink in cases of scanty lochial discharge after lying-i 
(Materia Indica II., p. 182.) In another notice of the artiel 
(Op. ctt. I., p. 202), he remarks that it would appear to be 
chiefly produced in Cachar, and the root is in great demand in 
the adjacent countries, for dyeing their coarse cloths and stuffs 
red; the Nepalese are in the habit of bartering it for rock salt 
and borax. Kinnier and Tavernier notice the abundance 
madder in Persia and Makran. Dr. G. Playfair, ina n 
appended to his translation of the Talif-i-sharifi (p. 150) 
states that if taken to the extent of about 3 drachms sev: 
times daily, it powerfully affects the nervous system, ind 
temporary delirium, &c., with evident determination to 
uterine system. ER. cordifolia is common throughout 
hilly districts of India, but the Bombay market ibs 
supplies chiefly from neta through Sind, where R. ti 

is cultivated. 


_Description.—Madder root consists of a short s 1c 
from which numerous cylindrical roots about the size of a 
diverge; these are covered by a thin brownish suber 

peels off in flakes, disclosing a red-brown bark marke 
fenot cieal furrows. The taste is sweetish at firehy 
wards acrid and bitter. | 

Chemical composition. GFE to Bucholz, the | 
stituents of madder are as follows: :—Resinous red colour 
matter 1:2, extractive ditto 39-0, reddish brown substane 
soluble in alcohol 1-9, pungent extractive 0°6, 
9-0, woody fibre 29-5, matter soluble in potash 4°6, 


while R. cordifolia yields purpurin and a ‘yellow color 


* — with Dioscorides i iii., 151, mept cody se Fob 


VALERIANEH, = — 933 


e called by Stenhouse munjistin: it is to this fact that 
ority of the latter plant asa dye-stnff is due. Accord- 
Higgins, the roots of R. cordifolia yield from 50 to 55 
of garancin, which has only half the dyeing power of 
Blade from R. tinctorium. (Calvert, Dyeing and Calico 
he medical action of madder, if any, is probably Pa to 
mall quantity of acrid and resinous matter contained in 
for an account of the colouring materials, which are of 
importance to the dyer, Ure’s Dictionary of Arts and 
factures and Watts’ Dictionary of Chemistry may be 
erce.—Madder from Sind fetches a higher price than 
wn in India ; it is shipped from K4rachi to the extent 
1,500 tons annually, and is worth about Rs. 17 per 
nearly double the price of Persian madder. The 
of madder (chiefly Persian) into ee do not 
-owts. annually. 


VALERIAN BA 


a Alpine Hisialava. ” The rhizome. 
ar.—Chhar, Balchhar, Jatamasi (Hind.), fccatrecume 
Mar:). ;. Jatamashi (Yam.), Jatamamshi (T72I.), Jata- 
| “AM Bhutkés (Pahariya). Siege 
y, Uses, &c.—This plant, in Sanskrit Jata- 

Bhutakesi (“‘demon’s hair ”), Pisité, Tapasvini- 


om a very remote period been in use. among 
It t is mentioned 
escr 


234 VALERIANEZ. 


aromatic adjunct in the preparation of medicinal oils and — 
ghritas (butters). In the Nighantas it is described as cold — 
and a remedy for leprosy, morbid heat and erysipelas. It is 
the Nardin of Dioscorides, which that writer tells us was also 
called Gangitis, because the Ganges flowed from the foot of © 
the mountains where the plant grew. 
Arabic and Persian physicians describe Jatamdnsi under the — 
name of Sumbul-i-Hindi, “Indian Spike,”’ to distinguish it 
from their Sumbul-i-Rumi or [kliti (Valeriana celtica), the root 
of which is much used in Turkey and Egypt as a perfume. — 
The author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya compares Jatamansi 
root to the tail of a sable. He describes it as deobstruent and — 
stimulant, diuretic and emmenagogue, and recommends it in 
various disorders of the digestive and respiratory organs, and 
as a nervine tonic in hysteria. He also notices the popu 
opinion that it promotes the growth and blackness of the hair 
The dose is about 45 grains as an expectorant. 


Ainslie states that the Vytians. in Lower India prepare . 


jatamansi, that it is a perfect representative for vole 
(Bengal Disp., p. 404.) ee 
When taken habitually in moderate doses, valerian improves: 
the appetite and digestion without confining the bowels, Two 
drachms at a single dose may occasion a sense of heat and 
weight in the abdomen, eructations ,and even vomiting, coli 
and diarrhcea; also some excitement of the pulse, general 
warmth, and either perspiration or diuresis. In somewhat 
smaller doses its operation is chiefly restricted to the nervous 
"* Phe hair-wash in common use among Indian women, and called 
Angalepan, Angodvartan, Sughandi-puri or Utnen, is composed of Gava 
(seed of Prams Mahalid), Képarkachri (Kempferia Galanga), Vala (An- 
muricatus), Pach (Pogostemon Patchouli), Jatamansi (Nardost 
chys Jalaniie, Upalét (Saussurea Lappa), Phos tone (Cyperus p 
tenuis), Dauna (Artemisia Sieversiana), and Murwa eh several p 
added. 


cies). ‘ Other articles are sometimes 


VALERIANE #:. 235 
; it renders the mind tranquil, disposesto good humourand 
Y, produces sometimes a lively formication in the hands 
eet, anda sensation about the head and spine which 
been compared to the aura epileptica. Sometimes, on the 
ary, there is a sense of embarrassment in the head, with 
heaviness and pain. In states of morbid nervous excitement ° 
7 without fever, when through exhaustion the pulse has become 
all and frequent, valerian lessens its frequency and increases 
ts force and volume. 


iven to rabbits in doses of from 1 to 3 drachms, valerianic 
eencers the heart’s action more ayo but feebler; the 


Tf death occurs speedily, the gastric mucous 
brane i is pale, but if delayed it may be ae sere the 
ul 


even to paralyze it, since two Cgm (4 gr.), injected under 
skin of frog, have been found capable of preventing tetanic __ 
after a like injection of 5 Mgm. (75 gr.) of strychnine, 

“eee to these animals a oe it impair 


n aa, produces a white spot, followed by irritation and 
s,and upon the tongue it may cause the epithelium to 


Maediciid valerian is not acure for hysteria, but it is a most 
ble palliative when employed to avert or mitigate hysterical 
sms shires by some accidental cause. Especially is 


i ceahices of a disordered fancy, whereby — 
tive | goeptions : -and various disordaned C oo 


_ some reputation as a bois daa for ohildren 


we. VALERIANEAL 


of the lungs, heart, stomach, &c., arise. In mild cases of mental 
derangement, especially when caused by nervous shock or 
strain; in nervous atony simulating paralysis ; in cases also of 
irregular distribution of the blood, accompanied, it may be, 
with indications of cerebral congestion, or, on the other ham 

of cerebral anzmia, of which the chief symptoms are verti 
a sense of rush of blood to the head, or fainting, confusion: 
sight and hearing, &c., which more than at any other tin 
are apt to occur about the menopause,—valerian is the: mo 
promptly efficient of all the palliatives that have beeu 
In all these cases valerian exhibits the same potency. 
asafostida, musk, and castor, and more decidedly. 


nervous headache, especially when it is associated with ammor ai 
as in the ammoniated tincture of valerian or the popalar val 
anate of ammonium. These preparations may be used 
tageously, along with a carminative tincture, in 
flatulence accompanied with palpitation of the heart 
Same medicines are equally efficient in ees 
colic. 


4 


Valerian is one of the innumerable articles thet fr m t 
to time have been vaunted as remedies for epileps 
allowing for the common error of confounding epilepsy _ 
epileptiform reflex convulsions, and even with hysteria, : 
can be no doubt that it has sometimes cured the di: 
females and young children, and especially when it ort 
in fright or some analogous impression. Eyen in these. 
it must be administered in large doses and be long con in 
while other and especially hygienic measures are emplo; y 
give permanent strength to the neryous system. : 

Valerian is useful in the treatment of - the eiilder 
delirium tremens, especially when they follow surgi 
tions or injuries, and in the ataxic henomena ¥ 
to the typhoid state of fevers and Pept 


VALERIANEA. a, 


gatives, such as jalap, and by enema asa remedy for 


t 
woody column by four medullary bands, between which 
ituated large canals which contain the fibro-vascular 
. The central woody column is of a red-brown colour, 
‘and jointed, having a certain amount of resemblance 
ertebre in the tail of an animal. 
ical composition.—Kemp (1884) obtained three fluid 
of the oil from 56 lbs. of jatamansi, and found it to. 
a molecular rotation of —19°5 in 100 mm., the specific 
at 82°F. was 0°9748, One hundred pocade of the 
; Submitted to distillation with water by Messrs. Kempand 
1890), yielded fifteen ounces ofa pale yellow oil of valerian- 
odour, and a faintly acid distillate. A fine violet or bluish 
is produced, as with oil of valerian, by mixing a drop. 
f the oil with about 20 drops of carbon bisulphide and 
of ong 0 nitric acid. ae sulphuric acid the oil gives 
| solorati eb ae 


e 


# 


238 VALERIANE. 


The most important constituent of valerian rootis its volatile 
oil. Free valerianic acid does not exist in the fresh root, ‘but _ 
is generated from the volatile oil.on exposure. The latest in- 
vestigation of the oil is by Bruylants (1878), who ascertained 
some new facts. The hydrocarbon, C!°H'®, was named borneene 
by Gerhardt (1841) and valerene by Pierlot (1859). The 
valerol of the latter differed from Gerhardt’s valerol, C&H!°O, 
which he believed to become oxidized in contact with air to 
valerianic acid, carbonic acid being given off at the same time. — 
Bruylants explains the generation of valerianic acid in old oil 
of valerian from the decomposition of C'!°H!7C5H90%, which | 
is the valerianic ether of borneol ; besides this one, it contai 
the corresponding ethers of formic and acetic acids, the alcoho. 
borneol, C!°H!80, and its ether, C!°H'70%. Gerhardt assumed 
the production of borneol from the hydration of borneene. 
For a comparison of the chemical constitution of the root 0 
an Indian officinal valerian with that of the European dr 
the reader is referred to the next article. . 


VALERIANA WALLICHII, v0. 


Fig.—Asiat. Research. ii., p. 405. 


Hab.— Temperate Himalaya. The rootstock. 


Vernacular.—Tagar (Hind., Beng., Mar.), Tagar-ganthod 
(Guz.), Nandibattal (Can.), Mushk-i wéli, Bala (Punjab) 
Pampe (Bhutan). re 


History, Uses, &o.—A fragrant drug called Tagara 1 
frequently mentioned by Sanskrit writers, other names for it 
are Nandy4varta, Nandini, Varhini, Nahushékhya, and Pindi- 
tagara. It is described in the Nighantas as sweet, emollient, 
pungent, hot and light; aremedy for suppresion of urine, 
' poisons, epilepsy, swoons and headaches. Besides it dici 

nal uses it is an ingredient in perfumed powders, in the sam 
manner as jatamansi. The drug appears to have attracted 


VALERIANES, 239 


of the Mahometans physicians of India, as we find it 
d by them as an Indian kind of Asérun (Asarabacca). 
hor of the Makhzan-el- Adwiya describes several kinds 
un, and says that the kind known as Tagar in India is 
rice spirit given to people attacked by small-pox to lessen 
eruption of pustules. Stewart notices the export of this 
g to the plains of India for medicinal use. Sir William 
ies (As. Research. I1., 405,) obtained the plant and — 
be the source of the jatamansi root of commerce. 


It appears to be the Sumbul-jibali of the: Arabs and the 
hai-wala of the Persians. Recent experience has shown 
b this drug like jatamansi is an excellent substitute for the 
t of our Pharmacopceias. 


Description.—The rhizomes are crooked, about two 
long and from 3 4 to} an inch in diameter, of a dull 
n colour, marked with transverse ridges, and_ thickly 
ed with circular prominent tubercules, to a few of which. 
k rootlets still remain attached. The crown is marked by 
mber of bracts ; the lower end is blunt. The rhizome is 

hard and Eoaidl and the fractured surface greenish brown. 
3 dour i is like Valerian, but much more powerful. 


croscopic structure —Examined under the microscope the 
bark is seen to be composed of ten or twelve layers of © 
ressed cells; within this is a starchy parenchyma, and 
t to it a cambium layer; within the cambium layer is a 
ken ring of vascular bundles, and lastly, a starchy paren- 
yma, thickly studded with conglomerate. masses of large 
s, having greenish-yellow contents of a resinous appear- 


ro supposed a the time to ‘ns the rOry 0 


940 VALERIANES. 


The following table shows the <a 
. Wallich. V. officin. 


Moisture 10°46 11°57 
~ Ash v3. 4:04 4°31 
Fat and resin, soluble in petroleam- 
benzine 0°56 0°36 
Volatile oil and valeric acid, sol. in 
benzine 1:005 0:90 
Volatile acid, soluble in ether ......... 0°335 0°31 
Resin and wax, soluble in ether......... 0°56 0°85 
Resin soluble in. alechol 1:05 °° 0°975 
Tannin ,... lg... 216s 
Citric, tartaric and other acids 0-335 0°565 
Glucose 6°03 5°32 
Other substances sol. in water, insol. 
in alcohol ... 14°96 14°39 
Mucilage and albumin, sol. in water... 4°16 2°97 
Albuminoids extracted by soda......... 9°72 7°83 
Metarabie acid, - Phlobaphens and al-. 
-buminoids ........ 19°10 16°70 
Starch 14-05 12°87 
Cellulose sieetices LOSE 11°65 


ae Lignin and other compounds .....,.,.10°015 16°80 


Commerce.—Tagar is chiefly used as a perfume in India, 
much as valerian was formerly in Hurope. -Value, Rs. 7 per 
’ Surat maund of 374 Ibs. 


Valeriana Brunoniana, a variety of V. Leschenaultit, 
DC., growing on the Nilgiris, affords a root which,develops 4 
strong odour of valeric acid when dry, and yields to distillation 
with water a considerable amount of volatile oil. Dr. G. Bidie 
has recommended it as a good substitute for European 
valerian. 


The Indian form of Valeriana officinalis (V. dubia, 


Bunge), Ledeb. Ic. Fl. Ross, t. 350, occurs in North Cashmere, 


but is not known to be used medicinally by the natives. 


COMPOSITZ. 941 


Royle (Antiquity of Hindu Med., p. 82,) mentions the use of 
Hardwickii, Wail., for medicinal purposes in Nepal. 
allich (Pl, As. Rar., p. 40), speaking of the same plant, 
ys: ‘ Nomen omnium specierum in Napalia, Chamaha.” 


COMPOSITA. 


VERNONIA ANTHELMINTICA, Willd. 
Fig.—Burm. Thes. 210, t. 95 ; Rheede Hort. Mal. ti., t. 24. 
Hab.— Throughout India. The fruit. 
Vernacular.—Kali-jiri, Somraj, Bakchi (Hind.), Somraj 
(Beng.), Kadvo-jiri (Guz.), K4ttu-shiragam (Tam.), Kéralyé 
(Mar.), Adavi-jilakara (Tel.), Kadu-jirage (Can.). 

History, Uses, &c.—The Sanskrit names of this com- 


id water, after perspiration has been induced by exercise or 
€xposure to the sun. The diet should consist of milk and rice, 
Tn Ramgelge a decoction of emblic care and catechu 


8s paste, oil, &c. Vdkuchiis described in the Nighantas as 
Sweet, pungent, digestive, bitter, alterative, astringent, cold, 
cardiacal, dry, antiphlegmatic ; a remedy for cough, fever, and 
intestinal worms. The author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya de- 
ribes Kali-jiri, and states that it is given internally to remove 
I = and worms from the intestines, and that a Pe 


242 COMPOSITZ. 


thought to have injurious effects, but that it is mach used as a 
cattle medicine, Indian Mahometan druggists sell this drug 
as a substitute for Atrilél (Anthriscus Cerefolium). Ainslie 
says: “The small dark-coloured and extremely bitter seeds 
this annual plant are considered as’ powerfully anthelmintic 
and are alsu an ingredient of a compound powder prescribe 
in snake-bites.” Rheede states that an infusion of them is 
given on the Malabar Coast for coughsand against flatulency. 
The dose of the seed in powder, when administered in worm 
cases, is one pagoda weight twice daily. (Materia Ind, II.,_ 
~ p. 54). According to the Pharmacopoeia of India, the ordinary | 

dose of the bruised seed as an anthelmintic, administered in” 
electuary with honey, is about 14 drachm, given in two equal 
doses at the interval of a few hours, and followed by an ape-— 
rient; the worms sre generally expelled in a lifeless sta 
Dr Al. Ross speaks favourably of an infusion of the powdered 
seeds (in doses of from 10 to 30 grains) asa good and ce 
anthelmintic for ascarides. In Travancore the bruised seeds 
ground up in a paste with lime juice, are largely employed as : 
means of destroying pediculi. Dr. Gibson, as the result of per- 
sonal experience, regards them as a valuable tonic and sto 
chic in doses of 20 to 25 grains; diuretic properties are also 


Vernonia seeds, Chiretta, Picrorhiza root, Dikamaéli, Rock 3a 
massas in cold wai 
d, every morning. — 


Chemical composition.—The seeds, as” sold in the bazars, lo 
9°38 per cent. when heated to 100°C. The ash amounted to’ 

per cent., and was free from manganese. — The pow ered § 
were digested with 80 per cent. alcohol, most of the 2 


COMPOSIT A. 243 


led off, and the Temainder allowed to evaporate by expo- 
toair. The alcoholic distillate contained no volatile prin- 
- The alcoholic extract contained a large amount of an 
r-coloured oil soluble in petroleum ether, as well as 
8. By agitation of the alkaline alcoholic extract with 
> 8 somewhat bitter extract was obtained, which, besides 
taining resins, afforded evidence of the presence of an alka- 
which gave reactions with the usual alkaloidal reagents; 
which afforded uo special colour reactions. We have pro- 
ionally called this principle Vernonine. 

imerce.—The plant is common in waste lect through- 
ndia. The country people emis the fruit and bring it 
sale in the cold weather. 

¥alue.—Rs. 34 per Surat beth of 374 lbs. 


‘ Vernonia cinerea, Less., Eheede Hort. Mal. z., t. 64, 


= Southern, and Western India. In the Hindi and 
hi vernaculars it bears the Sanskrit name; in Guzerathi 
Sddeori, a modification of the same name; in Bengali 
seem; and in Tamil Sira- shengalanir. Sadat the latter 

© Ainslie (Mat. Ind. IT., 363) notices it as the Gherntti- 
mma of the Telingis, used in medicine by the Hindus, in 
ction, to promote perspiration in febrile affections. In 
i tanine it is described as cold, sweet, strengthening, 
ngent, correcting all the humors. For the. numerous 
honyms, and for 2 description of this very variable plant, we 
refer the reader. to the Flora of British India. It has 
very sensible properties, and the medicinal virtues ascribed 
by the Hindus appear to us to be imaginary. 


‘lephantopus scaber, Linn., Wight Ic., t, 1086; 
eede Hort. Mal. x., t. 7, common in ey places eeniek- 
India, is the Go-jihva, “ox tongue,” of Sanskrit writers, 
x ibed in the Nighantas as cold, light, astring t, 

al, alterative and gebritnges expelling ger Pp 
thral discharges.  Rheede 


244, COMPOSITAE. = 
decoction of the root and leaves, with. cumin and butter i 
milk, is given on the Malabar Coast in dysuria, and in diar= be 
rhoea and dysentery, Ainslie calls it Prickly-leaved Elephant’s 
Foot, and remarks that Sloane and Browne, in speaking of this 
plant, say, it is accounted a good vulnerary, and grows in the — 
woods of Jamaica very plentifully; the leaves are frequently — 


ants of the French West India Islands. The plant has a 
fibrous root; the leaves are chiefly radical and spread flat upon — 
the ground; they are oblong, wrinkled, crenulate and very . 
hairy ; the flower stalk is branched, about a foot high, bearing — 
a few small leaves and heads of flowers with pale purple 
florets. The plant is mucilaginous and astringent. The ver- 
nacular names are Gobhi (Hind.), Gojialata (Beny.), Ci 
(Mar.), Ana-shovadi (Tam.), Hakkariké (Can.). ; 


Lamprachenium microcephalum, Benth., je 
plant of Western India called Aja-dandi and Brahma-dandi — 
in Sanskrit, and Brahmadandi in Marathi and Canarese. It i” 
_ has flowers which smell like chamomile, and a branched, s¢a-_ : 
brous pubescent stem; leaves petioled, elliptic-acuminate, — 
gradually attenuated iatio the petiole, pubescent above, hoary 
and tomentose beneath ; heads of flowers small, solitary at . 
the. apex of the elie ce 3 scales of the involucre squariose, | 
hoary and tomentose beneath, exterior ones lanceolate acumi- 
nate, bristle-pointed, ciliated ; seeds smooth, shining, without 
ribs. The plant is used medicinally as an aromatic ity but 
is of little importance as a medicine. 


Ageratum conyzoides, Linn., has a strong, aromatic, 
and rather disagreeable smell; it has a reputation among the 
Hindus as an external application in agues, and is also worn ~ 
asa charm against ague when dug up on Sunday with the — 
proper ceremonies. The juice is said to be a good remedy ie 
prolapsus ani. It is freely applied and the gut replace 
Corre and Lejanne state that the plant i is used as a sudorific 1 = 
Réunion under the name of Herbe & boue. A. con pis 
' sometimes confounded by the natives with Vernonia cinerea, 


peaaee = uuht 


op Se Fk ae 


COMPOSIT A. 945 


sériin Western India. The plant is a common annual weed 

throughout India, appearing after the rains and flowering 
_ through the cold season; it is from 1 to 2-ft. in height, his- 
_ Pidly hairy, leaves petioled, ovate crenate, heads small, in 
dense terminal corymbs, bracts striate, acute, ray-florets many, 
pale blue or white, achenes black, pappus scales 5-awned, often 
_ Serrate below. (Fl. Br. Ind., iii., 243.) 


4 EUPATORIUM AYAPANA, Vent. 
; 3 Fig.— Vent. Hort. Malm. t. 8. 


Hab.—America, Cultivated in India. The herb. 
é Vernacular.—Ayapéna (Hind., Mar., Beng.), Ayap&ni(Tam., 
Tel.), Allapa (Guz.). 


: ; History, Uses, &c.—Ventenat found this plant grow- 


Cayenne; another species, perfoltatum, is considered as 
a febrifuge in America. The Ayapana has been cultivated in 
India for a considerable time. Ainslie says of it:—“ This small 
shrub, which was originally brought to India from the Isle of 
France, is as yet but little known to the native practitioners, 
though, from its pleasant, sub-aromatic but peculiar smell, 
_ they believe it to possess medicinal qualities. At the Mauri- 
tius it is in great repute, and there considered as alterative and 
antiscorbutic; as an internal remedy it has certainly hitherto 
much disappointed the expectations of European physicians, 
An infusion of the leaves has an agreeable and somewhat spicy 
taste, and is a good diet drink ; when fresh and braised, they 
_ re one of the best applications I know for cleaning the face of 
@ foul ulcer.” - (Mat. Ind. II., p. 35.) Mr. Dyer informed 
_ Ainslie that the plant was cultivated in the Island of Bourbon a 
for the purpose of being dried and sent to. France, where it 
_ Was used for making a kind of tea used es a substitute 


La 


oer 


246 COMPOSITA. 


of China. According to Guibourt it is now almost forgotten. 


(Hist. Nat 6™° Ed. Ill., 68.) In the Pharmacopeia of India, — 
there is the following notice of Ayapana:—‘‘A South American — 
plant, naturalized in various parts of India, Java, Ceylon, Xe ( 


and generally known by its Brazilian name, Aya-pana, The 


whole plant is aromatic, with a slightly bitter sub-astringent : 


taste. The exaggerated ideas of its virtues formerly enter- 
tained are now exploded; but there is reason to believe that ibis 
a good stimulant, tonic, anddiaphoretic. According tothe state- 
ments of Bouton (Med. Plants of Mauritius, p- 96), it appears 
to hold a high place amongst the medicinal plants of the Mau- 
ritius, being there in daily use in the form of infusion, in dys- 
pepsia and other affections of the bowels and lungs, In 
the cholera epidemics in that island in 1854-56, it was exten- 
sively used for restoring the warmth of the surface, the languid 
circulation, &c. As an antidote to snake-bitos it has been used, 
both internally and externally, with alleged success. (Madras 
Quart. Med. Jour., IV., 7.) It is not uncommon in gardens, 
and though not generally known, is held in considerable 


ee ts Pee 


a 


o 
a 
e 


Pa Mey pee ," 


. esteem by those who areacquainted with it. Ayapana may be - “4 


compared with chamomile in its effects; it is stimulant and 
tonic in small doses, and laxative when taken in quantity ; the 
hot infusion is emetic and diaphoretic, and may be given with — 

vantage in the cold stage of ague and in the state of depres 
sion which precedes acute inflammatory affections. The infa- 
sion may be made with 1 oz. of the herb to a pint of sige 
and be given in 2 oz. doses every three hours. 


Description.—A small shrubby plant, 5 to 6 feet high; 
branches straight, reddish, with a few simple scattered hairs; 
young shoots have a somewhat mealy appearance, due to the 
presence of small particles of a white balsamic exudation; leaves 
opposite, in pairs, their bases uniting round the stem, about 4 
inches long and # inch broad, fleshy, smooth, lanceolate, attenu- 
ated at the base; midrib thick and reddish; flowers like those 
of the groundsel, purple. The odour of the plant is aromatic, 


somewhat like ivy, but more agreeable ; taste bitter and aromatic, — . 
uliar. ees : ee 


COMPOSITH, ~ DAT 


Chemical composition.—On distillation of the fresh plant * 
ith water, a colourless oil was obtained, lighter than water, 
d possessing in a marked degree the odour of the plant: 
also obtained a neutral principle, soluble in ether and 
cohol, and crystallizing in long needles. It easily sublimed 
a temperature of 159°—16U° and condensed in beautiful 
illiant scales and rhombic prisms. In water it was practically 
insoluble ; it gave no reaction when dissolved in alcohol with 
erric salts. In concentrated sulphuric acid it dissolved at 
once, with only a very faint yellow coloration. In concen- 


Eupatorium cannabinum, Linn., Eng. Bot. V. 6, t. 
is a native of the temperate ‘Himalaya and Europe; it is 
e@ Herba sancte Kunigundis of Tragus (Hist. 491, f.,) the 
Hemp Agrimony of the English, Water-hauf of the Germans, 
and Origan aquatique of the French. Though very common in 
he Himalayas, it does not appear to be used medicinally by the. 
dindus. The root and leaves have diuretic, and in Iarge doses 
emetic properties. Boerhaave calls the herb Rusticorum 
panacea, and states that the turf-diggers in Holland use it with 
eat benefit in jaundice, scurvy, foul ulcers, and those swell- 


1 oz. of the dried leaves ina pint of water may be used daily ; 
if taken hot it is a good diaphoretic. According to Righini, 
he leaves and flowers contain a | white. bitter alkaloid soluble 


in jee E. perfoliatum, Linn., oa other species are 
used nea under the name of Boneset and Herbe a fidvre. 


is the Golden Red of the Bees 


248 COMPOSIT 2. 


and Goldruthe of the Germans. The generic name is a deriva- _ 


tive of solidare, to unite, because of the vulnerary qualities of 
the plant, which were first brought to notice by Arnoldus de 


Villa Nova, who also highly extolled it as a remedy for stone in g 


the bladder. Gerarde had a high opinion of it as an application 


to bleeding wounds and ulcers, and says: ‘“‘I have known the 


dry herbe, which came from beyond the sea, sold in Bucklers- 
bury for halfe a crowne an ounce. But since it was found in 
Hampstead wood, even as it were at our townes end, no man 
will give halfe a crowne for an hundredweight of it; which 
plainely setteth forth our inconstancie and sudden mutabilitie, 
esteeming no longer of anything how pretious soeuer it be, than 
whilest it is strange and rare.” He further says, that “ Sara- 
cens Consound is not inferiour to any of the wound herbes what- 


soeuer, being inwardly ministred or outwardly applied in oint- 


ments or oyles.’’ 


The flowering herb has an aromatic odour and a bitterish 


and astringent taste ; it contains a volatile oil. 


In America S. odora, Ait., is much used as a domestic 


remedy to produce diaphoresis, to allay colic, promote menstrua- 


tion, and to cover the taste of nauseous medicines. An infusion 
may be prescribed, or a few drops of the essential oil. 

Grangea maderaspatana, Poir. Wight. Ic., t., 1097; 
is a common field weed throughout India, growing flat on the 


ground in the cold weather after the monsoon crops have been — a 


harvésted. It has sinuately pinnatifid leaves, and solitary, sub- 
globose, leaf-opposed heads of yellow flowers. The odour re- 


sembles that of worm-wood. Ainslie (Mat. Ind. 7., 481,) calls 


it Madras Wormwood, and says that the Tamil doctors consider 


it to be a valuable stomachic medicine, and also suppose it to- . 


have deobstruent and antispasmodic properties ; they pre- 
scribe it in infusion and electuary in cases of obstructed menses 


-and hysteria, and sometimes use it in preparing antiseptic and 
anodyne fomentations. When given internally, Grangea is 
usually combined with ginger, pepper, and sugar; as an anti- 


_ septic application to ulcers, the powdered leaves are used. 


COMPOSITAE. 249 


The vernacular names pees to this plant are properly those. 
Artemisia. 


Pa 


ERIGERON CANADENSIS, Linn. 


F ig.—Reich. Ic, Fl. Germ. avi, t. 917 ; Bentl. and Trim. t. 
9. Canada Fleabane (Eng.), Vergerette de Canada (F'r.). 


~Hab.— Western Himalaya, Punjab, Rohilkund, Europe, 
North America. 


Vernacular. jad 


History, Uses, &c.—This genus derives its name from 
he Greek npryépav (éapi-yéouy, £ aged’ or ‘hoary in spring’), a 
m used by Theophrastus fora plant which he describes 
. P. viii.) as xxopr@dys or like Succory. Dioscorides (iv. 92) 
ribes the same plant as having leaves like évfwpov (Hruca 
wa) but smaller, yellow flowers, abd awhite pappus. Pliny 
25, 106) calls it Senecio. It is uncertain what this plant 
but it is generally supposed to — been @ species of 


zB. canadensis is common in all warm countries, but is 3 Sup- 
ed to be of American origin, and to have spread over the 

ainder of the globe since its importation from that. con- 

sone Parkinson, in 1640, seems to be the first author who : 


es It first batugse known to French botanists in 1653, and 
Ww years afterwards it had become a weed about Paris ; it is 


_ with bales of skins. Shortly after this, it made its appearance 
in England, and is now common giosok London. How and by 
what means it reached N orthern India i is not known ; 3 it may 


350 COMPOSIT AL. 


Several species of Erigeron are used officially as diuretics in 


the United States of America, and the oil of EB, canadensisis 


official inthe U.S. Pharmacopeeia. 

H. canadensis is a stimulant which owes its virtues to a vola= 
tile oil. It is popularly supposed in America to. have a special 
action on the uterus, whence its name “ Squaw-weed.” Stillé 

states that ‘ almost all of the testimony which has been pub- 

lished respecting the remedial virtues of fleabane, agree in 
attributing to the Canadian species, astringent and hemostatic 
virtues.”” It has been found a useful remedy in the treatment 
of diarrhoea, dysentery, &c. The.oil was first brought to notice 
by the eclectic physicians, recent trials seem to indicate that 
it is a remedy of special value in uterine hemorrhage. - The 
oil has been observed by R. Barthelow (Physic. and Surg.s 
April, 1887,) to check the waste of albumen, to lessen the irri- 
tability of the bladder in cystitis, and to afford considerable 
_ relief in bronchial catarrh and similar affections. The dose 
given was five drops, three or four times a day. 

The medicinal properties of H. canadensis do not appear to 
be known to the natives of India, nor have we heard of any 
vernacular name for it. : 

Description.—Stem 6 inches to 3 feet, simple, erect, 
slender, striate, with scattered hairs; branches numerous, 
_ ascending ; radical leaves spathulate, or narrowly obovate, 
dentate, stem leaves linear-lanceolate, acute; heads very 


numerous, about } inch long, involucre bracts acuminate, ligules 


pale rosy or purplish, scarcely exceeding the pappus, disk 

flowers yellow; achenes ;!; of an inch, narrow, flat, nearly 

glabrous, pappus } of an inch. The plant has a mint-like 
our, and an astringent somewhat bitter taste. 


Chemical composition.—The plant contains a volatile oil 


which is a limpid, pale yellow liquid of a peculiar aroma and 


persistent odour, somewhat terebinthinate and of an aromatic, 
not very pungent taste. According to A. M. Todd (Amer. 


Journ. Pharm., June, 1887,) the specific gravity of the natural oil - 
isnot above "865, nor below 855; it should not boil vigorously _ 


* 


seas 


mes 
( Ay 


Oe ee, 


bite 


Yous aa ai 
pe et A ef ME WE 5 


4 wilde Salie (Dutch). 


COMPOSITAL, 251 


below 342° F., nor above 347° F, until five per cent. has been 


volatilized ; when redistilled it is colourless, and a resinous pro- 
duct of a deep reddish brown colour is left in the retort. The 
pure oil in the natural state should not polarize nearer the 
zero point than —26, nor further than —60; the rectified 
oil, freed from resin, may polarize somewhat nearer the zero 
point than the limit given, and the first fractions should be 
dextrogyre. The oil dissolves iodine without explosion, is 
gradually coloured reddish by potash, and is slowly acted 
upon in the cold by fuming nitric acid. It dissolves freely in 
ether and absolute alcohol, but is only moderately soluble in 80 
per cent. spirit. The oil consists mainly of a terpene, €'°H'S, 
Specific gravity -8464, boiling at 176° C., and yielding a crystal- 
line dihydrochloride which fuses at 47°—48° C. (Beilstein and 
Wiegand, Ber, der Deutch. Chem. Ges. xv., 2854.) . 


Erigeron asteroides, Roxb., Maredi (Hind., Guz.), 


_ Sonsali (Mar.),is used in India asa stimulating diuretic in 


febrile affections. It is an annual, flowering during the cold 
season, and a native of dry cultivated lands. . 

Stem erect, from 6 to 12 inches high, ramous near the 
ground, round, hairy; branches ascending, longer than the 
stem ; leaves alternate, the inferior ones short petioled, oval 
or obovate, grossly toothed, the superior ones sessile, oblong, 
sub-lyrate, all are covered with soft down and are somewhat - 
glutinous; flowers few, terminal, peduncled, large, flat; 
hermaphrodite florets of the disc yellow, the female ones ligu- 
ate, those of the border blue, generally entire or only 
emarginate.’ (2oxb.) 


‘-BLUMEA BALSAMIFERA, Do. 
Fig.—Rumph. Amb. BS t. 24, f. 1. Oostindische ofte a 


Hab.—Tropical Himalaya, Burma, Eastern 
The camphor. oe re! 


252 —. COMPOSIT 42. 


BLUMEA DENSIFLORA, DC. 
Fig.— Seem. Fl. Vit. 141, t. 27. 


Hab,—tTropical Himalaya, Malay and Fiji Islands. The 7 
camphor. 

Vernacular—Ngai (Chin.), Kai-dai-bi (Coch.-Chin.), 
Sombong, Bangachappa (Malay), Pung-ma-theing (Burm.), 
Kukronda (Hind.), Kuksungh (Beng.). The Hindi and Bengali 
names are also applied to other strong smelling Blumeas. 


History, Uses, &c.—The camphoraceous Blumeas are 
called by Sanskrit writers Kukundara and Kukkura-dru, 
“ dog-bush’’ because their pungent odour is attractive to those 
animals; the vernacular names are derived from the Sanskrit. 
Tn addition to the two plants placed at the head of this article, 
B. aromatica, DC., and B. lacera, DC., are considered by the 
Hindus to be deobstruent and resolvent, and particularly useful : 
in the disease of the nose called Ahwah, said to be peculiar to — 
Bengal, which is accompanied by strong fever, heaviness in the 
head, pains in the body, especially in the neck, shoulders and 
loins ; the powdered leaves are given internally in two drachm — 
doses mixed with butter, and also used as a snuff. The juice 
of the leaves is placed in the eye to cure chronic purulent dis- 
charges ; it is also used as an anthelmintic, and as an astringent 
in dysentery, chronic discharge from the uterus, &c. A pre- 
paration (mérana) is made by oxidizing steel filings in the 
juice of these plants, which is highly esteemed as a remedy for — 
renal dropsy. Dr. Anderson of Bijnor has found the fresh — 
juice of B. lacera useful as an anthelmintic, especially for thread — 
worms, and Dr Bolly Chand Sen of Calcutta speaks of it a8 
invaluable in Tinea tarsi. Mir Muhammad Husain in the 
Makhzan describes Kukronda as a plant two cubits in height, 
much branched, having long crenated leaves not unlike endive 
leaves, but larger and softly downy, of a dark green colour, 
pungent odour, and astringent taste ; flowers small, yellow; 
fruit like the anemony (downy) ; seeds small, black, pubescent. — 
(B. densiflora?) . : a 


Ps, > L- x. eT ee eee ie me te el ee s 
TO gh Et ay tg ee Soe. lrg oe ek eee wg Oe, cee = oe a ee 


__ of worm wood and camphor. : 


COMPOSIT &. 953 


The Conyza odorata of Rumphius is considered by Roxburgh 


- to be B. balsamifera; the Baccharis salma of Loureiro is 
_ probably the same plant, and also the Planta Bantamica of 
Clusius (iv. 23), which was discovered by Colius in Batavia 
_ prior to the year 1619. Clusius states that it is used as a con- 
_ diment and as a remedy for colic, and in paralysis as a 
_ Stimulant fomentation or bath; given in decoction with the 
_ leaves of Vitex Negundo, Careya arborea and Citrus acida it 


produces copious perspiration. It is also used as a vermifuge 


_ and as an astringent in menorrhagia. Dr. Mason (Burmah, 
_ tts Peopleand Natural Productions, Lond., 1852,) mentions the 
_ manufacture of a camphor by the Tavoyers from B. densiflora, 
_ one of the most abundant weeds throughout the Tenasserim 


Provinces. Subsequently a Mr O’Riley of Amherst manufac- 
tured and purified more than 100 pounds of this camphor 
which was sent to Calcutta for trial, and pronounced to have 


% the same medicinal properties as ordinary camphor. In 1874, 
_ Hanbury (NV. Repert. f. Pharm. xxiii., 321,) pointed out that — 
this was the Ngai camphor mentioned by Rondot (Htude . 


Pratique du Commerce d’Hxportation de la Chine, Paris, 1848,) 
Which was worth 250 dollars the picul (133$ Ibs.) in China. 
Mr. Hanbury also obtained from Mr. F. H. Ewer of Canton a 
sample of Ngai camphor, and of the plant from which it was 


Manufactured in China (B. balsamifera); he also ascertained 


that the camphor was used in medicine by the Chinese and 
largely for the purpose of perfuming inks at the ink factories 
of Wei-chan and other places. 


' Description.—B. balsamifera is a large shrubby plant 


with an erect ligneous trunk, and branches covered with ash- 
coloured bark.’ Leaves alternate, short-petioled, lanceolate, 
irregularly serrate, and generally more or less pinnatifid at the 
base, downy, particularly underneath, where they are seri- 


cious and beautifully reticulated with numerous veins, from 6 to 


12 inches long ; petioles short, often with 1 to 4 small leaflets 


corymbs terminal, numerous, bearing many sub-cyli 
bright yellow flowers. (Roxburgh.) The plant smells 


s 


254 COMPOSITE. 


B. densiflora very closely resembles B. balsamifera, and i 
united with it by some botanists. 8B. lacera has an ere 
branching stem, the principle leaves of which are petioled an 
lyred, the superior ones simply oval and much smaller, a 
are sharp toothed, downy, and various in size. 
terminal, and from the exterior axils, peduncled. Flowers a 
dull yellow. The plant has a strong odour of wormwood and 
camphor. 


Chemical ee —B. balsamifera and densiflora contain 


yielded C 77°66, H 11-68, O 10°66 and Laurel camphor € 78 2, 
H 10°44, O 11°36. Ngai camphor has the same physical pr 
perties as Borneo camphor, but the two substances differ 
optical properties, an alcoholic solution of the former be 
levogyre in about the same degree that one of the latter 
dextrogyre. By boiling nitric acid, Borneo camphor is & 
formed into common (deatrogyre) camphor, whereas Ngai ca 


in China is about 250 dollars a picul, whereas te 
costs about 2,000 dollars for the first quality and 1,000 dol 
for the second. 


Blumea eriantha, DO., a native of Western India, is 
called Nimurdi in Marathi, and is used by the country peopl 
drive away fleas. It is very common in the Concan, and is 
remarkable for the clusters of globose, woolly buds crow 
together at the crown of the root, aud for the pe Es ey 
caraways which it possesses. The habit of the plantis v 
in cultivated ground it is erect, but in pasture land pros 
or decumbent. The io are Sige ay 


OOMPOSITZ. — 


_ of the plant is administered as a carminative, and, the herb 
sed along with the leaves of Vitee Negundo and Careya arbo- 
_ rea for fomentations. A warm infusionis given asa sudorific in 
 catarrhal affections, cold it is considered to be diuretic and 
_ emmenagogue. Underthe names of Bhaé mburdi {Mar.), Kalara 
and Chénchari-mari, “ flea-killer” (Guz.) several kinds of 
_ Blumea are used indiscriminately by the natives of Western 
India. The plants generally supplied by the herbalists being 
— Blumea lacera, Laggeta aurita and Blumea eriantha. 
_ In Sonthern India, under the names of Jangli or Divarimuli 
_ (Dec.), Narak-karandai, Kétiu-malléngi (Zam.), Kéru- pogaku, 
_ Adavi-mullangi (Tel.), Laggera aurita, Schultz-Bip (Blumea 
_ aurita, DC.) is according to Dr. Moodin Sheriff, chiefly used. 

When young the foliage resembles that of a radish, the flowers 

are white or pinkish. Some Mahometan physicians use this 
_ plant asa substitute for Kaméfitus, the xapamirvs of the Greeks, 
which was Ajuga Chamepitys, Schreber, a labiate plant. 
Chemical composition.—The entire plant of B. ertantha im 
_ flower, without roots, was air-dried and reduced to fine powder. 
On heating to 100° C., 8°76 per cent. was lost, due to mois- 
ture and volatile oil. The ash amounted to 8°81 per cent., it 
was of a hght brown colour, and contained marked traces of 
_ manganese and iron. 
On distillation with water a colourless oil was obtained, 
lighter than water, and which possessed in a marked degree 
_ the odour of the drug. The oil had asp. gr. of ‘9144 at 80° 
_ F., and was strongly levogyre. The plant yielded to petroleum 
Other 3°02 per cent. of extract, to ether 1°55 a cent., and to 

alcohol 3°40 per cent. 

The various extracts contained chlorophyll, a dark acid 

_ resin, a trace of tannin, malic acid, volatile oil, and a wax, and 
- in addition, from the ether extract a crystalline principle was 
- obtained. This principle after repeated crystallization from 
alcohol was of a light lemon yellow colour, in tufts of needles, 
or by slow crystallization in very large rhombic prisms. 
_ Was without odour, gritty b between the teeth, and with 


| a eea aaa 


Bey a eT aeeatan! fap eee Oh tuaee tren Saat 


256 COMPOSIT A. 


decided taste. In water, cold or boiling, it was practically in- ~ 
soluble, it was slightly soluble in cold ether and alcohol, but = 
was not easily soluble even in boiling alcohol. The ethereal — 
solution left the principle, on spontaneous evaporation, as a 


dull adherent deposit on the sides of the vessel. The crys- 
talline principle had a melting point of 156° C. (uncorrected) ; 
it did not contain nitrogen. With reagents it gave the follow- 
ing reactions :— 


Concentrated sulphuric acid dissolved it, the solution being 
of a bright yellow-colour; on the addition of water the acid. 


became milky from separation of white flocks. Concentrated 
nitric acid gave an orange-red coloration; hydrochloric acid 
produced no change either in the cold or on heating. Fréhde’s 


reagent gave a yellow colour, changing to yellowish-green on 


heating. Sulphuric acid and potassium bichromate no special 
reaction. An alcoholic solution gave with ferric chloride a 
dirty greenish brown coloration ; with ferrous salts, a dirty 
reddish coloration, which disappeared on heating, leaving the 
solution of a pale yellow tint. The addition of alkalies to an 
alcoholic solution produced a bright yellow colour ; in hot or 
cold aqueoys alkaline solutions the principle was insoluble. 


This principle would appear to be allied to the quercitrin | 


group, but does not appear to be identical with any of those 


hitherto described; we reserve, however, a definite expression 


of opinion for the present. 


PLUCHEA LANCEOLATA, Dliv. 
Fig.—Deless. Ic. Sel. iv., t. 21, Syn. Berthelotia lanceo- 
lata. : 


Hab.— Upper Bengal, Onde, Punjab, Sind. 

Vernacular.—Ra-sana (Punj.), Koura-sana ( Sind.) 

Description.—An annual, with spreading branches, and 
opposite, petioled, oval or oblong leaves covered with stomata 


on both sides, edges vertical ; florets tubular, with silky pappus. 
It forms thickets up to four and five feet high. Theleaves are — 


COMPOSITE. | O57 


ho be aperient, and used as a substitute for senna. We 
not had.an opportunity of examining them, 


SPH ERANTHUS INDICUS, Linn. 
-Fig.— Wight Ic. t. 1094; Rheede Hort. Mal. «. 1. 43. 


Hab.—tropical Himalaya, and southwards to Ceylon. 
e herb. 

Vernacular —Mundi, Gorakh-mundi (Hind., Mar., Guz), 
rmuria (Beng.), Kottak-karandai (Tam. ,, Bidintseapa (Tel.), 
fundikasa (Can.). 


History, Uses, &c.—This plant, which is very com- 
in rice fields, is called in Sanskrit Munditika or Mundi, 
hikshu, Pari-vr4ji (mendicant) and Tapo-dhané (rich in reli- 
ious penance). It is described in the Nighantas as pungent, 
itter, and stomachic; sweet, light and stimulant, a remedy ~ 
‘ glandular sweiienns in the neck, urethral discharges and 
ce. The dose of the powdered herb is about a scruple or © 
ruple and a half twice daily, but more may be given. 
theede, who speaks of the plant under the name of Adaca-- 
en, tells us that the powder of the root is considered 
omachic, and that the bark ground and mixed with whey is a 
ble remedy for piles. The plant with camin is stomachic ; 
honey it is given for cough; and ground with oil, it is 
d to cure itch. Burmann calls it Spheranthus purpurea. 
‘orskahl speaks of it under the name of polycephalos, and Dr, 
orsfield, in his account of Javanese medicinal plants, informs 
s that the inhabitants of Java consider it as a useful diuretic. 
Ainslie, Mat. Ind. II., p. 167.) By some Indian Mahometan 
hysicians this plant has been supposed to be the Kamazariytis* 
Arabic writers, but the author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya 
ays that this is a mistake, and describes Mundi in a separate 
e. He speaks of it asa powerful tonic, deobstruent and 
apdsdpus. Teucrium Chameedrys, Linn. Petit Lane (Fr) ¢ Ground 
mander, considered to be tonic, diureti and sudorific, on « 
“the celebrated Portland Powder. Conf. Dios. iii. 


se. 


258 COMPOSIT A. 


rubbing it up with clarified butter,-flour and sugar; a portion 
of this taken daily is said to be a good tonic, and to prevent — 
the hair turning white or falling off. Several other somewhat 
similar preparations of different parts of the plant are men- — 
tioned by him, and are described as preservatives of the animal — 
powers. An oil prepared from the root, by steeping it in water, 
and then boiling in oil of Sesamum until all the wateris expelled, 
taken fasting every morning for 41 days in doses of 2 dirhems, 
~ is said to be a powerful aphrodisiac pS ade? cast sh CyB) 
990) wl ¢>%). Experiments with the distilled water show that ; 
it is not diuretic; in ‘the case of a cachectic native suffering 
from frequent. micturition caused by chronic prostatitis ib 
afforded much relief. A European suffering from boils derived 
decided benefit from taking a wineglassful three times a-day. © 


_ Description.—Plant generally about 8 inches high, 
‘winged ; leaves thick, sessile, decurrent, obovate, bristle-ser- 
rate, covered with down, consisting of long white hairs ; flower™ 
heads solitary, mostly terminal, sub-globular, the size of a 
_ small marble, purple when fresh, but lose their colour when — : 
dried ; roots fibrous. The drug generally consists of the whole _ 
plant, but the capitula are sometimes sold separately. The 
taste is somewhat bitter, the odour of the capitula terebin- 

_ thinate. , | is 

- Chemical composition.—150 Ibs. of the fresh herb distilled 
with water in the usual manner yielded a very deep sherry- 
coloured, viseid essential oil, very soluble in water, and 
clinging to the side of the vessel, so that only half an ounce = 
could be collected. The oil does not appoar to have any 


Seen eT Orne ge ee 


Pert. 


COMPOSIT A. 959 


rotatory: power, but it is difficult to examine on account of 

4 its opacity. ; . 

_ The most important principle detected in the leaves, stems 

and flowers of the plant was a bitter alkaloid soluble in éther, 

_ affording reactions with the ordinary alkaloidal reagents, but 

_ giving no special colour reactions. We have provisionally 

_ called this alkaloid Spheranthme. ie 
’ Commerce.—The dried herb, and also the dried flowe 

heads, are sold in the bazars. 


ce INULA HELENIUM, Linn. 

: Fig.— Woodville Med. Bot., t. 26; Bentl. and Psa: 1BbE 
_ Elecampane (Eng.), Aunée (F’r.). : 
_ Hab.—Central Asia, Central and Southern Europe. The 
— root. 


History, Uses, &c.—All the Indian Mahometan 
writers on Materia Medica mention this drug under the names 
of Rasan, Kust-i-sh4mi, or Zanjabil-i-sh4mi, i.e. Syrian Costus 
or Syrian ginger. R4san is a Persian name for the plant which 
has been adopted by the Arabs. From the Burhén-i-Katia we 
learn that the plant is also known in Persia as Pil-gush 
(clephant’s ear), and Gharsa, and is useful for eruptions and 
all kinds-of pains, especially those arising from chill, bites of 
animals, &c. Elecampane is the éAenov of the Greeks, and is 
described by Hippocrates as a stimulant of the brain, stomach, 
kidneys and uterus; it is the Inula of the Romans and the 
Enula campana of medieval writers, and was formerly: much 
used in pectoral affections, such as cough and asthma, and in 
acid dyspepsia, rheumatism, &c. ; an ointment made with it 
was used to cure itch. It is still a domestic remedy in France 
and Germany, and to a less extent in England, and the root 
holds a place in the. Pharmacopoeias of Germany, France an 
the United States of America. The root is preserved as 
pectoral candy on the continent of Kurope, and 
France in the preparation of absinthe, Of late. 


nally irregularly wrinkled and — = lege white 


260 © COMPOSITA. 


principie, helenin, has been introduced into medical use, — 
and is said to possess remarkable antiseptic properties; it is — 
recommended as a gargle in ozena and internally in diseases ~ 
of the respiratory organs for reducing inflammation. It is 
said to speedily relieve chronic bronchitis, and has also been 
employed in anthrax and acid dyspepsia, Korab claims for — 


helenin a power of destroying bacilli ais de Therap. ciii. a7 
The dose of this principle is from 4 to 4 of a grain. 


It is imposible to determine whether Hlecampane was known a 
to the ancient Hindus, but the old Persian name Résan leads — 


us to suspect that it was possibly the original Rdsna of the 


Hindu Materia Medica, although entirely different roots are — 
now in use under that name. It is significant that Gandha- 
mula, i.e. “ aromatic root,” is a synonym for the rasna of the — 


Nighantas, whilst the roots actually in use are not aromatic; 


the properties also attributed to these roots in the same books — 
are those of Elecampane and not of the inert roots now in use 


in the plains of India, 


. 
‘ Be, 
Inula racemosa, Hook. f., a native of the Western — 


Himalayas and Cashmere, is used in veterinary medicine in 
those parts, as a-tonic and stomachic ; its aves closely resemble 
in properties those of I. Helentum, 


Aitchison informs us that I, Royleana, DC., a native of a 


? 


the same districts, is largely used to adulterate Costus. 
Pulicaria crispa, Benth. (Inula quadrifida, Ham.), a 


native of the Punjab and Upper Gangetic plain, is called Phat- 


mer or Phatmel in Hindi (mz, a rent, and ¥s, union), and — 
according to Stewart is used as a vulnerary. 


Description.—The root of I. Helenium is about 6 inches © 


long and 1 or 2 inches thick, divided below into branches 6. 
to 12 inches long and 4 to 1 inch thick, very fleshy, in com- 
merce always sliced either longitudinally or transversely. 


The longitudinal slices have the bark overlapping; the : : 


transverse slices are concave, somewhat radially striate; exter- 


+i 


a 


a7 OP et Se Lema 


IV Si a habs 68 5 hs ola 


Pope 
s 


kee Y gto es 


COMPOSITE. 961 


when fresh, greyish after drying, of a peculiar aromatic odour 
and an aromatic, bitterish, and pungent taste. The root is 
hygroscopic and flexible in damp weather, but when dry breaks 
with a short fracture. The bark is $ inch or more thick, the 
inner portion radiates near the cambium line ; the meditallium 
has small fibro-vascular bundles and broad medullary rays, and 
all parts of the root are dotted with shining yellowish-brown 
resin-cells. 

Chemical composition.—Elecampane contains a little volatile 
oil, some acrid resin, a bitter principle not known as yet in the 
isolated state, waey matter; inulin, etc. On investigating the 
body formerly known as helenin and elecampane camphor, 
which crystallizes from the concentrated tincture mixed with 
water, Kallen (1873) isolated helenin, C°H®O, which is 
insipid, almost insoluble in water, crystallizes in needles, fuses 


at 110° C., and is by nitric acid converted into oxalic acid and a 


resinous body. On distilling the root with steam, Kallen 
(1876) obtained inula camphor or alant camphor, C'°H iO. 
and inulol or alantol, C'5H®°O*. The first of these forms 
colourless necdles of a faint camphoraceous odour and taste, 
melts at 66° C., and is sublimable and very slightly soluble in 
water. Alantol isa yellowish liquid having the odour of pepper- 
mint and an aromatic taste, boiling near 200° C., and yielding 


-erystallizable alantic or inulic acid, C'15H220%, Inulin, C'? 


H*0Q10 is contained in the subterraneous parts of Composite, 
and is obtained by forcibly expressing the grated juicy roots, 
when a portion will deposit on standing, and the remainder 
may be precipitated by alcohol. Kiliani (1881) recommends 
boiling the roots with water containing sodium carbonate; the 
liquid is cooled by a freezing mixture, and the precipitate - 
repeatedly dissolved in hot water and reprecipitated by cooling. 


The autumn roots contain the largest percentage (elecam- 


pane 44 per cent.) of inulin, which by the following spring is 
to a considerable extent changed into mucilage, sugar, and 
levulin, and in some cases to glucosides. Inulin is a fine white 
powder, tasteless and inodorous, insoluble in al sligh 
soluble in cold water, more so in hot water, and 


. 


262 COMPOSITZ, 


altered, but mostly reprecipitated on cooling; on the slow 
evaporation of its aqueous solution it may be obtained in crys- 
talline spheres, and by hydration it is converted into gum-like 
and horny modifications. It appears to be the anhydride of 
levulose, its formula being C°H!°Q5 °H’O, but it does not 
reduce Fehling’s solution, Heated with water in sealed tubes, 
it yields levulose ; with hot baryta-water lactic acid is formed, 
diluted nitric acid oxidizes it to formic, oxalic, racemic, gly- 
collic, and probably glyoxylic acids. Inulin differs from starch 
by the absence of concentric layers, does not yield a jelly with 
water, and it is coloured yellow (not blue) by iodine. (Stillé 
and Maisch.) ! 


XANTHIUM STRUMARIUM, Linn. 


Fig.—Eng. Bot. 36, t. 2544; Matth. Valg. 2, 545, fe 


Broad-leaved Burweed (Hng.), Lampourde (Fr.). 
Hab.—Hotter parts of India and Ceylon. Europe. The 


herb. 

Vernacular.—Gokhru-kallan (Punj.,Sind.), Ban-okra(Beng.), 
Marlumatta (Tam.), Veritel-nep (Tel.), Shankeshvar (Mar.), 
Shankhahuli (Hind.), Kadvalamara (Can.), 


History, Uses, &c.—The févbor of Dioscorides (IV. 
133,) appears to be this plant; he tells us how it should be used 
to dye the hair, and also notices its use in dispelling tumours. 
The generic name has been given it on account of its contain- 
ing a yellow-colouring matter, and the specific name is an 
allusion to its use in scrofula.. It is the Xanthium seu Lappa 
minor of Ray, Bauhin and Matthiolus. In some parts of 
Germany, where it is called Spitzklette, it has a popular repu- 
tation as a remedy for ague, and in Russia it is considered to 
be a prophylactic in hydrophobia. In the Punjab and 
Sind it is called Gokhru kallén, or * great Gokhra,’ and is 
given in small-pox on the doctrine of signatures (Stewart) ; 
its hairs and prickles are employed in medicine in China. 


(Smith.) {t appears to be the Hasak of the Eastern Arabian — - 
physicians, and the Hamaz-cl-amir of the Western, it is the 


COMPOSITA. 263 


Khar-i-khasak of Persia, and Haji Zein informs us that it is 

Ned Khar-i-sthék at Shiraz, and Harada at Ispahan; the 
name is an allusion to its yellow colour, Harad is the 
ld Persian for turmeric. Hasak is described by Mahometan 
iters on Materia Medica as useful for dispelling tumours 
and curing ophthalmia, also in renal and urinary complaints 
a diuretic, and in colic; it is said to be aphrodisiac, 

The Hindus consider the whole plant to be diaphoretic and 
Sedative, and very efficacious in long-standing cases of mala- 


Seckerit writers. Loureiro states that the seeds are attenuant 
and eapicont of inflammatory swellings. In America and 


dorific, sialogogue and slightly diuretic. The dose given 
been 10 grains of the ary leaves. ~ 


Description. —Stem erect, scabrous, clouded with ioe 
loured spots; leaves alternate, petioled, cordate or kidney- 
aped, notched, waved, 3-nerved, scabrous, about 4 inches 
iameter, petioles round, scabrous, as long*as the leaves : : 
ers terminal and from the superior axils, male aggregate 
ve the female, short peduncled ; female, subsessile, solitary ; 
erm superior, oblong, armed. with uncinate bristles, 2-celled, 
ch cell containing one ovule en veloped i in an interior tunic. 


enemical, composition.—Zander (1881) obtained. from 100 
ts of the fruit 5-2 ash, 38°6 fat, 36-6 albuminoids, 13 
inthostrumarin and organic acids, besides sugar, resin, &c. 
Xs mthosteamarin seems to bea glucoside, is yellow, amor- 
phous, soluble in water, alcohol, ether, benzol and chloroform, 
\d yields precipitates with group reagents for alkaloids, and 
7 sierric chloride, lead acetate, and salts of other metals, 


964. COMPOSITA. 


acetate of lead. M. V. Cheatham (1884) obtained only 14:5 


per cent. of fixed oil, and a principle which’ was precipitated 


y 
SIEGESBECKIA ORIENTALIS, je 


Fig.—Wight. Ic., t..1103; Schk. Han. 8, t. 256. Herbe= 


guérit-vite (Fr.). 


Hab.—Throughout India. Cosmopolitan in warm climate 
: Vernacular. —He-kien, Kau-kau (Chix.), Katampam, Kat- 
ampu (Z'um.). 

History, Uses, &c.—This plant is named after Dr. 
George Siegesbeck,a German physician, fomerly director of 


the gardens at Petersburgh. It appears to have been long - 


known in China as a remedy for ague, rheumatism, and renal 
colic; but as far as we know, its medicinal properties are not 
known to. the natives of India. The properties of the plant 
have been studied by Vinson and Louvet, who state that in the 
island of Réunion it has a considerable local reputation as a 


sialagogue, vulnerary, tonic, aperient and depurative; it isan 


ingredient in Périchon’s Sirop depuratif végétal, which is used 
as a remedy in venereal and scrofulous affections. The juice 
_of the fresh herb is used as a dressing for wounds, over which, 
as it dries, it leaves a varnish-like coating. A decoction of 
the leaves and young shoots is used as a lotion for ulcers and 
parasitic skin diseases. Other preparations of the plant are 4 
wine and a watery extract, Auffrey of the Mauritius separated 
a bitter principle from the drag which he named darutyne, in 
honour of Dr. ©. Daruty, the author of a work upon the 
medicinal plants of that Island.* J. Hutchinson (Brit Med. 


ie ae 


Py papain. | Ae ptt ga Journ. Pharm., 1881, 271, and 1884, 134.) — 


Seen. 


Journ., June 25, 1887,) has recommended a tincture of Sie- ; 


genbiock ix as a local application in certain skin diseases; he 
remarks that most of the medicaments now in use inconveni- 


ence the patient on account of their greasy nature, and, ce 


* Plantes médicinales de Vile Maurice et des pays intertropicaux. 
Maurice : . Christy, New Commercial Plants, No. 9, pp. 49-52, 


COMPOSIT#. 265 


igrensy, they do not afford relief to the dryness and 
nsion of the skin. The affected parts are rubbed night and, 


pain is soon relieved, and the eruptions disappear. 


4 Description.— A much branched, erect herb, I to 3 feet 
igh, with opposite, broadly triangular or ovate, coarsely tooth- 


then treated with alcohol, part of the alcohol distilled off, and 
the residue mixed with five or six times its volume of water, | 
slightly acidulated. The precipitated substance after filtration 
is treated with alcohol, and mixed with two or three times its 
volume of water, when the darutyne crystallizes out, the yield 
being 0°15 per cent. The crystals are soluble in alcohol and 
i. but insoluble in cold water, dilute acids, alkalies and 
chloroform and are neutral to test paper. M. Auffray finds 
that it does not give the reactions for glucosides, alkaloids, 
acids, or resin. Concentrated sulphuric acid dissolves the 
erystals with a brownish colour, and strong hydrochloric acid 
out colour in the cold, but when allowed to boil 
i —— tint, Be a 


‘principally used as a tonic and deobstruent in’ 


266 COMPOSITH. 


We found the crystals obtained from a decoction of the plant 
to give off the odour of salicylol when heated with sulphuric’ 
acid and potassium dichromate, and we obtained some crystals : 
in the ether extract of the plant, which also acted as a derivative: i 
of salicylic acid. | 


Enhydra fluctans, Lour., Hilamochika or Hilamochi, — 
(Sans.), Hingcha (Beng.), Harkuch (Hind.), a glabrous or 


sessile, linear-oblong, acute or obtuse, entire or subcrenate 
leaves, from one to three inches in length, and with axillary or — 
terminal, sessile flower heads ; is used as a bitter vegetable in 


of the skin and nervous system. The juice of the leaves i pas 
doses of about one tola (180 grains). is also prescribed. 
This plant is unknown in Western and Southern India. 


ECLIPTA ALBA, Hassk. 
 Fig.—Lam. Ill., t. 687; Rheede, Hort. Mal: z., 41. 
Hab.—Throughout India. The herb. 
Vernacular.—Bhangra ( Hind.) , Bhengra(Guz.), Méka(dMar.), 

Kesuria (Beng.), Garaga, Kadige-garaga (Can. ), Karesha-lén- 
ganni, Kaikeshi, Kaivishi-ilai (Tam.), Gunta-galijeru, Gala- 
gara-chettu, Gunta-kalagara (Tel.), Cajenneam (Mal). .5..° 


History, Uses, &c.—This is a very common weed. 
the rainy season, and may be found in irrigated fields and 
gardens at all times of the year, it is used by the Hindus at 
the Shraddh ceremony, being placed under and-on the Pinda. 
It is called in Sanskrit Kesaraja, Bhringaréja and Markava, _ 
names which include Wedelia calendulacea, which is regarded _ 
by the natives of India as a variety of Eclipta alba. In the 
Nighantas it is described as ieee pungent, aed aes 
removing phlegm and win 
: @iseases of the skin, ae and doa ee Sirsa: sy 


: . splenic enlargements, and in various. chronic Bee 


COMPOSI TA. 267 


@ latter class of cases it is applied externally and given inter- 
y. The juice of the plant is ased in tatooing to communi- 
a blue colour to the punctures, and it is stated in native 
ks that when taken internally and applied externally it will 
e the hair black. Mahometan writers follow the Hindus in 
bir description of the medicinal properties of this herb, 

nd give Kadim-el-bint as the Arabic name. — Rheede states 


juice with melted butter is given in rheumatism. Pills 
me by pounding the plant with oil are supposed to relieve 


bilst the leaves powdered and iced with salt, pepper sad 
Mejuice, stimulate the appetite. He describes Wedelia calen- 
dulacea (x., 42,) as having similar properties. According to 
tt, the last-named plant is the Kesaraja mostly used i in Bengal, 
pais also mentions it under the name of Peela Bhangr a, and 
describes it in the following terms :— 


. 


“Tt has an herbaceous stem, a foot high, and nearly erect 5 
es quite entire, opposite, lanceolate, bluntish, with alow 
_-* terminating, solitary, and on a very long peduncle. — 
y leaves, seeds, yellow flowers, ina word the whole of this 
growing plant, which is pleasant and somewhat aromatic 
the taste, is used in medicine; it is considered as deob.. 
‘uent, and is awe Sartre in decoction, in the quantity of half 
supful twice daily.”, : 


“s J.J. Wood suggested that Eelipta alba would be found 

itnally of greater service than taraxacum in hepatic derange- : 
ments. The expressed j juice is recommended as the best form e 
for administration i in the Pharmacopeia of India, and in Bom- 
the natives use the juice in combination with aromatics, - 
‘as ajowan seeds, as a tonic and deobstruent, and give two. 
of it with eight drops of honey to new-born children 
! ip never The plant is used i in Mad as to 

used by scorpion | 


268 | - COMPOSITE. 


The following prescription is used in the Concan for teta- 
nus :—Maka Juice 1 tolé, juice of Lewcas seylanica (Tamba) 
}tol4, Ginger juice 2 tolds, juice of Vitew trifolia 1 tol, leaf 
juice of Sesbania grandiflora 3 tolfs; to be boiled with four 
times the quantity of cocoanat juice and a little rice and treacle 
to form a Khir, to be given twice a day. 


Description.—Z. alba is a small prostrate or ascending — 
plant, stem reddish; leaves linear or oblong-lanceolate, atten- — 
uated at the base, with waved edges, 1 to 4 inches long. The 


whole plant is rough to the touch from the presence of nume- 
rous adpressed white hairs; the structure of these is peculiar, 
the base is red and turned upwards, and upon it is attached a 
conical, white, glandular hair. The flower heads are in 
pairs, axillary or terminal, + to } of an inch in diameter, white 
or rarely yellow, one rai a peduncle twice as long as 
the other; the receptacle is flat, and furnished with bristle- 
like scales between the florets, ray-florets fertile or sterile ; 
dise-florets fertile, tubnlar;*achenes of the ray-florets 


ge eee aes ee eA 


triqnetrons, those of the dise i ala pappus toothed 5 


or 2-aristate. 


Wedelia calendulacea hasa eases, glabrous ow : 
scabrid stem, 6 to 18 inches in length, rooting at the lower nodes ; 


leaves 1 to 3 inches: long, variable in breadth, sub-sessile,, 
linear-oblong or oblanceolate, acute or obtuse, entire or sub-. — 


crenate, hairs on both sides scattered, adpressed, rigid, white. 


Heads solitary, yellow, on long slender axillary _peduneles, F 


1 to 14 inches in diameter, outer involucre bracts large, oblong- 
obtuse, herbaceous, much longer than the disc-florets ; outer , 
florets ligulate,. central tubular ; achenes of the ray triquetrous, | 
those of the disc Nibpeinnad: pappus of toothed or — 
scales. 


Chemical shia ithe —In addition to a Sees amount of : 


resin, an alkaloidal principle was detected in E. alba, which 
we failed to obtain im a crystalline form. It afforded no 
special colour reactions. The sulphate was slightly soluble in 
ether. We provisionally call this alkaloid Eeliptine. — : 


COMPOSITA. 969 
GUIZOTIA ABYSSYNICA, Cass. 


Ill., t. 182; Bot. Mag., t. 1017. now ed 
fing.). : 

Hab.— Africa, cultivated in India. The seed and oil. 
Vernacular.—Ramtil, Kélétil (Hind., Beng., Mar., Guz.), 
si, Valesalu (Tel.), Uchellu (Zam.), Hutchu-ellu (Can.) 


History, Uses, &c,—This plant is the Nuk of the 
yssinians, and was first brought to the notice of Europeans 


a the British Resident at the Court of the Berar Raja, and 


wn broadcast, and ploughed in. It requires neither manure 
oY weeding, and is very exhaustive to the soil. It ripens in 


eight days. Then, having been for two or three days exposed 
to the sun, the’ seed is beaten out with a stick, and separated 
n fragments of the plant by a fan. Part of it is parched 
| made into sweetmeats with jaggery, but the greater part 
sold to the oil-makers for expression. This oil is much 
emed for culinary purposes, and is also used as a lamp oil, 
but is‘reckoned by the natives inferior to that of Sesamum. 
bout the same time it was noticed by Ainslie, who testi-- 
to its extensive cultivation on the coast. .(Mat. Ind., ii. 

.). Heyne notices its cultivation in. Bengal and calls it 
erinnua, 


y “eG of the tnblerand, of India sp 


ree months, when it is cut near the root and «stacked for 


(Tracts on India, p. 49.) The: plant ingaitivated: 


é 


270 COMPOSITA. 


group of fixed oils, and states that its applications are to 
adulterate rape oil and to act as a substitute for linseed oil, — 
We have not found it to be siccative enough for the latter pur- — 
pose, and, in fact, from its sweetness and low congealing point, — 
we should agains it of greater value than that usually attri- 


buted to 


Description.—This is an annual, herbaceous, erect 


plant; leaves opposite, long, lanceolate, coarsely serrated, 
peduncles thin subcorymbose ; flowers a bright — 


yellow. 


The achenes are of a greyish-black colour, about Yo of an E 


inch long, somewhat angular from lateral compression, tapering 
towards the base, quite smooth, taste oily and nutty. 


Chemical composition.—The seeds have been examined by E 
Anderson who found them to contain water 7:02, oil 43°22, ‘ 
albuminous substances 19°37, sugar, gum, &c., 13°37, cellulose : 


"14°88, ash 3°48 per cent. The nitrogen amounted to 3°10 per 


cent, (Highland Agr. Soc. Journ., New Ser., No. 69, p. 376.) | 
The oil is light yellowish brown having a specific gravity — 


of *921 at 20° and -924 at 15°5°. It solidifies at a tempera- 


tare below zero. A few drops mixed with strong sulphuric _ 
acid form greenish brown clots. After the application of <3 


‘Massie’s test the oil became light brown; heated with the 
acid, and after the action had ceased, the oil became dark 
reddish brown. It required 19 per cent. of KHO for sapo- 
nification, and the fatty acids resulting from the decomposi- 
tion amounted to 949 per cent. of the oil and melted at 
about 21° C.. The fatty acids remaining at a temperature 


a little above their melting-point, separated into a solid white _ 


crystalline acid melting at 50° and some liquid oleic acid. 
By decomposing the lead soap of the fatty acids insoluble 
in ether, a white lustrous body was obtained melting at 54° 


: and solidifying at 51°, and soluble in alcohol with a slight acid — ; 
S reaction, probably myristic acid. The oil has slight drying 
properties. About one and-a-half gram of oil was heated to” 


= a of 92° in’ ‘a shallow me for a few hours 


i 4: ire 
po SS RS SEE Ree ae ens 


a, Teh ee eae 


omens ca hain edere 


COMPOSIT A. 271 


each day and weighed carefully each morning before being 
heated. The greatest increase was observed on the second 
day, but the weight augmented daily in diminishing amounts 
until the fifteenth day, when it was found to have gained altoge- 
ther 7:2 per cent. The oil was still unctuous and transparent and 


- flowed from the vessel when inverted. The oil was heated to 


over 250° on three occasions, but this did not appear to affect 
its limpid character. 


Glossocardia linearifolia, Cass., Wight Ic.,t. 1110, 


Syn.—G. Bosvallea, a plant of Central India and the Deccan, 
is known in Marathi by the name of Phatar-suva, which means 
Rock anethum. In the Poona and Sholapore districts it is 
called Pitsa-paépada, a name also given to Fumaria as well as 
to several Acanthaceous plants. It is not sold in the Bombay 
shops, but is the Pitta-papada of the Poona druggists, and 
according to Dalzell and Gibson is much used im female com- 
plaints, the nature of which they do not specify. «G. lineart- 
folia is « small annual, with many stems, diffuse ; leaves alter- 
nate, much divided, linear at the base; heads of flowers 
solitary, yellow, on short naked peduncles. It has a bitter — 

te, and an odour of fennel, and is used as an emmenagogue. 


ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM, Linn. ‘A 


Fig.— Woodville, t. 15; Reich. Tc. Fl. Germ., avi. t. 1026; 
Bentl. and Trim, 153. Yarrow, Nose-bleed (Eng.), Herbe aux 
Charpentiers, Millefeuille (Fr. 2 

Hab.—Western Himalaya. Cultivated in gardens. 

Vernacular.—Biranjasif (Ind. Bazars). 

History, Uses, &c,—Differentspecies of Achillea have 
been used medicinally from a very early date, Dioscorides 
(iv., 34) mentions dyAdcov as a plant which was used as an 
astringent and emmenagogue. According to Pliny the generi 
name was given to these plants becanse Achillea was: fone 
‘to use them as a vulnerary, he says :-—“ In 


272 : COMPOSITA. 


Achilleos vocatur. Hac sanasse Telephum dicitur. Alii primum - 


eeruginem invenisse, utilissimam emplastris, ideoque depingitur 
ex cuspide decutiens eam gladio in vulnus Telephi. Alii utroque 
usum medicamento volunt. Aliqui et hane panacen heracleon, 
alii sideriten. Hane apud nos millefolium vocant, cubit- 
ali scapo, ramosam, minutioribusque quam foeniculi foliis 
vestitam abimo. Alii fatentur quidem illam vulneribus utilem, 
sed veram achilleon esse scapo cceruleo pedali, sine ramis.” 
(25,19). A species of Achillea is the Kaiswm of the Arabians, Ibn. 
Sina says of it :— paiva I yo aly I, By) Ce zivla 5)J (according 
to Galen its flowers are more conspicuous than those of worm- 
wood). The same plant is the Biranjdsib or Biranjdsif of the 
Persians, which has been identified by Stocks with A. santolina, 
Liun.; the description of biranj4sif in the Tuhfat-el-muminin 
is unmistakably that of an Achillea; another Persian name for 
the plant is Bu-t-maderdn; it is in common use as @ tonic in 
Persia and Sind. In Egypt a species of Achillea is used medi- 
cinally under the name of Barbara (1p). In Europe and 
in the Kast the plants belonging to this genus have long been 
considered to have stimulant, — tonic, emmenagogue and 
antiheemorrhoidal properties, A. Moschata (Génepi blanc) is 
an Alpine plant witha musky odour, having sudorific and healing 
properties. At Engadine, in Switzerland, a volatile oil is 
extracted from it called Esprit d’Iva. For administration 402. 
of A. millefolium may be infused ina pint of water and 
reduced to 6 oz., of this 1 oz. may be given every hour. This 
plant has of late years been reintroduced into medical use in 
America ; it is spoken of as a general stimulant and tonic, with 


peculiar relations to the pelvic organs. Like other stimulant . 


tonics, it has been found capable of curing certain cases of 


intermittent fever, and is apt to promote the appetite and | 


digestion in atonic gastric disorders. Its special local action is 
illustrated by the virtues ascribed to it in piles and amenorrhea, 


Ee ne Soe eS ae 


COMPOSITE. 973 


oody, during defecation. A similar condition of atony in 

reproductive organs of the female is attended sometimes 
h menorrhagia, and sometimes with imperfect and painful 
struation. A tonic and stimulant regimen is essential to 
s successful treatment, and as a portion thereof, milfoil may 
ymetimes be employed with advantage. By this mode of 
n, doubtless, milfoil has proved beneficial in leucorrhcea 
| flatulent colic; and it may assist in curing relaxed and 
erwise inert conditions of the throat, when its infusion is 
asa gargle, or in cases of sore nipples, when it is applied 
lotion. The volatile oil may be given in doses of 20 drops. 
hillein, i in doses of from 8 to 20 grains, is reported to have 
sioned a sense of epigastric oppression and some irregu- 
tity of pulse, but to haye increased. the sneha (Stillé 
i Maisch. 


: Description. ey perennial herb with a slender creeping 


this abit: ‘ones much snitch, vosiile arid :obtolige all 
deeply bi- or tri-pinnatisect with closely placed, overlap-. 
ng segtnents, which are again cut into linear, very acute 

, more or less hairy, mucronate, and having small oil- 
3 on the lower side. The flowers grow in level-topped 
rymbs; heads numerous, with the involucre oblong; scales 
eS keeled; receptacle flat, chaffy ; ray-florets pistillate, 

r 5, short ligulate, white. or rose-coloured ; disk-florets — 
veral, perfect, tabular, with the margin whitish and the tube 
ish; pecnenes flattened, oblong; ones pappus. - It has Cae 


274 COMPOSITZ. 


. 
achilletn was obtained by Zanon (1846) as a reddish-brown ; 
extract-like mass, and was regarded by Von Planta (187C) as — 


being identical with the alkaloid achilleine of A. moschata. | 
Zanon’s achilleic acid is aconitic acid (Hlasiwetz, 1857). Yar= 


4 


row also contains a small quantity of resin, tannin, and guin, 


and various salts, consisting of malates, nitrates, phosphates, 


and chlorides ef potassium and calciam; on incineration, frem 4 


13 to 1? per cent. of ash is obtained. 


Von Planta-Reichenau (1870) obtained from A. moschata : a 
bluish-green volatile oil, ivaol, of a refreshing odour and bitterish 


mint-like taste ; ivain, C24H 4203, soft, yellow, insoluble in — 


water, soluble in alcohol and bitter ; achilleine, C20H 38N%0", is 


readily soluble in water, with difficulty in absolute alcohol, 
insoluble in ether, 


sugar, ammonia, an odorous body, and achilletine, C!'H!7NO*, 
which is dark-brown 


moschatine, C21] 27N O’, is insoluble in cold water, and has an 
aromatic bitter taste. (Stillé and. Maisch.) : 


MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA, Linn. 


Fig.— Lamk. Ill. t. 678; Bentl. and Trim. t. 155. Ger- 


man Chamomile (Eng.), Camomille d' Allemagne (Fr.). 
Hab.—- Northern India, Persia, Europe. ee 
Vernacular.— Bébune-ke-phil (Hind.) , Shimai-chémantippu 


(Tam.), Sima-chamanti-pushpamu (Tel.), Shima-jeventi-push- 


pam (Mal.), Shime-shy{mantige ( Can.), Bébuna-na-phila 
(Guz.), Babuna-cha-phiila (Mar.), : 


‘History, Uses, &c.—The avbeuis of Dioscorides is refer- 
red by Sibthorp to Anthemis chia, Linn., but it is probable that 
several species were used under this name, including Matricaria 
Chamomilla. Theophrastes describes the flowers of anthemon 
as To dev kuxde avbos Nevxor, ro Bey Herw xpvoos (HP, vii., 18), his 
plant was therefore a single-flowered one. . Formerly the cha- 
momile flowers met with in the bazars we ; 
Northern India and Persia, and were the flowers of Af. Cha- 


ey es 2 


» Insoluble in water, and not bitter; 


and when boiled with dilute acids yields — 


. 


ee 


TOT SOF anon Cre eee PO Tae = 


q 


My 


AY Ee ee 
tet swe 


5 A i 


By Rate RS a Sk eee ee le ro bP Se ee Ae ence Smee Sef a ee ee ee a eee ee er ee st oy 
i = os Pe ‘ wae 


pasties 


oe) ee 


ah 


eae 


a afew 


ee TT 


' COMPOSIT Ai. : 278 


3 momilla, but now the double flowers of Anthemis nobilis 
_ imported from Europe, are found in-most of the large towns. 


The drug does not appear to be mentioned by the old Sanskrit 
writers, and was probably first used in India by the Maho- 


- metan invaders. The notices of Babunah in Persian works on 


Materia Medica must be understood as applying to M. 
Chamomilla; we gather from: them that this plant is named 
after the-village of Babunah in Iraék-arabi, where it is particu- 


darly abundant. The Arabs call it Tuffah-el-ard and Shajrat- 


el-kafiar (camphor plant). It is considered to be stimulant, 
attenuant, and discutient. There is a popular opinion among 
the Persians that the odour of the flowers induces sleep and 
drives away noxious insects; they also say that bathing the 
genitals with chamomile tea bas a powerful aphrodisiac effect. 


Description.—The flower-heads are 4 to} of an inch 


broad, and have a flattish involucre, with two or three rows of 
_ small oblong-linear, obtuse scales having the margin mem- 
_ branous. The receptacle is at firstconvex, but becomes strongly 


conical and hollow, and is free from chaff. ‘The ray-florets are 


_ about fifteen in number, soon reflexed, white, ligulate-oblong, 


with two notches at the apex and enclosing the bifid style, 


_ but no stamens. The numerous yellow disk-florets are tubular, 
_ five-toothed, somewhat glandular, hermaphrodite, and have the 


anthers united into a.tube through which the bifid style pro- 
jects. The achenes are small, curved, finely five-ribbed on the — 
inner surface, brownish, tvithout pappus, but with a slightly 


_ elevated margin at the apex. German chamomile-flowers have 


& peculiar aromatic odour and a bitterish aromatic taste. They 
are easily distinguished from allied composite plants by.their 


smooth, conical, and hollow disks, which shrink very consider- 


ably on drying, F 


Chemical composition.--German chamomile-flowers contain 


about } per cent. of volatile oil, some bitter extractive; malates, 
tannates, and a little tannin, besides the Labs." ‘ 

vegetables Patton ne’ 8 capthemee acids é 
bathonal 


SUreeneto Ue . A 


276 COMPOSIT A. 


the officinal flowers by exhausting them with hot water acidu- 4 


lated with acetic acid, concentrating, precipitating with alcohol, 
evaporating the filtrate, and treating with chloroform. It is 


described as colourless silky needles having an agreeable odour — 
of chamomile, a strongly bitter taste, and dissolving in water, 
alcohol, ether and chloroform. ‘he precipitate obtained with - 
alcohol is stated to contain a tasteless crystalline principle, 
anthemidin, which is insoluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform, 2 


but soluble in acetic acid. 


~The volatile oil is a dark blue, in thin layers transparent 


thickish liquid, which gradually turns green and brown when a 


exposed to light and air, and more rapidly if obtained from 
dried flowers; it has a strong odour of the flowers and a warm 
aromatic taste; dissolves in about 8 parts of 80 per cent 
alcohol, has the specific gravity 0°93, and seems to consist of a 
terpene,C!°H'®, associated with C!°H'8O. The volatile oil 
becomes dark-brown, or green with strong or diluted nitric 
acid, and deep red-brown with sulphuric acid. The blue colour 


is due to the presence of a volatile principle which was named — 


azulene by Piesse and ceerulein by Gladstone (1863), and which 
according to both investigators, is present in all other volatile 
oils having a blue or green colour—in the latter associated with 
a yellow priniciple. (Stillé and Maiseh.) | 


_. Chrysanthemum coronarium, Zinn., Lam., Ill. ¢. se 
678, f. 6,-a native of the Mediterranean region, is conseienela eS. 
cultivated in Indian gardens, and is a favourite flower with 
both Hindus and Mahometans. It blossoms in the cold season, 
and there are two distinct varieties, one with large flowers, ant 4 


another with small. The flowers are of various colours, and 
when dried impress a peculiar pricking sensation on thetongue 


like pyrethram. Dalzell and Gibson ( Bombay Flora it., 48,) - 


state that they are a’ tolerablé substitute for ‘akeaoniatb 


mK to Dr. Walker (Bombay Med. and Phys. Trans., 1840, 


71,) the people of the Deccan administer the plant in con- 


jonttioe with black: pepper as a remedy for gonorrheea. ‘The 


- wernacular names: wat Gul-dat 


fe 


Wied ans Ae edeeae ae 3 
Br te Ses ae Oe eae ee er ie A ee ath ee 


COMPOSITE, oye 


4 Setippu (Tam. ), Chemanti (Tel.), Jevanti-puva oe ), Shyavan- 
: Beabare (Can.), Shevanti-cha-phula (Mar.). | 


-Centipeda orbicularis, Lour., Wight Ic. 1610, a native 
of the plains of India and Ceylon, is used as a mechanical 
_ Sternutatory by the natives; it is administered to relieve 


the sneezewort of the English. In Sanskrit it is called | 
Chikkana or Chhikika, which is equivalent to sneezewort, and 
the vernacular names have a similar meaning. According to 
Roxburgh this plant appears during the latter part of the cold 
Season, on cultivated land, The whole plant does not cover a 
Space more than about 6 to 8 inches in diameter. The root 
is simple, the stems several, branchy, pressing on the earth; 
all are somewhat woolly; leaves numerous, sessile, wedge- 
shaped, deeply dentate, villous; flowers axillary or in the 
divisions of the branches, solitary, sessile, sub-globular, 
hermaphrodite, florets from 10 to 12 in the centre with the 
border 4-toothed, coloured and expanding; the female ones ° 
very numerous in the circumference, most minute, with the 
border seemingly 3-toothed, — the toothlets incurved, 
_- Receptacle naked. 

ANACYCLUS PYRETHRUM, DC. 
Fig.— Woodville, t. 20; Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ. t. 999; 
f fieut. and Trim, t. 151. Spanish Pellitory (Hng.), Salivaire 
- d@’Espagne (Fri ye2 = 3: 

Hab.—North Africa. The root. 
: Vernacular.—Akarkara, Akalkara ( ind, Bea Mayr. ); Akki- <s 
_ rakaram (Tam.), Akala-karra(Tel.), Axkikaruka es ), Alcala : 

kari (Can.), Akarkaro (Guz2,). S 
: . History, Uses, &c.—Pellitory root, in Sanskrit Akaré- 
karabha, is only mentioned by the later writers, as 
Sarangadhara and the author of the Bhavaprakasa, 
doubtless derived Shes knowledge 
Mahometans, who in their 


» t A 


RS ey St Ee ee Sag Pe ee eee Ee el eae ee ner ale g Weer 
3 PE ca deeper ann 22 


278 COMPOSITZ:. 


The only difficulty is that wpe@pov is described by Diosco~ 
rides as an umbelliferous plant; but with the properties of 
pellitory; here the author of the Makhzan comes to our aid 


and tells us that the pyrethrum of Dioscorides resembling 
anethum is a drug which the Arabs call Ud-el-karih-jibbali, 


very common in Syria; it is found at the upper part of 
Wady Pardah, and, he says, I have seen its fruit; it has 
a root about a span in length, as thick as the finger, 


and has many of the properties of pyrethrum. He also 


quotes Antaki* as mentioning two kinds of pyrethrum, 
viz., Western, or the kind described by Ibn Baitar, and Syrian 


called Ud-el-karih, which is the root of the mountain Tar- 


khtin and the kind described by Dioscorides (Smyrnium cordi- 


folium, Boiss.). We also learn from the Makhzan that o»42. 


is an Arabic form of w:4,) the name of a plant common in 


Persia, especially in Fars and about Shiraz; it is eaten like 


cress and other herbs with bread and cheese. ‘There are two 


kinds, wild and cultivated; it is propagated by seed and by - 
cuttings, and has a hot, astringent aud sweetish taste ; if taken 


fasting it benumbs the tongue; on this account it is chewed 
to cover the taste of nauseous medicines. The taste is likened 
to that of the leaves of the Woodapple (Feronia elephantum). 
The root of the wild plant is called Akarkarha. Ainslie, speak- 
ing of Pellitory root, says:—‘ This root is to be found in most 
of the Indian bazars ; though I cannot learn that the plant grows 
in any partof India. Itis a native of Arabia, Syria, Calabria, 
Crete, and Bohemia,t and it is, no doubt, from the first- 
mentioned of these countries that it is brought to Hindustan, 
an export from Mocha. Iam much inclined to think that it 1s 
the root we find noticed by Forskahl in his Materica Medica 
Khatrina under the name of Ud-el-karih. With regard to its 
Asiatic names, thereis this peculiarity, that its Arabic, Persian 


* ae Dawood of ‘Antioch, his work j is in Arabic, and has been printed 
at Beyro 


+ The "rat alluded to by Aine’ as | growing in these localities must be 


ayne, or German Pellitory. It is eet » not the 
Patitory imported into India, being much smaller, 


COMPOSIT&. 979 


d Dakhanie appeliations are nearly the same, ‘The pungency 
the pellitory root is not perceived tillit has been chewed 
for a few seconds, when it occasions’ at first a glowing 
heat in the mouth soon followed -by pricking sensation 
in ‘the tongue and lips. The Vytians prescribe an infusion 

f it, in conjunction with the lesser galangal and 
inger, as a cordial and stimulant in lethargic cases, in 
palsy, and in-certain stages of typhus fever; they also order 
it tobe chewed, as a crue aie tal for the toothache. It 
certainly possesses powerful stimul t properties, but is scarcely 
ever employed in Europe as an internal remedy; though it 
has beer found useful as a sialagogue, and as such, Dr. Thom- 
Son says, has been given with success in some kinds of head- 
ache, apoplexy, chronic ophthalmia, and rheumatic affections 
of the face.” (Mat. Ind. I., 800.) Mahometan writers consider 
pellitory to be discutient and attenuant; they prescribe it 
chiefly in paralytic affections, which they suppose to be caused 
by phlegmatic humours. The Arabic name Akarkarha* is said 
to = derived from Akar and takrih, and to mean ‘causing a 
> Celsus mentions its use for opening the mouths of 
Sana. (Lib. v., cap. iv.) The Arabian physicians in the 
ys of Avicenna preacrified pellitory in rigors. In India it 
_ is often given to parrots to make them talk, 


Description.—The root as found in the shops is saiglh 
} to 4 inches long by # to 4 of an inch thick, cylindrical or 
tapering, sometimes terminated at the top by the bristly 
remains of leaves, and having only a few hair-like rootlets. It 
has a brown, rough, shrivelled surface, is compact and brittle, 
the fractured surface being radiate and destitute of pith. The 
bark, at most 1-25th of an inch thick, adheres closely to the 
ood, a narrow zone of cambium intervening The woody 
lumn is traversed by large medullary rays in which, as inthe 
irks, numerous dark resin-ducts are scattered. The root hag 5 
a ae aromatic smell, and a Lisikiviomes ee — - 
—— 


ISH COMPOSTITA. 


ing a singular tingling sensation, anda remarkable flow of - 
saliva. The drug is very liable to the attacks of insects. 


Microscopic structwre.x—The cortical part of this root is re- 


markable on account of its suberous layer, which is partly 


made up of sclerenchyme (thick-walled cells). Balsam-ducts. 


(oil cells) occur as well in the middle cortical layer as in the 
medullary rays. Most of the parenchymatous cells are loaded 
with inulin; pellitory, in fact, is one of those roots most 
abounding in that substance. 


Chemical composition.—Pellitory was first analysed by Pari-: 


sel, who gave the name Pyrethrin to a soft resin soluble in 
alcoholand ether. Koene subsequently found in the roota resin, 
brown acrid oil, yellow oil, inulin, gum, salts and a trace of 
tannin. The two oils and resin together were said to con- 
stitute the pyrethrin of Parisel, and the active principle has 
consequently been regarded as a mixed substance. C.J. 8. 
Thompson (Pharm. Journ. [8], xvii. 567,) finds the active 
principle to be an acrid resinous substance, residing mostly 
_ in the cortical portion, and occurring to the extent of 5 per 
cent, in good samples of root. Avery minute quantity placed 
on the tongue causes a strong burning sensation, which 
shortly -inereases, and remains for a oousifiarable time, 
inducing a copious flow of saliva. A strong solution painted on 
the skin causes a sharp prickling sensation, and reddens 
the part where it has been applied. If the part is kept 
covered a blister will be produced. Besides being soluble 
in ‘alcohol and ether, it dissolves in oils and acetic acid. It is 
‘composed of an acrid, brown resinous substance soluble in 
alcohol, but insoluble in water and strong alkaline solutions; and 
a dark yellow oil which is soluble in alkalies. The acridity of 
the oil is probably due to a small quantity of resin mixed with it. 


‘R. Buchheim has recently claimed to have found the active 


principle to be a crystalline alkaloid, Pyrethrine, which he 


obtained by evaporating to dryness an alcoholic extract and 
exhausting the residue with ether. Pyrethrine melts at the 


heat of the body, and is resol 


cholic potash into 


by ale pipe- 
ridine and pyrethric acid, (Arch. f Ex aperim. Path. 5., p. 458.) -— a 


eee eee ae 


- COMPOSITA. -981- 


Commerce. —The root is collected chiefly in Algeria, and is 


(Pharmacographia.) Pellitory root is valued in Bombay at 
about Rs. 24 per maund of 373 lbs. The quantity imported 
hardly varies from year to year. 


if 


-TANACETUM UMBELLIFERUM, Boiss. 
Syn.—Pyrethrum umbelliferum, Boiss. Fl. Or. ie, ie 302. 


Hab.—Eastern Persia. The root. 
Vernacular.—Mitha-akarkara, Bozidén (Indian Baiorck. 


History, Uses, &c.—This plant was found by Aitchison 
the Badghis oat Harirud valley. The roots are collected 
and sold in Indiaas “ Mitha-akarkara,” “ Sweet Pellitory,” and 
are used by the Mahometan physicians as Bozidén. The latter 
name, as we have already mentioned (Vol. ii., p. 137), is of 
Persian origin, andis applied like Shakékul to several stimula- 
_ ting and nutritious roots mostly used by women for i improving 
ir embonpoint. The hakims consider it to be aphrodisiae, 
c, deobstruent, useful in rheumatism and gout, and in> 
largement of the liver and spleen. They also state that. it ; 
has abortifacient and anthelmintic properties. — 


Description.—Root 6 to 10 inches long, closely reiaa 
pos that epee! in elses ape somewh 
igh, 


erg 


282 COMPOSITZ. 


The drug has the faint aromatic odour of pellitory, but is 


almost free from pungency. 


Chemical composition.—A proximate analysis of the powdered 
root separated, ether extract 1:0, alcoholic extract 8°6, water 


extract 25°1, crude fibre 56°9, and ash 6°8 parts in one hun- 


dred. The ether extract, having a distinct odour of chaul- 
moogra oil, was evaporated to dryness and digested in rectified 
spirit for several months; this separated a whitish insoluble 
granular fatty substance, and a light reddish brown liquid. 
The insoluble portion examined under a microscope was seen 
to consist of radiating crystalline tufts of wax, tasteless, and 
neutral in reaction, dissolving to some extent in boiling alcohol 
and solidifying in the cold; soluble in petroleum ether; it 
softened a little above 70°; at the temperature of boiling water 
it melted to a brown liquid, and with a sufficient heat, it burnt 
away on platinum foil witha smoky flame. The soluble ‘por- 
tion of the ether extract was evaporated, and the fatty residue 


was acid in reaction, and produced a numbing sensation on 


the tongue and at the same time caused a flow of saliva. 
Petroleum ether removed a fatty acid from this residue and 
left a soft brown resin. This resin had the characters of 
pyrethrin. Besides its action on the tongue, it was soluble in 
ether, proof spirit, chloroform and bisulphide of carbon and 
insoluble in caustic and carbonated alkalies. Nitric acid decom- 
posed it with evolution of gas. Sulphuric acid dissolyed it 
with a red-brown colour and the mixture developed an odour 
of butyric acid. 

The alcoholic extract of the root contained. an organic acid, 
some saccharine matter reducing Fehling’s test, but no alkaloid. 
‘The acid was deepened in.colour with ferric chloride, gave an 
orange precipitate with plumbic acetate, but produced no 
deposit in solution of gelatine, 

The water extract contained 15 per cent, of a carbohydrate 
forming a pulverulent precipitate with three volumes of alcohol. 

Sweet Pellitory thus contains very little pyrethrin compared 
_ with the amount found in the Pellitory of Spain, and less inulin. 


* 


COMPOSITZ. 283 


is more woody, and its name probably refers not so much to 
the amount of sugar it contains as to the small quantity of 
acrid and pungent principle. 


SPILANTHES ACMELLA, Linn. 


_ Fig.— Wight Ic., #. 1109. Para Cress (Eng.), Cresson de 
Para (f’r.). 
Hab.—Throughout India. The flower heads. 


Vernacular.—Pipulka (Mar.), Vana mugali(Can.). It bears 
2 same names as Pyrethri Radix in the vernaculars. 


noticed in the Flora of British India,—S. proper, 8. calva, 8. 
oleracea, and 8. paniculata. Of these S. oleracea, Jacq. Hort. 
Vind ti,, t. 135, is a cultivated form common in Indian gardens, 
and S. paniculata is also, in the opinion of Sir J. D. Hooker, a 


in S. oleracea for larger and more highly-coloured flower heads : 
the latter plant is the true Cresson de Para, and is supposed to 
have been introduced into India from Brazil by the Portuguese. 


: part, ‘and are chewed by the natives to relieve toothache, which 


Dr. W. Farquhar has used and recommended a tincture of the 
flower heads for toothache in place of tincture of pyrethrum. 
He says it is a specific for inflammation of the periosteum of 
the jaws. A bit of lint dipped in the tincture and laid on the 

gums repeated 3 or 4 times a day has a speedy oes in 


3 as a pot-herb, and the same fact was observed by Dr. Mason 
in Burma. §S. Acmella proper has been sent to us from the 


they"do by producing redness of the gums and salivation. ° 


‘History, Uses, &c.—Four forms of this plant are - 


Vestern wages under the Marathi name of Ponie ee 


284 COMPOSITA’. — 


Description.—Small annual plants with round, smooth, — 


succulent, branching stems ; leaves opposite, petioled, subcordi- 


form, subdentate. ‘The flower heads are solitary at the end of | 


pedicels longer than the leaves, of a conical form, and in 
S. oleracea as large as an acorn; they are entirely composed of 
yellow or brownish yellow hermaphrodite tubular flowers. The 
achenes are compressed with ciliated margins, and are sur- 
mounted, except in 8S. calva, by two naked awns, ‘The whole 
plant is pangent to the taste, but the flower heads are especially 
so, having a hot burning taste which causes profuse salivation. 


Chemical composttion.—Gerrard has analysed this plant with — 


the result that the active principle is an oleo-resin with power- 
fully sialagogue properties. (Pharm. Journ. March 8, 1884, 
p. 717.) R. Buchheim has found in the herb the crystalline 
alkaloid obtained by him in Pellitory root (sce article Anacylus 
Pyrethrum). We have made a full examination of the flower 
heads of Spilanthes calva, which are used as a substitute for 
pellitory in some parts of India, and we find them to contain the 
following constituents: a resin, fixed oil, yellow colouring matter, 
astringent organic acid, glucose, extractive with the odour and 
taste of malt and-7°6 per cent of mineral matter. The resin 
had the reactions possessed by pyrethrin in being soluble in 
ether, alcohol and proof spirit, insoluble in alkalies and destroyed 
by oxidizing agents. In these respects it resembles the 
pungent principle of plants found in the Zinziberacee. We 
_were unable to obtain it in a crystalline condition. The flower 
heads distilled with water afforded a distillate free from pun- 
gency, and the contents of the retort after boiling were likewise 
inert. The active principle is unstable in constitution ae 
decomposed by heat. 


ARTEMISIA VULGARIS, Tinn. var. indica- 


Fig.— Wight Ic., t- 1112; Rheede Hort. Mal. «., t. 45. 
Wormwood (Eng.), Armoise, Herbe de Saint-Jean (Fr. ). 


Hab.— ha the mountainons districts of India. 
The herb. . ras 


dys, 2 


COMPOSITE. 285 


Vernacular.—Nigdoun, Mastara (Hind.), Nagdoni (Beng.), 
arband, wulg. Surpan (Mar.), Machipatri (Tel.), Machipattiri 
'am.), Tiru-nitripachcha (Mal.), Uruvalu, Urigattige (Can.), 
agadavano (Guz.). ’ 


ig 8, 
g the poison of spiders and snakes. In the Deccan and 
estern India the Sanskrit name is said to be Indhana, 
ough the local version of the Réja-nighanta gives Nagda- 
as the Marathi equivalent of Nagadamani, a name gene- 
applied in that language to Crinum astaticum. Accord- 
to Moodin Sheriff, the Sanskrit name in Southern India is 
nthiparni. These names are not synonymous, and as the 
it is common inall parts of the country, this discrepancy 
d soom to indicate that its mention by the older Sanskrit 
ters is very doubtful. The modern Hindus consider worm- 
d to be a valuable stomachic, deobstruent and antispas- 

¢, and prescribe it in infusion and electuary in cases of 


acted menses and hysteria. A. vulgaris is generally con- 


ived from the lunar goddess Artemis, who is supposed to 
been tho- discoverer of its virtues, but Pliny says :— 
qui Artemisiam ab -Artemide Ilithya cognominatam 
, quoniam privatim medeatur foominarum ma gs 
Floridus in his treatise, De viribus herbarum, calls 
rood herbarum matrem, and attributes to it emmenagogue, 
ic and alexipharmie properties ; ho also says that it 
g parturition and prevents abortion. Apuleius De virtu- 
i d will 
served from fatigue, hidden demons and the evil eye, 
artemisias,” says he again, “ Diana dicitur invenisse et 


earum et medicinam Chironi centauro tradidisse, q 
‘s kerbis medicinam instituit.” There is a popula 
Bologna that wormwood will indicate 


286 COMPOSITE. © 


mination of a disease ; a bunch of the leaves is surreptitiously 4 
placed under the sick person’s pillow, if, after this he sleeps, he 


will soon get well; if not, he will die, (De Gubernatis.) 
A. vulgaris is probably one of the kinds of Afsantin 


(a¥ivdiov) described by Mahometan physicians, but owing tothe — 
want of a sufficient description of these drugs, it is impossible — 


to identify it. Dr. Wight (JIl.. %, 92,) notices its use in 4 
nervous and spasmodic affections, and Dr. J. L. Stewart speaks _ 


of an infusion as a good mild stomachic tonic. ; 


Artemisia Sieversiana, Willd.; is one of the kinds of — 


- Afsantin sold in Indian bazars. It is imported from Persia, and 


has for many years been cultivated at Bandora, in the neigh- — 


bourhood of Bombay, for the sakeofthefresh herb, whichisalways 


obtainable in the market, and is much valued by the natives. 
The cultivation appears to have been in the hands of a few 
Christian families for several generations; they also cultivate 
Sweet Marjoram. The two plants are called Azarona and 


Mazarona by the native Christians, and were no doubt intro- : 


duced into the country by the Portuguese. Medicinally it is 
esteemed as a tonic, deobstruent, febrifuge, and anthelmintic, 
and it is applied externally as a discutient and antiseptic. 
hakims prescribe it in hypochondriasis, jaundice, dropsy, gout, 
scurvy, d&c. ; also as an emmonagogue, and in hysterical affec- 
tions. 

Description.—A vulgaris is erect, suffruticose ; leaves 
ashy and tomentose beneath, lower pinnatifid, upper trifid, 
uppermost undivided or with lanceolate lobes ; lobes of the lower 
leaves toothed or cut; heads of flowers racemose-panicled, 


ovate; panicle leafy, spreading, partial racemes pendulous 


before flowering, young involucre a little tomentose, at length 
glabrous; exterior scales foliaceons, acute, interior membrana- 
ceous, obtuge ; corol naked. (Rozb, Fl. Ind. dit., 419.) 


A. Siteversiana is annual or biennial, hoary-pubescent, stem 


erect, angled and ribbed, simple or paniculately branched above; 
leaves mostly petioled, broadly ovate, 2-pinnatisect, segments 
obtuse and obscurely lobed, hoary on both surfaces, heads } to 


* 


COMPOSITZA. 287 


nearly 4 inch in. diameter, broadly hemispheric, pedicelled, 
secund, nodding, distant, in lax, long racemes terminating the 
branches, outer involucre bracts green hoary, inner broadly 


- scarious, receptacular hairs long, straight. (Fl. Br. Ind.) 


Chemical composition. —The Wormwoods contain absinthate 
of potash, a bitter substance, and a green volatile oil having 
a camphoraceous odour. Absinthin (C'*H*0%), the bitter 
principle is prepared, according to Luck, by exhausting the 
leaves with alcohol, evaporating to the consistence of a syrup, 
and agitating with ether. This ethereal solution is evaporated 
to dryness, and the residue treated with water containing a 
little ammonia, which dissolves the resin, and leaves the absin- 
thin nearly pure. To complete the purification it is digested 
with weak hydrochloric acid, washed with water, dissolved in 


alcohol, and treated with acetate of lead, as long as a precipitate 


is formed. After the removal of this precipitate by filtration, 
the excess of lead is precipitated by sulphuretted hydrogen, 
and the solution is evaporated. The absinthin then remains 
as‘a hard confusedly crystalline mass, possessing an extremely 
bitter taste. It is but slightly soluble in water, very soluble 
in alcohol, and less so in ether. It possesses distinctly acid 
characters, and is dissolved by potash andammonia, The 
Sal Absinthicum of the old Pharmacopeias was nothing more 
than carbonate of potash obtained by incineration of the plant. 
Absinthol, C!°H'60, isomeric with ordinary camphor, is the 
essential constituent of Wormwood oil, in which it is associated 
with a terpene, boiling below 160°, and a deep blue oil which ~ 
boils between 270° and 300°, and agrees in its properties with 
the blue chamomile oil examined by Kachler. Absinthol boils 
at 195° (Beilstein and Kupffer) ; at 200—205° (Alder Wright); 
217° (Gladstone). It differs essentially from camphor in its 
chemical reactions, not being converted into camphoric acid 
by oxidation with nitric acid, or into camphocarboxylic acid 
by the action of sodium and carbonic anhydride, and yielding 


- when fused with potash, a large quantity of resin, but no acid. 


Heated with phosphorus pentasulphide, it yields a considerable 


quantity of cymene, C!°H'*, identical with ordinary cymene— 2 


288 COMPOSITZ:. 


from camphor or from cumin oil in density and the -properties 
of the sulphonic acid’ derived from it. (Alder Wright.) 
Cymene is also formed, though in smaller quantity, by treating — 
absinthol with zinc chloride. 

Commerce,—Afsantin is imported from Persia; the entire 
plant is found in the bales, and owing to its toughness, 18 — 
seldom much broken. 

Value.—Rs, 5 to Rs. 7 per Surat maund of 37% lbs. 


 Atremisia vulgaris is not an article of commerce. 


ARTEMISIA MARITIMA, Linn. 


Fig —Bentl. and Trim., t. 157. Wormsced (Eng.), Semen- 
cine, Barbotine (Fr.). 


Hab.—Northern Asia. The flower heads. 
Vernacular.—Kirméni-ajamo (@uz.), Kirmani-ova (Mar-), 
_ Shih (Arad.), Kirmélé (Hinid.). : 

History, Uses, &c.—The Sanskrit name of tbis plant 
is said by some to be Gadadhara, but it appears in the Nighantas 
under the name of Jayaniya ‘‘ Grecian,” with the Hindi synonym _ 

Kirmél4, evidently a corruption of Kirmén, the name of the 
“province in Persia from which it is imported into India; it 1s 
described as a vermicide. A. maritima is the c«pidov and 
apirdiov Gaddagciov of Dioscorides, and was used by the Greeks and 
Romans to expel intestinal worms. It was probably first known 
in Egypt, as Pliny states that those initiated in the mysteries of 
__ Isis used to carry a branch of it in their hands, Arabian and 
Persian physicians describe wormseed under the name of Shih, 
givignas synonyms, Sarifiin and Afsantin-el-bahr; it is pre- 
scribed in doses of 2 to 3 dirhems as an anthelmintic, and also 
as a deobstruent and stomachic tonic. In the form of a poultice 
they use it to relieve the pain caused by the bites of scorpions 
and other venomous reptiles. The Persian name is Darmanah. 
The wormseed of the Indian market -has been examined by © 
Hanbury, who considers that. it does not materially ‘differ from 
the Russian drug, but is slightly shaggy and mixed with 


COMPOSITE. | 989. 


mentose ‘stalks. He. states that a specimen of Artemisia, 
No. 3201, Herb. Griffith, Afghanistan, in the Kew Herbarium, 
s capitules precisely agreeing with the Bombay drug. ; 
- Santonin is now well known to the natives of India, and is 
largely imported from Germany. It is generally considered 
to act asa poison upon ascarides, but according to Dr. von’ 
Schroeder (Arch. f. emp.-Path., xix., 290) ‘this is not the case.’ 
He States that the santonin does not kill these worms, but ‘its 
presence being distasteful to them, causes them to leave their 
_ resting place and wander into the large intestine, from which 
| 4 they can then be removed by a purgative. This should deter- 
_ mine the time for giving a purgative, and Dr, von Schroeder 
_ thinks it should either be given with the santonin, or else some 
honrs after. We have obtained very good results by giving 
half the dose at bed-time, and the remaining half next morning 


_ with a dose of castor-oil. 


, : 


, Description.—The drug consists almost exclusively of 
_ unopened flower heads or capitules, which are so minute that 
_ it requires about 90 to make up the weight of one grain. In 
_ inferior samples, there is an ‘admixture of stalks, and portions 
_ of a small pinnate leaf. The flower heads are of an elliptic or 
- oblong form, about 1-10th of aninch long, greenish yellow 
~ when new, brown if long kept; they grow singly, less frequently 
in pairs, on short stalks, and are formed of about 18 oblong, 
_ obtuse, concave scales, closely imbricated.. This involucre is 
- much narrowed at the base in consequence of the lowermost 
_seales being considerably shorter than the rest. The capitule 
is sometimes associated witha fow of the upper leaves of the 
stem, which are short, narrow; and simple. Notwithstanding: 
its compactness, the capitule is somewhat ridged and angular 
from the involucral scales having a strong central nerve or 
keel. - The middle portion-of each seale is covered with minute 
yellow, sessile glands, which are wanting on the tra Sp en: eo 
scarious edge. The latter is marked with extremely fine stris, 
and is quite glabrous: in the young state and in the Bom 
variety.of the drag, the keel bears a few, woolly 
1I.—37 = sie 


Cala SSS Ee te ea bs Ee Tee Pen, Pee es SC eee, Pe 


ok re a 


290 COMPOSIT. 


hairs. The florets number from 3 to 5; they have in the bud — 


an ovoid corolla, glandular in its lower portion, a little longer 
than the ovary, which is destitute of pappus. Mahometan 
writers name several varieties of wormseed, but do not des- 
cribe them with any minuteness, It would seem then that we 


must be prepared to meet with slight differences in packages 


of the commercial article, but in any case the drug should 


have a powerful and agreeable odour resembling cajuput oil 


and camphor, and a bitter aromatic taste. 


Chemical composition.—Wormseed yields from1 to 2 per 


cent. of essential oil, having its characteristic smell and taste. 


The oil is slightly levogyrate, and chiefly consists of the liquid. 


C'°H'®0, accompanied by a small amount of hydrocarbon. 
The former has the odour of the drug, yet rather more agree- 


able; sp. gr. 0°913 at 20°C. It boils without decomposition at_ 
173° to 174°, but in presence of P?O% or P25 abundantly 

yields cymol. The latter had already been observed by Volckel _ 
(1854). under the name of cynene or cinene, yet he assigned — 


to it the formula ©*H°; Hirzel (1854) ‘ealled it cingebene.. 


The water which distils over carries with it volatile acids of the | 


fatty series, also angelic acid. se aed 

The substance to which the remarkable action of wormseed 
on the human body is duo, is Santonin, C'5H'8O03. It was 
discovered in 1830 by Kahler, an apothecary of Diisseldorf, 


. 


who-gave a very brief notico of it in the Archiv. der Pharmacie - 


(xxxiv., 318). Immediately afterwards, Augustus Alms, 4 

raggist’s assistant at Penzlin, in the Grand Duchy of Meck- 
Jenburg-Schwerin, knowing nothing of Kahler’s discovery; 
obtained the satie substance, and named it Santonin. Alms 
recommended it to the medical professon, pointing out that it is 
the anthelmiutic principle of wormsced. Santonin constitutes 
from 14 to 2 per cent. of the drug, 


extracted by milk of lime, for though not an acid, and but 


: but appears to diminish in — 
quantity very considerably as the flowers open. It iseasily ~ 


sparingly soluble in water even ata boiling heat, it is capable — 


of combining with bases. With lime it 


Sart ee 


: of we 


COMPOSITE. 991 


cium, which is readily soluble in water.. On addition of 
ydrochloric acid, santoninic acid, C'5H*°O*, separates, but 
bs with OH’, Sautonin being thus immediately reproduced. 


170°, which are inodorous, but have a bitter taste, espe- 
cially when dissolved in chloroform or alcohol. They are co- 


s, but not to the other colours of the spectrum, they assume 
yellow hue, and split into irregular fragments. This change, 

hich takes place even under water, alcohol or either, is not 
accompanied by any chemical alteration. This behaviour of 
nin, when exposed to light, resembles that of erythro- 
arin, ©27H%408. ‘he latter has beon obtained by means 
of ether, from the alcoholic extract of Erythrea Centaurium, 
and of some other plants of the Gentianacew. Mehu has shown 
t the colourless crystals of that substance, when exposed to. 
ight, assume a brilliant red colour, without undergoing any 
mical alteration. The colourless solutions of this body in, 


‘tonin, Sestini and Cannizzaro (1876) have shown that.its 
ute alcoholic solution, on long exposure to sun 


bed, resin, sugar, waxy fat, salts of caleium and potassium, 
ad malic acid; when carefully selected and dried, it yielded 
3 6°5 per cent. of ash, rich in silica. (Pharmacographia, 2nd 


Hell, Sturcke and Ritter, and Messrs. Wallach and 


bi The latter puthors confirm the statements of previous 


‘Santonin forms crystals of the orthorhombic system melting 


less, but when exposed to daylight, or to the blue or violet 


roform or alcohol yield the original substance. Yetas to 


affords 
compound ether of photo-santonic acid, es gio ONE O# : 
H " 


299 COMPOSITE. 


agreeable camphor-like odour boiling at 176° to 177° C., and 
having a specific gravity of 0°92297 at 16° C. It is optically 
inactive, though the rectified oil from which it is obtained “has 
been found to have a rotation to the left of 2°9, due to other 
constituents boiling at higher temperatures. Oxidised by boil- 
ing with nitric acid, cyneol yielded besides the lower fatty 
acids essentially oxalic acid, but no acid of the aromatic series; 
while the hydrocarbons (C'°H!® and C!°H'*) accompanying 
it in the oil yielded upon oxidation always more or less toluylic 
or terephthalic acid. Cyneol by treatment with gaseous 
hydrochloric acid is converted into a hydrocarbon ain to 
which the name ‘Cynen’ has been given. 
Commerce.—Wormseed is: brought to India from Afghan- 
istan and Persia in considerable quantities: Value, Rs. 2$ to 
Rs. 3 per Surat maund of 874 lbs. Santonin is now largely 
imported into India ; much of that sold in the bazar is adul- 
terated to the extent of three-fourths of its weight with various 
substances, amongst which gum and boracic acid have been 


noticed. Aneasy test is to expose it to sunlight, which turns 


the santonin yellow. 


DORONICUM PARDALIANCHES, Linn. 

Fig .—Jacq. Austr., t. 350. Leopard’s bane (Eng.), Doronic 
( Fr.). 

Hab.—Europe, Syria. The rhizome. 

_ Vernacular,—Dariinaj-i-akrabi (Pers. .» Ind. bazars). 


- History, Uses, &c.—pD. pardatianches, socal to 
itbihern, § is called oneithe in modern Greek, He identifies it 
with the axovirov of Dioscorides (iv, 75), which that writer 
describes as having a root like the tail of a scorpion and white 
like alabaster. .Theophrastus (vi. 3. ix. 14) calls it. 47Avqgovor 
and exopmios and Pliny (25; 75) Thelyphonon and. Scorpio. 
The author of the Makhzan-el- Adwiya states that Darénaj is 4 
scorpioid knotted root with a: greyish: exterior and white 


interior, thet it is hard, faintly bitter and aromatic. Hede 


- COMPOSIT-Z. 293 


ibes the plant as‘having fleshy yellowish leaves of the shape 
f those of the almond, which lie flat upon the ground. The 
er stem he says is hollow; it rises from the midst of the 
s to a height of two spans, and bears from 5 to 7 scattered 
, thinner and longer than the. lower. leaves: The flower 
18 ie‘ yellow and hollow. -The plant grows in Andalusia and the 
mountainous parts of Syria, especially about Mount Yabriurat, 
ere ib goes by the name of Akrabi, . ‘l'here are iwacvuciaiias 
the drug, Persian and Turkish; the latter is most esteemed. 
th.regard to its medicinal properties, he says that it is a 
vent of phlegm, adust bile, and flatulencies, cardiacal and 
c, useful in nervous depression, melancholy, and impaired. 
igestion, also in pain of the womb, and flatulent dyspepsia. 
- Besides this it is prescribed for persons who have been bitten 
by scorpions and other venomous reptiles, and is hung’ up in 
es to keep away the plague; pregnant women wear it 
und the waist suspended by a silken thread which must be 
by the wearer; it is supposed to act as acharm, protect- 
the foetus and. procuring a painless delivery. Hung up | 
over the bed it prevents night terrors and ensures pleasant 
e ms. ‘There. would appear.to be a demand for it in India, as 
by all. Mahometan eves ‘ 


as pace rae “4 : ph ete 


flat, fointed, of a white solace, 3 to - inches henge: 4 to ? 
inch broad, and about 2-10thofan inch thick. Upper surface 
aly, under surface marked by scars of numerous rootlets, a 
y of which sometimes remain attached ; substance brittle and 
ry, yellowish white, central portion somewhat spongy, _ 
less. Taste at first insipid, but after a few minutes a 
tion of warmth and prickiug is felt upon the tongue. 

pic structure.—Sections show that the bulk of hese 


294 COMPOSIT. 


iodine with purplish centres, such as starch and dextrin would 
exhibit. After immersion in glycerine and alcohol, the section 


showed no spheroidal crystals of inulin, but ceased to give the 


purplish-black colour. The vascular bundles are of a bright — 


yellow colour, and consist of spiral vessels; they form one irre- 


gular ring round the rhizome about midway between the cir- 


cumference and centre. 


Chemical composition.—A decoction of the powdered chisel 
gave a blue or violet black colour with iodine, but was not_ 


affected by iron salts. Water extracted 15°6 per cent. of . “4 
soluble substances, consisting of 6°2 per cent. of glucose, esti- 


mated by standard potassio-cupric tartrate, and a quantity of | 
mucilage. The mare was then boiled for two hours with | 
hydrochloric acid (1 per cent.), an operation which rendered | 


soluble over 60 per cent. of the drug, while 25 parts of this 


was glucose. Some fresh powder yielded to rectified spirit 


6°75 of extract, which, with the exception of a little fatty mat- 
ter, was soluble in water, This solution was sweet to the taste, 


abundantly reduced Fehling’s solution, and was negative — 


- towards alkaloidal tests. Evaporated to dryness it was amor- 
phous, and when heated, gave off the odour of burnt sugar, 
The ash was 3-3 per cent. The analysis of the drug shows it to 
be nutritive rather than medicinally active. 


TUSSILAGO FARFARA, Linn. 
 Fig:—Eng. Bot. vi. t. 429; Woodville t. 13, Colt’s-foot 
(Eng.), Pas Vane, Taconnet, Herbe de Saint Quirin (Fr.). 

Hab.—Western Himalaya ; Persia; Europe. The herb. 
Vernacular.—Fanjiun (Arab., Ind. Bazars) ; Watpan (Hind.). 
History, Uses, &c. —This plant is the Syxov of the 


Greeks and the Tussilago and Forfaras of the Romans. From 
the earliest times it has been este couchs and other 


pectoral affections. Hippocrates recommends the root with 


honey: in ulcerations of the lungs, Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen | 


relate that the smoke of the leaves, received into the mouth 


‘COMPOSITE. 995 


through a funnel or reed, is efficacious in conghs and dyspepsia. 

‘The Greek and Linnean names are derived respectively from gyé 
and tussis which both signify “cough.” Most of the Arabian 
and Persian medical writers describe the herb under the name of 
Fanjiun, or Afanjiun, an Arab corruption of émoyéov, a word 
which, as far as we know, was never applied by the Greeks to 
any plant. All these writers closely follow Dioscorides in their 
accounts of its appearance and properties. The Hindus consider 
that the leaves have the power of expelling vata or wind, which 
is supposed to be the cause of various disorders, especially 
theumatism ; whence the name V4tapina or Watpan (wind- 
teaf); they also use the cotton-like down of the leaf as a styptic. 

In Matope, colt’s-foot is still officinal in France and Germany, 
and has a reputation in pectoral affections as a domestic remedy 
in England. It is smoked like tobacco and also administered 
internally in the form of a decoction or infusion. The flowers 
Are one of the quatre fleurs of French pharmacy. 


Description. —Root mucilaginous, bitterish, creeping. 
horizontally, with many fibres. Flowers coming before the leaves 
ence: the old name Filius ante patrem), drooping in the bud, 
ght yellow, about an inch broad; their rays spreading, — 
pious; very narrow; each flower on a simple, round, woolly, 
sal stalk, scaly with: numerous reddish, Smoot, priruss 
¢ts, crowded under the flower, like an Lea 
erect, on furrowed, channelled foot stalks, haate shaped slightly 
lobed, copiously and sharply toothed ; very smooth, and of a 
htly glaucous green above, white ‘int densely cottony, with 
ominent veins beneath ; when young they are revolute, and 
ickly enveloped in cottony down. (Smith.) 
Chemical composition.—An analysis of the leaves of this 
t has been made by C. S. Bondurant. A petroleum spirit 
tract contained caoutchouc, resin and wax. Ether removed — 
oe. colourless glucoside, and a reddish brown resin, — 
alcohol separated 2°42 per cent. of tannic matter, and 
ya lio alone acid ; ay, ite extract was feng: foogert- 


996  COMPOSITA. 


gum, and. 6°23 per cent.’ of dextrin and allied carbohydrates, 
and the alcoholic filtrate from these yielded ‘saponin. Albu- 
minous matter, oxalate ‘of calcium, lignin and cellulose were 
determined, and the total’ ash was 17:1 percent. (Phar. Jour. 
(3] xvii. 77,) : ; 
SAUSSUREA LAPPA, Clarke. 
Fig.—Dene. in Jacq. Voy. Bot., t. 104. Arabian Costus. 
Hab.—Cashmere. The root, ‘ 1S 
Vernacular.—Kut (Hind.), Pachak (Beng-), Upalét (Guz.); 
Kushta (Mar.), Koshta (Can.), Goshtam (Tam.), Goshtamu (Tel-). 


History, Uses, &c.—Sanskrit writers on Materia Medica 
mention a fabulous root under the name of Pushkaramula, 


Lotus root,’ and. ascribe to it properties similar to those — 


of Costus. Among many other synonyms it bears the name 
Kashmira, “coming from Cashmere.” We think there can be 
little doubt that.this root, which is not now obtainable, and is 
described in the Nighantas as hot, bitter and pungent, and 


useful in cough, asthma, fever, dyspepsia and skin diseases, — 
must have been Orris root. Kushta or Costus is now used _ 


instead of it, and orris root, although much used in 
India by the Mahometans, has not been identified by the 


modern Hindus with Pushkaramula,- Kéoros* igs mentioned — 


_ by Theophrastus (H. P., ix. 7), Dioscorides (i. 15), and is among 


the offerings made, B.C. 248, by Seleucus II., King of Syria) 5 


and his brother, Antiochus Hierax, to the temple of Apollo at 
Miletus. Cosius, like many other Indian drugs and spices, was 
formerly carried to Europe by the Arabs, and, being supposed 
to be a production of Arabia, was known to the ancients a8 
Arabian Costus. Dioscorides says:—“ The best is that which 
is fresh, light coloured, compact and of firm texture, dry, not 


ies, 2 


worm-eaten, devoid of an acrid smell, and which tastes hot and : 


biting.” Hoe also mentions an inferior kind, light like Ferula, 
* The Greek name is derived from the Sauskrit gg through the Arabic 


en 


: es 


COMPOSITE. 997 


Fiiéch he calls Indian Costus. The Syrian Costus of the same 
_writer is Elecampane root. The Arabs appear to have had, like 
the Hindus, a fabulous kind of Costus, which they speak of as 
_ the carrot of the sea ( ya ! 32) or Costus of the sea ( ye I awd), 
_ which is mentioned in a tradition as one of the best of a 
- This myth probably led the Greeks to describe Arabian as 
distinct from Indian Costus. Arabian writers describe Costus 
_ asa wood brought from India, a well known drug, of sweet 
: odour, with which women and infants are fumigated: it is 
diuretic, beneficial to the liver in a high degree, and for the 
colic, and for worms, and the quartan fever, as a beverage; and 
_ for rheum, and defluxions, and pestilence, when the patient is 
a F fumigated therewith; and for the leprous-like- disorder called 
Gr, and the discoloration of the face termed uals when applied 
asa liniment ; and it confines the bowels, expels wind: strength- 
ens the stomach and heart, occasions pleasurable sensation, is 
an ingredient i in many sorts of perfume, and is the best of 
ie hime in odour when one fumigates therewith (Zl. Leyth, 
. = Byn” ; ; Kémus; Taj-el-Arus). Persian physicians copy all that 
the Greeks and Arabs have written, although they evidently 
know there is only one kind of Costus, and that brought from 
Cashmere. For an account of the history of this drug in 
medieval Europe, Cooke (Phar. Jour., July 21st, 1877,) and 
Flickiger (Phar. Jour., Aug. 18th, 1877,) may be ¢onsulted. 
Amongst European writers upon the Materia Medica of India, 
_ Ainslie, although he describes Kust as the root of Costus ara- 
Dicus, expresses his doubts in the following words: “ Judging 
from the root, the plant would appear to differ from that 
- described in the 11th Vol. of the Asiatic Researches, p. 349.’’ 
‘The credit of first suggesting the botanical source of the drug 
“is due to Guibourt ; his conjectures were afterwards confirmed 
by Falconer, who, when on a visit to Cashmere, discovered that 
an Aplotaxis growing there produced the commercial Kust. 
Te pat iteelt had been Brevionsly, Seecia bed Pat se 3 


a 


298 COMPOSIT#. 


Guibourt’s History of Dengs (Vol IIL, 1869, p. 32, et seq.). 
Dr. Falconer maintained that the Aplotaxis was the Costus of 
the ancients; after giving his reasons for holding this opinion, 
he remarks :— 

“It is collected in large quantities and exported to the 
Punjab, whence the larger portion goes down to Bombay, where 
it is shipped for the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and China; a 
portion of it finds its way across the Sutlej and Jumna into 
Hindustan Proper, whence it is taken to Calcutta, and bought 
up there with avidity, under the designation of Patchak, for 
the China market,” . 


Royle, who wrote before Falconer’s discovery of the source 
of Kust, appears to have met with two kinds of Costus, Kust- 
i-talkh and Kust-i-shirin; from his observations on the latter 
article is would seem te have been the Kust of commerce. 
(Illustrations, p. 360:) Dr. Royle’s original specimen of 
Kust-i-talkh has also been examined and found to be the root 
of Aplotaxis. At the present day we meet with only one kind 
of Costus in commerce. Cooke suggests that Kust-i-shirfn is 
probably the young and Kust-i-talkh the old root, but no dis- 
tinction of the kind is known in Bombay, and Haji Zein-el-Attar, 


the author of the [khtidrét (A.D. 1368) states that Kust-i-talkh — 


is a@ Persian name for Indian Costus. Kust-i-shiria is the 
Kust-el-halu of the Arabs and our Orris root. 


With regard to the uses of Costus, Dr. Irving states that 
formerly, when opium was not produced in Rajwarra, this root 
was extensively smoked as a stimulant. He adds that it is said 
to be narcotic when thus used, and that formerly great quanti- 
ties went to China for smoking purposes, At the present time 
it is chiefly used as a perfume, and to ‘protect bales of cloth 
from insects. In the Punjab it is applied-in powder to ulcers, 


for worms in wounds, &c., and for toothache ; it is also given” 


in rheumatism. A summary of the uses of this drug is given by 

Baden Powell in his Punjab Productsin the following terms :— 
“‘ 1st—Dried and powdered as the principal ingredient in an 

astringent stimulant omtment, applied to severe ulcerations. 


me 


. 


COMPOSIT A. 299 


2nd—Dried and powdered as a hair wash. 
_ 8rd—As a stimulant in cholera; an infusion is made of 
. ‘Cardamoms 1 dr.; fresh ‘Kut’ 3 drs.; Water 4 ozs. One . 
ounce every half hour. It is doubtless a powerful aromatic 
stimulant, and would be serviceable in any spasmodic disease. 

_ 4th —It is universally employed by the shawl merchants as. 
_ a protector of Cashmere fabrics from the attacks of moth and 
other vermin. 

_ 5th—The dried root is an agreeable pean seeoee and yields 
excellent pastilles, which burn fairly. 


3 6th—It is exported in enormous quantities to China, where 
it is used as an incense. In every Hong it is found; no man- 
: darin will give an audience until the ‘ patchak’ incense smokes | 
3 before him; in every Joss-house it smoulders before the 
_ Tri-budh deity ; in every floating junk in the Chinese rivers, 
the only house of countless hordes, Budh’s image is found, 
_ and the smoke of the Patchak religiously wends its way heaven- 
ward. As to its uses in China, Dr. Porter Smith says that 
_ it is used in making incense in the South, or to preserve clothes 
from the attacks of moths and other insects. It is said to have 
_ the power of turning grey hair black. Carminative, stimulant, 
_ antiseptic, prophylactic, astringent, sedative, and insecticidal 
properties are referred to this remedy. The Chinese apply it 
: with musk, which it resembles in odour and properties, to 
| aching teeth.” 
é 


be, 
ae 


Description.—Costus oceurs in crooked twisted pieces 
about 3 inches long, and from 4 to 14 inch in diameter, almost 
always split. Externally it is brown, marked by longitudinal 
ridges, and has a rough and somewhat reticulated surface, 
Its substance is compact and brittle, the. fractured surface 
having a resinous appearance and dirty. white colour. The 
central portion is generally absent, and appears to have been 
removed by decay before the root was collected. The taste is — 
_ bitter, pungent and camphoraceous ; the odour sco at 


of fresh violets or orris root. ae 


aie 
dle Rey RE 


ee COMPOSITA. 


Microscopic structure.—Flickiger in his pamphlet, “ Die 
Frankfurter Liste,” Halle, 1873, p. 25, has shown that the root ;. 
abounds in inulin, and shows, especially in the bark of the 
branches of the root, large balsam ducts. In both these 
respects Costus root agrees well with Elecampane and other 
aromatic roots of the Composite. <A microscopic examination ~ 
shows that the root consists of two parts, viz., a thick cortical 
layer of close texture, pervaded by a few laticiferous ducts and — 
an inner radiating portion, the parenchyma of which is not so 
dense, This is also provided with laticiferous ducts, and a very 
abundant scalariform vascular system, which. appears to be = 
loaded with resinous matter. We have not been able to detect = 
any starch, nor does the iodine test indicate its presence. 

Adulieration.—The natives of Cashmere say that this drug | 
is apt to be adulterated with five or six: other kinds of roots. 
A sample of false Costus in the Indian Museum, under the 
name of Kut mitha, examined by Cooke, was found to consist 
of pieces of a Syhndiee root from 1 to 3 inches in length and 
from ¢ to 13 inch in thickness; externally it was nearly 
siipoth: or longitudinally striate ak transverse paler scars. 
It was much lighter and less compact than Costus, — friable 
and farinaceous internally, very much subject to attacks from : 
insects, with little or no apparent odour or taste, and con- -_ 
taining a large quantity of starch, the grannles of which were 
variable in size, and attached to each other in twos and threes. _ 

: 
: 
| 
3 


In 1859, a communication was made to the - -Agri-Horticultural _ 
Society of India of two roots, one called Kit and the other Thith. 
They were from the hills of that part of the Kangra district © 
which borders on Chumba. The “ Kit” was identified as the 
“ Costus,” and the other was believed by Dr, Thompson to be 
the root of Salvia lanata, which was said to be common also in - 
Cashmere, where it is used to adulterate “ Kt.” Subsequently 
Mr. H. Cope of Umritsar contributed some remarks’ to the 
same Rosey on the adulterations of this drug. “This adul- 
teration,” he says, “is now (1860) carried to such a pitch © 
with the assistance not only of the tut (which so closely resem - 
bles the genuine article in every respect but its susie: that 


OOMPOSITA. 301 


iteis difficult to distinguish the one from the other after 


- admixture, which imparts to the false the odour of the true 
- drug), but with other foreign substances of which cowdung is 


4 one, that I have ascertained as a fact that the more unscrupu- 
 Jous dealers use some 20 seers of the Kiit to flavour 100 seers 


of trash. When tut was first found useful as an admixture, it 


was soldat Re. 14 per maund ; being now the main ingredient 


of the Patchak of commerce, it has risen to Rs. 43.. I am 
told that two other substances, resembling the genuine article 


in exterior appearance, have been ascertained to serve as In- 
_ gredients in the mixture sent to Calcutta and Bombay for 


pes Popsesses & musty odour, and gives an in 


exportation to China under the name of Patchak. They are, a 
root called Chog, brought from the hills, which is generally 


reported to be a deleterious drug, and Nirbisf, tbe, Feat of a 


species of Aconitum, probably a virulent poison.” (Cooke 


_in Phar. Jour., July 21st, 1877.) With regard to Mr. Cope’s 
- remarks, we may mention that there is no difficulty in_obtain- 
ing genuine parcels of Costus in Bombay. Perhaps the adul- 
_ terated article may be specially prepared for the China market. 


Chemical composition.—The air-dried roots reduced to 


_ powder, after heating for 26 hours to 100°C., lost 13°70 per 


cent, in weight, and were practically free from odour. The ash 
amounted to 3°46 per cent., and contained manganese in marked 
amount, 

The odorous principle of the drug appears to consist of two 
liquid resins, both soluble in ether, alcohol, and benzene. One 
is neutral in reaction, and possesses in a very marked degree 
the odour* of the drug: the taste is somewhat camphoraceous : 


_ it is liquid at ordinary temperatures, amber-coloured, and after 


standing for some time gives an indistinctly crystalline deposit. 

It is apparently unaltered by agitation with dilute caustic 

alkaline solutions; and-may be distilled without any alteration 

in odour. With concentrated sulphuric acid it first affords a — 

deep brownish yellow coloration, changing to rich carmine 0D — 

standing. The other resin is also liquid, amber-colonred ane 
soe | 


eA mixture of musk and orris fee * 


302 COMPOSIT A. 


deposit on standing: the taste is pungent. It is also easily 
soluble in ether, alcohol, and benzene, and the alcoholic solution 
is strongly. acid in reaction ; with alkalies it combines, and on 
the addition of acids is precipitated asa milky white deposit. 
With concentrated sulphuric acid it affords a similar reaction 
to that of the first described resin. | 

In addition to these resins, evidence of an alkaloid was 
also obtained, together with traces of an ethereal salt of valeric 
acid, and an astringent principle giving a dark brownish color- 
ation with ferric salts: and'a dark solid resin soluble in 
amylic alcohol, but insoluble in ether or benzene. 

Commerce.—The roots are dug up in the months of Septem- 
ber and October, when the plant begins to be torpid ; they ara 
chopped up into pieces from 2 to 6 inches long, and exported 
without further preparation. The quantity collected is very 
large, amounting, as far as Dr. Faiconer could learn, to 10,000 
or 12,000 khurwars (load of 192 Ibs.). The commodity is laden 
on builocks, and exported to the Punjab, whence it finds its 
way to Bombay, and a portion to Calcutta through India. In 
Dr. Falconer’s time the cost of collection and transport was 
about: half a crown per cwt. Cleghorn states that itis also 
exported from Pangi onthe Upper Chenab to the plains. . The 
loads of it when passing, scent the air to some distance. Davies’ 
*“Trade Report” gives 20 maunds as exported to Afghanistan 
via the Bolan. Royle mentions that in one year (1837-38) 
6,697 maunds of this root, valued at Rs. 99,000, were exported 
from Calcutta to China, and in 1867-68 nearly 10,000 mauads. 
In Cashmere the Maharaja is said to take it over from the 
eollectors at half the price at which it sells again. In 1864, his 
income from this source was put down on good authority 
{according to Dr. Stewart) at 300,000 chilki, equal to nearly 
1,90,000 rupees ; but this, he adds, is searcely credible.* Kit 
is imported into Leh in small quantities from Cashmere for 
exportation to Lhassa, where it is called, as well as by the 
- fe ae e hcp a export of Chob-i-koot to the Punjab are 
jidiiic te ny See es 
valued at. Rs. 100,000, 5 es ua arte 


COMPOSIT A, 303. 


hotes, Rusta, and is used for incense: In 1871, 83 maunds 
were imported into Leh from Cashmere, valned: at Rs, 692. 
According to Dr. Falconer, at the time he wrote, the cost of 


Canton was 47s. 5d, per. cwt. From the Consular reports, it 
pears that in the year 1875 the imports of Costus into two 
incse ports only were for Hankow 1,270 piculs, valued at 


that it is clearly no insignificant article of Chinese commerce. 
he in Phar. Jour., July 21st, 1877.) The value of Costus 
Bombay averages Rs. 10 per maund of 373 lbs. 


CENTAUREA BEHEN, Linn. 

Hab.— Persia, Syria, Armenia. The root. 
3 . _ Vernacular. —Sufed Bahmian (Pers., Indian Bazars). 
; History, Uses, &c.—This root is the White Behen and 
white Rhapontic of European writers on Materia Medica and 
the Bahman abiad of the Arabians. 
White and red Bakman were drugs of the ancient ie 
through whom the Arabs became acquainted with them, and 
troduced them into the West. From the Burhén-i-Katia we 
learn that the word Bahman is equivalent to Brahman, and 
means the supreme intelligence ; it is also the hame of one of 


i class which flowers in the month Bahman (January). Of 
this plant there are two varieties, red and white, the roots of 
eh are fattening, expel flatulence, and are aphrodisiacal. 

- On the second day of the month Bahman, when the name of 
the day and month are the same, the Persians used to celebrate 


- This is which was called he «Bak wricie t 


£5, 224 6s. 3d., and Cheefoo 277 piculs, valued at £1,197, so ~ 


304 COMPOSIT 2. 


considered to be a propitious day for collecting medicinal herbs, a 
commencing any undertaking, putting on new clothes, paring 


the nails, cutting the hair, &c. 


Bahman-i-sufed .is much used by Mahometan C hysiGial — 
who consider it to be hot and dry in the second degree and a — 


powerful aphrodisiac and resolvent of phlegmatic humours; they 
- also prescribe it in calculous affections and jaundice. Ainslie 


(Mat. Ind. ii., 14) confounds it with Asgandh, the root of | 


Withania somnifera.. The doseis one dirhem. Red Bahman or 
Red Rhapontic, although a foot of anentirely different struc- 


ture, is always associated with white rhapontic in the East ; its - 


source is uncertain. The author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya 
states that it is the root of a plant called: by some Kaf-i-Adam» 


Description.— White Bahman.—The dry root is of a 


a ra ene Lan aes ae 
ain 5 a Dee a es 52 By Ree ae 


a an 


whitish-brown externally, much shrivelled and twisted; near — 


the crown it is marked by numerous circular lines. It may be © 
either simple and tapering, or more or less branched; some-— 


times a portion of purplish stem remains attached; the average 
length is about 24 inches, diameter ? of an inch; the interior 


is white and spongy ; when soaked in water it swells and becomes ~ 


mucilaginous, The taste is mucilaginous and slightly bitter. 
Microscopic examination shows a mass of regular parenchy ma 
surrounded on the outside by the brown oblong cells of the 
cortex. The centre of each of the parenchymatous cells is 
occupied by a substance giving a transient blue-black colour 
with iodine. ‘There-are numerous bundles of spiral vessels. _ 
Red Bahman is a tuberons root, consisting of a central por- 
tion about 2 inches in diameter, from which spring 5 or 6 


tapering tubers from 14 to 2 inches long, and from $ to 1 inch . 


in diameter at the base. At the top of the central tuber is a 
scaly crown about 1 inch in diameter. The external surface of 
the root is of a reddish-brown colour, scabrous and marked by 
‘numerous circular and longitudinal wrinkles; internally there 
is a dull red woody central portion, surrounded by a. thick, 


aimee horny layer, which near the crown becomes _ 


spongy In the commercial article the root is sliged:and she 


{BLE ORIGIN, 


COMPOSIT. 305 
atral woody part removed. A section of ‘the lateral’ tubers 
rs a red woody core, from-which: radiate. rows of red spots. 


consist of bundles of scalariform vessels, surrounded by a 


les, and are composed of single rows of oblong cells filled 


of tangentially extended cells loaded with red pigment, 
1 inner layer of closely-packed columns of cells contain- 
y granular matter, and sometimes red pigment. The 
@ mucilaginous and somewhat astringent taste. In 
‘appearance and minute structure it closely resembles: 


Undetermined .........+... 


ection of pigment cells; the medullary rays connect these . 


finely granular red pigment. The bulk of the tuber con- — 


es 


~ 


White Behen. - Red ‘Hetion: Ps 
Ether extract 1°6 i Ue ie 
Aleoholin 5) iveciscowoeees 46 99 
PBNGOUS 55. sey cdvensevss 18°9 OO. 
Organic residue 57°5 B49 ~- 
Moisture ; 16°2 12*1 ie 
Ash... 4:6 59 pe 


306 COMPOSIT A, 


melting below 20°. It consists of free fatty acids. The 
alcoholic extract contains a sweet tasting, uncrystallizable 
sugar, not reducing Fehling’s solution; the aqueous solution 
of this extract is not affected by ferric salts, tannin or alka- 
foidal reagents. After exhausting with alcohol, the residue, on 
being treated with water, swells up to a white mass like 
_tragacanth, and mucilage and saccharine matter enter into 
solution. The mucilage is gelatinized by natural a 
acetate. 


Red Behen contains a small amount of white fat soluble in 
ether and benzol. Alcohol dissolves out a tannic acid, related 


to cinchotannic acid, and an alkaloid. The alkaloid is bitter, . 


soluble in ether with an opal-blue fluorescence, and. forms 
feathery crystals when evaporated from this solvent. It dis- 
solves in sulphuric acid with a violet-blue fluorescence, which 
is destroyed by dilution with water and restored by alkalies. 
We propose the name Bahmanine for this new alkaloid. The 
aqueous extract is mawkish and sweet, containing 6:2 per cent. 
of glucose. With two volumes of alsohol no mucilage is preci- 
pitated, but with four volumes a pulverulent deposit similar 
to inulin or inuloid is produced. This was collected on a filter, 
dissolved in boiling water and inverted. The resulting sugar 


‘reduced Fehling’s solution, — was right-handed towards — 


| ee a 


-VOLUTARELLA DIVARICATA, Benth. 
Fig. — Wight Te. te 145); Bot. Mag. I. 81, t. 4. 
Hab -—Central, Wes Gort and Southern India. The herb. 
Vernacular, —Bédderaed (Pers.,. Ind. _ Bazars). 
History, Uses, &c. —This drug is described by Maho- 
-metan physicians as the Shaukat-cl-baida of the Arabs, 
the Lafiniki of the Turks, and the Sanakhiird of the Syrians. 


Other Persian names given for it are Kangar-i-sufed and Asfar- 
, i-barf. It is nese described as a Se, Plant, : nhons: two 


Peet va en Ws ee 


COMPOSIT. 307 


bits high, with downy triangular stems as thick as the thamb 
or larger ; heads of seed like those of a thistle, thorny and full 
of down; flowers purple, seeds like these ef carthamus, but — 
rounder. M. M. Husain says:—‘ Some have supposed this 
lant to be the same as the Shukai; this is not the case, but 
é two plants are nearly related. The true Biddward has 
ender, white round stems, little more than a span high, slightly 


soft spines like needles, so that all together they have much 
the appearance of a brooch, within is a quantity of white down, 
which, when the seeds are ripe, causes them to be carried 
about by the wind, hence the name Béd-award. Medicinally 
he plant has tonic, aperient and deobstruent properties. It is 
id to drive away noxious reptiles when kept in the house.” 
Makhzan, article Baddward.) 

The Bad4ward sold in India agrees with the Seaniaton of 
ir Mohammad Husain. YV. divaricata is found on sandy 


Stem flexuose, short, ramous ; branches diffuse, procumbent, 
gularly striated, sub-glabrous, leaves shortly p nt 
ub-glabrous, those of the stem lyrate, of the branches sinu- 
Y pinnatifid, the lobes spinously mucronate, involucre- 
te, scales ovate at the base, araneose, terminating ina 
ckle-like appendage, flowers purple, appear in the cold 
eather, common in light soils in Guzerat.” The drug has a 
ter taste; it is imported from Persia. 
~ Chemical composition.—The powdered drug contains a green — 
essential oil having the odour of southernwood. An acid 
sin and some fatty matter was dissolved out by ether. The 
holic extract contained an organic acid coloured green 
ferric chloride, but unaffected by gelatine. The aqueous 
1 tion of this extract was erystalline when evaporated, and 
a The aque as was 


308 COMPOSIT A. 


Tricholepis glaberrima, DC., Dene in Jacq. Voy. 
Bot. 98, ¢ 106, a plant of Central India, Marwar, the 
Concan and Deccan, Vern.—Bramhadandi, is believed by the 
natives to bea nervine tonic and aphrodisiac. It is a tall, 
erect, smooth plant, stem angled, leaves linear-lanceolate, acu- 
minate, stem-clasping, distantly spotted with black specks, flo- 
rets 7 lines long, heads of flowers small, terminal, purple. 


CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS, Linn. 


Fig.—Reich.. Ic. Fl. Germ. t. 746; Bot. Reg. t. 170; 
Rumph. Amb. V. 79. Safflower, Parrot seed (Hng.), Safran 
batard, Graine de perroquet (/r.). 

Hab.—Cultivated throughout India. (C. ozycantha, Bieb., 
is perhaps the wild form of this plant.) The flowers and seeds. 
~ Vernacular. —Kar, Kusumba (Hindi, Guz.), Kusum (Beng.), 
Kushumba (Tam., Tel.), Kusumbe: ene: ), Kardi (Mar.). 


History, Uses, &c. ae Sant is the Kusumbha of 
Sanskrit writers, who describe the seeds as purgative, and 
mention a medicated oil which is prepared from the plant for 
external application in rheumatism and paralysis. It is’ the 
kvixos of the Greeks,* who used the leaves like rennet to curdle 
milk in making cheese. Pliny (21, 53,) calls it Cnecos. Maho- 
metan writers enumerate a great many diseases in which the 
seeds may be used asa laxative ; they consider them to have | 
the power of removing phlegtratic and adust humours from 
the system. 

_ The-author of the Makhzan states that Kurtum, Hab-el- 
ash: and Bazr-el-ahris are the Arabic names for the ae 
and Khasakdanah and Tukm-i-kafshah the Persian.~ He als 
says that in Ghilan they are called Tukm-i-kajrah or Tuleme-- 
_ kazirah, in Syria Késhni, and in Turkey Kantawdras, and that 
the Greeks call them Atraktus_ (atpakrvdis), and Dioscorides 
Knikus («vixos). Ainslie has the following notice of the plant :— 
“A fixed oil is =: from it which the 2 ie = S an 


COMPOSIT AI. 309 


external application in rheumatic pains and paralytic affections 
also for bad ulcers; the small seeds are reckoned amongst 
their laxative medicines, for which purpose I see they are also 
used in Jamaica (the kernels beat into an emulsion with honey- 
ed water). Barham tells us that a drachm of the dried flowers 
taken cures the jaundice.” (Mat. Ind. u., 364.) 


The seeds are known in England as Parrot seed. Under the 
name of safflower the flowers form an important export article 
to Europe; they contain two colouring matters, yellow and 
red, the latter is the most valuable. In silk dyeing it affords 
various shades of pink, rose, crimson and scarlet. Rouge is 
also made from it. According to Calvert (Dyeing and Calico 
Printing, Ed. 1878,) though the safflower has lost much of its 
value as a dye since the discovery of the aniline colours, it 
is still used extensively in Lancashire for the production of 
peculiar shades of pink of the Eastern markets. It is also 
used for dyeing red tape, and there is no more striking in- 
stance of “ red-tapeism,” than the love which is shown for this 
particular colour by the users of that article. Much cheaper 
pinks can be produéed from aniline, but notwithstanding the 
attempts which have many times been made to introduce 
them, they have failed in every instance, because the exact 
Shade has not been obtained. 


Description.—The Carthamus grows about two or three 
- feet high, with a stiff upright whitish stem, branching near the’ 
top ; and has oval, spiny, sharp-pointed leaves, their bases half 
clasping the stem; the flowers grow in heads at the end of the 
branches, and are surrounded by numerous leafy bracts (invo-— 
lucre) in numerous rows, the outermost row being broad and 
spreading out flat, with their edges spiny, the middle ones more 
upright, of an oval form,and surmounted by an egg-shaped 
appendage with spiny edges, and-the innermost much narrower, — 


quite upright, with their edges entire, but terminated by — 


_ Sharp spiny point. Each flower is ee and has an ates 
yellow corolla eon than ‘the:in , their 
=—s imbedded ina dense 1 


oe ” aang 


310 COMPOSIT 2. 


but the chief characteristic consists in the absence of the 
bristles, technically termed pappus. The fruits are about the 
size of barley corns, somewhat 4-sided, white and shining like 
little shells. (A. Smith, in Treasury of Botany.) 


Chemical composition.—The flowers of Carthamus tinctorius 
contain two coloured principles, one yellow, soluble in water, 
and of no use in dyeing; the other red, soluble in alkalis, and 
precipitable by acids from its alkaline solutions; this is Car- 
thamin. ‘To prepare it, safflower is first washed repeatedly 
with water, to free it from the yellow substance, then treated with 
solution of carbonate of sodium ; the liquid is saturated with 
acetic acid, and pieces of cotton are immersed in it, on which 
the carthamin is deposited. After twenty-four hours the cotton 
is removed and treated with solution of carbonate of sodium, 
_ which redissolves the colouring matter, the solution is mixed 
with citric acid, whereby the carthamin is precipitated in red 
flocks, and, lastly, these flocks are dissolved in alcohol. The 
Solution evaporated in vacuo yields the carthamin in the form 
of a powder, having a deep red colour with greenish iridescence. 
_ It is sparingly soluble in water, insoluble in ether, but easily 
soluble in alcohol, yielding a fine purple solution. 


According to Schlieper, carthamin has the formula C!#H!*O’, 
M. Salvétat gives the following figures as representing the 
biel aaa of safflower :— 


Yellow ene i soluble in water... 26°1 to 36:0 


Cartham 0-3 to 0°6 
Tatcative matters 3°6 to 56 
~ Albumen : 15 to 8-0 
Wat tc, vie 0°6 to 15 
Cellulose 88°4 to 56:0 
Silica .. . 10to 84 
sp gre and oxide of i WOM vevesesersesrasss. O74 to 1°6 


WEG +6 60:4 Cons whee nese ensesd>sinnidéeres .ac 0-1 to 05 
A certain amount of pactia aoe, is also e,stnar eect to be 


SS eS spies aig ks SP Ter ahs 2 Sgt rit |i Ses (sn 55 eae Gaara B 


COMPOSI?T Z. 311 


The yellow colouring matter of Carthamus is acid. It hasa 
bitter taste and great colouring power. It combines readily 
with oxygen, and is converted into a brown substance. It 
unites with oxide of lead, forming the compound (Pb*0)*C* 
H'05, 

Commerce.—Kusumba is cultivated in most parts of India; it 
was formerly exported to the value of 6 to 7 lakhs of rupees 
yearly, but the present value of the exports is under one lakh. - 

The seed is of considerable importance as an oil seed in India. 
Value, Rs. 16 per candy of 8 pharrahs (about 5 cwts). 


; CICHORIUM INTYBUS, Linn. 

4  ~Fig.—2ng. Bot. 539. Wild Succory, Chicory (Hng.), Barbe _ 
de Capucin, Chicorée (Fr.). 
Hab.— Persia, Europe. Cultivated in India. The seeds, 
Vernacular.—Kasni (Pers., Ind, Bazars). 


History, Uses, &c. —This plant has ‘been in use as a 
potherb from a very early period ; it was known to the ancient _ 
Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Theophrastus (H. P. vii., 7, 8, 
9,10, 11,) calls-it «-xopy and «xepor. Dioscorides mentions two 

_kinds,—the wild, «-xepwor, and the cultivated, v«pss * he describes 
_ both as astringent, cooling and stomachic, and states that the 
plant is also applied externally on account of its cooling 
: properties in inflammatory affections. The Romans called the 
plant Intubus or Intubum, and the plural of the latter word has 
furnished the Arabs with their name Hinduba. Pliny calls the 
wild plant Cichorium, Chreston (useful), Pancration (all power- 
ful), and Ambubaia ; after enumerating its medicinal virtues, he 
Says: “ In addition to these qualities the Magi state that persons 
who rub themselves with the juice of the entire plant, with 
mixed oil, are sure to find more favour with others, and to obtain — 
with greater facility anything they may desire.” Endive seeds 
_ Were sold in Rome under the names of Erraticum and Ambubaia 
or Ambubeia, and were supposed to be a panacea and to have 
‘the property of fixing the affections. The Syrian danc 
whom Cneius ecageuc pibiiekee 


312 COMPOSIT A. 


also called Ambubaia (endive seed), on account of their attrac. - 
tive allurements, just as sucli persons are often addressed in ~ 
India as Elachi-dina (cardamom seeds) for the same reason. 
Ambubaia is a Syrian term, but the component parts of it- 
Ambui (¢¢9!) odour, and Baia ('4:) full, occur in old Persian. 
It signifies full of odours, é.e., alluarements. The wild endive is 
the Tarkashkun of the Persians and of Ibn Sina. Aitchison 
found it common every where in Khorasan, and also cultivated in 
gardens as a pot-herb under the name of Kasni. We have sown 
the seed sold in the Indian bazars, and have obtained a semi- 
cultivated form of the plant with upright leaves. The same 
form is cultivated by Mahometans at Hyderabad in the Deccan. 


The Germans call the wild Hndive Wegewarte, “road guar- ~ 


dian ;’ Wegeleuchte “road light ;’ Sonnenwende or Sonnen- 
wirbel, “‘ solstice 7’ Sonnenkraut, ‘sun herb ;’’ and Verfluchte 
jungfer, “unhappy young girl.” hepoeding to the legend 
( Klytia, Berlin, 1875,) the plant is supposed to have been once 
beautiful princess who, having been deserted by (or lost) her 
husband (or lover), was at her own request changed into this 
plant. A full account of the forms which this myth’takes in 
Austrian Silicia, Bavaria and the Tyrol, quoted from Mannhardt, 
will be found in De Gubernatis (Myth. des Plant., ii, 87), 
where he compares these legends with those concerning the 
Basil and Indian Tulasi. Se is much valued by the Indian 


_ hakims as a resolvent and cooling medicine, and is prescribed 


in bilious complaints much as Taraxacum is in Europe. The 
‘seeds are one of the four lesser cold seeds, and, as such, are 
still much used in the East. 3 


- Chicory root dried, roasted and raduéed to powder, is very 
extensively used in Europe as a substitute for coffee and for 
a that article. » -Stillé and Maisch state that from 
),000 to 4,000,000 Ibs. are annually imported into the 
United States from Europe. The acoawaee vee asa is 
probably ~~ a than 20, Ses ieee a ; 


Nn Seis WR ee 


are about Eis ino eeialt — 
‘those of the lettuce, — a Pale, mottled. - colour. - 


~COMPOSIT AL. 313 


‘The root is fleshy and tapering, somewhat branched, longi- 


9 44 aq. insoluble in ether, freely soluble 
a water and alcohol, and dissolving with a yellow colour 


2h : Dry. 
Water al 10" 12°16 


Nitrogenous matter ..,... 1°01 6-09 
Fat .. “49 2:05 
Sugar 344 15°87 
Nitogen § Gs extractive. 17°62 46°71 
Cellulos 2 fe 11°00 
Ash “78 6°12 


: LACTUCA SCARIOLA, Linn. var. sativa, 


Fig. —Reichb, Ic. Fl. Germ., #. 1421. Garden Lettuce 
g-), Laitue cultivée (Fr.). 
} “= —Caltivated = Persia na India. 


314 COMPOSITZ. 


In the wild state they produce to a certain extent narcotic ant 
sedative effects, but these appear to be almost entirely removed 
by cultivation ; still, even in the cultivated varieties, a milky anc 
‘bitter juice exists in the flower stem. Lettuces épisug* appeai 
to have been used for salads at a very early period. Accord- 
ing to Herodotus, they were served at the tables of the 
Persian kings more than 400 years before the Christian era 
The opium ef Galen is supposed to have been Lettuce opium, 
The Greeks and Romans considered the lettuce unlucky, and 
used it only at funerals asa food.  - ; 
Apuleius (De Vir. Herb.) speaks of it as a valuable medic 
inal herb— ul 


“ Herbee lactuca sylvatica suceum cum vino optimo vetere et — 
melle acapno quod sine fume collectum est, mixtum in ampul- 


mentions several kinds of lettuce, and also lettuce opium; 
but he acknowledges the superiority of the lettuces raised from 
English seed in India over those of Persia, and enlarges upon the 
cooling and purifying action of the herb upon the blood. The 
lettuce seed of the bazars is white: itis imported from Persia, 
and is sold for Re. } per Ib. 
The Arabic name is: Bazr-el-khas and: the Persian Tukm~i 
kéhié. Both plant and ‘seed are too well known to require 
description. aa , : : 
Chemical composition.— Lactucarium is a brown viscid 


_ the are wounded, Jt has a peculiar 
opium odour and acts as a narcotic. : 
contains, according to Ludwig, from 44*4 to 58-5 per cent, of 
lactucone ; a soft resin; ab ; 

body; lactucin, the chief active principle of the substance; 
~ *ailso. Spidacing, Theoph. H.P:1.,16, 10,4, Lenk Phe d 

Sp. aypia, Vin, 6 is tinea nied Age erahe 


ucaateatct a ei. 


Ae 


GOMPOSITA. 315 


bout 7 per cent. of albumin ; at least 2 per cent. of mannite ; 
mall quantity of a neutral, not bitter, unfermentable sub- 
nce, crystallising in rhomboid pyramids}; and from 3 to 6 
cent. of ash, contaming potash, soda, manganic oxide, ferric 
oxide, and a small quantity of lime. Lactucin is yellowish, 

fusible, bitter, soluble in 80 parts of cold water, moderately 
soluble in alcohol and in acetic acid, less soluble in ether which 
deposits it on evaporation in nacreous scales or rhombic tables.. 
rmula according to Walz, C*°H*%0'*. The leaves of the 
ltivated lettuce were found by Church to contain water 95°98 
per cent.; albuminous matter 0°71 ; starch, sugar and gum 1°68; 
cellulose and lignose 0°52 _Aaenuhe il and fat 0°22; ash 0°89. 
The ash was very rich in witentes, 

© Konig gives the ler ae asthe mean composition of fs 
arden lettuce: — 


Water.. sss ong ee 9ABB | i. 

Nitrogenous 1 WAH R cv cae race os see MS oe 

- Pat wil 2 eo es 
NoganiGepenom extractive ......... 2°19 
nm ‘allulose ae 7S 
nd ABSh ver. iawn . 103 


TARAXACUM OFFICINALE, Wg. : 
Fig. —Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ. wiz. tt. 1404 —1406 ; Woodville, 
3 Bentl. and Trim. t. 159. Dandelion (Eng.), Pissenlit (Fr. 
Hab. —-Throughout the Himalaya and the Nilgiris. Cul- 
vated in N.-W. Provinces.’ The root. 

: Vernacular. —Dudhal, Baran, Kénphél (Hind.). ; 
story, Uses, &c.—The derivation of the. sadintak 
Tar araxacum is: uncertain, but it seems not improbable 

+ of the Persian 


316 COMPOSIT Ai. 


Sina, which he describes as useful in dropsy and obstructions 
of the liver. The same plant is noticed by other Arabian and 
Persian writers, all of whom describe it as the wild endive, and 
some of whom add that it has bluish flowers. 

The Greeks and Romans speak of several varieties of endive, 
but there is nothing in their descriptions to lead us to suppose 


that they were acquainted with our Taraxacum. Fuchsius 


(1542) figured T. officinale (Ic. 391, f.), and named it 
Hedypnois, a name given by Pliny (20, 31) to one of his kinds 
of wild endive. Tragus (1552) figured it under the name of 
Hieracium majus. Matthiolus (1583) called it Dens leonts, and 
Linneus (1762) Leontodon Taraxacum, on the supposition, 
apparently, that it was the Tarkhashkin of Ibn Sina. At the 
close of the last century dandelion began to be much used as a 
remedy for chronic obstructions of the liver and bowels, and 
as a diuretic in calculous affections. From experiments made 
by Ruthorford and Vignal, it appears that taraxacum is but a 
feeble hepatic stimulant, but it has powerful diuretic proper- 
ties. Taraxacum is very popular in India in cases of hepatic 
congestion due to, or associated with, atonic dyspepsia and 
constipation ; indeed, it has become quite a domestic remedy 


in this country. It is cultivated as an annual crop at Saharanpur ~ 


for the use of the Government sanitary establishments. The 
_ Madras Medical Stores are supplied with the root from the 
Nilgiris. 

Description.— The perennial root is from 6 to 12 or 16 
inches long, nearly cylindrical, } to 1 inch thick, crowned with 
several short thickish heads above and furnished with few 
branches below. Fresh, it is light yellowish-brown and fleshy ; 
when dry, dark brown or blackish-brown, much wrinkled 
longitudinally; internally, it is white with a yellowish centre. 
It is inodorous and has a bitter taste. It is hygroscopic, and 


in damp weather rather flexible, but when dry breaks with a - 


short fracture, showing the pale yellow porous woodsurrounded 


by a dark brown cambium-line and a thick white bark, with 


concentric circles of milk-vessels of a brownish colour, and : 


- 


_ COMPOSITA. Sly 


separated by layers of thin-walled and axially elongated 
parenchyma. The meditullium has no medullary rays, and 
consists mainly of ducts varying in diameter and more or less 
interspersed with thin-walled, elongated cells. 

After frost and early in the spring the root is sweet; scent 
the spring aud summer the milk-juice becomes thicker and the 
bitter taste increases ; the root is, therefore, directed to be 
collected late in the autumn. The spring root yields a 
biiterish-sweet extract. Bentley regards the root collected 
about July as most efficient. (Stillé and Maisch.) The annual 
root as cultivated in India is very much smaller. 


Chemical composition.—The bitter principle, Tarawacin, was 
obtained by Polex (1839) in a crystalline state by treating the 
milk-juice with boiling water and evaporating. Kromayer 
(1864) found it necessary to leave the aqueous solution in con- 
tact with animal charcoal, from which afterwards alcohol dissolv- 
ed the-bitter principle, requiring treatment with lead acetate 


_ and sulphuretted hydrogen to free it from colouring matter and 


other principles. Kromayer obtained taraxacin as° an amor- 


phous bitter mass. The milk-juice contains also resin and 


taraxacerin, C®°H'O, which is insoluble in water, crystallizes 

from hot alcohol, and when in an alcoholic solution has an acrid 

taste. The dry root yields from 5 to 7 per cent. of ash. 
Dandelion root collected in autumn is rich in inulin. Dra- 


| gendorff (1870) obtained from the root collected in October 


24 per cent. of inulin and a little sugar, but when collected in 
March only 1-74 per cent. of inulin was found, and about 18 
per cent. each of uncrystallizable sugar and levulin, the latter 
being intermediate between inulin and sugar in having the 
composition of inulin, Lut being of a sweet taste, soluble in 
cold water, and without influence on polarized light. Frick- 


- hinger (1840), Widemann, and others had obtained notable 


quantities of mannit from the concentrated juice of dandelion, 
but T. and H. Smith (1849) proved that this principle does 


not pre-exist, and that, on the sone: itis a pene eg a 


from fermentation. 


318 . COMPOSITA:. 


The presence of fermentable sugar has been observed by 
most investigators, and Dragendorff’s observations confirm the 
results previously obtained by Frickhinger, Widemann, and 
Overbrook, that the sugar predominates in the spring root, and 
mulin in the root collected in autumn. It seems to follow 
therefrom that the extract and other preparations made from 
the expressed juice or by treating the autumn root with cold 
water should be more efficacious and less loaded with inert 
matters (sugar, &c.) than those obtained from the spring 
root. Old extract of taraxacum sometimes contains granular 
erystals of calcium lactate (Ludwig, 1861); the lactic acid is 
probably produced from inosit, which, according to Marmé 
(1864), exists in the leaves and stalks of dandelion, but is not 
found in the root. (Stillé and Maisch.) The fresh plant, 
which is used in Europe asa salad, has been analysed by 
Hi. Storer and S. Lewis, who found it to consist of Water 
85°54, Nitrogenous substances 2°81, Fat 0-69, Non-nitrogen- 
ous extractive 745, Cellulose 1:52, Ash 1:90. In the dried 
plant they found Nitrogen 3:11, Carbohydrates 51°52 per 
cent. (Kinig, Nahrungs Mittel.) bec 


Substitutes for Taraxacum. 


Launza pinnatifida, Cass., Wight Ill., t. 133, anative 
of the sandy coasts of India, is much used at Goa as a substitute 
for Taraxacum under the name of Almirao. The plant has a fili- 
form, procumbent stem bearing roots and leaves here and 
there ; leaves crowded, sinuate-pinnatifid, lobes obtuse or sub- 
acute ; peduncles rather shorter than the leaf, having at the 
top scaly bracts which are scarious on the margin. The 
roots are fleshy, about the size of a crowquill, and 6 to 8 
inches long ; when fresh they are yellowish-white. - A section 
shows a yellow central fibro-vaseular column, containing very. 
large fenestrated vessels arranged in a radiating manner Be- 
yond the radii the parenchyma is loaded with large colourless: 
bodies of irregular size and shape, which gradually diminish in 
_ number towards the cortex, where the parenchyma is not 


GOMPOSITA. 319 


eccupied by them The cellular structure is delicate and the 

cells large. These bodies appear to be cells distended by some 
Solid nearly transparent matter (inulin ?) as they correspond in 
_ form and position with neighbouring empty cells. In Bombay 

under the name of Pathri it is given to buffaloes to promote 
_ the secretion of milk. Murray refers the Ban-kéhi of Sind to 
this plant, but his description agrees better with that of 
| Launea nudicaulis, Less. He says the juice of the Ban-kahd, 
é called Khee-khowa, is used as a soporific for children in doses 
_ of half a massa, and is extervally applied in rheumatic affec- 
tions combined with the oil of Pongamia glabra or ‘the j juice of 
: the leaves of Vitex leucowylon. 


_ Lactuca Heyneana, DC., Wight Ic., t. 1146, is also 
used as a substitute for Taraxacum, and is calicd by the Por- 
_ tuguese Tarazaco. 


‘Emilia sonchifolia, DC., Rheede Hort. Mal. «. t. 68, 
appears to be used all over India much in the same manner as 
Taraxacum. Rumphius figures it, and says that the Portu- 
guese call it Erva de Figado, .e., hepatis herba. Itis the Muel- 
schevi of Rheede, who says—“ Decoctum antifebrile est ebasth~ 
maticum, succus ventris sedat fluctus cum saccharo assump- 
tus. Contrita cum butyro apostemata maturat et aperit.” 

_£. sonchifolia is the Sadamandi of Western India, the 
hudimudi of Bengal, the Kadoo-para of Ceylon, where it is 
used as a sudorific, and we have received it from Cawnpore 

oder the name of Hiran-khuri.. It is avery common weed 
iltivation, and may be found in every Indian garden. _ 

' Sonchus oleraceus, Linz., ‘Wight Te. t.1141, the Milk 
ristle of the English and Laiteron-of the French, is used in 
ction as’a laxative and emollient drink in chronic affec- 
of the digestive organs. Dr. F. Landry (Med. Bullet.— 
has pointed out that the inspissated juice, given inter- : 
in doses of 12 t to 25 sanlieres: is an active nydromngee a 


320 COMPOSITE. 


requires watching, as like senna it causes griping and like aloes 
tenesmus. Dr. Landry suggests its combination with manna, 
anise and carbonate of magnesia; or with stimulants and 


aromatics, (Pharm. Journ., Sept 1888.) This weed is common 


in many parts of India in fields and cultivated places. 
Some plants of minor importance used medicinally and 
belonging to this Order are :— 


Echinops echinatus, DC., the Utéti of Sanskrit 


writers and the Utkatara of the bazars, It is a thistle-like . 


plant 1 to 2 feet high, with pinnatifid spinous leaves, the 
under surface of which is cottony. The flower heads are 
about 1 inch in diameter and armed with many stout spines. 
The root is tapering and of a whitish brown colour. The 
drug is considered to be tonic and diuretic. It is bitter and 
appears to usto have much the same properties as the Carduus 
benedictus of Europe. 


Dicoma tomentosa, Oass., Wight Ic., t.1140. Vern.— 
Navananji-cha-pala (Belgaum). hn erect much-branched 
annual, 10 to 18 inches high, clothed with white cottony wool ; 
leaves sessile linear or. linear-obovate, obtuse or acute, quite 
entire, cottony, 1 to 3 inches long; heads sub-axillary, in- 
volucre bracts, 4 to 3 in., subulate, 2 ain: straight, glab- 
rous, shining ; achenes broad and short, $ in. long, turbinate, 
Getisely silky ; pappus shining, elastic, bensh-Riles The herb 

y bitter, and is used in the neighbourhood of Belgaum 


eS ON a ee ree ES ee ea. ere 


as a Febrifuge, especially in the febrile attacks to which women ~ : 


are subject after childbirth. Dr. Peters, of the Bombay 
Medical Service, first brought to notice the use of this plant 
medicinally by the natives. 


Notonia grandiflora, DC., Deless. Ic. Sel. iv., t. 61; 
Wight Ic. t. 484. Syn.—Cacalia Kleinia; Herb. Madras. The 


Wander-rott of the Mahrattas, was named by DeCandolle 


after Mr. Benjamin Noton of Bombay, who first met with it 


on the Nilgiriss it is also found upon high rocky precipices- 
in the Deccan. In 1860, Dr. A. Gibson brought forward | this: 
plant asa preventive of oe The mode of admin= _ 


4 
* 


COMPOSIT A, 391 


stration is as follows: about four ounces of the freshly gathered 
stems, infused in a pint of cold water for a night, yield in» 
the morning, when pressed, a quantity of viscid greenish juice, 
which being mixed with the water, is taken at a draught. In 
the evening a further quantity of the juice, made up into 
boluses with flour, is taken. These medicines are directed 
to be repeated for three successive days. The Hditor of the 
Pharmacopwia of India says that from: official documents 
_ placed at his disposal, it appears that the remedy has been 
____ tried in numerous cases ; but as at the time of the infliction of 
the wound, caustic was ee locally in the majority of cases, 
__ itis difficult to determine how far the Notonia apts if at 
_ all, as a prophylactic. (Phar. of India, p. 126.) 
An extract of the herb was tried by the late Dr. Haines and 
_ One of us on dogs, and afterwards at the Haropean Hospital in 
= Bombay (1864). In one drachm doses it had a feebly aperient 
: action ; no other effect was observed. The dried plant was for 
__ & time issued to medical officers in Government employ, but no 
farther information as to its properties would appear to have 
_ been obtained. N. grandiflora is a shrub, fleshy, smooth; 
_ Stem thick, round, marked with the scars of fallen leaves ; 
> leaves oblong or ovate, entire ; flowers terminal, corymbose, 
few, pale yellow. The dry stems, which are white, soft and 
frapile, yield an abundant greenish extract. 


_ Tagetes erecta, Linn. Bot. Mag. t. 150. French Mari- 
_ gold (Eng.), Ciillet d’Inde, Rose d’ Inde (Fr.), Makhmal, 
Gul-jaferi (Hind.), Rojia cha phil (Mar.), is quite naturalized in 
India. One tola of the-j juice of the petals heated with an equal - 
_ Quantity of melted butter is given daily for three days asa 
Temedy for bleeding piles; they are considered to have a puri- 
- fying action upon the blood. The flowers of this plant are much. 
used for garlands to hang over doorways on festive 
Ooceasions. Rojia (rose), the name current on the Western Coast, 
as probably introduced with the plant by the Portuguese, with _ 
whom it appears to represent the Rosa de ouro or golden rose, 
the Pope usually blesses at mass on a Sunday 


Bis 6 te FP Pe ee eee PS re 2 ee erie neney eee ee 
ne ¥e Piguet a . u 


322 CAMP ANULACEZ. 


Anaphalis neelgerriana, DC., Prodr. vi. 272, and’ 
other species are used on the Nilgiris for cut wounds. The 


leaves are covered with woolly down, and are called by the : 


natives Kaat-plaster or country plaster. The fresh leaves are 
bruised and applied to the wound under a rag. 

The flowers of Carduus nutans, Jinn. Reich. Ic. Fi. 
Germ. t. 146, Vern.—Kanchari, are employed as a febrifuge in 
Sind and in the Panjab. 

Calendula officinalis, Zinn. The pot Marigold (Fng.), 
Souci des jardins (f’r.), Bot. Mag. t. 3204,a native of the 
Mediterranean Coasts, formerly esteemed as a domestic remedy, 
is found as a weed of cultivation in Northern India, 


CAMPANULACEA 


‘LOBELIA NICOTIANAFOLIA, Heyne. 
Fig.——Wight Ill., t. 185. Wild Tobacco (Eng). 
Hab.—Bombay to Travancore, Ceylon. The plant. 
Vernacular.—Dhavala (Mar.), Kattu popillay (Tam.), Adavi- 
pogaku (Tel.), Kadahogesappu (Can.). — . 
History, Uses, &c.—This Lobelia was first described 
by Heyne, who found it near Bangalore. We have met with 


no mention of the plant in native medical works, but the Marathi 


name appears to be of Sanskrit origin and to signify “ white,” 
probably in allusion to the colour of the flowers. Graham 
(Bombay Plants) states that the dried stalks, which are hollow 
in the centre, are sold in the bazar at Mahableshwar, and used 
as Koluri horns for collecting herds of cattle and scaring 


wolves. In the Concan a kind of rustic pipe called qfar (panva) 


is made from them. In the Pharmacopeia of India an infusion 
of the leaves is said to be used as an antispasmodic. The dry 


throat and nostrils. It is called w 


MY 


herb when handled is extremely acrid, the dust irritating the 
he oe : : 6 see 
Saw. } zg +1 Ts iy iil 1 rs 


Soa ee 


% * we 
7 i ‘eo i 
Ms 


- i 
; ‘ cf i ne eee Sees 
a8 a oe ag j PR AP oe Ia ee es Te a yt ee he aD SS 
PS 2a he ea Aa Se eke aye eee Be) 


ira 


eee: 


oo it to be preferred before numerous “ expectorants.” It. 


CAMPANULACED. 323 


and is regarded by the natives as poisonous wherever the 
plant grows. Physiological experiments conducted by Herr 
von Rosen at Dorpat have shown that this plant has pro. 
perties exactly similar to those of Lobelia inflata. The physio. — 
logical action of poisonous doses of lobelia upon the carnivora 
and upon man is to cause death by paralysing the respiratory 


centre. Small doses first raise and then depress the blood pres- 


Sure; large doses paralyse the vasomotor centre and the peri- 
pheral ends of the vagi. (Attwood.) The effects produced by 
lobelia on man have been carefully studied by Barallier of 
Toulon, who found that after taking an infusion of 1] grain of 


_ the leaves in 400 grains of water, he felt a burning and rawness 


in the fauces, headache, and a sensation of constriction beneath 


_ the sternum; his pulse became weak, slow and intermittent, 


and there was diuresis. Larger doses produced general mus- 
cular weakness, vomiting, difficult breathing, cardiac depres- 
Sion, reduction of temperature and dilatation of the pupils. 
The action of lobelia is therefore similar to that of tobacco and 


: its alkaloid nicotine. (Barallier, Des effets physiol., Sc., de la 
= Lobelia inflata, Bull. de Therap., \xvi.) 


The chief medicinal value of lobelia is in the treatment of 
Ghia: whether the disease be purely spasmodic or associated 
with pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, 
&c. It eliminates from the attack the bronchial spasm, which 


in the first-named affection constitutes the whole disease, and in 
_ the others is“a complication only. A fluid drachm of the tinc- 
_ ture should be given every hour, or, if the symptoms are 
urgent, every half hour, until relief is obtained, or the 


characteristic effects of the medicine are produced. _ Its efficacy 


_ In other diseases, as in whooping cough, will depend mainly 


upon the predominance of the nervous element im them, 


Whenever dyspnoea is due to inflammatory changes m_ the 
bronchia, or to the presence in these tubes of secreted matters, 


rather than to spasm, lobelia displays special virtues that 


of no more advantage in Sara laryngitis. than various 
—— ee is decidedly n fica- 


324 CAMPANULACE:. 


cious in spasmodic laryngitis than most other remedies of the 
same class. In almost all cases in which distress in breathing © 
arises from a want of proper balance between the lungs and 
the heart, this medicine affords relief; as, for mstance, when 
the lungs are congested by mitral obstruction and there is a 
tendency to @dema of those organs; and, again, when the 
lungs are themselves diseased so as to interfere with the cardiac 
circulation, as occasionally happens even in tuberculous’ 
consumption, (Stillé and Maisch.) 


Description. —The leaves resemble those of the tobacco ; 
they are finely serrated and covered with simple hairs. The 
lower part of the stem is woody, an inch and a half or more in 
diameter, and almost solid ; the upper portion is a hollow tube 
ending in a crowded head of flower spikes; the latter are 
about a foot in length, and when the plant is in fruit, are 
thickly set with globular capsules about the size of a pea, to 
which a portion of the dry flower is often adherent; the cap- 
sules are two-celled, each cell containing a fleshy placenta. 
The seeds are numerous and very small (1-50th of an inch in 
length), oval, flattened, of a light brown colour, and marked 
with delicate lines. Several small] tubercles surround the site 
of the placental attachment. 

The whole plant when dry i is studded with small spots of 
resinous exudation, and is hot and acrid to the taste. The 
leaves and aerial parts of the fresh plant —. a white latex 
when broken, 

Chemical composition. —Herr von Rosen’s examination of the 
plant, supplied by one of us, showed it to contain two alkaloids; 
this led toa re-examination of Lobelia inflata, with the result 
that two similar alkaloids were found to be present in the 
latter plant. The discovery of von Rosen has been confirmed 
by J. U, and C, G. Lloyd (Pharm. Rundschau, 1887), but they 
describe the alkaloids somewhat differently ; one, for which 
they appropriate the name Lobeline, was obtained as a colour- 
less and odourless amorphous substance, non-hygroscopic, and 
apparently not affected by air; slightly soluble in Saket and 


ERICACEA, B25 
readily soluble in alcohol, chloroform, ‘ether, benzol ee carbon 
bisulphide. Its salts are most powerful emetics, producing 
emesis without disagreeable after symptoms. 

The other alkaloid Inflatine was obtained in lstes olen 
ess, odourless and tastcless crystals, insoluble in water -or 
glycerine, but soluble in carbon bisulphide, benzol, chloroform, 
ether and alcohol. 

Therapeutically inflatine has no apparent importance. In 
spite of the statements of previous workers, no volatile or 


my Bot. M ag. 1984, es S Wislcton: (ng. s 
| —Hills of eae Burma and Ceylon. The éevanitial 


ular. b beitioniis (Jav.). | 
tory, Uses, &c.—This ramous shrub with ‘thick 
s leaves, white flowers and blue berries, inhabits the 


Gaultheria procumbens (Canadian Winter Green). - 
ughton, the late Government Quinologist at the Nil- & 
report to the Madras Government on the subject of — 
—*The oil from this source contains less of oF 
hydrocarbon which forms a natural and consider- 
with the Canadian oil, and therefore is some- _ 
nercial 


¥ 


tained in the oil naturally led to its employment in rheun 


326 ERICACEA, 


“It occurred to me in 1869 that methyl-salicylic acid would, 
however, under suitable treatment, furnish carbolic acid . 
according to a decomposition described by Gerhardt. After a 


few experiments I was successful in preparing considerable 


quantities of pure carbolic acid. The method of manufacture 
is aS follows: —The oil is heated with a dilute solution of 
caustic alkali, by which means it is saponified and dissolved, 
methylic alcohol of great purity being liberated. The solution 
of the oil is then decomposed by any mineral acid, when 
beautiful crystals of salicylic acid are formed. These are 
gathered, squeezed, and dried. They are then mixed with 
common quicklime or sand, and distilled in an iron retort; 
carbolic acid of great purity, and crystallizing with the greatest 
readiness, passes into the receiver. This acid is equal to the 
purest kind obtained from coal tar, and employed in medicine- 
It, of course, possesses all the qualities which have rendered this 
substance almost indispensable in modern medical and surgical 
practice. (Pharm. Journ., Oct. 1871.) 


The shrub has no vernacular name on the Nilgiris, and does 
not appear to be used by the natives except the berries which 
are eaten by the Badagas. The Gandapuro of Java (Ainslie, — 
Mat. Ind. ii. 106) is referred to an Andromeda, and it is inter- 


esting to notice that on the authority of Dr. Horsfield, the — 


volatile oil was used by the natives in rheumatic affections. 
Dr. de Vrij obtained a considerable quantity of oil from the 
leaves of two Javanese species, G. leucocarpa and G. punctata, 
and this was found by Kohler to be identical with Canadian 
Wintergreen oil. 

_ Wintergreen oil is used as a flavouring agent on account of 
its agreeable odour. It is a convenient antiseptic, a drop or 
two of the oil will preserve a bottle-full of gum or of ink from — 
mic injections and other rmaceutical preparations. In 
large doses it produces the same effect as other aromatic 
essential oils. The large proportion of methyl salicylate con- = 


"mould for several months, and it is a useful adjunct to hypoder- 


ERICACEA. 327 


_ism. It was apparently first used for this purpose by Mr. 
Casamayor of Brooklyn, N. Y. (Hphemeris, i. 80), and next 
by Dr. Kinnicutt of New York (Med. Record, xxii. 505). 
Twelve cases of acute articular rheumatism treated by the 
latter gavé an average duration of the pyrexia of 3} days ; of 
the joint pains, 44 days; of the stay in hospital, 243 days. 
The oil was given at first in doses of 10 minims every two 
hours until eight doses had been taken, and afterwards the 
doses were increased as well as their frequency. ‘The reporter 
believes that his cases presented less than the usual proportion 
of heart-complications ; but if so, the oil must differ in its effects 
from its active element, salicylicacid. Dr, Austin Flint (Phila- 
Med. Times, xiii., 846,) and Dr. Gettheil (Med. Record, xxiv., 
258,) have reported analogous results. Dr. Waring (Brit. Med. 
Journ., June 6th, 1885) suggests the Indian oil for use as a 
stimulant, carminative and antiseptic. ; 
Dr. Charteris, after experimenting on the comparative action 
_of natural and artificial salicylic acid, concludes that the rest- 
lessness, confusion, delirium and retarded convalescence at- 
tendant on the nse of the acid and its sodium salt in acute 
rheumatism is due to the impurities of the acid prepared from 
coal-tar, and that natural salicylic acid and its salts are much 
safer remedies (Brit. Med. Journ., Nov. 1889). 
Description.—Oil of gaultheria is usually of a reddish 
colour, but may be obtained colourless by rectification. Ac- 
cording to I. E. Leonard (1884), the colour is usually due to 
the presence of a little iron, and is readily removed by citric 
acid. Ithas a strong and agreeable aromatic odour and a 
sweetish, warm, aromatic taste, and begins to boil at a little 
above 200° C. Its specific gravity is 17180 at 15°C. Occa- 
sionally, oil of gaultheria is lighter (1° 70), in consequence of 
containing a light hydrocarbon, but the extent of this variation 
has not been fully determined. The oil is neutral or faintly 
acid to test-paper ; has a slight dextrogyre rotation, and dis- 
via readily in alcohol and but to a small degree in water; 
the solutions acquire a dark-purple celour.on the addition of 
ferric chloride. The a is not t coloured on the 


& 


325 PLUMBAGINE AL. 


strong nitric acid, but soon congeals into colourless crystals of 
a nitro-compound. A solid crystalline mass is also obtained 
on agitating the oil with concentrated solution of potassa or 
soda. (Stillé and Maisch.) The Nilgiri oil has a sp. gr. of 
1:087 at 15-5, and has no action on polarized light. 

Chemical composition.—Procter (1842) recognized the pre- 
sence in this oil of salicylicacid. Cahours subsequently (1843) 
proved it to consist to the amount of about 90 per cent. of 
methylsalicylic acid (methyl! salicylate or mono-methylsalicylic 
ether), CH°C7H°O%. 100 grains of the oil contains 81 grains 
of salicylic acid. Pure methyl salicylate is a colourless oil, has 
the specifie gravity of 1:18, boils at 222° C. (Cahours), and 
forms crystalline compounds with the alkalies. The remain- 
ing constituent of oil of wintergreen—of which Pettigrew 
(1884) obtained only 0-3 per cent.—is gaultherilene, a colour- 
less thin hydrocarbon of the formula C'°H'®, boiling at 160°. 
C., and having a strong peculiar odour, described as pepper- 
like by Cahours. Trimble and Schroeter determined the 
hydrocarbon to be a sesquiterpene of the formula C**H?*, and 
obtained crystals similar to benzoic acid from the oil. 

Commerce.—The leaves yield more oil in the fine weather, 
from January to April, than at other times of the year; but 
owing to the sluggishness with which it comes over in the 
still, it could not be sold for much less than Rs. 6 per pound. 
The preparation of carbolic acid from the oil to compete with 


that from coal tar is out of the question at the present time 


bat it aaiaht, with advantage, be used in making salicylic acid 
reducing the price of the natural acid which is Mee in 
London at 2s. 6d. per ounce. 


- PLUMBAGINIA. 
PLUMBAGO ZEYLANICA, Linn. 
Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. x., t, 85 eae shag t. 179. 
| Hab.—Throaghoat Ine The Foote 


PLUMBAGINEAD. 329 


4 PLUMBAGO ROSEA, Linn. 
Fig—Rheede Hort. Mal. «., t, 9; Bot. Mag. tt. 230,5363. 
Hab.—Sikkim, Khasia wild? Cultivated in India. 


Vernacular, —Chitrak, Chita (Hind.), Chitra (Guz.), Chitraka 
(Mar.), Chita (Beng.), Chitri (Can.), Chittira ( Tam.), Chitra, 
_ Agnimata (Tel.), Kotu-veli (Mal), P. rosea bears the same 
_ lames with the addition of the adjective red. 


History, Uses, &c.—These plants, in Sanskrit 
Chitraka, are described as digestive, light, astringent, hot and 
appetizing ; a remedy for dyspepsia, piles, leprosy, anasarca, 
worms, cough, phlegm, windand biliousness. In the Nighantas, 
3 among other synonyms, they bear the names Déruna, Dahana, 
_ and Agni, in allusion to their burning and acrid properties. 
_ P. zeylanica is much used as a stimulant adjunct to other pre- 
_ parations, in the form of a combination called T’rimada, consist- 
_ ing of Plumbago root, B&berang (fruit of Bmbelia Ribes), and 
a Nigarmoth (tubers of Cyperus pertenuis). It enters into the 
a composition of numerous medicines for dyspepsia. The follow- 
ing is an illustration: Take of Plumbago root, Rock salt, 
_ Chebulic myrobalans and long pepper, equal parts ; powder 
and mix. Dose about 40 grains. (Chakradatta.) A favourite 
- Mnedicine for flatulence is an old prescription of Susruta’s 
_ called Shaddharanayoga. It is a powder composed of equal 
parts of the following substances: Plumbago root, seeds of 
; Holarrhena antidysenterica, roots of Cissampelos Pereira, of 
 Picrorrhiza Kurroa and Aconitum heterophyllum, Chebulic ~ 
a “myrobalans, Dose about 1 drachm. The root of P. zeylanica 
is said to exercise a beneficial effect on piles, in which disease it 
is given in various combinations. One mode of administering 
_ it is as follows:—An earthen jar or pot is lined in its interior 
with a paste of the root, and curdled milk (dadhi) or Kanyika 
(rice vinegar) is prepared in this pot. Plumbago root reduced 


Pee Ie Er) ee 2 ie RS ok See, tone te SiR ad el ad AP eH 
7 ree espa ee Rees He Nias erat 


een he a oa eel Oe nee eee ee Te PA ee Ae ee eo ey ee ee 
ite F 


g them. It enters also inte the sperticn of several prepa 
Ti—42 


to & paste is applied to abscesses with the object of open-— a 


330 PLUMBAGINEZ. 


tions used as caustics. Religious mendicants attending fairs 
use the root for the purpose of raising sores upon their bodies 
in order to obtain pity and alms. In the Concan the following 
formula is used:—Chitrak root, Emblic myrobalans, small 
black myrobalans (Bal-hartaki), Long pepper, Pepper root, 
Rhubarb and Rock salt. Powder and give 6 mashas (90 
grains) with hot water every night at bed-time in flatulence 
with rheumatic pains. 


In paralysis, the bark, with Crateeva bark, Indian elm bark 


(Vavala), Wild Moringa bark, and the bark of Vitew trifolia, 
is boiled in one part of white, and two of black mustard oil 
and applied. Mahometan writers treat of the drug under the 
name of Shitaraj, a corruption of the Indian name Chitrak; they 
describe it as caustic and vesicant, an expellant of phlegmatic 
humors ; useful in rheumatism and spleen, digestive ; it also 


causes iabicieticiie. For external administration it is made into a 


paste with milk, vinegar or salt and water. Such a paste may 
be applied externally in leprosy and other skin diseases of an 
obstinate character, and be allowed to remain until a blister 
has formed. In rheumatism it should be removed after 15 to 
20 minutes. When administered internally the dose is one 


dirhem. Mir Muhammad Husain speaks of several kinds of © 


Shitaraj, and says one of them is the Libédiytn or Lifadiyan 
of the Greeks. Bhazes describes two kinds, Indian and 
Behera 


- The Shitaraj of Mahometan writers must, therefore, be con- 
wie: to refer to the genus Plumbago, and not to any particu- 
lar species. P. zeylanica is mentioned by several European 
writers upon Indian drugs, but has not attracted the same 
amount of attention as P. rosea, which is said to be more 


‘active. However, this may be, the former is the Chitrak of : 


the native physicians, aud very possibly may have been used 


* Plumbago europea is considered to be the ‘Sertetces .of Dioscorides by 
Sprengel. ABadsov or fel terre is the nam plant mentioned by 
Pliny (25, 31), whieh sam eet we Brae ai mates a aust 
>with Plumbago, 


eo 


PLUMBAGINED. 33] 


_ by some under the supposition that it was the root of P. rosea. 
_ Inthe Pharmacopeia of India, Dr. Oswald is said to have em- 
ployed P. zeylanica in the treatment of intermittents with good” 
effect. Itacts as a powerful sudorific. In many parts of India 
the root is one of the most important drugs of the itinerant 
herbalist ; it is also sold by all druggists. Ainslie, speaking of 
P. rosea, remarks.—“The bruised root of this plant is, in its 
natural state, acrid and stimulating, but when tempered witha 
little bland oil, it is used as an external application in rheumatic 
_ and paralytic affections ; it is also prescribed internally in small 
doses for the same complaints, in combination with some other 
imple powder.”? (Mat. Ind., II., p. 379.) ne 
O’Shaughnessy, who instituted a series of trials with the roob 
asa vesicant, has expressed a very favourable opinion of if 
sa cheap substitute for cantharides. Dr. Waring thinks less 
favourably of it; he found that it caused more pain than an 
ordinary blister, and that the resulting vesication was less 
niform, and not always easily healed. From what we have : 
seen of its use, we are inclined to support Dr. Waring” 's opi 
Given internally in ees — Smieoe root acts: as 


Wk, and after absorption, as a stimulant of the excreto 
glandular organs. Its action is well worthy of accurate scien | 
fic investigation. 


Description. —The roots of P. zeylanica are from 4 + to 


small warty projections ; ‘eberdally itis brown and striated L; 

fracture is short ; the taste acrid and biting. Wood har 

1, close-grained. A section of the fresh bark when mag- 

shows. nuteerous bundles of ries yellow stone 
; . ner part of the: 


382° PLUMBAGINEZ. a 


is seen in’the cell walls both of the parenchyme andthe woody __ 
tissue, but not in a crystalline form. (J'liickiger and Gerock.) 
The root of P. rosea has a similar structure, but is much 
smaller. 

Chemical composition.—The activity of the drug depends 
upon the presence of plumbagin. This acrid principle was 
first separated by Dulong from the root of P. europea by. 
repeatedly boiling the ethereal extract with water, whence it 
was deposited on cooling, and purified by crystallization from. 
alcohol or ether-alcohol. Plumbagin crystallizes in delicate. 
needles or prisms, often grouped in tufts; has a styptic sac- 
charine taste, with acrid biting after taste ; melts very easily, 
and partly volatilises unaltered when heated. Itis neutral, 
nearly insoluble in cold, more soluble in boiling water, very 
soluble in alcohol and ether. It dissolves with yellow colour 
in strong sulphuric and fuming nitric acid, and is precipi- 
tated by water in yellow flocks. Alkalies change the colour 
of the solution toa fine cherry-red; acids restore the yellow 
colour. Fliickiger (1887) examined the root of P. zeylanica 
supplied by one of us, and found that plumbagin could be 
obtained by submitting it to steam, when the latter is carried 
off by the water, from which it can be separated by shaking 
with ether. On evaporating the ether fine crystalline tufts of 
plumbagin of a bright orange colour are obtained; they have a 
peculiar odour and an intensely acrid, but not bitter taste. 
heating them but very moderately, they are volatilized; 
they readily dissolve in alkaline solutions and impart to them 
aed colour, but at the same time the plumbagin is altered, 
_ probably by oxidation. The yield is very small, from about 
pe Oe Ibs. of root only 81 grains of raw plumbagin could 
be obtained. Professor Flickiger found the proportion of 
plumbagin in P. europea to be about the same as in P 
_ zeylanica. An acid was also separated from. the root by dis- 
tillation. M. Greshoff, who has been i investigating the che- | 
mistry of the medicinal plants of Java (Meded. uit S’lands” 
Plant. VIL, p. 55, Batavia, 1890,) is of opinion that 
- roots aes sR —— Svaiaeaen pent 


@ 
rae 


PLUMBAGINEA. 333 


_ Wefers Bettink (Haaamans Tijdsch., Jan., 1888,) were really 
those of Plumbago rosea. Prof. Bettink extracted with chloro- 
form a yellow crystalline principle, apparently the plumbagin 
of Dulong, which on crystallization from hot water and several 
times from alcohol was obtained in needles melting at 72°C., 
and showing the composition C!©H!50°. It was with difficulty 
soluble ir water, but easily soluble in chloroform, benzol, car- 
bon bisulphide and glacial acetic acid. On careful heating it sub- 
limed, the yield was about 0°2 per cent. The principle somewhat 
resembled Juglone and possessed anthelmintic properties. 

A further examination P. europea made in 1889 by Prof. 
Fliickiger aud Mr, T. E. Gerock, showed that plambagin is not 
| contained in the aérial parts of the plant, with the exception of 
: a small quantity in that part of the stem which is near the root. 

They found the root, when freshly cut, to be nearly devoid of ~ 

; colour, but on exposure it immediately assumed a yellow hue, 
. from which they conclude that the plumbagin is probably the 
product of a rapid oxidation of some primary substance contained 
; 
| 


in the plant. In the dried root the plumbagin is seen in the 
_ cell walls both of the parenchyme and of the woody tissue, but 
not in a crystalline form. We have submitted to steam two 
__ ewts. of bazar plumbago root, and on shaking the distillate with 
__ ether obtained half a fluid ounce of a deep yellow oily fiuid 
having a peculiar penetrating odour. On cooling it artificially, 
__ a few colourless crystals formed, which redissolved when the oil | 
__-was gently warmed. ‘The oil floated on water, and the mixture 
__—-was unaffected by dilute acids and alkalies and salts of iron, lead, © 
mercury and silver; it dissolved readily in ether and bi-sulphide 
of carbon, and to a small extent in rectified spirit. It struck eo 
reddish colour, without dissolving in sulphuric acid. A-ditep, 
of the oil in a watch glass was solidified by passing the vapour 
of ammonia over it. Heating on a water bath for two days 
was not sufficient to dissipate the whole of the oil. Heated to 
for some time it turned reddish brown, anda yellowish fatty 
given off and occupied the higher part of the 
drops of the oil smeared upon the upper part of th: 


ed Rea ae eas ab el 
a oe 7 


334 PLUMBAGINEZ. 


The distillate, from which the oil had been removed, was 


strongly acid; it was nentralized with baryta, The~ barium = 


salt thus obtained treated with dilute sulphuric acid, yielded 
after agitation with ether a yellow oily principle similar to that 
which had been separated from the distillate by ether. There 
appears to have been no plumbagin in this root; it had the 
usual appearance of the drug as met with in commerce, and 
when received was quite fresh and moist, and had to be dried 
before it could be powdered. Further operations upon large 
quantities of the fresh and dried root will be necessary before 
the nature of this substance can be determined, for at present 
the physical properties of the principle, the so-called plum- 
bagin, are not sufficiently well known to enable one to posi- 
tively assert whether it is odourless or not, while its chemical 
gonstitution has not been studied. 


_Poxicology.— Chevers (Med. Jurisp., p. 252,) refers to two 


: fatal cases of poisoning from the internal administration of the 
root ; one of these was homicidal. 
In Madras Plumbago was little used before 1882. In 1882 
and 1883, it formed 12 per cent. of the cases in which poison 
was detected in Class A (Human Cases, Viscera examined) ; in 
1888, two cases in 51 were detected; and in 1889, two in 101. 
Tn Class B ( Suspected Attempts to Poison) ;in 1883, one in eight; 
in 1524, one in eight; in 1885, one in seven ; and in 1887, one 
7 f the poisons detected was plumbago. The drug had 
sl administered by sorcerers to persous accused of 
an shortifacient, or as a love potion eye Wonien: 


Eee to pass urine. ‘The affected persons were 

e sore mouths, feeble irregular pulses and cold skins. 

Dr. Lyon finds plumbago root chiefly used for the A 

: of causing abortion. With this object itissometimes 
usually emplo 


males as a local irritant — s 


_ The following table shows the particulars of Plumbago poisoning in India :— 


Presidency. 
i 


Year. 


Plumbagin. 


: Bengal 


Do. 


1882 


1884, 


to b 


Substances suspected 
c) contain 


Plumbagin. 


bones ie 


wee 
toile 


Remarks, 


eeehee 


‘In two stomachs examined in rapt nendip with abortion 


been given eenuity asan abortive. Asa rule, howeve te 
the root is applied either to the neck of the uterus or 
introduced into the vagina. Chevers recy records t 
instances in W at men were poisoned by the fan” 
* Plumbago rosea in babar with two cases 
of alleged seitntnay abortion, one of the cases occurring 
at Dacca and the other at Ghattal. This plant is exten- 


an e produc eg Irritation and vesication 
which seenitty in Ssortiah en the yrs» is pregnant. 
: oar 


rug 
n, who were alleged to have died 
from the effects of ebcstiea? 


‘WANIDVIN NT 


GEé 


Substances suspected 


tain 
= 
Presidency. Year. | —Visce Remarks. 
Plamagin. Plumbago 
| Plumbagin.| root or 
Lalchitra, 
> 
Bengal weer entrees 1885 teneee eeetee 1 
Do. eoeeeesenes 1886 * seetee serene I 
Do aeeeeeeee . 1887 oueree etree a 
Do eentee eee 1888 aeeter eeetes 2 
Do eee eee wea eee 1889 Ct nh eee eee Se) . 1 
Madras peices cause 1881 deesee eetsee af 
WO, Srrroeer| 1882 sree 4 ‘As this poison has very seldom been detected in this 


Presidency, all of the cases of poisoning by Plumbago 
are briefly notice 


“Tn the first case a woman was suspected to have been 
drugged, in order to facilitate robbing her, by something 


A 1 
woman seems to have suffered severely, but Pobtanaels 
had the benefit, of skilful ress from the Medical 
er, Satur, from whom a careful and intellige nt 
record of the pene of the | case was received,” 
In the second case an insane man was re ported 


have died suffermg from vomiting and purging shortly 
after iy a red powder given him by a native doctor 


9EE 


WANIDV AN NTd 


’ 


eastin 


‘small quanti mbage! was found to be present 
‘I a suspee maf pee received for examin on But 
‘the proportion o a eave ag to comparatively 

‘stituents was not s oO great as to 

of the powder hating been a bond fide ‘0 
races of poison could be detected in two lots of sand 
believed to contain vomit ted matters, or on the soiled 
eloth worn by the deceased, or in the stomach.” 


“In the third ne te temp was raasied to vo died shortly 
after takin medicine, gages were briefly 
described ny purging and vomiting 
a Plumbago was detected in the viscera and i in a suspected 
cine. The case seems very similar to the preced- 
i fourth and fifth cases, which were 


va 

_ these cases, poison was detected in the yomited ma ter 
and obi cap long coy Whatever the true se th of 
the ec may have been, there seems no doubt that the 
tients were very early killed.” 

The report in 1883 reviews the wurk of 1882 and a 

this it was changed from the 


s 
= 
> 
Loar] 


that examini e human viscera or uations 
Bh gap Piatens teste was detec or in 18 
_instances and one in Class B. 


‘WV ANTOVEaNATA 


Zee 


Substance suspected 
, to be or to contain 
Bie poison. 
Presidency, Year. ReMArks. 
_Plambogin Plumbago 

; Plumbagin.| root or 

Lalchitra. 
- Madras—conéd. ...| 1884 babese spaces dedaee “Dees aire rosea or zeylanica) was found in 
a @ case was believed to have been used as an 

abortifae ge 
Bo. eseese| 1886 sais I wake A lov potion peti. to a woman was found to contain this 
De, eset 1887 2 decise tikcee Gus. given as a purgative nara 
- - Te ii! 1880 2 Woneds bined One given as an abortifac 
oe Bombay Tacksst 1875 AY 1 ST ee ‘Tn another case of the e kind some pills were found 
to contain a vegetable be peace: resembling in characters 
er ener the active principle of Pluméago rosea or 
Lalehit 
BP Gatecueccistt 1881 soeees 3 tvsuee “1, A case from Bijapur, in which some pieces of root 
alleged to have been used for the purpose of procuring 
bortion were identified as pieces of the f th 
Plumbago zeylanica; 2, a case from Sangamner, in 
whi me pieces of stick stated to have been used 
for the purpose of procuring abortion, were oe to be 
armed at the end with cotton covered witha paste in 
which, ical examination, Plumbagin, the cha- 
racteristic principle of Plumbago shone + phe at 
was dete ; e fr 


cte 
Plumbagin was detected ina red paste, id ies in seittass 


* 


- A 


gee 


WANIDVEAN NTI 


‘ - ataini =e a piece of cloth found in the Hk of a woman 
accu mp of an attempt to procure abort 
anise “Tn a case fr o atara o de ath after abort rtion, Plum 


Bey cies 1885 : eeenee oa ] 


ec 
the vagina of the deceased. Ps Neg $ case arsenic was also 
“pe detected in minute i. y in the liver.’ 
— seseeeveneee| 1888 veeees 3 waived ‘*A case from Pandharpur ‘sily re le in pave. 
ae a some drugs found on aie cha hon wien 
sorcerer were forwarded for examination. etn 
; accused of sdninntoting a narcotic drug to nae a in 
order, it was said, that while og Log infuence Con 
might givea clue to the offender in 


saber of the > os ate ae to contain Plum 
aE b da | 

Fee eee ree No ease recorded. 1% 2 a a cere 

ae No ease recorded.* 


The fol following ease of the use of Plumbago is recorded in Dr. Brown’s book on “ Punjab Poisons ” Case.—Transactions 
; of the Medical and Physical Society, Bombay, paper read by Dr. J, Mill :— 

‘On December 16th, 1861, a man poured over the face of a sleeping native, with whom he had quarrelled, a liquid, said 
. nlp been prepared from the roots of Plumbago rosea and Semecar rpus Anacardium, but this also contained 


WANIDVERITd 


eee  - PRIMULACEA. | j 


Commerce.—The root is sold at Rs. 4 to 5 per maund of — 
373 lbs. The Bombay market is supplied from Kattiawar and — 
Guzerat, where the shrub grows to a much larger size than it k 
does in the Concan. 


PRIMULACEZ. 


DIONYSIA DIAPENSIZEFOLIA, Boiss. — 
Fig.—Clusius Eaot. 4. p. 199. 
--Hab.—Persia. The plant. 
Vernacular.—Hamama (Arab., Ind. Bazars). 


History, Uses, &c.—The recent discovery by Mr. B. 
_ M. Holmes of the botanical source of Hamima (Pharm. Journ, 
1887,) enables us better to understand the description by Di 5. 
corides of the amomon of the Greeks. His chapter rep! dzopov 
has always puzzled the commentators; it has an hiatus 
in the middle; there are several apabetat readings in 
text, and a paragraph which appears to have got into it 
mistake. In the edition of 1529 we read $¥d\a Se Byvona (, 
épota and in the same edition, where bryony is treated of, t 
word is printed Spvovia in the usual manner. This crea 
suspicion that the true text may have had_ moss, and not 
bryony ; we can then read the description of the first kin 
—s as follows—“Amomon is a small shrubby _ 
- (ajevior ) like a banch of intertwining woody stems; it | 
small flower. ‘like the wallflower (Acvxéw») ; the leaves are like 
those of moss; the best i is the Armenian, of a golden ting 
with reddish | ‘yellow stems, sufficiently fragrant. This 1 

agree very well with the characters of the genus Dionysia 
Dioscorides thea proceeds to describe the kind found i in M 


but it omits the next poses Se 
where. ‘the —— } occurs “and 


PRIMULACH &, 341 


Throughout the remainder of the chapter the Greek and the 
Arabian versions agree, with the exception that the latter omits 
all mention of Amomis, : aged eis 

The conclusion of the chapter in Dioscorides is noteworthy: 
he says—“ In the selection of these articles it is important to 
avoid broken pieces, and to choose such specimens as have 


entire branches springing from a single root ;” this is appli- 


cable to hamama, but not to cardamoms. 2 
Theophrastus (9, 7, 1) merely mentions cardamomon an 


amomon as coming from Media. Celsus (lib. V.) mentions 


amomum and cardamomum as ingredients in a “ Malagma ad- 
jecur dolens.”? Pliny (18, 1,) speaks ofamomum as an Assy- 
rian shrub with a white flower, from which a costly perfume 
was made. In short there is no medical description of the drug 
“except by Dioscorides. i 
- The non-medical classical writers mention amomum, bu 
they allude to it in a vague way, or as a precious perfume, —/ 
In Virgil’s third Zclogue, Dameetas says :— ; 
“Qui te, Pollio, amat, veniat, quo te quoque gaudet : 
Mella fluant illi, ferat et rubus asper amomum.” aoe 
_ Among the Arabians Ibn Sina (Avicenna) “only notices one 
kind of Ham4mé, “ Shajrat k4nkood min khashab mushabbak” 
(a plant with latticed woody branches, the first kind of Dios- 
corides); but he remarks that it affords a sticky exudation. 
Sheik Dawood of Antioch, who wrote A. D. 1656, says: “6 Ha. 
mémé, is in Greek amomiya, and its flowers are called leukéin, 
it is not bruwaniya, which isa name for fashara. The plant 
consists of sticks latticed together in a bunch ofa reddish- 
golden colour, acrid, hot, perfumed; it springsfromasingle root, 
hard, perfumed; it grows in Armenia and Tarsus, and a kind 
of it in Syria is greenish and small, or yellowish and fragile, 
“both spurious; and it grows in the month of Nisan (April) ; at 
has reddish flowers, like those of the Wallflower.or Sédaj.”” 


The Persian writers give similar descriptions, but ‘that of — af 


_ He sa; 
‘4 hey : va 


a3 


‘Haji Zein el Attar (A. D.-1368) is_more original. 


o_o 
a 


i 


342 PRIMULACEA. 


dry in the second and some say in the third degree. It is of 
two kinds, one is well-known, and is called in Shiraz mahilu, 
and there is another kind like Persiawashdn (maiden-hair), 
and like it, of a reddish yellow colour ; the leaves are green 
and small, and the flowers yellow and small, and the plant is 
about a span high, or in my experience less. It grows on 
stones. The best is of a golden colour from Armenia, and has a 
sweet smell.” 5 

Mr. E. M. Holmes has found in the Herbarium of the 
British Museum a specimen of Dionysia diapensiefolia, Boiss, 
bearing an inscription in the handwriting of Kotschy, which 
states that the plant grows on stones, as stated by Haji Zein. 
He has also ascertained that the Persian drug is aromatic ; 
possibly Armenia may furnish a more perfumed plant belong- 
ing to the same genus. We see nothing in the description of 
Dioscorides to connect Amomon with Cardamomon. On the 
other hand, his description of Cardamomon is very short, and — 
such as he would naturally give of an article so well known 
as this must have been from its every-day employment by 
Asiatics as a masticatory and spice. In addition to this, he 
notices a use of cardamoms peculiar to India, namely, as a 
lithontriptic in nephritis and dysuria. Thedescription of Diosco- 
rides is as follows :—‘‘ Cardamomon is brought from Commagene 
(the northern province of Syria, now Camosh), Armenia, 
and the Bosphorus, but it is produced also in India and Arabia. 
Choose that which is tough, well-filled, closed ; if not in this 
state, it is too old and has lost its aroma. The taste is pungent 
and somewhat bitter. 


We think there can be no doubt that the Greeks were well 
acquainted with ‘Cardamons through their intercourse with 
Eastern nations long before the time of Dioscorides, although 
they had no exact information as to their source. As sug- 
gested by Mr. Holmes, the Amomis of Dioscorides was probably 
a plant having the same characters as his true amomum. 

The Pontic and Coptic kinds were probably entirely different 
plants used as substitutes. We must also bear in mind that 


eee Oe eee et en 
y os ; ‘ 


tse This aes ihe. 


PRIMULACEZ. 343 


plants having no very remarkable properties were used by the 
ancients, and are still used in the East, as ingredients in per- 
fumes, &c., from some superstitious fancy in connection with 
them, 

The Hamama now in use in the Hast was known in Europe 
as Amomum in the 14th and 15th centuries, and is figured 
by Clusius (Haot. Lib. I., p. 199). He calls it Amomum 
spurium. The same drug was found in use in Egypt by 
Prosper Alpinus, 1580-83. Dr. Leonhart Rauwolff, who 
travelled in the East (1573-76) for the purpose of studying the 
drugs of Dioscorides, says of Amomum: “Lastly amongst the 
rest I did also enquire after the amomum and thought, because 
they were near unto the confines of Armenia (i, e., the bazars 
of Aleppo), that therefore they might easily have it by the 
caravans which come daily from those parts, yet I was 
forced to run a great while after it, till at length I got a little 
stock thereof in one shop. They ésli it by the name of Ha- 
mama, But of the other so-called by Dioscorides, which is like 
unto it, and therefore may easily be taken for the right one, 
they had a great deal. These two small shrubs, although they — 


are very like to one another, yet for all that they may be distin- 
guished by their stalks and different colours, wherefore Diosco- 
_ rides bids us (if we will not be imposed upon) to pick out the 


bigger and smoother, with its noble seed, and to leave the 
small, This stalk which I found about the length of a finger, 
is almost of the colour of the bark of the cinnamon tree, and 


_ also in its acrimony and good odour (although it was old) still 


very strong. At the top had been several woody stalks close to 


one another, whereon I believe had been the flowers and seeds. 


But the twigs of the other sort, which are crooked and bended, 


are of a brown colour, which at the top divide themselves 


into other Iéss ones like a tree, whereon grow several stalks, 
with little heads like unt» the Masaron, or Marum 6 alee 
Crete, wherein is no great strength nor odour.” (Ray’s 


Oolbertion of Curious Travels and Voyages, 1693, quoted 
ties 0. Aa anes in: a letter to. ‘the ane. Journ., Jan. 28th, 


Ns thch: asl tar oe oliea tena aid rel presi fa Coe 


344 PRIMULACE. 


. Hamama is applied as a poultice to boils and scorpion stings, 
&c. Taken internally it is considered sedative and is thought 
to promote the action of the liver and spleen and to remove 
obstructions in those organs. It is also prescribed in gout and 
in uterine obstructions, both vee esa and externally. The 
dose is 2 dirhems. 


Dessisacin. —The’ following is Boissier’s deseiipiick of 
the plant (Diag. Ser. 17, p. 65) :—Densissime et late caspitosa, 
ramis ob folia vetusta dense imbricata columnaribus ; foltis 
minute hirto-glandulosis, planis, ‘sub-flabellatim rotieuliee: 
venosis, ovatis et oblongo-spathulatis, basi attenuatis obtusis- 
simis, integris vel obtuse utrinque 1—2 crenatis ; pedunculis 
subnullis, rosule foliis occultatis vel paulo longioribus, breviter 
exsertis ; 1 rarius 2—8, floris, floribus involucro 3—5 bracteato 
suffultis ; bracteis lineari-spathulatis, obtusis, integris, calycem 
gequantibus; calyces ad }-partiti, laciniis lineari-spathulatis 
obtusis, corollae lutew glanduloso-hirte, tubo calyce quadruplo 
Jongiore, limbi ampli laciniis ovatis retusis.  Coepites lati, 
3—4 pollices elati, folia 1}—2lineas longa, calyx 29 lineas, 
cians 10—12 longa. 

Pedunculis exsertis et involucro affinis D. ccespitose, sed in 
hac pedunculus longus, bractez majoras incise, calycis lacinize 
acute, corolle limbus minor, 

The seeds of Hamama are elliptic or subtriangular, concave 
on the outer side and bluntly keeled on the other; brown in 
colour, and rngulose with netted markings. The Sveter 
length yyth of an inch. 

Chemical composition. —The plant contains a light brown 
resin, which becomes covered with a glaucous film on exposure 
to the air; it is soluble in sulphuric acid and in aqueous 
alkaline solutions with an orange colour, The taste is at first 
pungent and warming, afterwards acrid, with a sialogague 
action. A crystalline body is “separated from the alcoholic 
extract, soluble in water, ; and responding to alkaloidal tests, 
~ but otherwise acting as a neutral substance, sacs | rsa fatty 


res eat 


acids are also removed by alcohol from the 2 he he seeds ds 


PRIMULAOE.E. 345 


examined separately yielded to ether 24 per cent. of brown fat, 
melting at 29°C. ‘This fat on saponification yields some 
“fragrant volatile fatty acid; a mixture of insoluble fatty acids 
melting at 41°, soluble in spirit and crystalline; and a neutral, 
rown, fluorescent resin : 

_~ Ne substance like eects was found in the infusion of the 
whole herb. The seeds contained ammonia from the decom- 
‘position of the albuminoids. ‘lhe herb afforded 16°9 per cent., 
a ithe seeds 11°] per cent. of mineral matter. 


ANAGALLIS ARVENSIS, Jann. 


_ » Pig.— Eng. Bot. viti. t. 529; ; eevi, t. 1823. Scarlet Pimper- 
nel (Eng.), Mouron rouge (Fr). 


p sta0.— Many parts of India, Karope, Western Asia. The 
ae. 


Vernacular,— Jonk-miri, Jainghani (Hind.). 


; History, Uses, &c,— Dioscorides describes two kinds 
avayadkis, the male with red flowers, and the female with blue 
flowers. According to him the herb‘has lenitive properties, 
and is used to subdue inflammation, to assist in the extraction 
of thorns from the flesh, and in the cure of sores. The juice 
administered through the nostrils is said to remove pituitous 
matters from the head and relieve toothache ; mixed with honey 
‘it removes films from the eyes and improves the sight. Given 
with wine, it was thought to be an antidote for the poison of 
the Viper ; it was also prescribed to relieve pain in the kidneys 
. od liver, and to promote the dispersion of dropsical swellings. 
_ The female plant was supposed to care prolapsus ani and the — 
@ plant to incite that disease. Pliny (25, 92) speaks of the 
> the e Arabian and Persian physicians 


346 PRIMULACE#. 


choly, and Quercitanus made it a speciality in his treatment of 
mania. Ravenstein and Gwelin record cases in which persons 
bitten by rabid animals were cured by the nse of this herb; it 
was administered internally and also applied to the bitten part. 
Most of these physicians considered it to be an efficacious 
remedy in gout, dropsy, and pulmonary complaints. Orfila 
places Anagallis among the narcotico-acrids, and gives the 
following account of its effects upon animals :—‘‘ At eight 
in the morning three drachms of the extract of pimpernel,. 
prepared by evaporating ina water-bath the juice of the fresh 
plant, were introduced inte the stomach of a robust dog. At 
six in the evening he was dejected, and at eleven sensibility 
appeared diminished. The next morning, at six, he was lying 
down, apparently dead, and might be displaced like a mass of 
inert matter. He expired half an hour after.. The mucous — 
membrane of the stomach was slightly inflamed ; the interior of 
the rectum was ofa bright red colour ; the ventricles of the 
heart were distended by black coagulated blood; the lungs - 
presented several livid spots, and their texture was preterna- 
turally dense. ‘Two drachms of the same extract, applied to 
the cellular tissue of a dog’s thigh, caused death in twelve 
‘hours with the same symptoms as the preceding. M. Gronier 
gave to horses some tolerably strong doses of the decoction 
of this plant, and he observed almost constantly a trembling of 
the muscles of the posterior extremities as well as those of the 
_ throat, and a copious flow of urine. After death the mucous 
membrane of the stomach was found inflamed.” 

In India, Anagallis is used as a fish-poison, and also to kill 
leeches, which sometimes get lodged in the nostrils of those 
who frequent the jungles in the rainy season. Both the blue 
and the red flowered varieties dre found i in Western India ; the 
blue being the common one eastward. 


~ Description.—Root ‘oe, ‘stem badiched - ‘feohn“the 

_ lower part, often dotted with purple, more or less procumbent, 
Square. Leaves sessile, ovate, many-ribbed,” dotted with 
purple at the —_— -Pedancles angu 


PRIMULACE A, ) 347 


twisted and recurved after flowering. Corolla bright scarlet, 
with a violet coloured mouth; its edges finely crenate, or 
minutely fringed with glands. Fruit pale and transparent, the. 
size of a pea. Seeds roughish. The plant has.a somewhat. 
bitter and acrid taste. 


Chemical composition. —D: Malapert (1857) has shown that 
the poisonous properties of the plant are due to the presence of 
a. substance-similar to, if not identical with, Saponin. J. A. 
Heintzelman obtained’a small quantity of volatile oil from the 
dry herb, and found it of a strong peculiar odour anda pun- 
gent and acid taste, A few drops produced. headache and 
nausea lasting for several hours. 


CYCLAMEN PERSICUM, Miller. 
Fig.—Bot. Mag. t. 44. Sow-bread (Hng.), Arthanite, 
Pain de pourceau (J’r.) 
Hab.—Persia. Levant.. The tubers. 
Vernacular —Bakhér-i-Miryam (Ind. Bazars).. 


History, Uses, &c.—Under the name of. Kuahapivos, a 
species. of Cyclamen is mentioned. by Greek medical writers, 
which Fée considers to. have been O. hederefolium, Ait., and 
Littré C. grecum, Lam.: it was also called ixGvdenpov, * fish- 
taker,” from its being used to kill fish, and according to Theo- 
phrastus was used as.a love charm. It is described as having 
emetic, purgative and hydrogogue properties, and was consi- 
dered to be useful as. an emmenagogue, as an antidote to the 
poison of snakes, and when locally applied, as a resolvent of 
tumours. The juice was blown into. the nose to purge the 
brain; mixed with wine it is said to have intoxicating proper- 
ties. The plant was supposed to cause pregnant women to 
abort if they walked over it, and the dried root was worn by 
men as.an amulet to protect them against spells. Pliny (25, | 
67) calls it Cyclaminos, and states that it is known in Italy s 

‘Tuber terre ; he repeats much of what Dioscorides says about 
its medicinal properties. ‘The Arabian physicians 


jee ee ME ee Sed oR Bal 


348 PRIMULACER. 


names of Artanitha and Bakhtir Miryam reproduce what Dios- 
corides has written concerning Cyclamen. Persian writers 
describe the Persian plant under the names of Azarbu and 
Chubak-ushnan, and state that it is a kind of Artanitha. The 
Indian Mahometan writers follow the Arabs and .Persians. 


The different species of Cyclamen were formerly used in 


Europe on account of their emetic, purgative, and diuretic 
properties, and an ointment prepared from the root was ap- 
plied to the abdomen of adults to produce vomiting or purging, 
and over the bladder to induce diuresis; it was also applied to 
the navel of children suffering from intestinal worms, and to 
scrofulous tumours. Baulliard states that it is still used in the 
north of France as a purgative and often produces emesis, cold 
sweats, giddiness and convulsive movements. Pigs are said to 
eat the root with impunity, but fish are easily poisoned by it, 
and frogs sicken and die after a few days. Schroff, who 
has experimented with cyclamin, comes to the following 
conclusions :—], Cyclamin does not act upon the sound skin ; 
2,1 the mouth it produces a very unpleasant sensation and 
taste, and excites salivation; 3, in the stomach it causes 
burning, oppression, nausea, and vomiting, and in this organ, 
as in ‘an intestine, it occasions Sisfischsieeeo 4, in the con- 
nective tissue it excites inflammation, which may be followed 
by gangrene : 5, it does not affect the brain, spinal marrow, or 
nerves ; 6, it salivates men when not taken by the mouth, but 
by the veins; 7, its action is analogous to that of saponin. 
(suite and Moiieh. ) 
: ‘Description -—These plants have a roundish, tuberous, 
or fleshy root stock, from the upper side of which spring the 
- Jeaves and flowers, sometimes directly from the top, sometimes 
from a short neck-like stem. The leaves are roundish or 
ovate with a deep basal sinus, sometimes angular at the margins 
and often marbled with greyish white. The flowers have the 
segments of the corolla turned back. The capsule is five- 
valved, and after flowering the scape in most of the species 


coils up spirally with the seed vessel in the contre, Berson 


itself at the same time towards the ground. 


7 


MYRSINEZ. 349 


that the root ‘suo circinato bulbo muliebrem uterum affabre 
demonstrat effigiatum.” 

Chemical composttion.—The activity of the plant depends 
upon a principle similar to, if not identical with, saponin. Sala- 
din (1830) named it cyclamin. It has a bitter acrid taste, 
_ forms a soapy mixture with water, and when boiled with acids 
is converted into glucose and a resinous substance which has 
been named cyclamiretin. Fish poisoned by it die asphyxiated 
through imperfect respiration. (Gmelin. 15, 343; 16, 200.) 


MYRSINEZ. 
EMBELIA RIBES, Burm. 
Fig.—Burm. Fl. Ind., t. 23; Lam. IIl., t. 138. 
? “Hab.—Throughout India. The berries. 
_ Vernacular.—Viranga, Vayvirang, Babirang (Hind. ); Biranga 


' (Beng.), Vavadinga (Mar.), Véyvirang (@Guz.), Vay eee 
(Tam., Tel.), Vayubilaga (Can.). 


History, Uses, &c.—The Sanskrit name is Videstga: it 
has many synonyms, such as Vrisha-nasana, “ destroyer of the 
enemy ” (worm); Suchitra-vija and Chitra-tandula, “ having 
variegated seeds.” Susruta describes the fruit as anthelmin- 
tie, alterative and tonic, and recommends its use along 
With liquorice root for the purpose of strengthening the body 
and ‘preventing the effects of age. In the Nighantas it is 
described as bitter, pungent, hot, astringent, appetizing and 
light; useful for the removal of abdominal pains, worms, wind 
and skin diseases. The berries enter into the composition 
of several applications for ringworm and other skin diseases. 
Under the names of Birang-i-Kabuli and Biranj-i- wens 
tices of the drug will be found in Mahometan works. The 
it to be attenuant and a purgative of ser i 
humoors; : ge a valuable pus helminkiy ; 


ss 


350 MYRSINEA. 


mintic. Mfr Muhammad Husain notices that it turns the 
urine red. He fixes the dose at three dirhems of the powder, 
and directs it to be given with fresh milk. Rheede figures a 
plant which appears to be Hmbelia robusta, and states that the. 
seeds kill worms. Ainslie has the following short notice of 
it:—‘‘ Babreng is the Hindooie name of a vermifuge seed, 
common, I have been given to understand, in the higher pro- 
vinees. of Bengal, the Sanskrit name of which. is. Chitratan- 
doola. What the plant is I know not.’” Roxburgh. gives. a 
full botanical description of the plant, and. remarks. that the 
berries. are used to adulterate pepper. Royle notices. their 
aperient properties. Vayvirang is iu high repute. as an an- 
thelmintic among the country people, especially in cases of 
tapeworm, a disorder common among the Native Christians of 
the Coast. The dose is a teaspoonful of the-powder twice a 
day for a child, anda dessertspoonful for an adult; it can 
hardly be called purgative; the taste is rather. pleasant, 
slightly astringent, and faintly aromatic, The worm is 
expelled dead. A purgative should be given to prepare the 
patient for the drug. It is a common practice to put a few 
berries of this plant in the milk that is given to young 
children ; they are supposed to prevent flatulence: 


Recently Dr. Harris (Lancet, July 23rd, 1887) has directed 
attention to the value of this drug as a remedy for tapeworm. 
He states that he has administered it for several years with 

good results to natives of India and Europeans ; he gives one to 
four drachms with milk and curds early in the morning. 


Description.—The_ fruit is globular, of a dull red, and 
grows in large bunches; it is rather smaller than a pepper- 
corn. The dried fruit has the five partite calyx and stalk 
often attached ; 3 the outer shell is striated from. the base to the 
apex, where eens; is a small beak ; its colour is reddish brown, 

marked with dark tage 3 inside the outer shell is the seed, 

enveloped ina deli 8, on removing which a cup- 
like hollow mreiien ~ the stalk. The 


MYRSINEA. 351 


appears to be covered with spots of white mildew : this appear- 
ance however, with the aid of a lens, is seen to be due toa 
delicate crystalline efflorescence. If kept for any time the 

outer shell of the fruit becomes much darker. From the rapi- 

_ dity with which this change takes place, we would suppose the 
quality of the drug to be not affected by it. 

Chemical composition.—Warden (Pharm. Journ., Jan. 1888) 
‘separated from the fruit a substance in the form of brilliant 
golden spangles having the properties of an acid, which, with 

caustic soda, potash and ammonia, gave wine-red solutions. 
He obtained crystalline compounds of this acid with soda, 
- potash and ammonia, and provisionally named it Hmbelic 
acid. In a further communication to the same Journal 
(Oct. 20th, 1888), he says:—‘‘ The embelic acid used for 
ultimate analysis was repeatedly crystallized from absolute 
alcohol, and the soft crystalline mass thus obtained strongly 
pressed between layers of cloth to remove mother-liquor. 
The resulting cake was freed from alcohol ‘by exposure to 
, reduced to powder, and finally dried at 100°C. in the 
_ water oven for some hours. 
- On combustion with cupric oxide in a current of oxy ee in 
an open tube, the following results were obtained :— 
- A—'2696 gram gave *6920 gram CO* and 2308 gram HO. 
7 B—-2534 ‘. 68065°% << oH Se a eee 
cs these Geures the following percentage composition is 
seauced :— 


Carbon. Hydrogen. Oxygen. 
A .. 70°000 , 9°495 20°405 
B | vee eee 70-019 9284 (20-747 
Mean 70-009 36420627 
. ‘These percentages lead to the cae C°H'*0%, as is seen by 
2€ following comparison :— 


Theory. Found. 
9 equiv of carbon nnn 108. 70129 70-009 


i Ms _ hye drog ene: pee eeeeeneee 14 . 9°364 


“Oxygen... . Sepeceese ver. 


352 MY RSINEZ. 


In order to determine the molecular formula, compounds of 
silver and lead with embelicacid were examined. In preparing ~ 
the metallic salts of embelic acid, as the acid is insoluble 
in water, alcoholic solutions neutralized with ammonia—any 
excess of ammonia being driven off by prolonged boiling— 
were mixed with hot alcoholic solutions of silver and lead. 
The resulting precipitates were allowed to subside, washed ~ 
with water by decantation, thrown on a filter and washed 
with alcohol, then with ether, thirdly with water, and finally 
again with alcohol and ether. The precipitates were very 
difficult to wash, owing to caking, and during the operation a 
certain amount of decomposition appeared to occur, Thus, in 
preparing the lead and silver salts, after mixing the solution 
of embelic acid with an excess of the metullic solution, the 
supernatant liquid, when the precipitate had subsided, was 
colourless ; but on washing the precipitate with alcohol and 
ether, the filtrate was coloured yellow, and after prolonged 
washing with water, the filtrates aftorded evidence of the pre- 
sence of silyer or lead, and then when alcohol and ether were 
used for the final rinsings the filtrates were again coloured 
yellow. 

Ignition of the silver salt, after having been dried at 100° C5 
indicated that it contained 40°653 per cent. of the metal, which 
gives 264-9 as the molecular weight of the salt, and 158 as the 
molecular weight of the acid, the acid being represented by 
the formula HC9H'%0%. The silver salt would have the for- 
mola AgO°H'*0*, which requires the following theoretical 


percentage ake 
ar ig cid 41-432 
Hydrogen ... te 4987 
Silver re 417302 
Oxygen 12°279 


The composition of the salt as determined by analysis 
asia ae following perconinays © = 


| we 41544 
pest Mi sss Seeseuded ona venansnenjye vie . 5557: 
a Se se Sih Be on Re cee eeliramer aaa te Sie AQN-R5KR 


Onyee : 


MYRSINEA. eee 353 


. per cent. of lead, respectively, which gives a mean percentage of 
_ 87-795 as the lead content of the salt. Taking the lead salt to 
be represented by the formula (C®°H¥O?)?Pb”, its theoretical 


_. 
: ‘Two analyses of the lead salt afforded 37-781 and 37-810 
: 
: 
: percentage composition would be— 


Carbon 43°1 54, 
Hydrogen vow BOTH 
Lead ‘ 40°282 
Oxygen 12°490 


ahits the actual percentage as determined by analysis gave 
the following figures :— 


Carbone wae. in 43°545 
Hyd eopency 5°824 
Lead + 37°795 
Oxygen : 12°836 


_Acomparison of the theoretical and found percentages for 

the silver and lead salts indicates differences which can only 
be accounted for by assuming that the salts were partially 

~ decomposed during preparation. 

. - Embelic acid was found to have a melting point of 1389°5° C. 

oe 140° C. (uncorrected), when it forms a deep ruby liquid. 
At about 155° C. it commences to decompose ; indications of 

& portion having sublimed were noted. 

The following colour reactions were obtained by adding 

the respective re-agents to dilute alcoholic solutions of the 

acid :— 

Ferric chloride, a dirty brownish-red colour. 

Ferrous sulphate, brownish colour. 

Chloride of zinc, violet colour. 


354 SA POTACER. 


Salts of embelic acid with soda, potash and ammonia were pre- 
pared. The ammonia salt was the one most readily obtained 
crystalline. When an alcoholic solution of embelic acid was 
mixed with strong ammonia in excess, and the deep red 
resulting liquid allowed to evaporate spontaneously, the salt 
crystallized in large needle-shaped crystals of a foxy red hue. 
The ammonium salt. was found to be effective as an anthel- 
mintic for tenia in doses of 3 grains for children and 6 grains 
or more for adults. It would appear to act in cases in which 
the ordinary teniacides fail. The best method of administra- 
tion is to give the salt with a little honey or simple syrup, the 
drug being preceded and followed by castor oil. The ammo- 
nium salt of embelic acid possesses one very important advan- 
tage over the liquid extract of male fern—it is tasteless—and 
may thus prove a useful addition to our materia medica. 
Lascelles Scott has found in the fruit a minute quantity of 
volatile oil with a spicy flavour, a fixed oil, colouring matters, a 
resinoid body, an alkaloid of a yellowish white colour, which 
he has named Christembine, and a tannin. The dried fruitas ~ 
sold in the Calcutta bazars is generally mixed with pepper 
corns, and the volatile oil mentioned by Scott may be due to 


this admixture. 


Commerce.—The fruit of E. robusta is collected and sold 
under the same name as that of £. Ribes. Moodeen Sheriff 
has observed two varieties of the drug offered for sale in 
Madras. The drug has lately been exported to Germany to 
some extent. Value, Rs. 24 per mauud of 374 Ibs. 


SAPOTACEA: 
BASSIA LATIFOLIA, Rosb. 
Fig.—Rozb. Cor. Pl., t.19; Bedd. Pl. Sylv., t. 41. : 
' Hab,—Central India, W. Bengal to Western Ghéte, 
Kumaon, Terai. _ ei - ait sige” Doe Siac ne eect vm 


SAPOTACE. 355 


BASSIA LONGIFOLIA, Linn. 

Fig.— Wight Ill., t. 147; Bedd. Fl. Sylw., t- 42. 

Hab. 

seeds. 

____-Vernacular.—Moha (Hind., Mar.), Maua (Beng.), Mahudo 

(Guz), Ilupai (Tam.), Ippa-chettu (Tel.), Ippa-gida (Cun.).. 

B. latifolia is sometimes distinguished by the addition of the 
a Feettive “‘ wild ” or ‘* forest. ” 


Malabar Coast, Ceylon. ‘he flowers and oil of the 


BASSIA BUTYRACEA, Rozb. 


. Fig. —Rowb. in Asiatic Researches, viii. p. 499—502. Indian 
putter tree (Lng.). 


td eS YA Ew ter te eB Tye 


Hab.—Sub-tropical Himalaya. The oil of the seeds. 


_ Vernacular.—Philwéra, Chiéra, Cheuli, Cheuri (Hind.), 
‘Yelpot (Lepcha.). 


History, Uses, &c.—These trees are called in Sanskrit 
-Madhuka, Madhudruma, “ honey tree,” Madhupushpa, “ honéy 
flower,” Madhusakha, Madhusravas, Gudapushpa “ sugar 
flower,” and Kolaphala, or “ the fruit of the Kols,” a wild tribe 
inhabiting the hills and forests of Central India, who subsist, 
ya great extent, upon the fleshy flowers which they collect 
and dry. The milky juice of the bark, Madhuka-sara, is de- 
Seribed asa remedy for phlegm and rheumatism, astringent 
, a promoter of suppuration ; the flowers as sweet, strength- 
ening and cooling; the fruit as cold, sweet and strengthening ; 
it is thought to be antibilious and anti-rheumatic, and useful in 
eprosy and skin diseases. The spirituous liquor prepared from 
| ywers is called Madhu-mddhavi or Madhvdsava, and is 
Susruta as heating, astringent, tonic and appetiz- 
owers, seeds and oil obtained from them, are 
; used as food all over India, and in many districts 
portant addition to the dietary of the agri 
or naples eninge — this snbj 


356 SAPOTACEH. 


would refer our readers to “ The Dictionary of Economic Pro- 
ducts of India,” by Watt (Vol. I., p. 405—416). Ibn Batuta, 
who visited India A.D. 1332, mentions g¢9, (Mahwa), and 
remarks that the flowers, when dried in the sun, taste like figs. 
The Persians have named these trees Darakht-i-gul-chakan on 
account of their deciduous flowers. In Guzerat the Mahome- 
tans manufacture a coarse soap from the oil of the seeds with 
soda and lime; this soap varies in price according to the 
amount of oil it contains. Medicinally, Bassia oil is used as an 
emollient application to the skin, and the cake as a detergent 
for washing the hair, and also as an emetic. The oil of B. 
butyracea, known as Philwa butter, may be used in the prepara- 
tion of Ung. Hydrarg. Nitratis in the same manner as 
Kokam butter (See Garcinia indica). The bark of the Bassias 
is used in decoction as an astringent. From the flowers a 
coarse kind of molasses may be prepared. Bassia spirit when 
rectified loses its offensive odour, and may be used for pharma- 
ceutical purposes. The ordinary native distilled spirit is very 
rich in fuse] oil: one of us found as much as ‘4 per cent. in'a 
sample of Mahwa spirit. In the Bengal districts in which the 
spirit is made, the fermentation is conducted in earthen vessels 
containing 10 to 20 gallons of fluid, 10 to 20 seers of the 
flowers being a charge. The jar is then filled up with spirit 
wash and water, and the process of fermentation occupies from 
3 to 7 days, depending on the temperature. The stills are of 
the rudest description. Molasses and other materials are 
sometimes added to the contents of the vats. The amount of 
-_Spirit-obtained varies with the quality of the flowers: Warden’s 
experiments would indicate that on an average one maund 
will yield about 212 gallons of London proof spirit when 
treated in the manner usual among native distillers. In some 
districts a composition called bakha or muliis added to the 
contents of the fermenting vats ; it is stated to be composed of 
herbs and roots, which are dried, ground, and made up into balls 
with four. About half a seer (1 Ib.) is added to one maund 
(80 lbs.) of raw material. In certain cases dhatura, nux yomica 
seeds and other poisonons substances are added to these balls. 


SAPOTACEAE. 357 


The use of bakha has been prohibited in Government distil. 
~ leries in Calcutta and its suburbs, For further information 
on Mahwa spirit, we would refer the reader to the report of 
the Commission of 1883-84 on the excise of country spirit in 
Bengal. A kind of gutta-percha has been prepared from the 
milky juice of B. latifolia, which has the consistence of 
ordinary gutta, but is more adhesive and hardens much more 
rapidly. Used alone it cannot replace the gutta of commerce, 
but mixed with an equal proportion of that article, it may be 
used to make the moulds required in galvanoplastic operations ; 
the mixture is as easily manipulated in hot water as ordinary 
gutta. (Heckel and Schlagdenhauffen.) | 


Description.—Bassia bark is thick and red coloured, 
with a rough brown surface and astringent taste. The trees 
__ produce cream-coloured flowers in March and April, and in 
August a reddish-yellow fruit from 1 to 2 inches long, which 
contains from 1 to 4 seeds; these are light brown, about 1} 
inch Jong and 3 of an inch broad, irregularly ovoid in shape, 
with a large scar on one side and a ridge on the other, termi- 
nating in two slight prominences ; the shell is thin and brittle, 
and the seed consists of two large oily cotyledons, easily sepa- 
rated, white when fresh, but soon turning brown when kept.. 
They yield a greenish-yellow oil, which becomes a solid white 
mass in the cold weather ; that of B. butyracea remains solid at 
ee C., whereas the oils of B. latifolia and B. longifolia melt at 
(268° 3° 0. 
The dried flowers at a little distance have the appearance of 
_ raisins, on closer inspection they are seen to be fleshy, sticky, 
‘compressed, hollow bodies, about 74 of an inch long, and 
nearly as broad, with an aperture at both ends, the upper 
being much the larger and serrated. Upon being soaked in 
“water they assume an almost globular form, and the numerous 
ers are seen attached by very short filaments to the inside of 
the corolla. The taste is acid and sweet. The fleshy substance 
of the corrolla, which is about ~y of an inch in thickness and 


ent: eopsiste of a parenchyma which may be cdingded : 


358 SAPOTACEA.. 
into two portions: an outer or cortical, consisting of smaller 
cells, and an inner consisting of large cells ; it is traversed by 
numerous bundles of spiral vessels ; some of the cells contain 
crystalline masses of sugar; all of them granular matter ; there 
is no starch. | 
* The seeds are from 1 to 2 inches long, and enclosed in a 
chestnut coloured thin shell; they have a peculiar odour and 
bitter aromatic taste. The latex of these trees is a milky 
liquid, sticky to the touch, when kept it developes a rancid 
sour odour; it contains, besides the gutta-percha, some starch 
and about 88 per cent. of water. : 

Chemical composition.—Bassia flowers have been examined 
by Church (1886), who found them to have the, following com- 
position :— 


Cane sugar 3°2 
Inverted sugar 52°6 
Other matters sol. in water .......... Py he 
Cellulose der Saar 
Albuminous substances 2°2 
Ash 4°8 
Water at 100° C iy heshesic fs cesnieg UBD 
Undetermined matter 1256 


. MM. A. Riche and A. Rémont (Journ. de Pharm, et de 
Ohim., 1880,) found in the flowers of B. longifolia 60 per cent- 
of fermentable sugars and 8°50 per cent. of crystallizable 


_ In a paper read before the Society of Chemical Industry, 
1887, Mr. H.S. Elsworthy gave the composition of trade 
samples of the flowers of B. latifolia :-— a 
: Total 


ee Invert sugar. Dextro-gl : é 
1. Hyderabad 17-1 40-0 ; Sapam ra 
2. Jubbulpore 46 414 -. 46-0 
3. Guzerat = 96 Taps 2: a  54°9 
4. eet 


* Mikeepors! > OPE Oeee . : Seeiec tae, 


am, 


SAPOTACEE, 359 


~ The seeds of B. longifolia have been examined by: E. 
Valenta (Dingl. Polyt. Journ. ccli., 461). One hundred parts 
dried at 100° C. gave— 


Fat (light petroleum extract) : 51°14 
Matters soluble in absolute alcohol ............... 78°3 

* Tannin covesteces O12 
Bitter principle sol. in water 0-60 
Starch 0°07 
Vegetable mucilage 3. siisis ics iavesesd leiavs dveds 1-65 
Albuminous substances solable.i in water........, 3°60 
Extractive substances soluble in water ......... 15°59 
Insoluble proteids 4°40 
Total ash o7t 
Fibre and loss ... 10°29 
100-06 


Ash in the soluble portion 0:95 per cent. 
FOG) Probeids 55.55. as00s.0s 8:00 5 
— the extraction of the fat, light petroleum boiling at 
—45° was used. The fat hasa yellow colour and greasy con- 
sistency ; but on exposure to the air and light the colour dis- 


appears and the fat soon becomes rancid. It hasa specific 


gravity of 0°9175 at 15°, melts at 25°3, solidifies at 17°°-5— 
18°5. It contains sotsidariale quantities of free fatty acids, 
but only asmall amount of glycerol. One gram of the fat 
requires 192°3 mgrms. of KHO for the complete saponification 
of the fatty acids. It is partly soluble in alcohol, and perfectly 
soluble in ether, carbon bisulphide, benzene, &c. The fatty 


-scids obtained by saponifying the fat with potash-ley, and de- 
‘composing the resulting soap by means of a ten per cent. solu- 


o tion of hydrochloric acid, have a white colour, and pleasant 


r and taste. They melt at 39°°5, solidify at 38°, and 
dissolve readily in alcohol. According to Schadler the butter 
consists of 80 per cent. of stearin and 20 per cent. of olein; ve 
hor, — found that it contained — and olein.. 


360 SAPOTACEA. 


The ash of the seeds is yellowish- white, and dissolves almost 
completely in water. It gives by analysis— 
Silicic acid and portion insoluble in 


nitric acid wtice ee 
Phosphoric acid 15°47 
Sulphuric acid 6°81 
Carbonic anhydride .. 7°46 
Ferric oxide and alumina ...:........ 2:01 
Lime ines 
Potash with — Gl. SOUR .... eeicdiscs 56°68 
Moisture and loss 0:26 


—(Year-Book of Pharmacy, 1886, p. 174.) 


According to MM. E. Heckel and F. Schlagdenhauffen 
(Journ.de Pharm. et de Chim., 1889,) the latex of B. latifolia 
has the following composition : — 


Water : 87°40 
Acid formic (trace) and acid acetic ..........+. 0°50 
Insol. in water 1-666 { Se ee cna i aa 
Sol. in water 0°172 { Sead See oe 
Sol. in alcohol resin a ; 2°043 
Sol. in acetone .....+... SS 2 See ae 2:824 
Gutta-percha 7 1:803 
Ash ; %, 3°792 

100-000 


The gutta-percha is flesh-coloured, tolerably hard at ordi- 
nary temperatures, but softens when worked with the hand and 
becomes sticky ; dried at 105° C. it loses about 60 per cent, of 
water; strongly pressed and dried on a water-bath, it becomes 
light brown, gradually hardens, and becomes covered with a 
white efflorescence, which dissolves at once in chloroform and 
bisulphide of carbon, and less easily in cold alcohol. Boiling 
alcohol and acetone dissolve 3 of its weight; the solution filter- 
ed whilst hot sepoaty a grumous mass, without any trace of 


a SAPOTACE. 361 


crystals. The alcoholand acetone solutions when concentrated 
afford a syrupy, colourless, transparent fluid, which, when com- 
pletely dry, presents the appearance of gum, and is easily pow- 
ered. Concentrated sulphuric acid colours this substance 
_ yellow and afterwards brown; the addition of chloroform does 
not change the colour. On tha addition of a trace of ferric 
chloride to this mixture and allowing it to stand, a rose- 
coloured upper layer forms, which gradually becomes blue. 
‘This reaction much resembles that of cholesterine, but is not 
_ due tothe presence of that substance. Heated with fuming 


it. Warmed‘ a test tube it decomposes slowly and does not 
yield = crystalline product on cooling. Its formula is 
€®H'20. The portion insoluble in alcohol and acetone has the 
consistence of ordinary gutta-percha, but is more adhesive, and 
hardens mach more readily than that substance. _ On combus- 
Mou ae leaves a white ash consisting of sulphate of lime with a 
of chloride and phosphate of sodium. cet and 
Bekins iffen.) 
_. We find the bark of B. longifolia to contain 8 per cent. of 
utchoue, extracted by benzol; 17 per cent. of tannin, 
by water; and some oxidiend tannin removed sub- 
ciety by spirit or alkali. The bark contains starch and 
mboid crystals of calcium oxalate, and leaves 9°42 per cent. 
ash when burnt. 
The — principle contained in the seeds is probably 


a —No definite information concerning the internal 
in the flowers is obtainable, but its value has been esti- 
d at not less than 35 lakhs of rupees. For several years 
quantities were exported from Bombay to France. In 


rench Government, as ‘it was fond. to 
oui se interests, ee ee 


70,870. hi 1885 their import into Pendicg Wel 


362 SAPOTACEZ, 


The oil and seeds are exported to some extent for candle 
making. The value of the oil in Europe has been estimated at 
about £35 per ton. 


MIMUSOPS ELENGI, Linn. 
- Fig,—Wight Ic., ¢. 1586; Bedd. F.Sylv., t. 40. 


Hab.—Deccan Peninsula. Cultivated elsewhere. The 
bark, flowers, fruit, and oil of the seeds. 

Vernacular.—Maulsiri (Hind.), Ovali (Mar.), Bakul (Beng.), 
Bolsiri (Guz.), Mogadam (Tam.), Pogada-ménu (Tel.), 
Halmadhu (Can,), Taindu (Central Prov.). 


History, Uses, &c.—This highly ornamental tree, with 
dark green, oblong, alternate leaves and small white fragrant 
flowers, which turn to a tawny yellow colour before they fall, 
is very common in gardens in India. It is the Vakula, Kesara 
and Sinha-kesara, “‘lion’s mane” of Sanskrit writers. Chakra- 
datta mentions the astringent properties of the unripe fruit, 
and recommends it to be chewed for the purpose of fixing 
loose teeth. He also mentions a decoction of the astringent 
bark as a useful gargle:in diseases of the gums and teeth. In 
the Concan a similar use is made of the unripe fruit, and the 
fruit and flowers along with other astringonts are used to pre= 
pare a lotion for sores and wounds. Mir Muhammad Husain 
notices the practice of planting this tree on account of its 


SAPOTACEZ. 363 


their perfume, which they retain when dry; pillows are some- 
times stuffed with them, and they afford a distilled water. The 
juice of the bark and unripe fruit is used by silk dyers to fix 
colours. Rumphius states that the pounded leaves are applied 
to cure headache, that a decoction of the root is given in angina, 

_ whilst a plaster made from them is applied externally, The 

_ Tipe fruit pounded and mixed with water is given to promote 
delivery in childbirth. (Hort. Amb, III., 17.) Horsfield (Asiat. 
Journ. VII, p. 262) describes the bark as an astringent tonic, 
and Dr. Bholananth Bose states that a decoction of it forms a 
good gargle in salivation. (Pharm. of India, p. 181.) 


Description.—The substance of the bark is red, it is 
covered externally by a very thick grey suber on the older 
branches, which separates in irregular scales, leaving isolated 
a attached portions which consist of five or more distinct suber- 
_ ous layers ; the inner surface is red and presents a coarsely 
_ Striated surface; fracture short, disclosing white specks and 
‘Stains in the substance of the bark caused by the drying up 
of the milky juice which it contained when fresh, The taste 

< is bitter, astringent and mucilaginous. 

_ The flowers are white and fragrant; calyx inferior, sight 
leaved, in a double series ; leaflets lanceolate, the four exterior 
ones leathery, larger and porniationt corolla one-petalled, tube 
very short, fleshy, border composed of a double series of seg- 
ments; the exterior one consists of sixteen, spreading ; the 
. interior one of eight, generally contorted, and converging, all 
are lanceolate, a little torn at their extremities ; nectary eight- 
__ Teaved, conical, ragged, hairy near the base, inserted alter- 
_ nately with the filaments into the mouth of the tube, converging 
filaments eight, short, hairy; anthers linear, sharp-pointed 
below, two parted, converging. The berry is oval, smooth, when 
_ Tipe yellow, and edible, one or more celled, according to the 
_ number of seeds that ripen ; seed solitary, oblong, compressed, 
attached | to the bottom of the cell, covered with a smooth, 
, thick =p Ge lined with a veined membrane ; peris- 
afo —— a 


: 
Ft 
; 


364 SAPOTACE. 


lobes uniting round the radicle; above the radicle they are 
often entirely divided by the large cotyledons, which extend to, 
or rather through its margins; embryo erect; cotyledons large, 
oval; plumule minute; radicle inferior, linear oblong. (Row- 
burgh.) 


Chemical composition.—A decoction of the bark afforded 
20°3 per cent. of extract containing 6°8 percent. of tannin, 
Some caoutchouc, wax, colouring matter (probably oxidized tan- 
nin), starch, and 9:4 per cent. of ash were also obtained from 
the bark. 


Mimusops hexandra, Rozb., Cor. Pl. é., t. 15; Wight 
Ic., t. 1587; a native of the Deccan Peninsula and Ceylon, 


- cultivated in Northern India, has much the same properties 


as M. Elengi. The vernacular names are Kshiri (Hind.), 


_ Khirkhejur (Beng.), Rajana, Kerni (Mar.), Rayan (Guz.), Palla : 


am.). 
The Sanskrit name is R4jidani. The dried fruit. is known 

as Kakadia in Guzerat, and the fresh fruit is sold in the 

streets in Bombay under the name of Ahmaddbadi-mewa. 


It is a handsome tree, with rigid branches and broad wedge- 
shaped leaves, and is often found planted in groves near 
~ Mahometan towns and buildings. The wood is tough, and is 
much used for making sugar mill beams, well-frames, &c. The 
ripe fruit is eaten both fresh and dried, and the bark which 
ae resembles that of M. Hlengi is used medicinally on account 

ts astringent properties. In the Concan the white’ milky 
ves which exudes when the tree is wounded, is made 
into a paste with the leaves of Cassia Fistula and seeds of 
Calophyllum inophyllum, and applied as a maturant to boils. 
The seeds yield an oil which, according to Dr. Mootooswamy, 
is used as a demulcent, emollient, tonic and alterative in 
South India, 
Chemical composition —The tee in Gas bark was iden- 
tical with that found in the bark of M, Elengi. The bark 


examined was younger and afforded ware pantol ening 


\ 
Ke 


SAPOTACEZ. 365 


___ giving'a greenish precipitate with ferric salts, and 80 per cent. 
of oxide on the ignition of its lead compound. It contained 
also a resin, wax, caoutchouc, colouring matter, starch, and 7°5 
per cent. of mineral residue. 

The fixed oil from the seeds is of a light yellow colour, 

_ tasteless and odourless, and solidifies at a temperature a little 
above 15°C, At 17° it has a specific gravity of ‘9186. The 
saponification equivalent is 266°3, as the oil requires 21°] per 
cent. of caustic potash to form a complete combination with it. 
The oil yields 94°5 per cent. of insoluble fatty acids melting at 
—8P, and containing some stearic acid. 
Be The fruit juice evaporated by heat leaves a blackish extract 
or paste having a pleasant flavour andsweetness. The extract 
contains 70 per cent. of sugar, which answers to levulose or 
fruit sugar. It also contains a yellow resin soluble in ether, 
alcohol, and benzol, and some caoutchouc. Pectin, colouring 
matter and a small quantity of tannin occur in the soluble 
portion of the juice. 

ACHRAS SAPOTA, Linn. 

 Fig.— Bot. Mag., tt. 8111—3112; Gart. Fruct. 2, t. 104. 

- Sapodilla plum, Bully tree (Zng.), Sapotillier (F'r.). 

Hab.—West Indies, Cultivated in India, Tho bark, fruit 


- Vernacular.—Chiku (Mar.). 
ee sorys Uses, &c.—This tree has become completely 


ag : Gers of India it appears to be less common. In the 
ndies and South America the bark is used as a tonic 


has been recorded by Leprieur. In India the’ 
esteemed by the natives, who consider that, if 
: melted _butter all night and eaten in the i 


366 EBENACEM. 


prevents bilious and febrile attacks. We have not seen the 
bark or seeds used, nor do the natives appear to have noticed 
their medicinal properties. The tree yields a kind of gutta- 

percha similar to that of other sapotaceous plants. 


Description.—The bark is red with a grey suberous 
outer coat; it has a bitter and strongly astringent taste. The 
fruit is ovoid externally rusty brown and rough, internally 
yellowish white, soft and pulpy ; when quite ripe it has a 
medlar-like flavour. The seeds are black, shining, ovoid and 
elongated. 

Chemical. composition.—Bernou (L’Union peer ee 
1882,) separated from the bark two resins, one of which is 
soluble in ether, 11:8 per cent. of tannin, and the alkaloid 
sapotine, which is soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform, 
and is precipitated from its salts by ammonia. 


EBENACE. 


DIOSPYROS EMBRYOPTERIS, Pers. 


Fig.—Bot. Reg., t. 499; Bedd. Fl. Sylv., t. 69; Roxb, Cor. 
Pl. ¢., t. 70; Rheede Hort. Mal. iti,, t. 41. Indian Persimmon 
(Eng.), Plaqueminier Glutinifére (F’r.). 


Hab -—Throughout India. The fruit, 

Vernacular.—Taindu (Hind.), G&b (Beng.), Tumbilik-kay 
(Tam.), Tumiki, Tinduki (Tel.), Panich-chi (Mal.), Timburni, 
Temar (Mar. 7 Temra (Guz.). 


History, Uses, &c.—D, Embryopteris is the Tinduka 
of Sanskrit writers; its bark is described in the Nighantas as 
a good application to boils and tumours, and the juice of the 

fresh bark as useful in bilious fever. The fruit when unripe 
is said to be cold, light, and astringent, and when ripe bene- 
ficial in blood diseases, gonorrhoea, aud leprosy. A kind of. 


RBENACEA. 367 


Tinduka called Visha-tinduka, “ poisonous tinduka,” is said to 
have similar properties; as well asa plant called Kanki or 
Kinkini. Mir Muhammad Husain, speaking of Ebony, men- 
tions Gab as a kind of Indian ebony, but is silent as to its 
medicinal uses. Rheede (Hort. Mal iii., p. 46), speaking of 
D. Embryopteris, says—“ Arboris cortex in pulverem redactus 
ac cum oryze infuso, et expresso e matura nuce Indica lacteo 
succo mixtus, atque febricitantibus exhibitus estum potenter 
extinquit; ex seminibus oleum exprimitur.”’ The circum- 
stance that the unripe fruit abounds in an astringent viscid 
juice, which is used by the natives of India for daubing the 
bottoms of boats, was communicated by Sir William Jones 
to Roxburgh in 1791. | The introduction of the fruit into Euro- 
‘pean medical practice in India is due to O’Shaughnessy. In 
1868 it was made official in the Pharmacopeia of India. The 
fruit is eaten by the poorer classes. The seeds are preserved 
by the country people and given as an astringent in diarrhea. 
The testa is the astringent part, the albumen being almost 
ne tasteless. Although the ripe fruit is very sweet, insects will 
fuine touch it. 


- Description. —Fruit dati @lomeae: 1 to 2 inches in dia- 
meter, sometimes larger; glandular or rusty, yellow when ripe, 
and covered with a rast-coloured farina consisting of clubbed 
hairs. Seeds 8in the perfect fruit, often less by abortion, 
arranged vertically round the central core, reniform, immersed 
in ee pulp. Fruiting calyx much accrescent, lobes } 
Inch, ovate, auriculate, base cordate, nearly glabrous. 


* 


- Diospyros fruit is very astringent until quite ripe, when it — 
becomes mawkish and sweet. This is noticed in the Pharma- 
cographia, but not in the Indian Pharmacopeia, where unripe 
aut should have been ordered, 
| lL composition.—The tannic acid of these fruits has 
ng reactions. A blue-black colour with ferric 
violet-black colour and precipitate with ferrous sul- 
ate; pinkish precipitate with gelatine ; curdy precipitate 
; ome | in se iodide ; j orange sediment with k bron line 


368 EBENACEZ. 


water; brown precipitate with cupric acetate ; yellowish brown 
precipitate with potassium dichromate ; aqueous alkalies afforded 
precipitates which changed in colour and became soluble by 
oxidation ; grey precipitate with limewater, turning red by 
exposure to the air ; it reduced the copper when boiled with 
_ Fehbling’s solution. The lead compound of the tannic acid 
contained 48°78 per cent. of oxide, whether prepared from the 
aqueous or alcoholic extract of the fruit. Boiled for two 
hours with dilute hydrochloric acid, the astringent principle 
was decomposed with the formation of two colouring matters 
and a body answering to glucose. The inspissated juice was 
not redissolved entirely even in boiling water, about thirty per 
cent. of pure soluble tannin was obtained from it, the 
remainder was an insoluble gum swelling up like tragacanth. 
The amount of astringent acid obtainable from the fruits 
examined by us was 12°8 per cent., and we consider it to be 
closely related to gallotannic acid. 

Several species of Diospyros have fruit with the astringent 
propertics of D. Embryopteris when unripe. The root of D. 
Tupru is used by the Marath4s to make the Akshata mark 
(the seetarial circles on the forehead), under the name of 
Akshaté ché khor, ‘‘akshata wood.” The leaves are an article 
of commerce, being largely used for folding viri, “ native 
cigarettes.” The fruits contain 5°7 per cent. of tannic acid. 

D. Ebenum affords eeacg i = —— of the Maho- 
- metan Materia Medica. Itisd t, attenuant, 

and lithontriptic, and was used by the ancients. (Cf. Dios. t., 
114; Pliny 12, 8.) 

- The fruits of D, montana contain a very interesting 
colouring matter, which seems to be the chief ingredient besides 
sugar and malic acid but no tannic acic. The colouring 
matter is soluble in spirit and partly so in water, It is 
insoluble in ether, and gives an intense purple with alkalies. 

Subjected to hydrolosis it breaks up into a body soluble in 
ether, also pigmental, and a sugar. The — are used _ oe 
hill-men of Travancore for poisoning fish. 


STYRACE. 369 


D. Kaki, a tree of China and Japan, cultivated in some 
parts of India, has an edible fruit which is known as the 
Chinese Persimmon. The fruit is green, globular, from two 
to three inches in diameter, and when ripe has an agreeable 
sweetness and flavour. The dried and powdered fruit con- 
tained 54°2 per cent. of sugar reducing Fehling’s solution, an 
organic acid, no tannin, and a colouring matter soluble in 
ether similar to that of the fruits of D. montana. 


The following shows the proximate analyses of the dried 
and powdered fruits freed from the seeds of four species of 
Diospyros :— 


Embryopteris. Tupru. montana. Kaki. 
2°1 


Ether extract 1°32 : 10:0 1°5 
Spirit extract ......cccsee  12°4 a Os 6°8 66°1 
Water extract ......sec0s 7°5 4:4 63 11°5 
Albuminous matter, Ws, OS ae 16°4 12°5 30 
Organic residue 61°9 65°1 58°6 141 
Ash 4°9 PT HB 38 


1000 = 1000 100-0 =100°0 


STY RACE, 


STYRAX BENZOIN, Dryander. 
Fig.—Bentl. and Trim., t, 169. Gum Benjamin tree (Eng.), 
Aliboufier de Benjoin ( Fr.). 
Hab.—Sumaitra, Java, Siam. Gum Benzoin. 
Vernacular.—Luban, Ud (Ind. Bazars). 


: History, Uses, &c.—Benzoin or Gum Benjamin 
does not appear to have been known to the ancient Hindus, 
nor is there any evidence that the Greeks and Romans, or even. 

Il.—47 


370 STYRACEZ. 


the earlier Arabian physicians, were acquainted with it There 
is however no doubt that in the original and legitimate Storax 
they were acquainted with a fragrant resin in separate or more | 
or less agglutinated tears, somewhat resembling Benzoin, and 
produced by the Styraz officinalis of Linneeus. Specimens of - 
this amygdaloid storax are still to be found in old Materia Me- 
dica collections. (Hanbury’s Science Papers, p. 129.) Benzoin 
is first mentioned by the Arabian traveller Ibn Batuta, who 
visited Sumatra between A. D. 1325 and 1349, He calls it 
Lub4n J4vi or Java Lubén, Java being a general name among 
the Arabs and Persians for the Hastern Archipelago. It is not 
mentioned by the Persian druggist H4ji Zein, A. D. 1368. In 
more recent Arabic and Persian works, Benzoin is called Hasi- 
lubén-el-Javi, which may be translated ‘ pebbly or amygdaloid 
frankincense from Java,’ and seems to imply the existence of 
another kind of pebbly frankincense.. The author of the 
Makhzan-el- Adiwya states that Hasi-lubdn-el-Javi is the same 
as Darv or Zarv (974). On turning to this article, we find 
the following. synonyms given: Fdztkas* (Greek), Zarwa 
(Syrian), Fashashish (Turkish), Dur-i-haskhak Arisa, Kalan- 
gira, and Kamkdém (Persian). This tree is said to grow in 
the Hejaz, Yaman, India and other countries, and to resemble 
the oak, the leaves being soft and reddish at the edges, and 
the fruit a cone like the fir, but with larger seeds; its bracts 
and spines turn red when ripe. The exudation is at first like 
a grain of wheat, but gradually increases until it reaches the 
size of a melon; from it a dark pitch-like substance may be 
separated. ” “A decoction of the leaves is mentioned, and an oil 
which is obtained from the seeds. This description might do 
for Liquidambar orientale, but cannot apply to Styrax Benzoin. 
As regards the drug benzoin, Mir Muhammad Husain must 
have been well acquainted with it, as it was in common use in 
India before his time. He probably regarded it asa kind of 
amygdaloid storax. Ainslie mentions its use in Southern India 
by Tamool physicians as a remedy in phthisis.and asthma. 
' * Probably a corruption of (eyes, a name > applied to - Storax tree — 
by the modern Greeks. 


* 


STYRACE, 371 


The Mahometans use it for the same purpose, and direct the 
fumes to be inhaled. As an incense it is much used by all 
classes, the imports into Bombay alone averaging 6,000 cwts. 
per annum. For the early history of this drug in Europe, the 
Pharmacographia may be consulted. In that work will also 
be found a summary of what is known regarding the method 
of collecting it in Sumatra and Siam. 


Description.—The following excellent description, to- 
gether with a summary of its chemical composition, is 
extracted from the Pharmacographia :— 

“Stam Beyzorn.—The most esteemed sort is that which 
Consists entirely of flattened tears or drops, an inch or two 
long, of an opaque, milk-like white resin, loosely agglutinated 
into a mass. More frequently the mass is quite compact, con- 
sisting of a certain proportion of white tears of the size ofan 
almond downwards, imbedded in a deep, rich amber-brown, 
translucent resin. Occasionally the translucent resin prepon- 
derates, and the white tears are almost wanting. In some 
packages the tears of white resin are very small, and the 
whole mass has the aspect of a reddish-brown granite. There 
is always a certain admixture of wood, bark and other eames: 
tal impurities. 

“The white tears, when broken, display a stratified structure 
with layers of greater or less translucency. By keeping, ‘the 
white milky resin becomes brown and transparent on the sur- 
face, but from some experiments made by one of us (F.) it 
does not appear that opacity is due to water, but rather toa 
peculiar molecular (semi-crystalline ?) state ofthe resin. Siam 
benzoin is very brittle, the opaque tears showing a slightly 
waxy, the transparent a glassy, fracture. It easily softens in the 
mouth, and may be kneaded with the teeth like mastich. It 
has a delicate balsamic, vanilla-like fragrance, but very little 
taste. When heated it evolves a more powerful fragrance 
together with the irritating fumes of benzoic acid ; its fusing 


point is 75° C. _ The presence of benzoic acid may be ‘shown. HM : 


372 STYRACE. 


the microscopical examination of splinters of the resin under 
oil of turpentine. 

‘¢ Siam berizoin is imported in cubic blocks, which take their 
form from the wooden cases in which they are packed while 
the resin is still soft.” 

“Sumatra Bznzoin.—Prior to the renewal of direct com- 
mercial intercourse with Siam in 1853, this was the sort of 
benzoin most commonly found in commerce. 

“Tt is imported in cubic blocks exactly like the preceding, 
from which it differs in its general greyer tint. The mass, 
however, when the drag is of good quality, contains numerous 
opaque tears, set in a translucent, greyish-brown resin, mixed 
with bits of wood and bark. When less good, the white tears 
are wanting, and the proportion of impurities is greater. We 
have even seen samples consisting almost wholly of bark. In 
odour, Sumatra benzoin is both weaker and less agreeable than 
the Siam drug, and generally falls short of it in purity and hand- 
some appearance, and hence commands a much lower price. 
The greyish brown portion melts at 95°, the tears at 85° C.” 

Chemical composition.—Benzoin consists mainly of amorphous 
resins perfectly soluble in alcohol and in potash, having slightly 
acid properties, and differing in their behaviour to solvents. 
If two parts of the drug are boiled with one part of caustic lime 
and twenty parts of water, benzoic acid is removed. From the 
residue the excess of lime is dissolved by hydrochloric acid, 
and the remaining resins washed and dried. About one-third | 
of them will be found readily soluble in ether, the prevailing 
portion dissolves in alcohol, and a small amount remains 
undissolved. Subjected to dry distillation, benzoin affords as 
chief product Benzoic acid, C7H®O*, together with empy- 
reumatic products, Benzoic acid exists ready formed in the 
drug to the extent of from 14 to 18 per cent., its extraction is 
easily accomplished by the aid of an alkali, most advantage- 
ously by milk of lime, which: does not combine with the 
amorphous resins. Most pharmacopceias require not the in- 
odorous acid obtained by a wet process, but that afforded by 
‘sublimation, which contains a small amount of fragrant iid 


/ 


STYRACEA. 373 


reumatic products. The resin when repeatedly subjected to 
sublimation affords as much as 14 per cent. of benzoic acid. 

Kolbe and Lautemann in 1869 discovered in Siam and Pen- 
nang benzoin together with benzoic acid, an acid of different 
constitution, which in 186] they recognised as Cinnamic Acid, 
C°H°O?. Aschoff (1861) found in a sample of Sumatra ben- 
zoin, cinnamic acid only, of which he got 11 per cent. ; and in 
amygdaloid Siam and Penang benzoin only benzoic acid. In 
some samples of the latter, one of us (F.) has likewise met with 
cinnamic acid. (Op cit., 2nd Ed., p. 407.) 


Commerce.—The imports of Benzoin into Bombay in the year 
1871-72 were 5,975 cwts., and the exports 1,043 cwts.; no 
later statistics are available, but there is probably little differ- 
ence in the quantity imported. Average value in Bombay, 
first quality, Rs. 80 to Rs. 85 per maund of $74 Ibs. An arti- 
ficial benzoin is manufactured in the bazar, in which pieces of 
silicate of magnesia are embedded in common American resin. 


It is largely retailed to the poor, who purchase small quantities 
for Eéeligious uses, . 


SYMPLOCOS RACEMOSA, Road. 
‘Hab.—North-East India, Burma. The bark. 
Vernacular—Lodh, Tilak (Hind.), Lodh (Beng.), Lodhra 


(Mar.), Lodhar (Guz.), Jalariyaméd (Can.). 


History, Uses, &c.—This tree, in Sanskrit Lodhra or 
Rodhra, Srimata, “propitious,” and Tilaka, “ because itis used 
in making the Tilaka mark on the forehead,” is described in 
the Nighantas as hot, alterative, and useful in phlegmatic 


_ diseases and leprosy. In the Bhavaprakdsa it is said to be 


Seeent, stomachic, refrigerent, astringent, expectorant and 
tic, and to be useful in eye diseases, liver, fevers, dy- 
ihedy and dropsy. A decoction of the bark is used as a ~ 


__ gargle when the gums are spongy and bleeding. (Susruta.) It 
: _— into the composition of various pastes which are re epplied 


B74 -STYRACEZ. 


to inflamed parts; it is supposed. to promote the maturation 
and resolution of stagnant humours. In fevers, dysentery and 
liver complaints, compound decoctions and infusions are used, 
and in dysentery a compound powder containing liquorice 
root, Myrica sapida bark, and pomegranate rind in equal pro- 
portions to the Lodhra bark. (Sarangadhara, Chakradatta.) 

Roxburgh remarks that the bark is in request among the 
dyers of red in Calcutta, and seems to be used asa mordant 
only. He gives the following receipt :—“ For three yards of 
cloth take Lodh bark, Chebulic myrobalans of each 2 ozs., rub 
them down with water, then add more water, steep the ace 
and dry it. Next take 2 ozs. of alum, dissolve it in water and 
boil the cloth in the solution for an hour, then wash and dry 
it. Lastly, take the bark of Morinda tinctorta and flowers of 
Woodfordia floribunda of each 2 ozs., Madder root 1 lb., mix 
them with lukewarm water and let it boil, then put in the cloth : 
and keep it in the boiling liquid for forty minutes.” In this 
receipt the Lodh appears to be used as a dye to modify 
the colour afterwards produced by the Morinda and Madder. 
The middle layers of Lodh bark contain much red colouring 
matter. 

In Europe it was formerly looked upon as a cinchona bark, 
and has been known at various times as ‘‘ Heorce de lautour,” 
“© China nova,” “ China Calafornica,” “China Brasilensis,” 
and “ China Paraquatan.” It is now known as “ Lotur bark.” 
Drs. Charles and Kanny Loll Dey recommend the bark in 20 
gr. doses mixed with sugar as a remedial agent in menorrhagia 
due to relaxation of the uterine tissue; it should be given two 
to three times a day for three or four days. Dr. K. L. Dey 
considers that the drug has a specific action upon relaxed 
mucous membranes. (Phar. Journ, Sept. 24, 1881.) 

Description.—The bark is very soft and friable, of a - 
light fawn colour ; the external surface corky and much fissured 
transversely ; the internal of a lighter colour and fibrous 
texture. On making a transverse section a middle layer of a 
red colour is seen between the corky and fibrous porkonee. 


STYRACEA. 375 


Microscopic examination shows that the coloured layer is 
chiefly composed of oblong cells containing red colouring 
matter ; the inner layer of the bark consists almost entirely of 
woody fibre. The taste is faintly balsamic and astringent. 


Chemical composition.—Dr. - Hesse reports (Ber. d. deutsch 
ch. Geselsch, X., 1,) that he has obtained from this bark three 
alkaloids, chick he has named “‘ Loturine,” “ Colloturine,” and 
"de Potursdine,’ ? and between which he thinks probably there is 
the same relation as exists between cusconine, aricine, and cus- 
conidine. Loturine is present in largest quantity (0°24 per 
cent.) ; itis crystalline, and forms crystalline salts. Colloturine 
is also crystalline but loturidine is amorphous, All three alka- 
Joids in dilute acid solutions show an intense blue-violet fluores- 
cence. Winckler obtained from this bark an alkaloidal substance 
which he named *‘ Caltfornine,” but Hesse believes this to have 
been a mixture of the acetates of the three alkaloids. Pelletier, 
Caventou and Winckler have separated Kinovin (Quinovin) from 
the bark of China nova. Kinovin forms an amorphous, nearly 
transparent resin, triturable to a light, white powder, inodorous, 
or faintly balsamic when warmed. ‘Tasteless at first, but after 
wards very persistently and disagreeably bitter and acrid ; 
neutral ; electric when rubbed. (Winckler, Hlasiwetz.) re 
alcoholic solution it exerts a dextro-rotatory action on polarised 
light ; (a) j= 52-4 (De Vrij). Kinovin may be obtained in 
the anhydrous state by keeping it in a vacuum fora month, 
but ee be dehydrated at once, even ata temperature of 
190°: kinovin dried at 100° to 140° contains from 1 to 2 
liboins of water, which is given off at 160° to 180°. (Blasiwetz.) 
According to Hlasiwetz, kinovin corresponds with the formula 
CS °H48Q 16, 3 according to Petersen the formulais C!5H'20*; 
according to Schnederman C38H°°O!°, (Gmelin, Handtook 
xvili., p. 26.) The bark contains no tannin according to 

ummel. The ash amounts to 7°4 per cent. containing 18 per 
cent. of carbonate of soda, 


~ Commerce.—The bark is obtainable in. nail the. I ndian market, 
Value, Rs. 3 to 84 per Surat maund of sie Ibs. 


376 OLEACEAE. 


OLEACEA, 


NYCTANTHES ARBOR-TRISTIS, Linn. 


Fig.—Bot. Reg., t. 399; Bedd. Fl. Syl., t. 240; Gartn. 
Fruct.ii., t. 188. Weeping Nyctanthes, Night Jasmine (Hng.), 
Nictanthe Arbre-triste (F'r.), Arvore da notte (Port.). 

Hab. —Central India. Cultivated throughout India, The 
leaves, fruit and bark. 

Vernacular.—Harsinghér, Har, Sihéru (Hind.), Sephalika 
(Beng.), Partaka, Khurasli (Mar.), Manja-pu (Tam.), Harsing 
(Can.), Poghada (Tel.), Paktira (Punj.). 

History, Uses, &c.—Royle in his Himalayan Botany 
states that this tree is extremely common along the foot of 
the mountains which skirt the Dehra Dhoon, and may be seen 
for several hundred feet above Rajpore in the ascent to 
Mussoorie. Dr. Wallich found it in a wild state near the 
banks of the Irrawaddy, on the hills near Prome. In all parts 
of India it is one of the commonest cultivated shrubs, its 
flowers open at sunset, and fall before morning; they have a 
very strong perfume. The Sanskrit names for the tree are 
Sephélika; Périjétaka; Rajanihdsa, ‘ night-smiling”’ ; and 
Atyth4, “very pensive.’ According to the Indian legend, a 
certain Naga (prince) called Périjata had a daughter of whom 
the Sun became enamoured, but he soon deserted her for 
another sweetheart; whereupon the damsel pined away and 
died of grief. Upon the spot where she died sprang up the 
tree P4rijataka, whose flowers have such a dread of the Sun 

that they fall from the tree in the early morning before he 
rises. 

Chakradatta mentions the use of the leaves in fever and 
rheumatism ; a decoction of the leaves prepared over a gentle 
fire is recommended by several writers as a specific for obstinate 
sciatica. In the Concan about 5 grains of the bark are eaten 
with Betel-nut and leaf to promote the aprgoe of thick © 
phlegm. 


OLEACE. 377 
_ The author of the Mukhzan gives 4 minute description of 
all parts of the tree, and states that the Indians use the white 
‘portion of the flowers as a purple dye, which they call Gul- 
“k4émah, and the orange part as a yellow dye. The seeds and 
“leaves are considered by them to have medicinal properties. 
‘Six or seven of the young leaves are rubbed up with water 
and a little fresh ginger, and administered in obstinate fevers 
of the intermittent type, at the same time a purely vegetable 
diet is enforced. ‘The powdered seeds are used to cure scurfy 
‘affections of the scalp. Directions for the preparations of- 
Gulkamah will be found in the Karabddin-iskabir.* 


escription.—Tree, 15 to 20 feet, young shoots 4-sided, 
eaves opposite, short-petioled, cordate or oblong, pointed, en- 
‘tire, or coarsely serrate, scabrous ; panicles terminal, composed 
‘Small six-flowered terminal umbellets, calyx campanulate, 

ly 5-notched, downy; corolla tube cylindric, as long as 
calyx oe es to 7; involucel of four inyorse cordate, 


er white, iapiiit The fruit is a , dry, ‘flat, oblong, 
nate capsule, prominently veined, $ inch long by 4 inch 
Siti is of a brown colour when ripe, and is divided into 
each of which contains a flat foliaceous seed of a light 

‘3 the testa of the seed is thin, the kernel! white, 
ery oe leaves have similar alapione ; 


378 OLEACE, 


Solution was again neutralized and agitated with ether, Oper- 

ating in this manner, an alkaloidal principle was isolated, which - 
we provisionally call Nyctanthine. Nyctanthine gives a marked 

precipitate with alkaloidal reagents, but no special colour 

_ reactions. In addition toan alkaloid, the presence of a trace 

of an oily principle was detected, which had a taste somewhat 

similar to that of oil of peppermint. An astringent principle, 

giving a greenish coloration with ferric chloride, ‘with resins, 

and a sugar readily reducing an alkaline copper solution on 

boiling, were also present. | 


Jasminum grandiflorum, Linn., Spanish Jasmine or 
' Chambeli, is cultivated almost everywhere in India. The Sans- 
krit name is Jéti; from the flowers a perfumed oil is prepared 
which is a favourite perfume amongst the Hindus. Their phy- 
sicians prescribe the leaves as a remedy in skin diseases, ulcers 
of the mouth, otorrhea, &c. Chakradatta mentions the use of 
the fresh juice of the leaves asan application to soft corns, and 
of an oil prepared with it in otorrheea. In the Bhavaprakdsa 
the leaves are recommended to be chewed by those who suffer 
from ulceration of the mucous membrane of the mouth. = 

Mahometan writers consider the plant to have deobstruent, 
anthelmintic, diuretic and emmenagogue properties. Mir Mu- 
hammad Husain mentions the use of the flowers applied in the 
form of plaster to the loins and pubes as an aphrodisiac. He 
classes J. grandiflorum along with several other kinds of Jas- 
mine under the name of Yasmin. 

Chemical composition.—The air-dried eaves were exhausted 
with 80 per cent. alcohol, and the alcoholic extract mixed with 
water and agitated with benzole. The benzole extract con- 
tained much colouring matter and some resin. During agita- 
tion with benzole, a soft black resin separated.- This resin was 
easily soluble in alkalies and reprecipitated by acids. The 
clear aqueous fluid after agitation with benzole was acidulated 
with dilute sulphuric acid, which cansed a turbidity. After 
filtration, the liquid was agitated with ether, the extract con- 
tained — matter, and salicylic acer The nee 


ns Nearer gene 


OLEACEA. 379 


solution was then rendered alkaline and reagitaied with’ ether, 
the ethereal extract contained -an alkaloid, for which we 
propose the name Jasminine, and which afforded no special 
colour reactions. 

The Mogra, J. Sambac, is considered to have the the same 
properties as J. grandijlorum. In the Pharmacopwia of India 
the flowers, upon the authority of Mr. J. Wood, are said to have 
considerable power as_a lactifuge ; he speaks of them as effec- 
tual in arresting the secretion of milk in the puerperal state, 
in cases of threatened abscess. For this purpose about two or 
three handfuls of the flowers are bruised and applied to the 
breasts and renewed once or twice aday. The secretion is 
sometimes arrested in twenty-four hours, though generally a 
longer time is required. Mr. Wood speaks of this practice as 
being well known in Madras. 

The wild single variety, called Vikhmogra or Vishmogra, 
( Rheede vi., 56,) is used as an emmenagogue. 

The juice of the leaves of J. arborescens, Rozb., is used 
with pepper, garlic and other stimulants as an emetic in ob- 
struction of the bronchial tubes by viscid phlegm. Seven 
leaves will furnish sufficient juice for a dose. For young 
children the juice of half a leaf and of four leaves of Agasta 
(Sesbania grandiflora) may be mixed with two grains of black 
pepper and two grains of dried borax and given in honey. 

The bark and leaves of the following plants, belonging to thia 
Order, are used by the hill villagers in the Madura District, in 
the preparation of Sago-toddy. 

They are believed to assist and regulate the process of 
fermentation, but do not directly impart any intoxicating 
properties to the liquor. 


Olea glandulifera, Wall. Wight. Ic., t. 1238; Bedd. 
Fil. Sylv. t. 238. Kadaly (Tam.). 

The bark, which is externally greyish with whitish specks, 
internally brown and about } of an inch in thickness, breaking 
with a close granular facture, contains a bitter glucoside and — 
quercetin. The water extract amounts to 14%, Spirit: one 
12'9, and ash 8:2 per cent. — 


380° SALVADORACEZ. 


Jasminum flexile, Vahl, Wight Ic. 4. 1253; Burm. 


Zeyl. t. 58; f. 1. Mullu- -gundu (Tam.). 

A woody climber, stems about one inch in diameter, very 
woody and knotted, covered with a light yellowish brown, . 
papery bark, exfoliating on the surface, neta a bitter glu- 
coside and colouring matter. The water extract gmounts i 
96, spirit extract 6:6, and ash 7:9 per cent. 

‘Ligustrum Roxburghii, Clarke, Wight Ic. 1242. 
Pangala (Tam. )- 

‘The bark i is of a russet brown colour, and } of an inch thick ; 
fracture elose, showing thick white fibres running through the 
brown inner and middle layers, The leaves are ovate or ovate 
lanceolate ; dark green, smooth, entire, lighter on the under 
surface. Tis chemical composition is similar to that of a 
flexile. 


: SALVADORACEZ. 
SALVADORA PERSICA, Garcin. 


Fig. —Roxzb, Gor. Fi. a, © 28; Bedd, Fl. Sylw., t.. 24735. - 
Wight Ill. ti., t. 181. 


a SALVADORA OLEOIDES, Dene. 


Fig.—Jacq. Voy. Bot., t. 144; Brand. For. Fl, t 39; 
Wight Ie., t. 1621, 


‘Hab. —The drier parté of tndebsc The Toaes, feat, burke = 
and oil.-- 
Firnacula. _Pila, Jhél (Hind. ¥3: Pila ‘Boop. @uz), Kakhan - 
_ (Mar.), ee ee a (Lam. 9 eee 
(Tel) Fo. ;: ee 
‘History, en 8c, —Tho: sai. species of Salvadeien : 
grow. upon the sea coast of ‘Arabia, Persia and Western India x 
as wwell-as in the aric districts of the interior. They are the — 
 Pilu of Sanskrit writers, and in "the Nighantas bear the _ 
‘synonyms er ‘Sahasré, Karambha- “priya, — tc. The 


Sani RRS A 


SALVADORACE Ai. - 381- 


Hindus consider Bc fruit to be hot, digestive, lithontriptic, 
fattening and light; and to be benok asl in enlarged spleen, 
rheumatism, tumours and lithiasis; it is also thought to have 
alchemic or alterative properties. In Marwar and other parts 


_ of Northern India the berries of 9. oleoides and S. persica are 


largely collected and dried in the sun as an article of diet, 
When dry they resemble grape currants both in appearance 


and taste. From the seeds an oil is expressed, which is used 


as a stimulating application in painful rheumatic affections 
and after childbirth. The leaves of these trees heated and 
tied up in a cloth with those of Vitex trifolia are a favorite 
domestic remedy for rheumatic pains. 


The Arabs call the Salvadoras Ar4k and the Persians 


‘Darakht-i-miswak, ‘ tooth-brush tree,” short pieces of the root, . 
about the size of goosequill, being used to clean the teeth, 


On the coast of Persia bordering the Persian Gulf these shrubs 


are called Chiich, and are depastured by camels and buffaloes. 


They are said to render the milk very rich and thick. This 
property of the plant as a fodder is also known in India. The 


a author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya describes the fruit as de- 
_ obstruent, carminative and diuretic, and remarks that a poultice 
of the leaves, which have similar properties, is used to 
_ Yelieve the pain caused by tumours, piles, etc. 


- Forskahl (Agypt-Arab., p. 82) has the following notice of 
vadora:—“In magno est pretio ; fructus (K abath) maturus 


edulis; folia contusa imponuntur tumoribus naram (@)5) dictis_ 
|. eb abd GhibuN: sed vis antitoxica adeo famosa, ut carmine 


quoque celebretur.” ‘Kabath is the Arabic name for 2 ripe 3 


a , fruit, when unripe it is called _,2» (barir). 


Ainslie gives Ooghat-putiai as the Tamil name of 8. persica, 
and RAYE... the bark, which is a little warm and somewhat 


_ acrid, is recommended by the Hindu doctors, in decoction, m 
of. 


: low fever, and as a tonic and stimulant in amenorrhea. 
: @ root when fresh acts as a vesicatory.” Gg (Mat. be 
Ds ). In the Pharmacopwia of India, we are told 

Ir rive emnleed the root-bark sngeeesialy a a = 


382 SALVADORACES. 


cant, In Dr. Imlach’s Report on Snake-bites in Sind (Bomb, 
Med. and. Phys. Trans. New Ser., iii., p. 80,) several cases are 
mentioned in the tabular record, in which Pilu seeds were 
administered internally, with good effect. They are also said — 
to be a favorite purgative. 

‘Royle considers S. persica to be the mustard tree of the 
Now Testament, and says that the Syrian Arabs call it Khar- 
dal, z. e. “ mustard.” 


_ Description.—S. persica and S. oleoides are small trees 
or shrubs with a crooked trunk, seldom more than one foot in 
diameter ; bark scabrous and cracked, whitish ; branches numer- 
ous, spreading; their extremities pendulous, like those of the 
weeping willow ; leaves opposite, petioled, oval or oblong, vein- 
less, shining on both sides, fleshy, from 1 to 2 inches long, and 
one inch broad; flowers minute, greenish yellow, in terminal 
panicles from the exterior axils; berry in S. persica small, 
smooth, red, juicy; in &. olevides it is largerand yellow. The 
selitary seeds have a st aromatic smell, and taste like garden 
cress. The oil of S. itech: is of the consistence of butter, ofa 
bright green colour, and pungent odour. That sold in the 
shops is usually adulterated, and is of a greenish yellow colour, 
and of greater consistency than the genuine article. 


“The root-bark when fresh is of a light brown colour and 
nearly smooth, studded pretty thickly with scabrous corky 
Mien a either single or arranged in transversely extended ~ 

The substance and inner surface of the bark is 
white and soft; fracture short; odour like cress; taste warm 
and pungent. 

Microscopic structure. —The epidermis i is formed ofseveral rows 
of brick-shaped cells containing brown and green colouring 
matter; within this the cells of the parenchyma are brick-shaped 
and arranged in rows for some distance inward, afterwards 
the arrangement becomes more irregular, and the cells ara ° 
loaded with starch, a few oil globules, and raphides; towards 
the inner part of the bark are a few large yellow stone cells. 
The wood is porous ; the ee system composed of large, very 


a 


SALVADORACE, 883 


fine dotted vessels. The medullary rays are remarkable for 
the number of large raphides contained in their cells. 


Chemical composition.—The air-dried root bark of S. Persica 
was reduced to powder and extracted with 80 per cent. alcohol, 
the greater part of the alcohol recovered by distillation, and 
the last traces removed by spontaneous evaporation. e 
resulting extract was mixed with water, acidulated with sulphu- 
ric acid and agitated with ether. The ether extract contained 
some resin and colouring matter. During agitation with 
ether, brown flocks separated, which were subsequently 
collected by filtration. These flocks were partly soluble in 
alkalies, the alkaline solution giving a precipitate on the 
addition of acids: the alcoholic solution was neutral, and gave 
no reaction with ferric salts. 


The original acid aqueous solution was rendered alkaline 
and reagitated with ether, and the ether driven off by a cur- 
rent of cold air. During evaporation there was a marked 
odour of trimethylamine. The ethereal extract consisted of a 
soft yellow resin-like substance, and a small amount of clear 
watery fluid. The reaction was strongly alkaline ; a few drops 
applied to the skin caused a painless redness in about 10 
minutes ; no vesication ensued. A glass plate was moistened 
with dilute sulphuric acid and placed over the capsule con- 
taining the extract. After some time an odourless, crystalline 
deposit was observed, which, on the addition of an alkali, 
afforded the odour of trimethylamine. The remainder of the 
ethereal extract was heated for some hours in the water bath 
to 100° C. The residue was partly soluble in acids, and afford- 
ed all the reactions of an alkaloid. This residue was without 
any action when applied locally tothe skin. After agitation 
. with ether, the still alkaline original liquid was agitated with 
chloroform, which separated a further quantity of trimethyl- 

amine, and traces of an alkaloid. We propose calling the 
oid Salvadorine. 


os The ‘air-dried root-bark lost 13-76 per cent. when heated 
to” 100° C., i. ash mecmaied to sites se cent., ee 


384 SALVADORACEA. 


remarkable for the large amount of chlorine present. No 
manganese was detected. The juice of the fresh bark and 
leaves had an acid reaction. 

It appears to us highly probable that the stimulating effects 
of the fresh bark, when applied locally, are due to the presence 
of trimethylamine, a part of which no doubt exists in it ina 
free state, and the remainder as a salt, most likely as the 
chloride. The rapid and painless manner in which the dilute 
aqueous solution of trimethylamine produces redness of the 
skin, might perhaps be utilized, if the extremely offensive — 
odour of the drug were not a bar. Trimethylamine is stated 
to act in a similar manner to aqueous ammonia locally, but it 
appears to us that trimethylamine is more active. 

The fleshy portion of the dried fruit of 8. oleoides has a taste 
‘similar to that of grape currants, and contains a large amount 
of sugar, which reduces an alkaline copper solution on boiling. 
The seeds contain a white fat with a melting point of 39 to 
40° C (uncorr.). The alcoholic solution was neutral to litmus 
paper. We also isolated an alkaloid, soluble in ether and 
amylic alcohol, and giving very marked precipitates with 
alkaloidal reagents, but no special colour reactions. It also 
afforded marked precipitates with chromate and bichromate of 
potassium from its solution in H*So*. The taste was some- 
what bitter and harsh. We are not in a position to state 
whether this principle differs or not from the one we detected 
in the root bark. A yellow colouring principle is also present 
in the seeds, which gives a deep bright yellow coloration with 

alkalies. 
| ‘AZIMA TETRACANTHA, Lam. 
e | Fig. wight Til. it, te: 152 ; Garin. Fruet. t, 225, 

- Hab.—Deccan. Peninsula ‘eal Ceylon. The gees rats 

at juice, — 


: Vernacular. —Kania-gérkamai ( Hind. ), Trikant a-jati( Beng. -); : 
‘Sukkapét (Mar.), — (Tam.), Telle-upi (Tel. ye 


SALVA DORACE 2. 385 


History, Uses, &c,.—The leaves, root, and milky juice 
are bitter, and are used medicinally by the Hindus, Dr. P.S. 
Mootooswamy (Ind. Med. Gazette, October, 1889,) states that 
the leaves are considered stimulant, and are given to puerperal 
women immediately after confinement. They are administered 
in the following manner by the villagers:—The leaves with an - 
equal quantity of Neem leaves, and a little powdered brick, are 
finely ground and given twice a day for the first two days, no 
food being allowed. For the next six days the woman gets a 
little boiled rice and pepper water once a day, and is allowed to 
drink a little warm water after the meal ; she is not allowed to 
sleep after her food during the day, and if thirsty must quench 
her thirst by eating betel leaves and areca nut. From the 
seventh day she gets her ordinary food. It is also the practise 
among the rural classes to give 2 to 4 ounces of Neem oil soon 
after delivery, with a little roasted asafcetida, and the woman is 
made to take daily for a month from the morning of the third 
or fourth day a bolus of a stimulating confection, called Naday- 
cayam in Tamil, which is supposed to keep off cold from the 
system. (This practice is general pace the —— people. 
in most parts of India.) 

The leaves are also administered with food as a remedy for 
rheumatism, and their juice to relieve cough. 

The root is considered to have the same properties as the 
leaves, and to be also diuretic ; it is given in dropsy along with 
other drugs. Dr. Mootooswamy gives the following formula as 
much used by native doctors:—Take of the root bark 3x, 
Tribulus terrestris fruit, root of Trianthema monogyna and 
Cephalandra indica @ 3i, Beleric and chebulic myrobalans 
@3ss, Iron dross 3x, Goat’s urine Zviii, Water four sers. Make 
a decoction and keep it for several days intheoven. Dose 2 to 
3 ounces twice a day in as much water. 

: A decoction of the root, leaves and bark with -an equal 
oe quantity of Acorus Calamus, ginger, ajowan seeds and salt 

is recommended as a remedy for chronic diarrhoea, and 1 
iat ounces of the juice obtained from the-root a 


386 '  APOCYNACEA. 


three ounces of goat’s milk, twice a day as a diuretic in 
dropsy. 


Description.—Stem scarcely any, but branches in- 
numerable, opposite, spreading in all directions, forming a 
close impenetrable bush, something like the Furze; young 
branches four-sided. Thorns axillary, four-fold, spreading, 
very sharp, from 1 to 2 inches long. Leaves opposite, short- 
petioled, reflexed, oval, acute. Male flowers axillary, numerous, 
female axillary, solitary, sessile, between the two thorns. Berry 
globular, of the size of a pea, when ripe white, succulent, 
edible. Seeds two. The plant is in flower and fruit the 
greater part of the year. 


APOCYNACE. 


ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS, Br. 


Fig.— Wight Ic., t. 422; Bedd. For., Fl., t. 242; Rheede 
Hort. Mal. 2., t. 45; Bentl. and Trim. ¢. 178. 


Hab.—Drier forests of India. The bark and leaves. 

Vernacular.—Chhatién, Datyini (Hind.), Chhatin (Beng.), 
Satvin (Mar.), Ezhilaip-p4élai (Tam.), Edakula-pals, Pala- 
garuda (Tel.), Janthalla (Can.). 


History, Uses, &C.—The tree is called in Sanskrit 

saptaparna, Sapta-chhada, Guchha-pushpa, Vrihat-tvak and 
Vishala-tvak, “ having large or thick bark.” Hindu physicians 
describe it as tonic, alterative, and usefulin fever, skin diseases, 
and dyspepsia. Susruta gives the following formula for 
usé in catarrhal dyspepsia :—* Take of the bark of Alstonia, 
stems of Tinospora cordifolia, bark of Azadirachta indica, and 
the bark of Betula Bhojpatra, e — in all two tolas (320 


and other diseases of the skin. ee 


| has ‘been ce ha om te a feat 8, soa 


APOCYNACER. 387 


with a layer of sand, being used as school-boards on which 
children ‘trace their letters asin the Lancastrian system. The | 
natives of Western India have a superstitious fear of it, and 
say that it assembles all the trees of the forest once a year to 
pay homage. (Graham.) 

Rheede in 1678 and Rumphius in 1741 described and figur~ 
ed the tree and noticed the medicinal use of the bark by the 
natives along with salt and pepper in febrile dyspepsia, and as 
a local application to ulcers and rheumatic joints. ‘Rumphius’s 
experience is, that the bark is useful in catarrhal dyspepsia and 
in the febrile state consequent upon that affection, and also for 
enlarged spleen. He says: “Ofits value in catarrhal dyspepsia 
I can speak from experience; the dose should be 15 grains 
taken at bedtime in powder or decoction.” Nimmo in 1839 
called attention to the bark as a powerful tonic, and suggested 
its use as an antiperiodic, Dr. Gibsou in 1853 contributed a 
short, but interesting, account of the drug to the Pharmaceu- 
tical Journal (xii., p. 422). Alstonia bark is official in the Phar- 
macopeia of India, and is described as an astringent tonic, 
anthelmintic, and antiper iodic. In the Concan the juice of the 
fresh bark with milk is administered in leprosy, and is also 
prescribed for dyspepsia and as an anthelmintic ; and the juice 
of the leaves with that of fresh ginger root or zedoary is 
administered to women after confinement. One of us has 
found the tincture of the bark to act in certain cases as a very 
powerful galactagogue: in one case the use of the drug was 
purposely discontinued at intervals, and on each occasion the 
flow of milk was found to fail. 

In 1874 Gruppe, an apothecary of Manilla, obtained. from 
the bark a substance which he named ditain. In the report on 
the Centennial Exhibition presented to the American Pharma- 
ceutical Association (Transactions 1877), the following account 
of this substance and of the use of the drug in Manilla is 


given :— Echites scholaris (Alstonia scholaris, Brown,) grows 


wild abundantly in the central provinces of the island of i 
where it has long been known and esteemed by the natives 
unde; the name of ‘ oa as a most efficient tanie. and : 


388 APOCYNACEA, 


fuge. The people having been in the habit of using it from 
time immemorial in decoction against malignant, intermittent, 
and remittent fevers with the happiest result, the attention of 
our leading physiciavs was excited, and the active principle 
ditain has now become a staple article, and ranks equal in 
therapeutical efficiency with the best imported sulphate of 
quinine. Numberless instances of private and hospital practice, 
carried out by our best physicians, have demonstrated this 
fact. Equal doses of ditain and of standard quinine sulphate 
have had the same medicinal effects; besides leaving none of 
the disagreeable secondary symptoms, such as deafness, sleep- 
lessness, and feverish excitement, which are the usual con- 
comitants of large quinine doses, ditain attains its effects 
swiftly, surely, and infallibly. 


We use ditain generally internally in quantities of half a 
drachm daily for children, and double the dose for adults, due 
allowance being made, of course, for age, sex, temperament, &e. 
We derive very beneficial effects from its use, too, under the 
- form of poultices. Powdered dita bark, cornflour, each half a 
pound ; hot water sufficient to make a paste. Spread on linen ~ 
and apply under the armpits, and on the wrists and ankles, 
taking care to renew when nearly dry, and provided the 
desired effects should not have been obtained. The results 
‘arrived at by ditain in our Manilla hospitals and private 
practice are simply marvellous. In our military hospital and 
penitentiary practice, ditain has perfectly superseded quinine, 
and it is now being employed with most satisfactory results in 

the Island of Mindanao, where malignant fevers are prevalent.” 


~ Description -—The drug consists of irregular fragments 
of bark, to $ an inch thick, easily breaking with a short 
coarse fracture. The external layer is very uneven and rauch 
fissured, dark aye or brow y ge sometimes with black spots, 
it readily separ andle e interior substance and 
inner surface (liber) j is of a ae buff. A transverse section 
‘shows the Tiber to be. eet ekg bide numerous small medul- : 
lary rays. The bark has 


APOC YNACEA, 3889 


communicates gradually to the palate a slightly bitter but not 
disagreeable taste. 

Microscopic structure.—The cortical tissue is covered with a 
thin suberous coat, the middle layer of the bark is built up of a 
thin-walled parenchyme, through which enormous, hard, thick-. 
walled cells are scattered in great numbers, and are visible to 
the naked eye, as they form large irregular groups of a bright 
yellow colour. ‘Towards the inner part these stone-cells dis- 
appear, the tissue being traversed by undulated medullary rays, 
loaded with very small starch grains; many of the other 
parenchymatous cells of the liber contain crystals of calcium 
oxalate. The longitudinal section of the liber exhibits large 
but not very numerous laticiferous vessels, as elongated simple 
cells with perforated tranverse walls (sieve-cells) containing 
a brownish mass, the concrete milk-juice with which all parts 
of the tree abound. 

Chemical composition.—In 1875, Jobst and Hesse exhausted 
the powdered bark with petroleum ether, and then extracted, 
by boiling alcohol, the salt of an alkaloid, which they called 
Ditamine. After the evaporation of the alcohol, it is preci- 
pitated by carbonate of sodium and dissolved by ether, from 
which it is removed by shaking it with acetic acid. Ditamine 
as again isolated from the acetate forms an amorphous and 
somewhat crystalline, bitterish powder of decidedly alkaline 
character ; the bark yields about 0°92 per cent. 

From the substances extracted by means of petroleum, 
ether, as above stated, Jobst and Hesse further isolated (1) 
Echicaontchin, C?5H*°O2, an amorphous yellow mass; (2) 
Echicerin, C*°H*8O?%, forming acicular crystals, melting at 
157° C.;{3) Echitin, C5°H*?0%, crystallized scales, melting 
_ at 170°; (4) Echitein, C#*H7°O*, which forms rhombic prisms, 
melting at 195°; (5) Echiretin, C5°H°°O*, an amorphous 
substance, melting at 62° C. 

Echicaontchin may be written thus: (C5H®) 502, echicerin 
(CH®)02, echiretin (C°H®)’O* ; these formule at once ep 
cate how nearly the three substances are | io 


390 APOCYNACEZ. 


probably constituents of the milky juice of the tree. (Pharma- 
cographia, 2nd Hd., p. 422.) 

Hesse has since separated from Dita bark two other bases, 
Echitamine and Lchitenine. He now reports that Ditamine 
exists in the bark in the proportion of 0-04 per cent. It is 
readily soluble in dilute acids, and differs from the alkaloids 
associated with it in being precipitated from its acid solution, 
by ammonia, Its formula deduced from the analysis of its 
platinochloride, is C'*H!9NO?, 

Echitamine is obtained from the liquor from which the 
ditamine has been extracted. On neutralizing this liquor, con- 
centrating it by evaporation, and then adding hydrochloric 
acid and sodium chloride, impure echitamine hydrochloride is 
precipitated. The base isolated from this precipitate, and 
then purified, crystallizes in thick vitreous prisms, answering 
- to the formula C**H?8N*0*+4H*0O. When dried in vacuo 
these part with three molecules of water, leaving a strong 
base of the formula C*H**N*O*+-H?0,orC#H*°N?0°, which 
the author calls echitamine hydrate, or echit-ammonium 
hydroxide. Ifin drying the heat be raised to and maintained 
at 150° C., another molecule of water is given off; but the 
anhydrous echitamine thus left is a much weaker base, and 
is reconverted into the original alkaloid by dissolving it in 
hydrochloric acid, and decomposing the hydrochloride. In 
consequence of the decided loss of basic properties accompany- 
Ing the elimination of the last molecule of water, the author 
prefers to regard the monohydrated base as the normal form, 
The latter is a powerful alkaloid ; it neutralizes acids perfectly, 
and yields well-defined crystallizable salts. 


Echitenine.—This ‘base is prepared from the mother liquors 
of echitamine hydrochloride, by precipitating with mercuric 
chloride, decomposing the precipitate with sulphuretted hy- 
drogen, and then shaking with chloroform. It exists in the 
bark to the extent of only 0°01 per cent. Its composition — 
corresponds to the formula C2°H?7NO*, [It igs markedly 
bitter, ofa brownish colour, and fuses above 120° 0. With 


e 


APOCYNACEA. OL 


strong sulphuric acid it forms a reddish violet, and with 


nitric acid a purple solution, the latter of which changes to 


green and ultimately to yellow. Its salts are amorphous. 
In the .author’s opinion all these alkaloids belong to one 
series :— 


Ditamine C'6H NO? 
? C18H*5NO°* 
KEchitenine C*0H*7NO* 
Kchitamine Hydrate (Echit-ammonium 
Hydroxide) ... ices 3 eh hed Od 
(Liebig’s Annalen, cciit., a) tn Year-Book of Pharmacy 
for 1881.) 


Commerce.—The bark is nof an article of commerce in 
India. 

Rhazya stricta, Decaisne. in Jacq. Voy. Bot., t. 111, 

_ Vernacular.—Sewar (Sind). . 

This plant is widely distributed through Western Asia, 
from Yemen in Arabia, to the North-West Provinces of India. 
Tis leaves, which are very bitter, are sold in the bazars in 
Sind, the natives using them in the preparation of cooling 
bitter infusions. AR. stricta is a stiff-growing plant with erect 
stems 2 to 3 feet high, and upright thickish smooth leaves 
placed rather close together on the stem. Dr. Stocks de- 
scribes the infusion asa good and peculiar bitter tonic, and 
recommends it for trial. 


HOLARRHENA ANTIDYSEN- 
ERICA, Wail. 


Fig. —Brand. For. Fi., t. 40; Wight Ic., t, 1297; Rheede 
Hort. Mal. i., ¢. 47. Conessi or Tellicherry Bark (Eng.), 


_ Ecorce de Codagapala (Fr.). 


Hab -—Throughout the drier forests of India. The bark. 
_ Vernacular Kura, Kaureya (Hind.), Kurchi (Beng.). Kuda, 


_ P4éndhara-kuda (Mar.), Kuda, Doula-kuda (Guz.), Kulap Bier 


Stross m Amkudu (Tel.), pre hee Ber ie 


¥ 


392 APOCYNACEZ. 


The seeds: Karwa-indarjau (Hind.), Tita-indarjau (Beng.), 
Kulappalai-virai (Tam.), Amkudu-vittulu (Tel.), Kadu-indar- 
jau (Mar.), Kadvo indarjau (Guz.), Kodu-murakan-bija (Can.). 

History, Uses, &c.—The Sanskrit names for this use- 
fal tree are very numerous, the best known are Kutaja and 
Kalinga, amongst others we may mention Girimallika, Vatsaka 
“cow tree,”’ Sakra sakhin ‘ Indra’s tree,’”’ and Sakrdsana “ In- 
dra’s food.” The tree is fabled to have sprung from the drops 
of amrita which fell on the ground from the bodies of Rama’s 
monkeys, which were restored to life by Indra. The seeds are 
called in Sanskrit Indrayava, Bhadrayava, Vatsakavija, or 
Sakravija, ‘ Indra’s seed.” The bark is one of the most impor- 
tant articles in the Hindu Materia Medica, and is described in 
the Nighantés as bitter, astringent, cold and digestive; a 
remedy for piles, dysentery, bile, leprosy and phlegmatic hu- 
mours. Susruta says it is expectorant, an antidote to poisons, 
cures dysuria, urinary and skin diseases, checks nausea and 
vomiting, removes pruritus, improves the condition of bad 
ulcers, relieves pains of the stomach, and checks the derange- 
ment of the three humours, w1z., phlegm, air and bile. The 
seeds are considered to be astringent, febrifuge and anthel- 
mintic. Both bark and seeds are usually combined by Hindu 
physicians with a number of other medicines which are prin- 
cipally astringents, bitters and aromatics. As examples of such 
preparations we may mention the Kutajaleha or confection, 
and the Pathddya churna. or compound powder of Chakra-- 
datta. In the Pradarani lauha the drug is combined with 
iron, but perhaps the most popular preparation is the Kutajé- 
rishta or Kutaja wine of Sarangadhara, which is made in the 
following manner :—Take of fresh root bark, 124 seers, raisins, 
64 seers, flowers of Bassia latifolia and bark of Gmelina 
arborea of each 80 tolas; boil them together in 256 seers of 
water, till reduced to 64 seers, and strain. Then add flowers — 
of Woodfordia floribunda 2} seers ; treacle 12} seers, and let 
the mixture ferment for a month in a cool place (it is usually 
buried under the ground). Draw off and bottle: This prepa 


__- ration has an agreeable flavour, is not bitter, and is an- excellent 


APOCYNACH 4, 893 


remedy in chronic dysentery and diarrhoea. Plasters and oils, 
containing Conessi bark combined with astringents and aroma- 
tics, are also used by the Hindus. They are applied over the 
part of the abdomen which is most painful. 


Arabic and Persian writers describe the seeds under the 
name of Lisan-el-asaffr-el-murr, and Zaban-i-gungishk-i-talk 
(bitter sparrow’s tongue); they consider them to be carmina- 
tive and astringent, and prescribe them in chronic chest affec- 
tions, such as asthma, also in colic and -diuresis ; besides this 
they attribute lithontriptic, tonic and aphrodisiac properties to 
them, and combined with honey and saffron make them into 
pessaries which are supposed to favour conception. We may 
Mention incidentally that the use of medicated pessaries for 
this purpose is a common practice in India.* They are also 
used after delivery. According to the Makhzan, the bark is 
the Tiwaj (tvac?) of Persian writers, which the author of the 

_ Tuhfat identifies with Talisfar, by some supposed to be the 
Indian bark used in dysentery by the Greek physicians under 
the name of deep, : 

. The Portuguese physicians, Garcia and Christopher a Costa, 
describe the drug under the names of Coru, Curo, Cura and 

Corte de pala. Rheede, who calls the tree Codaga-pala, states 
that the bark is applied as a lép (plaster) in rheumatism, and 
that a hot decoction of it is used in toothache, and in the cure 
of bowel affections. Ainslie mentions the bark as having been 
lately admitted into the British Materia Medica, under the 
name of Conessi bark, 

Conessi bark, also known as Codaga pala, Corte de pala, and 

Tellicherry bark, enjoyed for a time considerable repute in 

_.Hurope. It has however fallen into disrepute, principally, 


_ according to Sir Walter Elliot, who regards it as one of the 


most valuable medicinal products of India, from the compara- 
tively inert bark of W. tinctoria having been confounded 
with it. Favourable reports of its use as a remedy in dysen- : 
_ tery will be found in the Pharmacopeia of India. For ad- - 
| * Similar pessaries were used hy the Greeks and Romanus, 
11.—50 | ey 


894 APOCYNACEZ. 


ministration Mr. O. C. Dutt prefers a watery extract of the 
root bark, of which the average dose is about three grains in 
combination with half a grain or more of opium. 

Other European physicians have preferred the powdered 
bark, or a decoction made with 2 oz. of the bark to 2 pints of 
water, to be boiled down to one pint. The impure alkaloid 
(wrightine) is bitter, and has been used with some success as 
an antiperiodic, andin the treatment of dysentery occurring 
in aged persons ard infants. It is sold by druggists in 
Calcutta 

For an exhaustive analysis of the botanical confusion which 
has arisen in connection with this plant and the various species 
of Wrightia, we would refer our readers to an article by M. R. 
Blondel (Nouveaue Remédes, Sept. 24, 1887,) in which the bota- 
nical history and structure of Holarrhena antidysenterica is 
fully discussed and illustrated. 


Description. —_Three hie eee =taite are fre- 
‘quently called Kura, Koda or Kuda in the Indian vernaculars; 
Holarrhena antidysenterica, Wrightia tomentosa, and Wrightia 
tinctoria. They may be distinguished most readily by an 
examination of the follicles and seeds. H. antidysenterica has 
the pair of follicles separate, W. tomentosa has them connate, 
separating when quite ripe, and W. tinctoria has follicles con- 
nected at the apex only. In Holarrhena the seeds have a 
tuft of hairs onthe end most remote from the foot-stalk, 
_ whilst in the Wrightias the tuft is on the end next Bor foot- 
stalk. 

The young bark of Fivtasthen sc; is grey and susaly Stacoth ; 
on the older branches it is externally of a brown colour, aka 
searred from the exfoliation of portions of the suber; inter- 
nally it is of a cinnamon colour, and the cambium layer when 
present smooth and nearly white. The root bark resembles 
that of the older — ‘bat: is- of @ deeper and more rusty 
-brown colour, _ 

_ ‘The sceds radial Sata, % are very bitter, and are contained 

in long. follicles about the thickness of a quill. als are > of A. é 


Pe 


ae 


APOCYNACEZ, 395 


yellowish brown colour, about 2 centimetres long and 2 to 8 
millimetres thick ; at one end of the seeds is a kind of shallow 
neck, to the sides of which was attached the tuft of hairs. 
One side of the seed is grooved, and in this groove may be - 
seen the raphé. Tho outer envelope of the seed is thin and 
papery, and within it is a thin white layer of albumen. The 
embryo consists of a conical radicle and two. foliaceous 

convoluted eotyledons. ae 


Microscopic structure—A section of the’ bark from the 
larger branches is remarkable for several layers of rhytidoma, 
the inner of which is in contact with the cambium; this struc- 
ture gives rise to exfoliations of portions of the outer layer 
of the bark. Simple and branched laticiferous vessels are 
to be seen, and a few groups of stony cells. The cells of the 
parenchyma are filled with starch granules and contain red 
colouring matter. Externally there isa thin layer of suber, 
In the young bark the rhytidoma is not a Tete conse- 
quently there is no exfoliation. 


Chemical composition.—The bark and seeds contain a ‘Basie 
substance (Wrightine), to prepare which the pulverised seeds: 
are treated with carbon bisulphide in a displacement apparatus _ 
_ to remove a fat oil, then dried and exhausted with hot alcohol ; 
the extract freed from alcohol by distillation, is digested with: 
a small quantity of dilute hydrochloric acid, and the evapora- 
ted filtrate is mixed with ammonia or sodic carbonate, . which: 
_ throws down a copious flocculent precipitate, consisting of the 
impure base. 

Wrightine after washing with cold water forms an: amor- 
phous powder, insoluble in ether and in carbonic disulphide, 
__ soluble in water and alcohol, and especially in dilute acids, 

: “with which it forms uncrystallisable salts having like the base 
itself a persistent bitter taste. The acetic acid solution is pre- 
cipitated by tannic acid; the hydrochloric-acid solution Bite : 
floceulent precipitates with platinic, auric, and mercuric ch!o- 

ides, (Stenhouse, Phar. Jour. (2) I ao a0), R. Haines (Ibid., 
VI, 432) states that he obtained the e same base fr e 


396 | APOCYNACER, 


bark in 1858, and gave a short deseri ption of it in the Transac- 
tions of the Medical and Physical Society of Bombay (New 
Series, IV., 38). He proposed to call it Conessine, and calcu- 
lated, from the analysis of the free base, and of the platinum salt, 
the formula C*5H?2NO. The seeds have recently been 
again investigated by Herr Warnecke (Berichte, XIX., 60), 
who has obtained from them a crystalline alkaloid by exhaust- 
ing them with ether containing a little hydrochloric acid, 
digesting the extract with water and precipitating with 
ammonia, washing the yellow flocculent precipitate with water, 
and then after drying it over sulphuric acid dissolving it in — 
petroleum spirit and evaporating. The pure alkaloid is de- 


scribed as occurring in delicate colourless anhydrous needles, 


- 


having a bitter taste, becoming yellow at 60° to 70° C., and 
melting at 122°C. The alkaloid readily forms salts with acids, 
the hydrochlorate being crystalline. It is difficultly soluble in 
water, but freely soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, petrolenm 

spirit, benzol, amyl alcohol, and carbon bisulphide. An ana- 
lysis gave figures corresponding with the formula C!!H'!®N. 

Herr Warnecke therefore claims that this base, for which 

he prefers the name “‘ Wrightine ”’ is the first discovered solid 

non-oxygenated alkaloid occurring in nature ; in this, however, - 
he is hardly correct, since the formula C*°H?° N* was attri- 

buted in 1861 to a base isolated by Rieth from the bark of 
Arariba rubra (Annalen, CXX., 247), which was also obtained 

crystalline. 

Rather curiously, but simultaneously with the publication of 
the above-mentioned communication, another appeared by 
Messrs. Polstorff and Schirmer (Beriehte, XIX., 78), which 
described the results of the chemical examination of a bark 
forwarded from Tropical Africa by German missionaries asa _ 


_ remedy against dysentery, and referred to Holarrhena africana, 


DC. They report that they have isolated from this bark minute 
proportions (one-tenth per cent.) of an alkaloid that they con- 
sider to be identical with that separated by Professor Haines 
from East Indian conessi bark ; and they attribute to it charac- : 
ters closely —— ee described by Herr Warnockars as 


APOCYNACEZ. 397 


pertaining to the alkaloid obtained by him from Wrightia 
antilysenterica seeds. Like that alkaloid also, though crystal- 
lizable, it contains no oxygen, the formula by which it is 
represented being C'?H*°N or differing by CH? from the 
formula given by Herr Warnecke for his alkaloid; but Messrs. 
Polstorff and Schirmer think their formula C'®H®°N is fairly 
comparable with that of Professor Haines for conessine from 
Hast India Conessi bark, C25H?2NO (old notation), since the 
free base has the peculiarity (also shared by Aribine) of crys= 
tallizing with a molecule of water; and they think that his 
combustion was probably made with imperfectly dried alkaloid. 


a It will be observed that Professor Haines and Messrs. 
_ Polstorff and Schirmer operated upon the bark of the respec- . 


tive plants, whilst Herr Warnecke used the seeds. So that 
at present there is some doubt whether both barks yield an 
identical alkaloid, differing in composition from that from 
conessi seeds by CH®, or whether it is the alkaloid from 
the East Indian and African plants that differ, but are 
homologous. Messrs. Polstorff and Schirmer have prepared 
and described several salts of their alkaloid. It may be 
added that there is a remark in the Appendix to the Indian . 
“Pharmacopeia to the effect that probably Holarrhena 
oe) antidysenterica, H. Codaga, H. pubescens and 
H. malaccensis, are only varieties of one species, and are 
endowed with similar, if not identical, medicinal properties, 
It appears desirable, therefore, that the investigation should 
be extended to the bark and seeds of those plants. (Pharm, 
Journ., Feb. 27, 1886.) 
Commerce.—The bark and seeds are both articles of local 
on lerce. Value, bark, Rs. 14 per maund of 373 lbs. ; seeds, 


. 898 APOCYNACEZ. 


This shrub is often cultivated in gardens on account of its 
fragrant, white, jasmine-like flowers, which are offered in the 
Hindu temples. It would appear to have been confounded by 
Garcia d’Orta with Holarrhena, as he states (Coll. 27) that 
the flowers of Coru smell like Honeysuckle, whereas those of 
Holarrhena are odourless, The leaves of this plant, which 
turn black when dry, afford a kind of indigo called in Mysore 
Pala Indigo, An account of the preparation of this dye 
appears in Buchanan’s ‘‘ Journey through Mysore, &c.,”’ 1, 473. 
The coagulated milky juice forms a kind of caoutchoue; the 
wood is valued by turners, who call] it Dudhi, ‘‘ milk wood.” 

. The bark may be distinguished from true Conessi bark by its 
darker colour, and by its not exfoliating in patches (absence of 
rhytidoma) ; the seeds by their want of bitterness. The bark 
is used as a tonic and the seeds as an aphrodisiac; both are 
articles of commerce, the former being more frequently met 
with in the shops than true Conessi bark. The seeds are sold 
at about Rs. 4 per maund of 37% lbs. 


NERIUM ODORUM, Soland. 


Fig.—Bot. Mag., 1799, 2032; Bot. Reg., t. 74; Rheede 
Hort. Mal. iv., t. 1, 2. Oleander (Eng.), Laurier Rose (Fr.). 

Hab.—W. Himalaya, Central India, Sind. Cultivated all 
over India. The root. 

Vernacular.—Kaner (Hind., Guz., Mar.), Karabi, Kaner 
(Beng.), Alari (T'am., Mal. ), Caritilies (Tel.), Kanigila (Can.), 

History, Uses, &c.—In Sanskrit medical works two 
 yarieties of Karavira are mentioned, namely, Svetapushpa, 
*€ white-flowered”’; and Raktapushpa, “‘red-flowered.” - Other 
well known Sanskrit names for the Oleander are Asvamdraka 
‘thorse-killer,” and Pratihasa “laughing.” In the Nighantas 
both kinds are described as hot and poisonous; they are said to 
be of use as an external application to swellings, leprosy and 
skin diseases such as itch. The’ flowers of the red and white 
Oleander are much used by the Hindus i in religions ceremonies. 


of 


. 


APOCYNACER. 399 


De Gubernatis states that the N. Oleander is called in ltaly 

Ammazza cavallo or Ammazza Vasino, and remarks that this 

accounts for the dread of its presence shown by the ass of 

Lucian and Apuleius. (Myth. des Plant. ii., 259.) 

For external application the Hindus make a strong decoction 

of the root and boil it down with oil and cow’s nrine until the 

_ water has been driven off, other drugs are usually added, such 
as Plumbago root, Embelia seeds, &c. 

The root of Oleander beaten intoa paste with water is recom- 

mended by Sarangadhara to be applied to chancres and ulcers 

on the penis. According to Chakradatta the fresh 


: if 


; In Arabic and Persian works the plant will 
_ generally be found described under the name of Difli; other 
_ names are Sum-el-Himér and Kharzahrah, which both signify 
Asses’-bane ; it is identified with the Nerium of the Greeks.* 
‘The Mahometan physicians describe it as a most powerful 
resolvent and attenuant, only to be used externally ; taken 


‘animals are a counter-poison against serpents. The latter 
‘statement appears to be copied from Pliny. (Hist. Nat. 24, 2.) 
‘Ainslie informs us that the bark of the root and leaves are 
considered by the Vytians as powerful repellants, applied 
externally. The active principles of N. odorum are powerful 


into a large healthy frog caused in 14 minutes diminu- 


leander, hardly different from the Indian plant. Conf. D 
80. It was also called by the Greeks and Romans Rho 


oisons. 0:0016 grams of Neriodorein injected hypoder- — 


‘the heart beats from 70 to 12 per minute, followedbya 
rise to 60; after the lapse of five minutes longer the : 
d to beat. This cessation of the heart’s action was 


400 . APOCYNACEM. 


closely followed by cessation of the respiration. According, to 
Fraser {T'rans. Royal Soc. Hd. xxiv.) oleander like digitalis, &c., 
produces at first irregularity and acceleration of the heart’s 
action, then a diminished frequency caused by protraction of 
the ventricular systole, and, finally, stoppage of the contractions 
by cessation of the dilation of the ventricles, which remain con- 
tracted, white and perfectly empty. | 7 


Description. —Roots crooked, bark thick, soft, external 
surface grey, corky, on young roots the corky layer is very 
thin, and the interior yellow colour of the bark is seen through it, 
inver surface yellow. The bark when cut or wounded.exudes 
a pale yellow latex, which is resinous and very sticky, Odour 
somewhat acrid. ‘Taste acrid and bitter. 

Microscopie structure.—In the bark of the roots the medul- 
dary rays are very numerous; their being loaded with yellow 
resinous juice makes them very conspicuous. The laticiferous 
vessels are numerous and generally 1 in groups of two, three, or 
more. The wood is yery porous, and abounds in large dotted 
vessels. Both bark and wood abound in starch. 


Chemical composition. —Mr. H. G. Greenish has extracted 
from the bark of V. odorum two bitter principles, one soluble 
in chloroform and little soluble in water, to which he has given 
the name Nertodorin, and another very soluble in water and 
‘insoluble 1 in n: Qblonoform, which he has named Neriodorein. Both 
of theses 


bstances are powerful heart-poisons. Neriodorein 
vis. rphous powder of a pale yellow colour, and very 
bitter taste, insoluble in petroleum spirit, ether, benzol, 
chloroform, salphide of carbon, amylic alcohol, and acetic ether, 
-but readily soluble in water and alcohol. It contains no nitro- 
-gen; a watery solution is neutral to test paper. Chloroform 
«partly separates it from its watery solution in the form of an 
-oily liquid. Chloroform and ether precipitate it from an _ 
_alcoholic solution in a floceulent condition. It is soluble in 
_glacial acetic acid, the evaporation of the solvent leaves a 
- yellow amorphous - varnish-like mass. Although the aqueous) 
pa through the dialyser it has not ee hess Sasol — 


APOCYNACE. 401 


allised. Concentrated sulphuric acid colours it of a brownish 
red with a violet tinge round the edge of the mixture, gra- 
-dually the mixture becomes yellow, passing to brown and 
green. In the presence of sugar strong sulphuric acid pro- 
duces a brownish red colour passing to violet. Heated ina 
-closed tube with 2 per cent. of hydrochloric acid for two hours, 
-neriodorein is decomposed into a yellow resinous substance ; 
it appears to bea glucoside. Neriodorin is a transparent yellow, 
varnish-like substance which cannot be pulverized even after 
drying over sulphuric acid under the air pump; it is very 
soluble in chloroform, scarcely soluble in cold water, but much 
more so in hot water; its watery solution is bitter. Itis in- 
| soluble in petroleum spirit, benzol and bisulphide of carbon; 
ether only dissolves a trace. It is very soluble in alcohol, 
contains no nitrogen, and is uncrystallisable. In other respects 
it closely resembles Neriodorein. (Phar. Jour., April 23rd, 
1881.) 

Toxicology.—The leaves of Nerium Oleander weve examined 
‘by Leukowsky (N. J. Pharm. 46, 397), who announced the 
presence in them of two alkaloids, Oleandrine and Pseudocu- 
rarine. Schmiedeberg (1883), who considers oleandrine to bea 
glucoside, found in the leaves two other glucosides, Nertine and 
oe: he considers neriine to be identical with digitaleine. 

. EB. Pieszezek (Archiv. d. Pharm. (3), xxviii., 352, 1890,) 
Ghisinea from the bark a glucoside having the composition 
62-324 per cent. Carbon, 8°066 per cent. Hydrogen, and 
-29°610 per cent. Oxygen, which he found to be very poison- 
ous, having an action similar to that of strychnine: 4 cgr. 
proved fatal to a rabbit in three-quarters of an hour. He has 
named this glucoside Rosaginine from Cortew Rosaginis, the 
German name for oleander bark. M. Picszczek also obtained 
from the bark the neriine of Schmiedeberg, the composition of 
z which he found to be 54°252 per cent. Carbon, 7°570 per cent. 
, and 38°178 per cent. Oxygen. If a portion of 
neriine is dissolved in strong sulphuric acid, and the vapour of 


) 6 colour i is produced. The bark ten ohne fen Sade 


is made to pass over the mixture, a splendid riolet- “8 


“402 APOCYNACE®:. 


‘an essential oil of disagreeable odour, and acrystalline body, the 
“aqueous solution of which has a fine blue fluorescence, especially 
after the addition of an alkali. This latter substance was only 
found in old bark. 
~ Toxicology:—Chevers (Med. Juris. for India) vefers to the 
toxicology of the drug at length, and states on the authority 
‘of Honigberger that the reot of the hill plant is more ‘toxic 
‘than that grown in gardens ; he remarks that it is proverbial 
among females of the hills, when quarrelling, to bid each other 
go and eat the root of the Kaner. Ainslie also refers to its 
‘use by Hindu women when tormented by jealousy, and 
“Broughton says that it is well known and extensively used in 
‘the Bombay Presidency as a poison, the juice from the red 
‘variety being considered the strongest and most fatal. — It is 
‘also stated to be much used as a poison in the Umballa dis- 
‘trict, the reot sometimes being given in coffee. Dr. Cleghorn 
(1868) records the history of two male adults who were found 
_ dead in the house of a prostitute. The woman confessed that 
‘she had given them the powdered root of Kurrubee in milk as 
acure for gonorrhea, from which they were suffering, the root 
‘being a popular remedy for venereal and skin diseases. Soon 
after taking the mixture, the men became sick, vomited, and 
complained of pain in the abdomen, writhed about the floor, 
and latterly became sleepy. On post-mortem examination the 
following points were noted:— 

Bra in—In one case engorgement of venous sinuses : casio 
_- sanguinea abundant: otherwisé apparently normal. In the 
se other case the brain is reported as apparently healthy. 

+ Heart,—In one case vessels on exterior surface congested , 

os eight ventricle distended with dark fluid blood; valves, &c., 
healthy. In the other case, two ounces of serum were found 

. a PN ke sa both ener were filled with fluid 


yikes he 


eH 


" Tnnge—In one cain no information ciemnians in. the sacse! 
sl igealaitele one ase Pe uf ctenindevens postorion 
‘aurface of geet curvature well defined spot of coma 


|‘ APOCYNACEA. 403. 


on posterior surface of cardiac end: a similar patch near, 
pyloric orifice: contents grumons, fluid. In the other ease, well. 
marked spots of congestion on the anterior and posterior 


stellate congestion: contents grumous, fluid, 
 Liver.—In one case large vessels congested, otherwise otinanla 
in the other case, enlarged :. large - veins. filled with blood. 
Spleen.—In both cases-enlarged: probably by malarious fever. 
_ Intestin es.—In one case mucous-coat of small gut throughout 
-a dark colour: large veins distinct. Large patch of 
congestion on upper part of mucous surface of duodenum, 
‘Surface velvetty : spots of congestion scattered through j jejunum 
and ileum : villi well marked in upper part of jejunum: large 
spots. of congestion in inguinal flexure. In the other case, the 
els were reported as normal, except that in parts the vessels. 
rere congested. fe 
Kidneys.—Intensely congested in. one ae eee in 
he other.. 


e 


Asophagus.—In one case eee with dark-coloured : : 
mucus; in the other the upper part of fauces covered Wit th s 


Saison: examination of the viscera was made. i 1843, 
case of fatal poisoning by the root was sent to the Chemical 
iner, Bengal, by Dr. Greig, in which the bark had been, 
from the roots of a plant in the doctor’s own garden, 
to.a powder, and. then administered mixed with vil, It 
red that at least two or three ounces of the bark had 
About 14 hour after the poison had been taken,- 
potont ‘was apparently senseless and unable to answer 

ions: the: pulse was. preternaturally slow and soft but 
with an inclination to stop:.a considerable amount of, 


404- APOCYNACEZ, 


ably; but relapsed into: insensibility some hours afterwards. 
The: patient appears to have recovered from all urgent symp- 
toms,-but to have died suddenly on the following day after 
making some exertion. On post-mortem examination 5 hours 
after death, the cavities of the heart were filled with black fluid 
blood. The lungs. were natural. The stomach contained a 
quantity of dark yellowish fluid, and on its internal surface, 
near the cardiac and pyloric orifices posteriorly were found 
small patches studded with red points, and one or two slight 
abrasions of the mucous membrane. The liver appeared some- 
what distended, and the intestines and spleen are reported 
natural, . : 

Mr. Broughton (Trans. By. Med. § Phys. Soc, for 1857-58, 
p. 4,) reports a case in which a slight and delicate male drank 
a little more than an ounce of the expressed juice, walked five 
yards and fell senseless. When seen in the morning, the face 
and eyes were flushed, head hot and perspiring, with sterto- 
rous breathing and foaming at the mouth, accompanied by 
violent spasmodic contractions of the muscles of the entire 
body: more remarkable in the upper than lower extremities, 
and on the left than right side. During intervals of spasm, 
the patient lay evenly upon his back, when an attack occurred,., . 
the superior contractions of the left side threw him over on 
his right, in which position he remained during the paroxysm. 
Insensibility continued, and the spasms returned at intervals 
of an hour, and were induced by attempts to rouse or move the 
patient: the bowels were moved involuntarily. Towards even- 
ing the spasms decreased, the face became pale, the pulse a 
thread, the eyes shrunk and the extremities cold: stimulants 
restored the circulation, but insensibility continued, and the 
bowels were moved involuntarily. In the evening reaction set 
in, the skin became hot, the pulse frequent; there was no 
spasms but insensibility was still complete. On the morning 
of the following day the patient was restored to speech and 
reason, 4 ae Fi ea 4 een ny e * 

* The following case was treated in the Medical College 
_ Hospital, -Caleutta, and reported in the Ind. Med. Gazette, 


\. APOCYNACE®. Pee 


September, 1866. A male adult was brought to ‘hospital iv. 
an apparently unconscious ‘state, the trunk and limbs being 
rigid, and the jaw spasmodically closed, the pulse very. feeble, 
and exceedingly slow, about 30. The history was to the 
effect that 5 hours previously more than } tola (45 grains) 
of the fresh root bark of Sheth Kurrubee (white oleander) 
rubbed up with black pepper had been taken. Within half 
an hour the patient began to feel giddy and very heavy, and 
was obliged to lie down: this was shortly followed by a gene- 
ral uneasy sensation and considerable restlessness. Soon. 
afterwards fits occurred, in which the trunk and limbs were, 
rigid and contracted, the hands clenched and ‘thumbs flexed 
inwards on the palms. Profuse perspiration and a sensation 
of constriction round the chest also accompanied each 
_ paroxysm. In hospital the patient had no regular paroxysm, 
but constant museular twitchings were observed all 
over the body, and continued for four or five hours after 
: admission. The rigidity of the muscles gradually wore off, and 
on the morning after admission the patient declared himself 
quite easy save for a slight heaviness about the head. The 
patient stated that he had never lost consciousness, and that his 
mind had been quite clear. Babu K. H. Acharjee (Ind. Med. 
Gaz., 1866,) reports the case of a boy, to- whom the powdered 
root had been administered for intermittent fever. In three 
or four hours he was attacked with tetanus, and was found 
free from fever, quite sensible, the jaws spasmodically closed, 
d the muscles of the body rigid and-contracted. The pa- 
tient recovered. Babu D. Mookerjia draws attention to the 
tetanic symptoms which may occur in oleander. poisoning, as 
evidence that the action of the poison resembles that of strych- 
and he remarks, in the case last mentioned, that all the 
symptoms (as in strychnia poisoning) were developed 
ad the museles of the jaw were likewise the la 
1d: when the symptoms began to subside, they did 
. He‘also adds—the marked difference between the Se 
oleander and-nux-vomica poisoning consists in | 
of the pulse. In one ae rent 


at 


~ 


Sb Least Phe te 


4 
| 
| 
= 


406 APOCY NACE, 


unaffected, becoming slightly quickened only during a fit; but 
in oleander poisoning its preteanipre! slowness is a marked 
feature. 

In Madras oleander pounded with Pingel oil is a favourite 

poison with suicides. ‘The Madras Chemical Examiner’s Re- 
port for 1882-83, mentions three cases ; for 1883, two cases ; for 
1885, one case. They were all suicides, the root was detected 
by its physical characters in the vomited matters. 
_ In the whole of India, during the fifteen years ending 1888, 
the reports of the Chemical Examiners record 29 detections of 
oleander,—namely, Bengal, 2; N.-W. Provinces, 2; Madras, 
11; Bombay, 14. Two of the detections in Bombay were in 
connection with cattle poisoning. 


THEVETIA NERIIFOLIA, Juss. 


Fig.—Bot. Mag. 2309; Lyon, Med. Juris. for weraas 
p- 298. Exile or Yellow Oleander (Zng.). 

Hab.— West Indies. Cultivated in India. The bark. 

Vernacular.—Pila-kanér (Hind., Guz.), Kolkaphul (Beng.), 
Pachchaialari, Tiruvachchippu (Tam.), Pachcha-gannéru (7'el.), 
Pachcha-arali (Mal.), Pivala-kanér (Mar.). 

History, Uses, &c.—‘his plant is commonly cultivated 
in India as an ornamental garden shrub. 

Descourtila, i in his Flora of the Antilles, speaks of T. neriifolia 
as an acrid poison, of the bark as a drastic purgative, of the 
fruit as emétic, and of an extract of the plant as a remedy 
for intermittent fever. He describes the case of a young 
negro who had eaten of the green fruit, and who was affected 
with chills, delirium, and other nervous symptoms, nausea, and 
a thready pulse; he had irregular spasms, followed by extreme 
agitation, with singing, laughing, and weeping, and then by 


- a fixed blank look. He seemed tending to coma, but was 


aeheree by an emetic. . 
’ The antiperiodic properties of the bork have been confirmed 

we} Dr. G.  Bidie: (Madras Quart.. Med. poms Vv», Pp, ier 

Dr. J. Shortt (Ibid., -viii.,; ps 294), Epes 


APOCYNACEA. 407 


“Their. trials with it in various forms of remittent fever 
proved highly satisfactory, and leave: little doubt that it is a 
‘remedy of considerable power. It was.employed in the form of 
‘tincture (one ounce of the freshly-dried bark macerated for 
eight days in 5 ounces of rectified spirit) in doses of from 10 
‘to 15 drops thrice daily. In larger doses (30 to 60 drops), it 
‘acts as an acrid purgative and emetic, and carried to a greater 
extent is evidently powerfully poisonous, The kernels are 
‘extremely bitter, and when chewed produce a slight feeling of — 
numbness and heat in the tongue; by expression they yielda — 
clear, pale amber-coloured, slightly viscid, acrid oil, which is 
‘sometimes recommended as a cathartic by the natives, but, 
‘according to Dr. Shortt, it produces vivlent vomiting and 
‘hypercatharsis. (Pharm. of India, p. 188.) This, however, is 
‘contrary to our experience; the oil when pure is as inert as 
‘olive oil. 

- Dr. A. J. Amadeo of Porto Rico states that two- grains of 
‘the extract of the bark, given in the apyrexia of intermittent 
fever, prevent the access of the paroxysm, and that the natives 
employ the bark in infusion for the cure of ague. ee 
April, 1888.) 

‘The active principles of the Sait? Thevetin and Thevenviin 
have been thoroughly tested in experiments on animals by 

as and by T. Husemann (Archiv fiir exp. Pathol. u. Phar., Vv 
228). The former has upon frogs the same effects as digi- 


Voluntary motion is not 
y , although riety is ieapeired:i in the hindlegs. The 
, essentially, were produced by theveresin in the 
0°05... Experiments upon dogs and rabbits led 

siren peer: a abenng: spe bein i : 


408 APOCYNACE. 


and profuse salivation, with extreme prostration, so that the 
animal lies still and will not change his posture except during ~ 
the efforts at vomiting. The cerebral functions seem to be 
‘impaired, at least at the beginning of the attack ; later, when 
exhaustion has become complete, the animal remains motion- 
less, as if narcotized. The breathing is laboured, but the 
‘pupils are unchanged, and muscular tremor is constant, 
although spasms are either absent or only oceur just before 
death. As above stated,in animals killed by these poisons the 
ventricle is contracted, yet in exceptional cases it is found 
dilated with dark blood. The vomiting produced by thevetin 
is doubtless due in part to its irritant qualities, for when it is 
injected hypodermically the punctures are apt to produce 
sabscesses. The venous congestion of the stomach, which gives 
the interior of the organ a blue colour, is partly due to the 
cardiac obstruction and partly to the repeated efforts at, 
‘vomiting. According to Prof. Carpio (Phila. Med. Times, ix. 
396), the thevetin of Thevetia Yecotls produces symptoms 
almost identical with those above described, and kills by 
arresting the heart either in diastole or in systole The experi- 
ments of Cerna (Ibid., p. 426,) led him tothe following among 
other conclusions: Thevetin produces death by asphyxia and 
by cardiac paralysis; applied to the skin, i irritates, with a sen- 
sation of burning; it produces convulsions of cerebral and 
paralysis of spinal origin ; increases intestinal paralysis; lowers 
the temperature ; locally applied, it contracts the pupil; and 
it imereases salivation. Warden has confirmed the statement 
as to the production of convulsions. (Amer. Jour. Phar., 
liv. 301 *),, 

 Description.—The fresh bark of the young wood, of 
Sebi 4 to 1 inch in diameter, is green, smooth, and covered by 
a thin grey epidermis, through which thegreen colour is appa- 
rent’; it turns black when dry.. The bark from the larger 
stems has a brown suberous -ceating; the wood is white oe 
soft, with a large central pith. All parts of the plant yield an | 
abundance of acrid milky juice, The fruit.is — sigaape 
" es l4 to.2. ert diameter, and  coptains a - dd 


eg 


APOCYNAOEA. 409 


nut, light brown in colour, and triangular, with a deep groove 
along the edge corresponding to the base of the triangle; each 
nut contains two pale yellow, slightly winged seeds. The seeds 
and the inner layer of the bark give, when boiled with hydro- 
chloric acid, a deep blue or bluish-green colour. 

Chemical composition.—De Vrij has obtained from the ker=- 
nels of the seeds from 35°5 to 41 per cent. by expression and 
57 per cent. with benzol ofa limpid almost colourless oil. 
The oil had an agreeable mild taste like that of fresh almond 
oil; its density: at 25° C. was 0°9148, and at that temperature 

it was perfectly liquid and transparent, at 15° C. it became 
_ pasty, and at 13° C. entirely solid. Oudemans found it to con- 
sist of 63 per cent. triolein and 27 per cent. tripalmitin and 

tristearin. After expression of the oil De Vrij obtained from 

_the cake about 4 per cent. of a beautiful crystallised white 

_ glucoside, to which he gave the name of Thevetin. A solution 
f 


10 cubic centimetres yielded in the polarimeter a levogyre 
nr With concentrated sulphuric acid thevetin 
‘lds a clear, dark yellow liquid, which by exposure to the air 
ssumes after a few minutes a beautiful purple colour. This 
colour disappears after some time under separation of a floceu~ 
lent matter. Nitric acid yields no reaction with thevetin at 
the ordinary temperature. De Vrij has also found thevetin 
in the bark of the shrub. (Fora further account of thevetin 
_ theveresin, see a paper by Dr. Blas in the Transactions of 
, Académie des Sciences de Belgique (3) 2, No. 9—.) 
arden has described a principle contained in the seeds which 
led pseudo-indican, and which affords a blue coloration 
| hydrochloric acid: -he points out that this reaction might 
tilized in toxicological investigations. (Pharm. Journ., Nov. 
-) In another communication to the same journal, he. 
s to the presence of a second toxic principle in the — 
which he considers to pomens meats N toxic DOM 


' 410 APOCYNACEZ. 


ascribes théir toxic properties to the bland oil. Dr. Dumontier 
has published an account of the death of a child three years of i 
age after eating one seed. An interesting case of poisoning by 
one of the seeds is recorded by Dr. J. Balfour (Madras Journ. 
of Lit. and Science, iii., N. Ser., p. 140). Recovery ensued. 
Dr, Lyon (Med. Juris., p. 299) mentions a case in which eight 
to ten seeds proved fatal to an adult female: he remarks that 
cases of poisoning in the human’subject are seldom met with 
in India, but of late years the seeds have come into somewhat 
extensive use in the Bombay Presidency as a cattle poison, 
nine cases of this kind having been reported in the Bombay. 
Chemical Analyser’s Office during the year 1886. In Bengal 
four other cases are on record, but the particulars of one 
only are given, in which a woman attempted to commit 
suicide. = 


CERBERA ODOLLAM, Gértn. 
Fig.— Wight. Ic., t. 441; Lyon’s Med. Juris. for India, 
p. 300, 


- Hab.—Swamps and creeks on the coasts of India and 

Ceylon; Sunderbuns. The seeds. 
Vernacular.—Odallam (Mal.), Katarali (Tam.), sneee 

(Can.), Sukanu (Mar.), Dabér, Dhakur (Beng.). ig 


. History, Uses, &c.—This is a handsome tree, very - 
plentiful along the backwaters of the western coast. Emetic 
‘and purgative properties are assigned to the milky juice, bark 
a ‘and leaves, and the action is very similar to that of Thevetia 
et neriifolia. The kernel of the seeds is frequently resorted to 
_ in-eriminal poisoning in the Madras Presidency, and in the — 
native states of Travancore and Cochin. The fruit combined 
he _with datura is a part of the remedy given by native physicians — 
heb hydrophobia. ‘The bark-affords a fibre. The sceds yield 
oe _ 85:5 per cent. of a bland fixed oil, of a pale yellow colour, wh 
is. used for burning and for anointing the head; it conta 
no poisonous: PROpRaRy: if. obtained “ae pear 
of petroleum ether. _ : ; 


APOCYNACEM. 411 


- Description.—tThe ripe carpel is ovoid, 2 to 4. inches 
long, somewhat resembling a green mango, fibrous and woody 
within, and contains a. single broad, compressed, white seed, 
consisting of two irregularly attached oily cotyledons. 


Chemical composition.—Dr. de Vrij has separated from the 
Kernels a crystalline poisonous glucoside, probably the same 
as thevetin, and an alcoholic extract of the seeds when treated 
‘with hydrochloric acid gives a blue or —— -green colour as 
exhibited by Thevetia. 

"~ Professor Plugge, of Groningen, has made an investigation 
of the seeds with the following preliminary results. 25 grams 
: of the powder, partially separated from oil. by expression, 
“were entirely freed from oil by extraction with benzol, and 
4 the remaining powder afterwards extracted with alcohol. 
From this aeeaile solution it was impossible to obtain any 
stalline body, although the solution contained a very poi- 
nous principle. The alcohol was evaporated, and the result- 
ing syrup was dissolved in a few c.c.of water. With this 
‘Solution subcutaneous injections were made on frogs, and it — 
was found that 0°5, 0° 2, 0°1, and even 0°05 e. c. caused’ death : 
in from five minutes to one hodns The symptoms arechiefly— __ 
) stoppage of the respiration, or in smaller doses, irregularity 
of the respiration ; (2) violent and repeated vomiting ; ; (3) gene- 
al paralysis ; and (4) finally stopping of the heart in contrac- 
n (systole). It seems that the poisonous principle of 
Jerbera seeds is not only a strong poison of the heart, that, 
e digitalin, stops the heart. in systole, but also has a very 
marked action on the respiration. The watery solution of 
erin (?) was not precipitated by alkaloid-reagents, with 
exception of phosphomolybdic acid. e principle can 
best separated from the watery solution of the alcoholic 
ract, by first shaking it with petroleum saeatiors and then 
the <oepiian with chloroform. 


412 APOCYNACE. 


position of the soap, there is left 95:5 per cent. of insoluble 
fatty acids melting at 34°. The elaidin reaction resulted in 
the solidification of the oil in one hour, and after 24 hours it 
became so firm as to hardly yield to the sera of the i 
The ash of the seeds amounts to 8°3 per ce 


Toxicology.—Cases of poisoning with the seeds of Odallam 
are brought to the notice of the medical officer at Trevandrum 
every year ; they act as an irritant poison by producing vomit- 
ing and purging, soon followed by collapse and death. In 
1885, out of four cases, one was fatal; in 1886, seven cases 
were reported. The nut is occasionally eaten by children in 
‘mistake, but it is mostly used intentionally by women who 
wish to commit suicide when they get into trouble. The 
Madras Chemical Examiner in 1888 reported the case of a 
_boy who, after eating the kernel, ‘suffered from vomiting and» 
tingling of the skin and throat, deep sleep, and twitching of 
‘the muscles, and died in 16 hours.” A part of the fruit 
sent with the viscera was identified, 


Pao Pereira.—Under this name the Portuguese in India 
use the intensely bitter bark of ,Geissospermum love, which 
they obtain frem Brazil, as a febrifuge and tonic. 

Santos (1838) separated from it an alkaloid, peretrine, which 
in its impure state, as a brown-yellow amorphous powder, is 

‘employed in Brazil. Bochefontaine and De Freitas (1877) pro- 
posed to call it getssospermine, and Hesse (1877) adopted this 
-name for the alkaloid, which is nearly insoluble in ether and 
water and readily soluble in alcohol and dilute acids; it crys- 
tallizes in small white prisms, dissolves in strong nitric acid 
with a purple-red colour, becoming orange-yellow on heating, 
and in concentrated sulphuric acid at first colourless, rapidly 
changing to blue, and gradually to a pale colour ; its composition 
is C*°H*“N*O?H?0. A second alkaloid, pereirine, is easily 
ible in ether, formsa greyish-white amorphous powder, and 
_ is coloured blood-red by nitric and violet-red by sulphuric acid; 
it appears to be present in larger proportion than the ne pevgeeD : 
one. (Stillé and Maisch.) 


APOCYNACEA. 413, 


TABERNA2AMONTANA CORONARIA, Pr. 


. Fig.— Wight Ic. t. 477; Bot. Mag. 1861; Etheede Hort. 
Mal. wi., 54,55. Ceylon Jasmine (Hng.), Arbve-vache (F'r.). 


Hab.—Uncertain. Cultivated in India. The milky juice 
and root. 


Vernacular.—Tagar (Hind., Mar., Guz.), Nandia-vatai, 
Nanthia-vatai (Tam., Tel.), Nandi-battal (Can.), Kar&ta-p4la 
(Wal). 


History, Uses, &c.—This shrub is often confounded 
with the Tagara of the N ighantas (see Valertana Wallichit). 
Rheede says that the milky juice of 7. coronaria mixed with 
oil is rubbed into the head to cure pain in the eyes; the root 
chewed relieves toothache ; rubbed with water it kills intestinal 
worms ; with limejuice it removes opacities of the cornea. It 
is the Fula de S. Antonio of the Portuguese. Ainslie (ii., 257) 
states that the Sanskrit name given to it in Southern India is 


Nandivriksha, and that it is very cooling in ophthalmia. In 
Western India the milk has the reputation of being very cool- 


ing, and is applied to wounds to prevent inflammation. Two 


wild species, 7’. dichotoma and 7’. Heyneana, are considered to 
2 have similar properties, and are known by the same vernacular 
names. In Pudnkota the flowers are used in inflammation of 


the cornea. The milk of plants belonging to this genus con- 
tains caoutchouc and resins, but is generally free from acridity. 
T’. utilis is the Hya-Hya or Cow-tree of British Guiana, which 


_ yields a copious supply of thick sweet milk when tapped. 


~ Description.—A shrub 6—8 ft., much dichotomously 
branched, bark pale ; leaves 4—6 inches by 1—1{ inch, glossy, 
rather coriaceous, green when dry, pale beneath, margin 
waved, petiole } —} in., axils of petioles glandular. Peduncles 


1—2 in., pedicels Siedex: bracts minute. Flowers pure white, 
_ often double, fragrant. Follicles 1—3 in., spreading and re- 
curved, sessile or contracted into a sort of stalk at the base, 


long, beaked or not, 3-ribbed ; seeds 3 to 6, 


> 


414 APOCYNACE 24. 


striated, aril red, fleshy. (FJ. Br. Ind.) All parts of the plant 
abound in a milky juice, which has a bitter taste. 


Chemical com position.—The fresh roots were extracted with 
80 per cent. alcohol. From the alcoholic extract, in addition to 
resins and extractives, a large amount of an alkaloidal principle 
was isolated, soluble in ether, and giving marked precipitates 
with alkalies, chromate of potash, and alkaloidal reagents, but 
no special colour reactions were noted. The taste was bitter, 
and the principle as deposited by spontaneous evaporation of 
an ethereal solution, was in the form of a yellowish brittle 
varnish. 


RAUWOLFIA SERPENTINA, Benth. 


Fig.—Wight Ic. t. 849; Bot. Mag. t. 784; Burm. Fl. 
Zeyl., t. 64. Syn.—Ophtoxylon serpentinum. _ . 


Hab,.—Throughont India. The root. 


Vernacular.— Chota-chand (Hind.), Chandra (Beng.), Harkai 
(Mar.), Patala-~gandhi (Tel.), Chuvanna-avilpori (Mal.), Covan- 
namilpori (Tam.), Sutranabhi (Can.). 


History, Uses, &c.—This shrub is mentioned im 
Sanskrit works under the names of Sarpagandh& and 
Chandrika. The Hindus use the root asa febrifuge, and as 
an antidote to the bites of poisonous reptiles, also in dysentery 

and other painful affections of the intestinal canal. By some it 
is supposed to cause uterine contraction and promote the expul- 
sion of the fostus. Ainslie gives the following account of it :— 
Psjovanna amelpodi i is the name given, on the Malabar Coast 
(Rheede, Mal. vi. 81, t. 47), to a plant, the bitter root of which 


: supposed to have sovereign virtues in cases of snake-bites 


and scorpion-stings ; » itis ordered in decoction, to the extent 


ofa pint in twenty-four hours, and the powder is, applied, 


-externally, to the injured part. The plant is the Radiz mustela 
Os Rurmphius. (Amb. vii. ae t. 16.) The Javanese class. it 
among | give it the name of lak. 


| 


APOCYNACEZ. 415 


It may \be found noticéd both by Burman in his Thesaur. 
_Geylan. &t. 64) and Garcia ab Horto; the latter recommends it 
as stoma.chic ; Rumphius speaks of it as an antidote to poisons ; 
and Boyaitius, in his Hist. Mat. Med. Ind., tell us that it cures 


Search. iv., p. 308,) thinks it possible that this plant may 
perhaps be the true ichneumon plant. In the Pharmacopeia of 
Tndia its use in labours to increase uterine contractions is 
noticed upon the authority of Dr. Palney Andy, but we have no 
other evidence of its efficacy in such cases. In Bombay most of 
the labourers who come from the Concan keep a small supply 
_ of the root, which they value as a remedy in painful affections 
¥ the bowels. Inthe Concan the root with Aristolochia indica 
(Sépsan) is given in cholera; in colic 1 part of the root with 2 
parts of Holarrhena root and 8 parts of Jatropha Curcas root is 
given i in milk ; in fever the root with Andrographis paniculata, 
ginger and bhick salt is used. The dose of the combined 
drugs in each case is from 3 to 4 tolas. 


Description.—Root crooked, tapering, from 4 an inch 
1 diameter downwards ; bark soft, corky, marked by longi- 
inal fissures, light brown ; wood brittle, showing rings and 
‘medullary rays visible to the naked eye ; taste very bitter ; 
sdour of the fresh root acrid. The suber upon transverse 
ion presents when magnified the appearance of a piece of 
neycomb, viz., alternate rows of long tubular cells and 
pressed cells ; the inner portion of the bark consists of 
elicate Scccchyns, loaded with starch, and traversed 
istinct medullary rays. The wood is remarkably 


: compotion —Tho roots examined by us reduced 
lost Aled per cent. when dried 100°. C. . 


416 APOCYNACEM, 


a trace of manganese, On analysis the following res 
obtained :— 


Petroleum ether extract, -64 per cent. 
ther 46 


3? 3 

Alcoholie * SOS0. potas 

Aqueous 2 11°38 

The petroleum ether extract was oily, yellow, and pop 
an odour like that of a mixture of cedar and musk, On f 
ing arborescent crystals separated; in alcohol the 
was partly soluble with acid reaction; the insoluble ‘re 
was oily and contained a trace of a wax. The extract affor 
ed marked indications of the presence of an alkaloi 
principle. 


33 32 


The ether extract was hard and had the same odour 
petroleum ether extract, but in a less marked degree. Tt 
ed with water a sightly bitter solution was obtained, 


The alcoholic extract was brittle, volomae bes 
intensely bitter. A solution in alcohol exhibited a very © 
greenish fluorescence. In cold water the extract was 
soluble, with slight fluorescence, and very bitter: | 
gave no colour reaction. The alcoholic peta: 
with dilute sulphuric acid and the turbid aci 
ed with chloroform: after separation of the 

liquid was rendered alkaline with ammonia, 
first with chloroform ether, and finally with amy 
The three extracts exhibited fluorescence when disso 
alcohol, but the appearance was most marked in that < 
by chloroform acting on the acid solution. The chi 
extract — a yellowish granular mass on 
which was non- 1e: in taste the extract 

it. 


APOCYNACEA. | 417° 


bitter, but the bitter taste was associated with some astrin- 
gency ; ib was wholly soluble in dilute sulphuric acid, and 
afforded marked indications of the presence of an alkaloid. 

The amylic alcohol extract was of a dark colour, and wholly 
soluble in dilute sulphuric acid, and very bitter: it also gave 
marked alkaloidal reactions. With sulphuric acid, none of the 
extracts afforded crystalline salts, 

The aqueous extract had a bitter taste; it reduced an 
alkaline copper solution on boiling: with ferrocyanide of 
potassium and acetic acid a faint turbidity was produced. The 
residue insoluble in water contained a large amount of starch. 

At present we do not offer any opinion as to whether the 
alkaloidal principles we have referred to in the various extracts 
are identical or not: we are also at present unable to state 
whether these alkaloids are new or merely principles which 
have already been described as occurring in other plants of the 
“same natural order. An analysis of the root of Ophioxylon 
serpenlinum by W. Bettink has been published in Haaxman’s 
Tijdschrift (Jan. 1888), where no alkaloid is reported to have 
been found, but a crystalline body related to juglone. We _ 
feel convinced that the drug examined by Bettink was not 
authenticated. Prof. Hykman has recorded the discovery of 
an alkaloid in an Indian species of Ophiowylon, and later still 
(1890), M. Greshoff has found an alkaloid giving a veratrine 
reaction with Frohde’s reagent, thus substantiating our 
analysis. It is probable that as the root resembles Plumbago 
root, Prof. Bettink’s ophioxylin was only plumbagin.. 


ALLAMANDA CATHARTICA, Linn.’ 
Fig.— Bot. Mag., t. 338. Syn.—A. Aubletii, Rohl. 
Hab.—<America. Cultivated in India and has run wild in 

the tidal backwaters of the Western Coast and at Goa. | 
Vernacular.—Jahari-Sontakka (Mar.), Arasina (Cam). 
History, Uses, &c.—This beautiful climbing shrub is” ] 
_ Very common in gardens, and is said to have been introduce 
11,—63 ae 


418 APOCYNACEA. 


into India from Brazil by the Portuguese. The flowers are 
offered by the Hindus in their temples, and they appear to be 
aware of the poisonous nature of the plant, as the Marathi 
uame signifies “ poisonous Sontakka,’ Sontakka is the name 
for Hedychium flavum, the flowers of which have some resem- 
blanco to those of Allamanda, We have not heard of the plant 
being used medicinally in this country, but Ainslie (Mat. Ind. 
li. 9,) has a short notice of it, and mentions its use at Surinam 
by the Dutchas a cathartic. Poupée Desportes of St. Domingo 
recommends the extract of the bark, in doses of 1 to 2 grains, 
as an excellent hydrogogue cathartic, The leaves are also said 
to have been used in the cure of painters’ colic. In large doses 
all parts of the plant are violently emetic and cathartic. 


Description.—A., cathartica has‘elliptic lanceolate leaves 
‘arrangod in fours round the stem on very short petioles. The 
flowers aro large; yellow, and funnel-shaped, and are borne at 
the ends of the branches. The frnit is globular, the size of 
a small walnut, and thickly set with long soft spines; it 
contains several flat seeds with a membranous margin, All - 
parts. of the plant abound in a thick milky juice. .- 


Chemical composition.—The fresh leaves were pulped and 
digested with 80 per cent. alcohol. The green tincture was 
concentrated and when free from alcohol, the extract was 
agitated with benzole, which removed colouring matters, &e. 
The aqueous solution was then acidulated with sulphuric acid 
and agitated with ether. The extract was indistinctly crys- 
talline, and partly. soluble ‘in water, affording a dark brown- 
ish-green coloration with ferric. chloride, and precipitating an 
alkaline copper solution on boiling: ~The portion insoluble in 
water was dissolved by alkalies with bright yellow coloration, — 
and reprecipitated in yellowish-brown flocks by acids. The 
“original aqueous solution was now rendered alkaline 
tated with ether ; the extract did not exceed a trace, was in- 
distinetly crystalline, and afforded marked indications of thepre- — < 
senceof analkaloid. Thedark b lkaliné soluti 


“A vagaatake eager ALINE was now | 
8 3 2 . * % * Cnt es ae 5 get te Aig 
-acidulated with sulphuric acid and agitated with amylicalcohe 


é and agi- 


korn ak 


_ APOCYNACBZ, AID 


The amylic alcoliol extract consisted of a dark brown strongly 
acid glucosidal acid, soluble in water, and forming soluble 
_ Compounds with alkalies, astringent matter giving a dirty 

greenish coloration’ with ferric chloride, and dark brown 
flocks insoluble in water, probably phlobaphene. 

| We injected +495 of a gram of the amylic alcohol extract 
Picived ; in water and a few drops of ammonia, into a fasting 
_ ¢at’'s stomach without inducing purgative effects. In another: 
; experiment we employed the dried leaves, which were extract- 
ed with alcchol, then dried, moistened with dilute sulphuric: 
acid, and extracted with hot alcohol in the manner described. 
2 by Stockman in his note on the active principle of Senna 
: leaves (Pharm. Journ. [3] XV., 749). Operating in this man- 
_ her we isolated a glucosidal acid which had some purgative 
action when injected into a cat’s stomach, and which a more 
thorough investigation may prove to be similar to cathartic 
decid. ’ The point is of some economic importance, as the plant. 
is a very common. see ie sage nae: ee of Kitch a dont 
able cathartic. ; 


CARISSA CARANDAS, Lim. 


” Fig.—Wight Ic., t. 426 and 1289 ; Roxb. Cor. Pl. mle 77; 
Beda. Fl, Sylv., t. 19, f. 6. : 
‘Hab. —Throughout India, in dry, sandy or. rosy ground. 
| The bark, leaves and fruit. 

~ Vernacular.—Karaunda, Karonda, Timukhia (Htnd.), Kuru- 
mia, Karamcha (Beng.), Karavanda (Mar.), Kalaka (Tam.),. 
ivi-kaya (Tel.), Karekai, Korinda (Can.), Karamada 


_ History, Uses, &c.—This shrub is the Karamardaka 


and Krishna-phala of Sanskrit writers, and is described in the 
hantas as. yaad hot, ‘and acid when unripe, anda generator 
pre 


scorn made use of by both Froreent and ti 


420 APOOYNACEZ®. 


on account of its acid and antiscorbutic properties ; when unripe 
it makes a good pickle and when ripe an excellent tart fruit. 
A jelly, similar to red currant jelly, is also made from it by 
Europeans. In Orissa a decoction of the leaves is much used 
at the commencement of febrile complaints. The root is 
acrid and bitterish, and is applied in the form of a paste with 
_ lime-juice and Seaphon.s as a remedy for itch and to keep off 
flies, 


Description.—A large shrub, with many dichotomous, 
rigid, spreading branches ; axils and nodes with two simple or 
forked thorns, sometimes 1 to 2 inches long. Leaves sub- 
sessile, 14 to 3 by 1 to 13 in., rather thinly coriaceous, base 
rounded or retuse, tip rarely mucronate. Drupes 3 to 1 in. 
long, ellipsoid, turning from green to red, then black, polished, 
fouror more seeded. The root-bark is remarkable for its nume- 
rous large stone cells, often more than an inch in length, which 
form a network round the wood. 


Chemical composition.—The roots were air-dried, reduced to 
powder, and digested with 80per cent.alcohol. The alcohol-free 
extract was mixed with water, dilute sulphuric acid added, and 
agitated with benzole, which separated an oil of the consistence 
of honey at 75° F., and partly soluble in absolute aleohol with 
acid reaction. A‘trace of volatile oil was also present, with an 
odour similar to that of Piper Betle leaf oil. During agita- 
tion with benzole a mass of dark-yellowish resin separated, which 
caked. The liquid coutaining the separated resin was next 
agitated with ether. The ether extract was not more than a 
trace, and contained salicylic acid. The insoluble mass of resin 
was now separated, and the aqueous solution rendered alkaline 
and agitated with ether. The ether extract contained an alkaloid 
which gave marked precipitates with the usual reagents. The 
dark brown yellowish resin, insoluble in ether and benzole, was 

wholly soluble in ammonia, and on spontaneons evaporation left _ 
a brittle residue. The ammoniacal solution when freshly made 
was yellow, but on ‘standing became green, and on —_ i 
a the solid residue was brownish, 


i tanieee oe 


APOCYNACEA. 422 


PLUMERIA ACUTIFOLIA, Poir. . 


- Pig.—Wight Ic. t. 471; Bot. Mag. t. 3952; Bot. Reg. ¢, 
114. Jasmine tree (Hng.), Frangipanier (fr.). He 


- Hab.—Uncertain, Cultivated throughout India. The 
bark and flowers. ; 

Vernacular.—Khair-champa, Sufed-champa  (Hind.), 
Gobarchampa (Beng.), Dolo-champa (Guz.), Khera-chapha 
(Mar.).— , 


_ History, Uses, &c.— This plant is the Flos convalutus 
of Rumphius (vi. 43), who states that it is not used medicinally 
in Amboyna, but remarks that its juice partakes of the nature 
and properties of Gamboge. It appears to have been intro- 
duced into India by the Portuguese from Brazil, as it is usually 
_ planted in the churchyards of the native Christians, in order 
that it may deck the graves with its white deciduous flowers, 
_ which are produced almost all the year round. The Hindus 
_ make-use of its flowers in religious ceremonies, and have given 
the Sanskrit name of Kshira-champa, ‘‘ milky Champa,’’ to the 
_ shrob. Mir Muhammad Husain describes the tree under 
the name of A’chin (w3¢1), and states that the root-bark 
is a strong purgative, and also a useful remedy in gonorrhea 
and for venereal sores. He recommends buttermilk to be 
given in cases of excessive purgation after its use. Plasters 
made of the bark are said to be useful in dispersing hard 
tumours. 
The natives of India frequently use the bark as a purgative 
and apply the heated leaves to dispel swellings, and the milky 
juice as a rubefacient in rheumatic pains, and with sandal- 
_ - wood oil and camphor to cure itch. 
The flower buds are eaten with Betel leaves as a febrifuge, 
_ Dr Hové, who visited Bombay in 1787, found the plant grow- 
ing abundantly on Malabar Hill, which was then uninhabited, 
H e remarks that the natives use it in intermittents as we do 


fo teh erred) RO at hea Mig ee YAS i aber wee aoe! Oana 
ae See 


abs 


422 APOCYNACEZ. 
Dr. A. J. Amadeo (Pharm. Journ., April 21st, 1888,) has the 


following account of its medicinal uses in Porto. Rico: In 
small Secos (8 to 12 grains) given in.emulsion the milk pro- 
duces abundant bilious watery stools. The bark is a fayourite 
remedy with the country people for gonorrhoea and gleet. 
wo ounces of the fresh powdered bark is placed in. 8. pints 
of eau sucrée and exposed to the sun for four days, being 
shaken ) , occasionally, “A> ‘wineglassful is administered four 
or. five ‘times a day, together with refreshing and mucilagi- 
nous drinks, and the uso of tepid baths. The action 
of the drug is at first purgative, afterwards diuretic. An 
extract of the bark may be used beginning with 3—4 grains 
daily to be gradually increased to‘ 14 or 15 grains, or a 
wine (1 oz. to 1 litre) may be given in liqueur glassfuls 
three times a day; The decoction of the bark is a olan 
antiherpetic. 

* Ohemical sbinjposDioninThe! inllky.5 juice collected by fe Vrij 
and evaporated to dryness at 100°, was found to yield 80:5 per 
cent. of residue, consisting chiefly of an organic calcium salt, a 
kind of caoutchouc, and resins. To isolate the calcium salt 


A. C. OQudemans exhausted the substance with petroleume - 


naphtha, and treated the residue with dilute acetic acid, which 
dissolved ‘the salt, while parts of ‘the plaut and a humus-like 
mass remained behind. On concentrating the solution, cal- 
cium salts of different forms separate out, all, esetsah con- 
See the same acid, Plumieric, C! °H1°0°, 


-'The'free acid is obtained by-converting the waliiaa dale inte 


potassium plumierate, eee the latter with sulphuric 
acid, and extracting the solution with etlier. It is readily 
soluble in alcohol and freely but slowly.in ether. In cold 
water it dissolves: but very sparingly, and from’a hot solution: it 
separates in microscopic crystals, or on slow evaporation. in - 
indistinct erusts.. Itmelts at 139°, and. decomposes at a 
temperature a few | degrees higher, giving off first. water and 
acetic acid, then an oily distillate having the odour of cinna- 


_anie aldehyde, while a small quantity of a crystalline ‘substance sa 
sublimes. When the oil is oxidised, a crystalline . ei ae iS 


APOCYNACEH. 498 


_ formed. On melting plumieric acid with potash, an acid is 
formed, giving the characteristic reactions of salicylic acid. 
« Plumieric acid is most probably a methoxyl- hydroxycinna - 
mic ‘acid (C°H*(OH)?(CH20H)(COOH), and forms four series 
‘of salts, according as only the carboxylic hydrogen, or in addi- 
‘tion one or more of the three hydroxylic hydrogens, is replaced 
7a metal, when plumieric acid is oxidised by a dilute solution of 
vic acid, it is redissolved into formic acid (or carbon dioxide) 
the acid C9H°04, which isvery sparingly soluble in water ; 
silver salt, C°H° Ag°0%; jet from a warm —— 
fibrous crystals. 


Vhen plumieric acid is uit with water and sodium amal- 


hydroplumieric acid, C'°H'20*, which on evaporation of 
s ethereal solution, separates'as'a varnish, becoming crystal- 

wensine: and freely soluble 4 in eaters ; A Make: Dict. is 
. bh 


e aed taken was about a square inch; this 
r colic. The symptoms were seat he 
de 

(Bombay. Drugs, Pp 210,). states that the blunt ended 


i ches are used to procure abortion. We are not in a posi- 
5 A sont whether plumieric. acid is the. active emotes 


rpus.  Eieioaneaa: Pei Wight fds $i 4804 


chotomously divided or ‘S-floweretl- 
, the corolla, we abner ee obbase come 


Hi 
ea 
if 


4 R. Kirtikar (Trans, Bombad: Med, adil 


's action, and somewhat dilated pupils. S. 


12,f.1, is an extensive climber. ' Leaves very 


» 


ron & water bath, it combines slowly with hydrogen to ~ 


424, APOCY NACE. 


purplish, twice as long as the calyx, lobes twice as long as the 
tube, falcate, acuminate, mouth and margins spar ingly bearded. 
Dise-glands, 5, erect, slender, capitate, much longer than the 
hairy ovary. Style very short. Follicles 8 to 6 by 4 inch, 
very, slender,, cylindrie, curved, acute, Seeds 4 inch, very 
slender, not beaked ; coma scanty, white. (Fl. Br. Ind.) The 
--plantis described by Roxburgh(As. Res. 1,261) under its native 
name of Syama or Syamalata ; it isa native of the Western 
Himalaya, Upper Gangetic Plain, Bengal, the Deccan Peninsula 
and the Southern Concan. In the Northern Concan and Guzerat 
it appears to be unknown. In Hindustan and Bengal. it 
is known as Syamalata, “black- -creeper,’’ and in the Deccan 
Peninsula as en the Canarese name is Kari- 
umbu, “ black-creeper.” 


The roots-are somewhat similar-in appearance to thidiess of 
‘Hemidesmus;. but’ have ‘ not the same’ coumarin odour. ~The 
bark is of adark brown colour, and adheres closely to the wood, 
mepich 3 is aauch, sheen and differs in structure from that of 


avinga large central pith. The roots are seldom 25 


branched, but ste and there a few fine fibres are. given off; 
they.are almost tasteless. For the properties and uses of this 
‘plant; the reader is referred to. Hemidesmus. 


‘Chemical composition.—The root contains a pacittchode lens 
‘substance soluble in benzol, and a soft, brown, tenacious © resin 
soluble in ether. Treated with alcohol the powdered root 
‘affords about 10 per cent: of dry extract, containing red colour- 
ing matter, tannic acid, and a small quantity of coumarin. 
The tannic acid strikes a green colour with ferric chloride, and 
if to this green mixture a drop of soda solution is added, a 
bright. blue zoneis seen to’surround the red coloured Spot 
formed by the alkali. This reaction is peculiar’ to’ cincho- 
‘tannic acid, , No alkaloidal body could be detected i in this drug. 


Vinca pusilla is the Kupa-veela of Rheede (Hort, Mal, 


ix. 38);-who states that the sang boiled in oil is rubbed on 
the Joins i in lumbago. 


ASOLEPIADE. 425 


ASCLEPIADE. 


-* CRYPTOSTEGIA GRANDIFLORA, B;. 
) Big.—Bot. Keg, t. 435, Wight Ic., ¢. 882, and Thssitesite 
182, f. 9; Retchb. Ic. Fxot., t. 132. 

| ~ Hab.—Africa or Madagascar. It is cultivated and has 
run wild in various parts of India, 

‘ Vernacular.—Viliyati-vakhandi (Mar.), Palai (Mal, 3 


. - History, Uses, &c.—This ornamental climbing shrub. 
has been named Vilayati-vdkhandé, “ foreign Vakhandi,” by the 
_ Marathas from the resemblance of its foliage to that of 
 Gymnema sylvestre (V&khandi). 

_* Tt has attracted attention on account of a caoutchouc pre- 
se fared from its milky juice at the botanic garden, Hyderabad, 
Sind; in 1882. (See Watts’ Dict. Beon. Prod. of India ii., p. 
625). We notice the plant as a case of poisoning by its leaves 
has been reported in the Bombay Chemical Analyser’s Report 
for 1877-78. Inthis case the pounded leaves mixed with water 
fre said to have been swallowed. Persistent vomiting came 
on half-an-hour afterwards, and the patient—a male adult— 
died in fifteen hours, apparently from exhaustion. There was 
ho purging, and no head symptoms were present. 


Description _—An extensive climbing shrub, leaves 3— 
4 by 1} to 2 in., coriaceous, glossy above, nerves many, spread- 
ing, arched, faint, base acute; petiole } to § in.; cymes short, 
reading, peduncles and branches stout, Nears or glabrous ; 
acts caducous; corolla pale pinkish purple, tube and throat 

. long, limb often 2 in, diam., lobes acute ; follicles 4—5 
J hi in., broadest near the base, straight, woody ; seeds 
cigar © haope narrowed een coma | 


426 ASCLEPIADEA. 


Chemical composition.—The leaves contain a caoutchonc-like 
body (described by Warren—See Watt’s Dict, Econ. Prod. 
Vol. ii., p. 625,) and aftord 14:5 per cent. of ash. The aqueous 
solution of an alcoholic extract is coloured green with ferric 
chloride, precipitated yellow with plumbic acetate and strong 
alkalies, and is unaffected by tannin, alkaloidal reagents and 
gelatine. Evaporated portions were crystalline, and dissolved 
with evolution of gas in strong sulphuric acid with an orange — 
colour, turning brown when heated. The solution when satu- 
rated with ether and allowed to stand with an excess ofthe 
ether, threw out a number of ‘crystals on the sides of the 
vessel. These crystals appeared white in the presence. of the 
mother liquor, but when removed by filtration and washed, 
they had a slight yellow tinge. They were soluble in alcohol, 
but mieiruiatys so in ether and water, and insoluble in benzol and 
chloroform. Alkalies and lime and baryta water dissolved them 
with a yellow colour, and a soluble compound was -formed 
with magnesia. . No colour was given, with ferric salts. unless 
the substance was previously neutralized, and then a green 
solution was produced. ‘The crystals dissolved with a yellow 
colour in sulphuric acid discharged on. dilution with water, 
and.in nitric acid with a transient red brown colour. | The 
crystals. were acid in reaction and blackened steel when left 
in. contact with it; they melted at 168°C. The mother liquor 
turned. green ee precipitated with ammonia, and showed 
evidence of a large amount of glucose by readily reducing 
Fehling’s solution. 
~The leaves were powdered and given to aainiale to test their 
alleged poisonous properties. 5 to 10 grain doses were given to 
several ‘chickens, 2 grams was given to a dog, and 5 grams, 
representing 20 leaves, was given toa fowl, with no results 
whatever in eithercase. ‘The inspissated aqueous extract from 
20 grams of the leaves was administered to a guinea pig with- 
out affecting its health. We wust therefore conclude that the 
leaves are not poisonous, ‘and could not have been the causé’of 
the persistent Cnt. in’ ‘the case ae by the Bom ‘ay 
Chemical Analyser, 


ASCLEPIADEX: 427 


ASCLEPIAS CURASSAVICA, Linn. 
: Fig. -— Bot. ‘Reg. oh 8b Bastard Ipecacuanha (Hng.) : 
Asclepiade de Curagao (F’r.). 
“Hab.—West Indies. Introduced into ‘tadis, 
f Vernacular —Karkj (Mar. ); Kakatundi (Hind.). 


» History, Uses; &c.—This perennial herb is indiges 
nous to South America and the West Indies, where, in common 
with several other species of Asclepias, it is known as Milk- 
weed, Silkweed or Wild Cotton. All of these plants have 
properties: ‘similar to Calotropis. The root of A. curassavica 
is employed in the West Indies as an emetic, and the milky 
jaice which, when dry, forms a tough adhesive pellicle, is: 
used to close wounds and excoriations of the skin. In Mar- 
tinique the plant’is called Ipecacuanha blanc, and in Guada- 
loupe: Herbe & Madame Boivin, and the root is used in the 
same doses as Ipecacuanha. Introduced into India as a 
garden plant it has now run wild in many places, but, as gl 
as we know, is not used medicinally by the natives. 

Dr. Guimaraés (Times and Gazette, 1831, p. 661,) found it 
to act directly upon the organic muscular system, and espe~ 
cially upon the heart and blood vessels, causing great cons 
Striction of the latter and distension of the larger arteries. 
Secondarily it Segre great dyspnea, peered aon 

latrhoea. 

Description. Sic, ete short, abruptly Sieidind fobs 
numerous thin, pale yellowish-brown, and internally whitish 
rootlets. The bark is thin, and when fresh exudes a milky 
_ Juice; taste bitter and somewhat acrid. _ A section of the root, 
bark placed under the microscope shows from without in- 
wards—tst, a suberous layer ; 2nd, several rows of large cells 
containing conglomerate raphides, with starch and gravular 


matter ; 3rd, a vascular zone, two or three large dotted vessels be 


being | sitnated at the cambiam end of each ere 7 Aa. 
where it projects into the, bark. alae 


428 ASOLEPIADEE. 


- The, -plant may be easily’ recognised’ by its oleander-like 
leaves, and red and orange flowers in eign bunches. in 
follicles are like radish pods. 

Chemical composition.—Dr. Gram (Archiv. f. eap. Path. ts 
Pharm. xix., 384,) has found the plant to contain an active 
principle of a glucosidal character, which. he has named as¢ele- 
piadin, and appears to consider a purer form of the ascle- 
piadin of Harnack and the asclepin of Feneulle. ‘This 
substance was yellowish, amorphous, and when freshly pre- 
pared very soluble in. water; but either. in solution or in a 
dry state it quickly decomposed, sugar being separated,’ and 
the residual compound becoming in proportion insoluble im 
water and inert.. From an ethereal solution. crystals gradually 
separated out, apparently identical with List’s NN an 
7 inactive physiologically. 

The physiological action of the siniclversi asclepiadin was 
fiana to closely resemble that of emetin, but in view of thé 
instability of the compound, Dr. Gram doubts whether it can 
be advantageously introduced into medicine. 

Asclepione, €4#°H5*0°, was discovered by C. List in the 
milk sap of Asclepias syriaca. (Gmelin Handb. 17,868.) 
Feneulle separated a resinous substance and a bitter principle 
(asclepin) from Asclepias Vincetowicum. (J. Pharm. 11, 305.) 


CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA, B. Br. 
’ Fig.—Wight Ill, t. 155; Grif. Ic. Pl. Asi, t. 397, 998 
Gigantic Swallowwort (Eng.), Arbre a soie (Fr.). 
1a -—Throughout India, Malay Islands, S. China, ah 
-CALOTROPIS PROCERA, 8. Br... 
ea Sawai Ie., t. 1278; Bentl. and Prim. 1.176 
b.— 
: Mies ME hen pil Pie Ate Persia to. Africa, 


_Vernacular,—Ak, Madér (Hind. ), Akenda (Be - 
(Mar.), Erukka, Yeream (Tam.), Jilledu-chetin, re : 
(Tel.), Akado (Guz.), hae Yakke-gida (Gan.) as 


che aie? 


ASCLERIADE XE. 499, 


: » History, Uses, &c. —Calotropis is mentioned by the 
wistbost Hindu writers, the leaves, ar kapattra, arkaparna, 
“sun leaf” or “lightning leaf,” so called from their cuneiform 
shape, were used in Vedic times in Sun- worship. According 
_ to the Shatapatha Bréhmana every part of the human fornt 
was supposed to be represented in the different parts of the 
plant, nevertheless it would appear to have been dreaded 
(Panchatantra i. 57), and was supposed to blind those who 
approached it. (Mahabhérata i. 716.) These myths appear to 
have arisen from the Hindus attributing to the plant the pro- 
_ perties possessed by lightning aad the sun’s rays. (De Guber- 
- ts.) As a medicine Calotropis is noticed by Susruta and 
_ other medical writers, some of whom mention two varieties, 
 arka, and alarka, “*a white-flowered kind.” Calotropis bears 
many synonyms in Sanskrit, such as Rudra, Aditya, Surya- 
patira and Mandira, from the last of which i is derived the 
mernsoutar form Madar, 
dn Western India, and probably elsewhere, there i is a curious 
Dadetisitins that a leaf of the Akra (Arka) fetched from the 
tree with certain ceremonies is of use in tedious labour. The 
friends of the woman take a packet of betelnut and leaf anda 
Piece of money, and proceed to the plant, which they address 
in the most respectful manner, placing the betel packet at its 
root and asking for the loan of one of its leaves, which they 
promise to return shortly, They then take away a leaf and 
place it upon the head of the parturient woman, where it re- 
mains for a short time, and is afterwards returned to the plant. 
This practice appears to be connected with the worship of the 
oa i or winds, demigods subject to Rudra, to whom these 
Plants are sacred. ~The Maruts are “worshipped | on Saturday 
with a garland of the flowers. The twigs are used as samidhas, 
and the leaves are used by some in the shati puja to propitiate 
the goddess of parturition. Calotropis is also the kul or Arbor 
nade of the Bhand§ri caste, whose business iti is to tend 
palm gardens and extract the j juice of the trees. Another 
‘eesti general’ amongst all castes of Hindus is that a man 
rho has. lost three wives must make his fourth —— with 


Ree Meee eae? 


Pewee eee tt 


aN. 


at ee eae” 


TB ae tae Pettey gags ey eee rs San SATs 3 
Piss SRS pom aig ht eee : Dice 


4 


4.30 ASCLEPIADEA. 


the Arka tree, after which he may take a fourth human wife. 
The object of this seems to be to transfer the man’s ill-luck to 
the plant, The ancient Arab tribes appear to have held super- 
stitious notions about Calotropis, probably connected, with 
Sun-worship. C. procera was first described by Abu Hanifeh 
circa 270 A.H.in his Book of Plants... From the Ké4musand the 
T4j-el-aris we learn that Ushar was used by the Arabs in the 
Time of Ignorance along with gl (salaa),in the practice called 
@s'3 (tasliaa) which was observed in time of drought or barren- 
ness of the earth. It.consisted in tying the dried plants to the 
tails of wild bulls, setting fire to them, and driving the animals 
down from the mountains, seeking to obtain rain by the flame 
of fire, which was likened to the gleaming of lightning. The, 
Salaa from. Abu Hanifeh’s description appears to have been, 
a kind of Cuscuta. - According to the Burhan, »*¢ (ushr) is.a 
Persian name for all plants having a milky juice, and especially 
for the plant known in Hindustan as Ak. It would therefore 
seem that-Ushar is not an Arabic word, as. generally stated, in 
the Dictionaries, but of Arian origin, and perhaps connected 
with the Sanskrit verb 3q to burn.. The wood is considered to 
taake the best charcoal for the preparation of. gunpowder, and 
Ushar silk @_»* is used to stuff cushions by the Arabs, and also 
to make tinder (makhad), called by the Tartars y4lish, Ibn 
Sina notices Ushar, and an exudation obtained from it called 
Sakar-el-ushar ; he also mentions a superstitious notion that it is 
fatal to sit under the tree. The author of the Minhdj describes 


Sakar-el-ushar as a gum which exudes from the inflorescence 


‘df fhe plant and gradually hardens. (Ho remarks that people 


say that it is a dew which falls upon the plant and concretes 
like manna.) Some medical writers confound it with Sakar- 
el-tigh4l. Abu Hanifeh and the author of the Ob&b describe 
it as an exudation from the flowering parts of the plant. The 
pest, authorities describe its properties as similar to those of the 
juice of the pleut would therefore seem to be nothing more, 
than an exudation of the jaices of the plant which naturally 
contain some sugar. | Calotropis is not mentioned by Greekor 
Roman writers, but some Mahometaus give Hejakiyus as ite 


ASCLEPIADEA. 431 


¥ urianiname;'this appears to be a corruption of the word jya6eos, 
“most holy,” or ‘ under divine protection,’ and was probably 
applied to the plant. by some of the Syrian physicians who 
instructed the Arabs in Greek medicine.. The modern Persians 
eall C. procera Khark and Darakht-i-zahrnak, or “poison tree.” 
- By Hindu physicians the root bark is said to promote the 
Secretions and to be useful in skin diseases, enlargements of 
the abdominal viscera, intestinal worms, cough, ascites; 
anasarca, &c. ‘The milky juice is regarded asa drastie pur- 
gative, and caustic, and is generally used as such in combina 
tion with the milky juice of Huphorbia neritfolia. The flowers 
are considered digestive, stomachic, tonic and useful in cough, 
asthma, catarrh and loss of appetite. The leaves mixed with 
rock salt are roasted: within closed vessels, so that the fumés 
may not escape. The ashes thus produced are given with 
whey in ascites and enlargements of the abdominal viscera. 
The following inhalation is prescribed for cough: Soak the 
powdered root bark of Arka in its own milky juice and dry. 
Bougies are then prepared from the powder, and their fumes 
inhaled. The root’ bark, reduced to a paste with’sour conjee — 
(rice vinegar), is applied to elephantiasis of the legs and 
scrotum. The milky juices of C. gigantea and Euphorbia 
nertifulia are made into tents with the powdered wood of 

erberis asiatica, for introduction into sinuses and fistule in 
ano. The milky juice is applied to carious teeth for relief of 
pain.” An oily preparation (Arka taila) made by boiling to- 
gether 8 parts Sesamum oil, 16 parts Calotropis juice, and one 
part turmeric, is said to be useful in eczema and other eruptive 
skin diseases. In the Concan the milk with powdered mustard 
is applied as a lep to rheumatic swellings, the flowering tops | 
pounded and boiled with molasses, are given in doses of about 
one drachm every morning as a remedy for asthma. In want 
of virility the following prescription is in vogue: Take 125 of 
the flowers, dry and powder, then mix with one tolé each of 
cloves, ‘nutmegs, mace and pellitory root, and make into pills oe 
° massas each, One pill may be taken eet Sissoleae a 


The author of the Makhzan-el-adwiya says there ‘are three 
varieties of Calotropis—lst, a large kind with white flowers, 
large leaves, and much milky juice, it is found near towns and 
the habitations of man;. 2nd, a smaller kind with smallerleaves, 
the flowers white externally but lilac within; 3rd, a still 
smaller plant, with pale yellowish green: flowers. The second 
and third kinds grow in sandy deserts. The properties of all 
three are. similar, but the first kind is to be preferred, as it 
produces the largest quantity of milk, The juice is described 
as caustic, a purge for phlegm, depilatory, and the most acrid 
of all milky juices. Tanners use it to remove the hair from 
skins. Medicinally,it is useful in rmgworm of the scalp, and 
to destroy piles; mixed with honey it may be applied to aphthe 
of the mouth; a piece of cotton dipped in it may be inserted 
into a hollow tooth to relieve the pain. Hakim Mir Abdul 
Hamid, in his commentary upon the Tuhfat, strongly 
recommends Calotropis in leprosy, hepatic and splenic enlarge- 
ments, dropsy and worms. A peculiar method of administra- 
tion is to steep different kinds of grain in the milk and then 
administer them. The milk itself is a favourite application to 
painful joints, swellings, &c., the fresh leaves also, slightly 
roasted, are used for the same purpose. Oil in which the leaves 
have bese boiled is applied to paralysed parts; a powder of the 
dried leaves is dusted upon wounds to destroy excessive 
granulation and promote healthy action. 
- All parts of the plant are considered to have valuable altera- 
gad abe apleme when taken in small doses. 

cera was observed in Egypt by Prosper Alpinus 

(A. D. 1580—84), and upon his return to Italy was badly 
figured, and some account given of its medicinal properties. 
(De plantis gypti, Venet. 1592, cap. 25.) A much more 
correct figure was published in 1633 by his commentator Ves- 
ling. Rheede (Hort. Mal. ii., t. 31) figures a white-flowered 
Calotropis (Bel-erien) and a lilac (Hricu), and Rumphius 
(Hort. Amb. vii., t. 14, £. 1) figures C. gigantea under the: name” 
of Madorous. Roxburgh (II., 30,) gives a. botanical de: a 
tion of C. edghnacta under the name of —— ‘edhe nd 


ASCLEPIADEA» 433 


mentions the -medicinal: uses to which it is applied by the 
_ Hatives'‘of India; . Ainslie, ‘in‘his Muteria Medica of Hindus~ 
tan (1813), mentions two kinds of Calotropis, and in «the; 
_ Materia Indica he says, “Both plants in their leaves and stalks’ 
contain much milky juice, which, when ‘carefully dried, is 

_ considered as powerfully ‘alterative and purgative, and: has’ 
_ been‘ long used as an efficacious remedy in the Koostum (lepras 
Arabum)*of the Tamools; the dose about the quarter of a) 
pagoda weight in the day, and continued for‘ some weeks.: 
The root of the Yercwm has-a bitter: and'somewhat acrid, or* 
ther warm: taste; itis occasionally given in- infusion as-a: 
stimulant in low fever. Of the: other variety, the Vullerkoo,- 
the’ bark’ is warmish, and ‘when powdered and mixed with: a) 
cértain portion of margosa:oil, is used as an -external -applica- 
tion in rheumatic affections.. In’the higher provinces of ‘Ben- 
gal the Arka is supposed to have antispasmodic qualities. Mr. - 
Robinson has written a paper on elephantiasis, which may be’ 
seen in Vol. X. of the Journ. of the Medico-Chirurgical: Society, 
sxtolling the madar: root! (Yercum vayr) as ‘most efficacious in 
iat disease, as also in “venereal affections: In» elephantiasis + 
gave it in ‘conjunction with calomel and antimonial powder, « 
pill, consisting of half a grain of calomel, three of anti-: 
ial powder, and from six to ten of the bark of the madar: 
, every eight hours.‘ Mr. ‘Playfair has also written a paper+ 
on the same root which may-be seen in Vol. J, of the din... 
ei Trans. p. as pviioreila he speaks in’ praise ‘of 
alterative, stimulant t virtues of the bark,. 


wder, i in-cases’ of syphilis, lepra, hectic ‘iver: &e., i 
grs. 8 to10 ‘or 12, three times in the day, gradually, — 
sin; ie ‘Messrs. er ore teh others | seem, 


yest I. aaa the. ee dried pacts juice . cone 
finitely moré efficacious ; and later Rae 
6 wae Lassie me. in this, sirteads id Oe cit x 


434 ASCLEPIADEA. 


The emetic properties of Calotropis were brought to the 
notice of the profession in Europe. by Dr. Duncan in 1829 
(Edin. Med. and. Surg. Journ., XXXIL., p. 65),.and they are 
noticed in the Bengal Dispensatory, where the drug is recom- 
mended as a substitute for Ipecacuanha. Since the publication 
of that work abundant testimony in its favour has been col- 
lected, a summary of which will be found in the Pharmacopeia 
of India. Duncan (1829) made a chemical examination of the » 
root bark, the activity of which he referred to an’ extractive 
matter which he termed Mudarine. A kind of gutta-percha 
was obtained from the juice of this plant by Dr. Riddell, 
Superintendent Surgeon H. H. the Nizam’s Army, in 1851. 
(Journ. Agri-Hort. Soc. of India, Vol. VILI.) In 1853 it was 
examined by Prof. Redwood, who found it to possess many 
properties in common with the gutta-percha of commerce. 
No further trial of this substance appears to have been made 
during the last 37 years. 

Modern physiological research has shown that the juice 
applied to the skin acts as an irritant, the practice of apply- 
ing it with salt to bruises and sprains to remove pain is there- 
fore rational; also the application of the fresh bark in chronic 
rheumatism. Given internally in small doses the drug stimu- 
lates the capillaries and acts powerfully upon the skin, it is 
therefore likely to be useful in elephantiasis and leprosy. 
(Casanora.) The benefit derived from the administration of 
the flowers in asthma is probably due to their nauseant action. 
Tn large doses Calotropis causes vomiting and purging, acting 
as an irritant emeto-cathartic. 

Description.—The root barks of 0. gigantea and 
C. procera are similar in appearance, and occur in short 
quilled pieces $ to $ of an inch thick. The outer surface is 
yellowish-grey, soft and corky, fissured longitudinally, and 
ean be easily separated from the middle cortical layer, which is 
white, friable, and traversed by narrow brown liber rays. ‘The 
taste is mucilaginous, bitter and acrid, and the odour peculiar. 

_ Microscopic structure.—In both kinda of root bark the suber _ 
consists of large thin-walled cells, generally polyhedeatey ae | 


ASCLEPIADE. ABS 


___ parenchyme of the middle cortical layer is loaded with starch 
and contains some sclerenchymatous cells. e cells of the 
medullary rays also contain starch and crystals of oxalate of 
lime. In the middle layer are numerous laticiferous vessels, 
the contents of which are of a brown colour. 


_ Chemical composition.—The authors of the Pharmacographia 
state, that by following the process of Duncan, 200 grammes 
of the powdered bark of C. gigantea yielded nothing like his 
- mudarine, but 2:4 grammes of an acrid resin soluble in ether 
_ andalcohol. The latter solution reddens litmus; the former 
on evaporation yields the resin as an almost colourless mass. 
When the aqueous liquid is separated from the crude resin, 
and much absolute alcohol added, an abundant precipitate of 
mucilage is obtained, and the liquid now contains a bitter 
_ principle, which after due concentration may be separated by 
means of tannic acid. Similar results were obtained by 
exhausting the bark of C. procera with dilute alcohol. The 
tannic compound of the bitter principle was mixed with 
carbonate of lead, dried, and boiled with spirit of wine. This 
after evaporation furnished an amorphous, very bitter mass, 
not soluble in water, but readily so in absolute alcohol. The 
solution is not precipitated by an alcoholic solution of acetate 
of lead. By purifying the bitter principle with chloroform or 
ether, it is at last obtained colourless. This bitter matter is 
Serobably the active principle of Calotropis ; they ascertained by 
: ‘Means of = usual tests that no alkaloid occurs in the drug. 


ne 


which they thought would prove to be the Aseclepione of List, 
but subsequently (1885), upon Warden continuing the investi- 
gation of the drug in the Chemical Laboratory of the Gesun- 
dheits Amt, Berlin, he found the substance supposed to be 
lepione to have a composition corresponding with the for- 
ia C'7H?80, whereas List’s asclepione is ee. by 
formula 0*°H5*0". cae 


436 ASCLEPIADEZ. 


The white cauliflower masses of crystals. obtained in Berlin 
were found to agree closely, as regards their melting point and 
behaviour with solvents, with a substance called Alban, obtained 
by Payen from gutta-percha (Jahresbericht iber die Fortsch. 
der Chimie, 1852, p. 643), they were accordingly named 
Madar-alban. A yellow resin associated with madar-alban in 
the drug was found to agree, in behaviour with reagents, with 
the Fluavil found by Payen in gutta-percha, but as regards 
chemical composition the madar-alban and madar-fluavil 
differed from the alban and fluavil of gutta-percha, Dr. 

“Warden also separated from the drug a yellow bitter resin, 
‘which is probably the active principle, and Caoutchouc. 

He found the percentage of the various principles (the re- 
sults being calculated on the bark containing 8°079 per cent. 
of water) to be— © 


Madar-alban 0640 
Madar-fluavil ........... 2°471 
Black acid resin ° 0°997 
Caoutchouc free from M.-alban and M.-fluavil...0°855 
Yellow bitter resin (active principle) .:.......... 0-093 


The fact that the sap of the Madar plant contains in addi- 
tion to Caoutchouc two principles analogous to the alban and 
fluavil of gutta-percha is a point of some interest, as madar 
gutta-percha has been recommended as a substitute for the 
‘commercial article. For full particulars of the chemical exa- 
“Inination, see Pharm. Journ, Aug. 22nd, 1885. ae 


{ - Towicologye—In India Calotropis juice is used for the ‘pur- 


= pose of infanticide by the castes among which that custom 


prevails, being, placed in the mouth of newly-born female 
infants, It is also, like other emeto-cathartics, sometimes taken 
.by women to procure abortion, and a few cases are on record 
of its haying been used for suicidal purposes. Like other 
irritant vegetable juices it is not uncommonly used locally to 
_ produce abortion ; usually a stick is armed with cotton impreg- 
nated with the juice and an attempt is made to. introduce it 
into the os uteri, and leave it there untj] uterine contr ctions 


ASCLEPIADEZ. A437 


a are induced, but this operation often fails from awkwardness 
on the part of the operator, and it is not unusual to find that 
the stick has been forced through the uterine walls. Another 
-__ method of procedure is to select a twig of the plant, and after 
q removing the leaves and making it as smooth as possible,. to 
introduce it into the os uteri, or failing this to allow it to remain 
in contact with the parts. Pessaries also, containing the 
irritating juice of this and other plants, are placed in con thos 
with the uterus to induce uterine action. 


_, Commerce.—The flowers are to be found in the’ pe but 
not the root bark, or leaves, no doubt from the: circumstance 
that the plant is everywhere found wild and can be apie 
as required. 


TYLOPHORA ASTHMATICA, W. H A. 


Fig. — Wight Ic., t, 1277; Bentl. and Trim., t. 177; Bot, 
Mag., t. 1929. 

Hab.—N. and E. Bengal, Assam to Bariin’ Deccan Penin- 
“og Ceylon. The root and leaves. 
_ Vernacular —Jangli-pikwén, Antamdal Hind: ys Antomél 
_(Beng.), Nach-churuppin, Nay-pdlai, Pey-pélai © (Tam. i‘ 
. Pitkari, Kharaki-rasna (Mar.), Yorrpaas; Kukka-pila ’ (Tel. ), 
Valli-pila (Mal.), Adumuttada (Can.). 


History, Uses, &c,—The medicinal properties of fs 
plant appear to have been long known to'the natives of those 
parts of India in which it occurs, but we can’ find no evidence 
‘its ever having been an article of commerce, nor are we 
ware of its having been described in any. of the standard 
Hinda or Mahometan works on Materia Medica ; though it. may 
erhaps be the Antri or Antra-péchaka of Sanaleris writers, 
The Hindi name Antomtl is derived from ant, ‘‘ the entrails,” 
md mul, “a root”’ The expression dnt girna signifies “ to 


‘Roxburgh says of it:—‘ On the coast of Coroman- 
1¢ roots of this Plant, laveo efter. bepe penta anhalt 


r from dysenteric hong ” literally “to void the intess 


438 ASCLEPIADEZ. 


for Ipecacuanha. I have often prescribed it myself, and always 
found it answer as well as I could expect Ipecacuanha to-do; 
I have also often had very favourable reports of its effects 
from others. It was avery useful medicine with’ our Euro- 
peans who where unfortunately prisoners with Hyder Ali 
during the war of 1780-83. Ina pretty large dose it answered 
as an emetic; in smaller doses, often repeated, as a cathartic, 
and in both ways very effectually. Dr. Russeli was informed 
by the Physician General at Madras (Dr. J. Anderson) that he 
had many years before known it used, both by the European 
and native troops, with great success in the dysentery which 
happened at that time to be epidemic in the camp. The store 
of Ipecacuanha had it seems been wholly expended, and Dr. 
Anderson finding the practice of the native doctors much 
more successful than his own, acknowledged with his usual 
candour that he was not ashamed to take instructions from 
them, which he pursued with good success; and collec ting a 
quantity of the plant which they pointed out to him, he sent a 
large package of the roots to Madras. It is certainly an 
article of the Hindu Materia Medica highly deserving atten- 
tion.” (Flora Indica II., 34, 35.) Ainslie states that the 
Vytians prize the root for its expectorant and diaphoretic pro- 
perties, and often prescribe it in infusion to the quantity of 
half a teacupful for the purpose of vomiting children who 
suffer much from phlegm. From possessing virtues some- 
what similar to those of Ipecacuanha it has been found an 
extremely useful medicine in dysenteric complaints, and has, at 
times, been administered with the greatest success by the 
Rae iriatiaowen of Lower India. (Mat. Ind. ii., 83.) 
‘Mow recently we have the testimony of O’Shaughnessy and 
Kirkpatrick to the value of the drug as an emetic, and as a 
substitute for Ipecacuanha in the treatment of dysentery, and 
_ the opinion of these physicians is confirmed by the reports fur- 
nished to the Committee who superintended the preparation of 
the Pharmacopeia of India, by Drs. Bidie, Oswald, Sheriff 
and others. Dr. J. Kirkpatrick (Cat. of Mysore: mies says: 
‘‘T have administered this medicine’ in atileast a 


ASCLEPIADEA. 439 


; 

1 eases, and found it most valuable. In dysentery, and as a 
__ simple emetic, it is in every way comparable with Ipecacuanha. 
The dose is from 20 to 30 grains, with half a grain or a grain. 
of Tartar Emetic, if strong emesis is required. If the dysen- 
tery distinctly arise from intermittent disease, Quinine is con- 
joined. The form of the medicine I use is the powder of the 
dry leaf.’ Tylophora is also employed in Mauritius, where it 
is known as [peca sauvage or Ipeca du pays. In the Indian 
Pharmacopeia the leaves have been made official. In the 
Concan 1 to 2 tolds of the, juice are given as an emetic; it is 
also dried and made into pills which are administered in dysen- 
tery. The pills areas large as the seed of Phaseolus Mungo; 
one pill is sufficient to produce one copious stool. 


| 

| 
Description,—The leaves are opposite, entire, from 2 to 
_ 5 inches long, ? to 24 inches broad, somewhat variable in out- 
line, ovate or sub-rotund, usually cordate at the base, abruptly 
acuminate or almost mucronate, rather leathery, glabrous 
. above, more or less downy beneath with soft simple hairs. 
The pedicel which is channelled is 4 to 2 of an inch in length. 
In the dry state the leaves are rather thick and harsh, of a 
pale yellowish green; they have a not unpleasant herbaceous 
smell, with but very little taste. The root consists of a short, 
knotty, descending root stock, about 3 of an inch in thickness, 
emitting 2 to 3 aerial stems, and a considerable number of 
wiry roots. These roots are often 6 inches or more in length 
by 3 2 a line in diameter, and are very brittle. The whole drug 
is of a pale yellowish brown ; it has no considerable odour, buta 
Sweetish and subsequently acrid taste. In general appearance 
itis suggestive of valerian, but is somewhat stouter and larger, 


seis 


Chemical composition.—A concentrated infusion of the leaves 
has a slightly acrid taste. It is abundantly: precipitated by 
tannic acid, by neutral acetate of lead or caustic potash, and is 
turned greenish-black by perchloride of iron. Broughton of 
Ootacamund obtained from a large quantity of leaves a small _ 
amount of crystals—insufficient for analysis. ares = 
d into a small dog they occasioned purging an : 


44.0 ASCLEPIADEA. 


» A re-examination of the drug by one of us (D. H.) shows 
that both the leaves and root contain an alkaloid, Tylophorine, 
which is crystalline and forms a crystalline hydrochlorate. 
The solution of the alkaloid is precipitated by tannin, iodine 
in potassium iodide, potassio-mercuric iodide, perchloride of 
mercury, picric acid, volatile and fixed alkalies. The alkaloid 
in a free state is very soluble in ether and alcohol, but only 
partially in water. With sulphuric acid it dissolves with a 
reddish colour changing to,green and indigo. With HNO® it 
dissolves with a purplish red colour. Fréhde’s reagent gives a 
deep sap-green solution. Sulphuric acid and K*Cr*O’ a dirty 
violet. The leaves afford 15 per cent. of mineral matter. 
Tylophora fasciculata, Ham. Wight Ic., t. 848, Bhui- 
dodi (Mar. ), is abundant in the Southern Concan, and is used 
as a poison for rats and other vermin. Lyon (Med. Juris. for 
India, p- 453) records the following ease in which it proved 
fatal to man:—* A Mahometan family, consisting of six adults 
and a servant-boy, at. about fourteen, were attacked'soon after 
a meal with symptoms of poisoning, the servant-boy died in 
about two. hours. The others were seen the next morning, 
when they complained of dryness of the throat, great thirst, 
and a feeling of soreness over the whole body. Their pupils 
| were dilated, and pulse full and slow. They stated that soon 
after taking their mid-day meal on the previous day, they felt 
- some tingling sensation in the mouth, followed by dryness of 


es the tongue and throat and giddiness, and loss of power over. 
: - the extremities. After this they became insensible. Three 


“ of them vomited aud recovered consciousness at about 8 P. M.; 
the other three remained insensible till midnight. On post- 
inortem examination of the body of the boy, the following 
ces were noted :—Face bloated, tongue and eyes 
slightly protruding, veins of the neck turgid. Lungs engorg- 
ed; right side of the heart full, left empty- Slight conges- 

r. ‘A'small patch of redness on the mucous 

ch. ~ Accabell 1 in this case, it was ——— ye: 


_ ASCLEPIADEX. “AT 


him to use Bhui-dodi. On this the accused, it was reported, 
obtained some Uhwi-dodi roots, and having reduced them 
_ to powder, mixed this with some flour, from which subsequently 
the food eaten at the meal referred to was prepared. Dr. G, 
-G. Bopardikar of Pandharpur, who kindly supplied us with 
the plant, states that the leaves are generally used, pounded 
and mixed with flour to destroy rats. On enquiry the village 
Vaids informed him that the juice of the root is given with 
milk as a tonic, and that the leaves are pounded and used as 
an application to unhealthy ulcers and wounds to induce 
healthy granulation. 
TT. fasciculata is an erect or scarcely twining glabrous plant, 
with ovate, coriaceous leaves, decreasing in size upwards. The 
peduncles are erect, slender and flexuous,bearing at the flexures 
2 to 3 few-flowered fascicles of minute flowers. ‘The follicles are 
@)>ut 2 inches in length, ovoid-lanceolate and glabrous, with a 
very thick pericarp. The seeds are ¢ of an inch in length, 
broadly ovoid and quite flat. The may: is thick, long and 
woody, from one to two inches in diameter atthe crown. 
| It is covered with a light brown corky bark, fissured 
longitudinally. 
Chemical composttion.—The leaves were very mucilaginous 
when treated with water, and even the aleoholic extract when 
‘aporated to dryness made a thick solation with a large 
quantity of water. The latter solution was precipitated by 
alkaloidal reagents, and was most acrid to the taste. Shaken 
ith ether a resinous body was removed, and then made 
Bele with ammonia, which produced a slight precipitate, 
again shaken with ether, a small quantity of an amor~ 


roots sesdtiotad to fine powder were made into a tinct 
rong aes and the alee tincture ee re 


449 ASCLEPTADEZ. 


tion shaken with ether yielded up some more resinous sub- 
stance, which became encrusted with feathery crystals when 
the solvent had been dissipated. A larger quantity of alkaloid 
was present in the root than in the leaves, but it appeared to 
possess similar characters. It was amorphous, but formed a 
slightly crystalline hydrochloride. ‘The damp crystals of the 
hydrochloride brought into contact with the fumes from a 
drop of nitric acid produced a bluish-green coloration. With 
sulphuric acid the alkaloid was first coloured reddish-brown, 
passing to carmine, and then to purple. It was precipitated 
from solution by the usnal reagents. 

The alcoholic extract was emetic and purgative. A quan- 
tity from 2 grams of the leaves mixed with bread and given to 
a chicken produced frequent and watery stools. ‘The aqueous 
extract from the leaves, after removal of all that was soluble 
by means of alcohol, had no effect upon a guinea-pig. 


DAMIA EXTENSA, Br. : 
Fig.— Wight Ic.. t. 596 ; Jacq. Ic. Rar., t, 54: Hook. f. in 
Bot. Mag., t. 5704. 


Hab —Throughout India. The leaves. 
Vernacular.—Utran, Ségovani (Hind.), Veli-parutti, Ut- 


dani (Tam.), Jittupaku, Dushtupu-chettu, Guruti-chettu 


4 (Tel.), Veli-paritti (Mal.), Utarani, Utarandi (Mar.), Kuntiga, 
; Sattave, Talavfranaballi (Can.), N&gala-dudheli (Guz.), 


re eee (Beng.). 

History, Uses, &c.—The Sanskrit name of this plant is 
Phat kntakea; in allusion to its echinate follicles. The Hindi 
name Utran as well as the Marathi names are evidently deriv- 
ed from the Sanskrit Ut-tara, ‘‘ ejecting or vomiting,” and the 
Tamil name Dushtupn is also of Sanskrit origin, and signifies 
‘shaving tainted flowers.” The flowers and leaves have a 
fetid odour; they are used as an emetic and expectorant by o 
the natives, especially in the diseases of children. The stems _ 
yield a fibre, and the leaves are eaten by goats. The plan 


ASCLEPIADEM. 443 


was first fully described and figured by Jacquin ; it is noticed 
by Ainslie under the name of Cynanchum eatensum, who 
states that a decoction of the leaves is given to children as 
an anthelmintic, in doses not exceeding three table-spoonfuls, 
and that the juice is used as a remedy for asthma. Roxburgh 
describes the plant under the name of Asclepias echinata, 
ut is silent about its medicinal properties. From the 


In the Southern Concan and Goa the juice of this 
aves is applied to rheumatic swellings. Dr. B. Evers con- 


Pitshed and the juice bisiecnsd - sabblag them between 

palms of the hands ; the leaves of the dark Tulsi (Ocimum 

ctum) are similarly treated, and then a mixture of the juices 
ven ; this preparation is a stimulating emetic.” a 

| my (Ind. Med. Gaz., Feb., 1890,) notices the use of 

heumatism in combination with ginger. He also 


in doses of 1'to 2 drachms mixed with cow’s milk. 


scription.—The leaves are roundish, cordate, acumi- 
pubescent, membranaceous, auricled at the base, glan- 
beneath. They vary in size from one to two inches or 
diameter; the peduncles are long, slender and hoary. 
t has a disagreable mouse-like odour and a faintly 
: and somewhat nauseous taste; examined with a lens 
the upper and under sides of the dry leaf present a 
mossy surface, thickly studded with short white hairs. 
owers are dull white and drooping, the follicles have a 
beak, and are covered with soft bristles. 
a leaves of D. extensa, like those 
oda, evolve alkaline fumes when i, 
tain an alkaloid. The alkaloid, whi 


AA ASCLEPIADEA,: 


have provisionally named Demine, is soluble in ether, alcohol 
and water, and shows no disposition to crystallize from these 
and other solvents, In contact with strong sulpburic acid 
it dissolves with a reddish-violet colour, gradually fading ; 
with Frohde’s reagent it gives a yellowish brown coloration, 
It forms crystalline deliquescent salts very soluble in water, 
with a bitter taste. An alkaloid having similar properties was 
separated from a sample of the root. ‘The ash from a sample 
of the dried and powdered leaves amounted to 15°33 per cent. 


DREGEA VOLUBILIS, Benth, 


Fig.—Wight Ic., t. 586 ; Rheede Hort. Mal. iz., t. 15, var. 
Lacuna; Dene. in Jacq. Voy. Bot. 108, t. 114. 


Hab.— Bengal, Assam, Deccan Peninsula, Ceylon. The 
root, herb, and fruit. 
_. Vernacular.—Nakchikni (Hind.), Titakanga (Beng.), Hiran- 
dodi, Ambri (Mar.), Kodi-palai (Tam.), Dudhi-palla (Tel.). 

_ History, Uses, &c,—This plant is not mentioned by 
Sanskrit writers; it is the Watta Kakacodi of Rheede, who 
states that the root is applied to snake-bites and given to 
women to cure headache after child-birth ; and the Kodie palay 
of Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 154), who remarks that “The root 
and tender stalks are supposed by the Vytians to possess 

virtues in dropsical cases; they sicken, and excite expectos 
ration ; though I eould not obtain much information of a 
certain nature respecting them; it is to be presumed that 

they operate in a manner somewhat similar to the root of the 

Asclepias cwrassavica.” The leaves are much employed by 

the Hindus as an application to boils and abscesses to pro- 
mote suppuration, and the brown mealy substance with which 
the follicles are covered is applied to the galls and sores of 
draught cattle. “The plant is noticed in the secondary list’ 
of the Pharmacopeia. of India. The variety Lucuna is pre- 
ferred. for -medicinal‘use by the natives. Irvine (Mat. Mel. © 
Patna), gays. the Plante pest in colds and tines ase. to cu ee 


_ iodide and iodine in potassinm iodide, only if ysennenn Soe C 
fed. With strong aqueousalkali a precipitate, w 20 


ASCLEPIADEM. 445 


sneezing, whence the Hindi name Nakcbikni. This property 
of the plant is also known in Madras, where the young shoots 
are cut and the exuding juice inserted into the nose. The 
follicles are frequently eaten by the natives in their curries, 
the process of boiling or cooking removes their bitterness and 


_ nauseating’ property. 


Description.—A stout tall climber, branches often pus- 
tular, bark of the woody parts smooth, ash-coloured. Leaves 
3 to 6 by 2 to 4 inches, rather coriaceous, base rounded or 
cordate ; nerves 4 to 5 pairs; petiole 1 to 3inches. Peduneles 
1 to 3 salen: rather slencer; umbels drooping, multifid, sub- 
globose ; pedicels 4 inch, slender, corolla 4 inch in diameter, 
eupular, lobes triangular. Stigma dome-shaped. Follieles 
horizontal, obtuse, about 3 to 4 inches long, and four in ciream= 
ference at the base. In the variety Lacuna all parts of the 
plant, but especially the follicles, are covered with a brown 
mealy substance, which consists of moniliform hairs made up 
of cylindrical cells placed end to end, ‘They can be well exa- 
mined urder the microscope with OCCT solution - which 
colours them yellow. 

Chemical composition.—The fresh follicles, freed from sod’ 
and their comose appendages, were bruised in a mortar and the 
juice expressed, The jnice was heated to boiling to coagulate 
albuminous matters and filtered, and the liquor, after evapora- 
tion to a small bulk, was treated with two volumes of 
spirit to remove mucilage and salts. After dissipating 
the spirit by.a gentle heat, the acidulous solution had a bitter- 
ish taste, was free from tannic matters, and contained an abun- 
dance of glucose, It was shaken with ether, and the ethereal 
solution left a mass of light-coloured transparent scales, 
soluble in water with a peculiar bitterish-sweet taste and neu- 
tral or slightly acid reaction. This solution gave an abundant. 
white precipitate with tannin, none with neutral plambic ace- 
tate; and with alkaloidal reagents, such as sei 


446 ASCLEPIADEZ. 


was obtained. With sulphuric acid the dried scales dissolved 
with a brown colour, passing through cherry-red to purple, and 
finally separated as a black powder. With nitric acid no colour 
was manifested in the cold. Boiling with diluted acid destroy- 
ed the bitterness of the principle, with the formation of an 
insoluble brown substance, such as would attend the decom- 
position of a glucoside. We consider this glucoside to be the 
active principle of the fruits, and propose to name it Dregein. 


HEMIDESMUS INDICUS, Br. 


Fig.— Wight Ic., t. 594; Rheede Hort. Mal. w., t.343; Bentl. 
and Trim., t. 174, Indian Sarsaparilla (Hng.), Salsepareille de 
VInde (Fr.). 

Hab.—Northern, Western, and Southern India. The 
roots. : : 

Vernacular.—Anantamul (Hind., Beng.), Uperséra, Dudha 
sali (Mar.), Nannéri (Tam.), Sugandhi-péla (Tel.), Sogadé, 
Karibanta (Can.), Upalsari (Guz.). 


History, Uses, &c.—Dutt. (Hind. Mat. Med., p. 195) 
states that in Hindu medicine HA. indicus and Ichnocarpus 
frutescens (see Apocynacez) are both called Sériva, and are de- 
scribed under the name of Sérivadvaya, or the two Sérivas. 
They are often used together, and are considered to have simi- 
lar properties. When however Sériva is used in the singular 
number, it is the usual practise to interpret it as meaning I. 


LS _frutescens. Other Sanskrit names for these plants are Naga- 
-jihva, “ snake’s tongue,” and Gopa-kanga, “cowherd’s daugh- 


used in Southern India, but in the northern part of the Bombay 
Presidency, though a common plant, it is seldom obtainable in 
. ' 83 ing offered when inquiries - as 

Cone 


ASCLEPIADEA. 447 


the milky juice is dropped into inflamed eyes; it causes copi- 
ous lachrymation, and afterwards a sensation of coolness in the 
part. The root is tied up in plantain leaves and roasted in 
hot ashes; it is then beaten into a mass with cumin and sugar 


_ tion of the urinary passages. As a lep the root is applied to 
8 It is used in Madras in mixtures for purifying the 
blood as ordinary Sarsaparilla is in other countries, and it is 
an adjunct in chutneys and pickles simply as a flavouring 
agent. 

Recent Mahometan physicians under the name of ushbah 
describe several kinds of sarsaparilla, of which they say the 
Western or Andalusian is the best. Another kindis described | 
by the author of the Makhzan-el-adwiya as having flowers 
ike yellow jasmine ; this may possibly be Hemidesmus. The 
athors of the Pharmacographia remark that there is an 
[ndian root figured as Palo de Culebra by Acosta (Tractado de 
las Drogas dle las Indias orientales, 1578, cap. EV.) which 
astonishingly like the drug in question. He describes it, 
reover, as baving a sweet smell of melilot. The plant he 
/is called in Canarese Duda-sdli. The figure is repro- 
din Antoine Colin’s translation, but notin that of Clusius. 
plant must be the true Hemidesmus, as Dudha-sdli 
a name it is known by in the Concan. In Goa at the 
at _day Hemidesmus root is to be found in all the 


uption of the Maratha name. Ashburner in 1] was, 
Se to call the attention of the bere in | Europe 


ish Phabitisecineais. In India Oran inensy found its 
ic action to be very remarkable ; two ounces infused in 
of water and allowed to cool was the quantity usually 


! trebled or quadrupled. Tt also acted as a . 


remedy in his hospital, the patients themselve 
ep seagate and continuance. (Gi 


daily, and by such doses the discharge of urine was oe 


448 ASCLEPIADER. 


nessy, Dispensary, p. 456, Beng. Pharm., p. 279—801), In 
1868, Hemidesmus was made official in the Pharmacopwia of 
India. Lastly, in 1874, it was described by Fliickiger and 
‘Hanbury in the Pharmacographia. 


Description.—The drug is found in commerce in India 
in the form of little bundles, which consist of the entire roots 
of one or more plants, often several feet long, tied up with 
a portion of the stem. : 


The root is cylindrical, sovinias, from 745 to 7% of an inch 
an diameter, seldom branched. The bik is transversely 
¢eracked and fissured longitudinally, of a dark brown colour, 
sometimes with a slight violet hue when viewed in a strong 
light; the wood is yellow and porous. The fresh or freshly- 
‘dried root has a fine odour of tonka bean or melilot, and a 
sweet but slightly acrid taste. 


Microscopic structure-—According to Flickiger and Han- 
bury, all the proper cortical tissue shows a uniform paren- 
chyme, not distinctly separated into liber, medullary rays and 
mesophlezm. On making a longitudinal section, however, 
one can observe some elongated laticiferous vessels filled with 
thecolourless concrete milky juice. In a transverse section, they 
are seen to be irregularly scattered through the bark, chiefly 
in its inner layers, yet even here in not very considerable 
number. They are frequently 80 mkm. in diameter and not 
branched. 

The wood is traversed by. small medullary rays, which are 
obvious only in the longitudinal section. The parenchymatous 
tissue of the root is loaded with large ovoid starch granules. 


: Tanuic matters do not occur to any considerable amount 


except in the outermost suberous lay er. 


Chemical composition.—The aroma and _ taste of the drug is 
_ due to the presence:of coumarin (see Vol. I., p. 406), which 
can be obtained in part by: boiling the root with esi! 


Crystals a : 
‘ 7 periaee me < 
~ i 


ASCLEPIADEA. 449 


_ doubt the substance obtained by Garden in 1837, and called 
_smilasperie. acid, and subsequently by Scott. in 1843, who 

described it as a crystalline stearopten. 
_ Commerce.—In. Southern India and ee the root is sa 
Be with i in commerce, but is often so old as to be quite worthless. 
In Bombay rite Meehan have to be made for its collection, 
” + per lb., owing to the difficulty of digging the 
roots in stony eget 


COSMOSTIGMA RACEMOSUM, Wigit. 
Big. Wight Ic., #. 593, 1270; Rheede: Hort. Mal. . viz. 


~ Hab.—Sylhet, Chittagong, W. India, Ceylon. The root 
‘and leaves. | 
Vernacular.—Ghirahuvvu (Can.), Shendvel, Shendori, Mar- 
Marvivel (Mar.), Vattu-valli (Mal.), Gharpbil (Goa.). 
istory; Uses, &c.—This large woody climber run- 
over high trees, has a medicinal reputation on the West- : 
nm Coast, hess its leaves are used to cure ulcerous BORER... 
hara ( a= ) and the root bark is administered internally a 
ka ( 424% ), a disease in which white lumps of undigested 
are passed. Rheede is the only European writer who 
ces its medicinai properties; he states it is called Torique . 
i Portuguese and Pensbout by the Dutch ; after men= 
ng the use of the leaves, he remarks: “‘Cortexcum Sandalo 
;muliebri lacte in formam noduli adhibitus, prsestantissimum [ 
remedium est.” The disease he alludes tois thecavoos 
Greek physicians, and is described by Paracelsus as 
terised by pungent heat internally, great heat of breath, 
3 of cold air, dryness of the tongue, lips, and skin, cold- 
of the extremities, the urine loaded with bile, watchful- 
» quick, small] and weak pulse. In modern medicine 
describe it as dyspepsia accompanied by a febrile — 
absence of bile in the stools, We have tried the _ 
plant in.sich cases, given in five grain 
Sa fad. have. fonad, it ta, be a most eflic 


4.50 ASCLEPIAD EA. 


ral colour of the stools after the usual remedies (mineral acids, 
podophyllin, euonymin, &c.,) had been abandoned in despair. 
The flowers of . this plant are sweet and are eaten by the 
natives. A biscuit was made with the powder of two ounces 
of the root and given to a dog without any ill effects. 


Description.—Leaves large, rather coriaceous, smooth» 
ovate-cordate, ‘acuminate, but sometimes rounded with an 
obtuse tip, readily distinguished by a group of small, brown, 
dusty, prominent glands at the junction of the petiole with the 
leaf. Roots from }°to 1 inch in diameter, externally hght 
brown and scabrous; fracture starchy and friable, a transverse 
section shows them to be composed of a central woody column 
and a very thick greyish-white cortex. In the circumference, 
and sparingly scattered through the root, light yellow brown 
hard cells are seen. The root has no taste, and a faint Ipeca-. 
cuanha-like odour, which is more marked in the seeds. The 
latter are contained in a large, smooth, green follicle. . 

Chemical composition.—An ether extract of the powdered 
root contained some free, crystalline fatty acids, soluble in cold 
rectified spirit and aqueous alkalies. Petroleum ether dis- 
solved the fatty acids from the extract, leaving a small 
quantity of an acid resin. An alcoholic extract, in addition to 
- @ resin, contained a sugar, and a substance affording the. 
reactions of an alkaloid. The resin is decomposed by 
boiling with dilute acids, and gives a purplish colour with 

strong sulphuric acid. It is glucosidal and is related to jalapin. 
An aqueous extract contained gum and a carbohydrate having 
the properties of dextrin. The root was devoid of astringency. 
The powder mixed with milk of lime gave off ammonia. The 
larger roots left 3°16 per cent., the smaller ones 5°86 per 
cent. of inorganic matter on incineration. 
GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE, Br. 

Fig.— Wight Ic., t. 349. 

-Hab.—Banda, Deccan Peninsula... The leaves and rook. 

Vernacular.—Mera-singi (Hind., Beng.), Kavali,. Vilhandi 

(Mar.), Siru-kurinja Temds Sanna gerse (Can.). é 


roo a Son a 8 
£ ie a Pat ie 


ASCLEPIADE.£. 451° 


_. History, Uses, &c.—This shrubby climbing plant is” 
called Meshasringi, “ram’s horn,” in Sanskrit, but it is. not : 
‘mentioned in the Raja Nirghanta. It is considered to be the 
Meshasringi of Madanpal’s Nighanta and of the Marathi and_ 
-Guzerathi Nighantas, which are little more than translations of 
that work. It bears the following synonyms—Mesha vishanika, 
Meshavalli, Sarpa-darushtrika, Anydda, Kshina-vartta, Vrik- 
shikali and Vishanika, and is described as having a pungent: 
taste and the properties of an astringent ae bitter stomachic ; 
useful in cough, biliousness, boils, sore eyes, 
It is also in repute amongst the Hindus asa remedy for 
snake bite, the powdered root being applied to the part bitten, 
and a decoction administered internally. Its use for this pur- 
pose is well known to the natives of the Concan, and as 
appears from Ainslie (Mat. Ind. II., 390), also to the natives of 
Southern India. The root is also said to have virtues similar to 
Tpecacuanha, Roxburgh describes the plant under the name 
of Asclepias: geminata, and remarks that the small yellow 
flowers, with the globular apex of the white common stigma, 
projecting in the centre, look like fine pearls set in gold. He 
_ says nothing of its medicinal properties. G. sylvestre is said 
_ to be the binnuge of the Cingalese. A curious circumstance 
connected with this plant was first noticed by Mr. Edgeworth, 
namely, that if chewed it destroys the power of the tongue to 
appreciate the taste of sugar and all saccharine substances. 
This property of the leaves has been recently (1887) tested 
carefully by Mr. D. Hooper, who says:— After chewing one 
or two leaves it’ was proved undoubtedly that sugar had no 
taste immediately afterwards. Sugar in combination with 
other compounds in dietetic articles is plainly destroyed as to 
its taste after using these leaves. In ginger bread, for instance, 
_ the pungency of the ginger is alone detected, the rest is 
tasteless meal ; in a sweet orange the taste of the sugar is so 
‘Suppressed cod that of the citric acid consequently developed, 
that in eating, it resembles a lime in sourness. Among the 
al kinds of foods, drugs abd beverages which affect ‘the — 
does not pretend to render them alt. . 


Rn ti ae eae Tae 


Sao 


452 ASCLEPIADEAL 


less, 16 does not aftect’pungent saline things, astringents and 
acids, It is limited to apparently two diverse’ substances—, 
sweets and bitters. It has been noted that sugar taken after 
the leaf tastes like sand, so I have found. that sulphate of 
quinine taken after a good dose of the leaf tastes like so much 
chalk. I am not going to propose its use in the administra- 
tion of nauseous drugs, until the medical properties of the 
Gymnema have been more ‘studied, otherwise the quantity of 
the vehicle taken may prove:to counteract the. effect of the 
medicines. The experience of several. friends as well as. my 
own is that the effect does not last for twenty-four hours as 
stated, but for only one or two hours, after that time the tongue 
-resumes its appreciation of all that is sweet or bitter.” Inthe 
Concan the dried and powdered leaf is used as an errhine, and 
the fresh leaves crushed and mixed. with water, as a cocling 
bath for children in the hot weather. . 


Description.—4@, sylvestre is a. shrubby climbing | plant. 
The leaves are from 4 to 5 inches long, from ovate-lanceolate to 
obovate ; upper surface dark green, shining, under surface pale 
green, shortly pubescent; venation transverse and. reticulate 
witha marginal vein; taste saltish and acrid.. The root is about 
the size of the little finger. or less, not unlike Hemidesmus; it 
has a tough wood, and when fresh a soft spongy bark, which is 
_ reddish brown and fissured longitudinally, but loses much bulk : 
3 ae drying, and becomes loose and transversely fissured; the taste 

ie pees and pate the whole plant abounds in milky juice. 

pie astructure.—The woody portion of the root has 

os radiate Seriiabeines and is traversed by large vessels; the 
extension of the medullary rays into the bark is diatinal ; the 
‘latter is made up of a thin-walled parenchyma, the. galle of 
which contain mach starch and tolerably numerous crystalline 
‘concretions, There are many - laticiferous vessels, especially 
towards the i inner part. The epidermis -consists of several — 
layers of flattened cells of a deep reddish brown colour. ~~ 
Chemical 0M} ition —The powdered leaves. were su mit: 
ted t@ the action oof various solvents, and by this means’ it w 
= — he av property of Gys 


ASOLEPLADEZ, 458 


arias 8 
wows 


dissolved, out by alcohol, and, as it occurred :in, the aqueous 
extract of the. residue, it was therefore soluble im water. As 
benzine and ether took from the leaves certain principles of the 
same appearance and weight, it was conceived that nothing 
would be gained by using both solvents; the preliminary 
extraction was therefore made with rectified spirit. The ether 
extract consisted of chlorophyll and two resins separated by 
their solubility in alcohol. The resin insoluble in alcohol form-. 
ed the larger portion ; it was soluble in chloroform, bisulphide. 
of carbon. and. benzine. It was elastic and tenacious, de- 
composed by warming with nitric acid, the product being pre- 
cipitated with water ; only partially saponified with caustic 
potash. Sulphuric acid dissolved it in the cold, giving a green 
solution.. It seemed to consist principally of a neutral resin. 
The resin soluble in spirit was readily saponified with soda, and 
gave a permanent bluish green colour with sulphuric acid; like 
the former resin it was of an acrid nature, and left a tingling 
sensation in the throat. - The alcoholic solution of the leaves 
was almost entirely soluble in water ; in fact, by treating the 
leaves separately by alcohol and water, 36°37 per cent. of 
organic matter was extracted, by treating the drug with 
water alone 36 per cent. was removed. By direct experiment 
it was found that in the former extract 0°74 per cent. was an 
acrid resin similar to those found in the ether extract. The 
aqueous solution of the substances soluble in alcohol had a 
decidedly .acid reaction, it gave no colouration with ferric 
chloride, showing absence of tannin. It .was deepened 
in colour with alkalies, but gave a bulky precipitate with 
sulphuric, nitric, hydrochloric and acetic acid. It reduced 
_ Fehling’s solution on boiling, and gave a cloudiness with 
Nessler, a precipitate with lead acetate, but none with tannin 
or picric acid. The precipitate caused by sulphuric acid was 
collected on a filter and washed till it ceased to give a cloudi- 
‘ness with barium. chloride. It, yielded a greenish — powder, 
insoluble in water, but soluble, in alcohol, ether, benzine and 
shloroform.. With potash, soda and ammonia it afforded fine 
solutions with orange coloured froth, but they er 


si ecg a Porat et 


A454 ASCLEPIADE. 


precipitated on the addition of the mineral acids: It dissolved: 
in concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids with intense red: 
colour, but in both mixtures it was destroyed and precipitated 
by water. It fused at about 60° C. into a blackish brittle mass.’ 
Heated in a test tube it gave off fumes of creasote, buat no 
crystals were obtained in a subliming apparatus. Gently’ 
ignited it burnt with a bright flame, leaving no ash. It was 
thrown down as a bulky grey mass by acetate of lead, the lead’ 
salt decomposed by sulphuretted hydrogen in spirit left the 
substance in the reddish evaporated filtrate from the lead’ 
sulphide. The body just described has the characteristics of 
an organic acid related in some particulars to glycyrrhizic’ 
acid, but having some distinctly peculiar reactions and possess- 
ing the antisaccharine property ascribed to the leaves, I pro- 
pose to call it Gymnemic Acid. Gymnemic acid forms more 
than six per cent. of the constituents of Gymnema leaves in 
combination with a base which is inorganic. It isa monatomic 
acid, having the formula, C** H** 0", and requiring theoreti- 
cally 14°63 per cent. of metallic silver and 15-20 per cent. of 
PbO for its silver and lead salts. It forms ‘ingoluble salts 
with alkaloids, and this accounts for its masking the taste of 
quinine. The acid isa glucoside. After boiling for about an 
hour with dilute hydrochloric acid, a dark resinous mass, 
devoid of the peculiar property of the leaves, remains, and the: 
liquor contains a body which readily reduces Fehling’s solution 
and crystallizes when evaporated, Another organic acid was 
present in the lead acetate precipitate, which was identified 
as tartaric acid. The filtrate from the insoluble lead come 
pounds was treated with sulphuretted hydrogen gas, and 
the clear liquor after evaporation was examined for sugar. 
Glucose was detected in some quantity by its immediate and 
abundant reduction of Fehling’ s solution; ; the sugar examined in 
a polariscope had a left-handed rotation. Chloroform agitated 
with an. alkaline solution of the leaf left a crystalline residue 
of a brownish colour; it hada bitter taste, and acted as a 
sialagogue. With the ordinary alkaloidal reagents. it afforded — 
coloured precipitates, but was a neutral principle. fe 


ASCLEPIADEZ. ABS 


_A solution of one-per cent. hydrochloric acid was employed 
to remove the oxalate of calcium; a microscopical examination — 
‘of the powdered leaves ‘showed a Sale sprinkling of the conglo- 
merate crystals or raphides so well known to exist in Rhubarb. 
The dilution of the-acid wenstruum rendered this process very 
tedious, so a stronger acid was used, _and the mare washed with 
it until ammonia produced no cloudiness. The collected 
liquors were allowed to deposit, the sediment was then collected 
_ on afilter, dried and weighed, then incinerated and weighed 
< again. The calcium carbonate was calculated into oxalate, and. 
_ the difference between this and the first weighing was reckoned 
_ 4s pararabin, No oxalic acid was foundina free state. The 

ash of Gymnema sylwestre is very high, a fact in accordance 
with the amount of lime salts it contains, . Gentle ignition of 
_ the air-dried leaves left as much as. 11-65 per cent, and about 
_ one-half of this was calcium carbonate. One hundred parts 
contained ; , ; 


ee nae 


15:41 soluble in water. 
78:71 soluble in acid. 
_ 5:88 sand and siliceous residue. _ 
5 The followiig is a tabulated analysis of the sun-dried and 
- powdered leaves ;-— 
Ether extract (chlorophy and rediinn) 551 
Alcoholie extract (gymnemic acid, ‘tartaric acid, 
glucose, nentral bitter attic resin, &c.) ......... 19°50: 
EAgaeons extract (gum 1°45 per cent., glucose, cashobes 
rate and extractive) .. 16:87. 
Alkaline extract, by difference (albuminons = 
coloring ma tters) 3°15 
{pee 2 eeaiats iil Sectende 


: Acid solution 
Ash (balance of) 
Cellulose 


456 ASCLEPIADEZ. 


j CEROPEGIA BULBOSA, “Roxb. 

Fig. —Roxb. Cor. Pl. i., 11, t.. 7; Wight Te., t. Ee Hook. 
Bot. Misc. ii., 99; and Supe t, 2. 

Hab. 43 From Western India, the Punijab isa Upper Gan- 
getic plain as far east as Allahabad, southwards to Travancore. 

Vernacular.—Manchi, Manda (Tel., Tam.), Gdlot (Punj.), 
Khapparkadu, Gayala (Mar.). 

History, Uses, &c.—Several forms of this variable 
plant are described in the Flora of British India with leaves 
from nearly orbicular to linear-lanceolate.. Roxburgh remarks 
that every part of the plant is ‘eaten by the natives, either raw 
or stewed in their curries... Edgeworth and Dr. J. L. Stewart 
have recorded its use as a vegetable in the. Punjab and at Mool- 
tan, and: in the Materia Medica of Western. India it is stated 
that shepherds are fond of the tubers, which they consider 
to be tonic and digestive. R. Brown notices the use of 
C. juneea as a vegetable, and we have also observed 
that C. tuberosa is not distinguished by the natives from (. 
ee : On the Nilgiris the tubers of. 0; pusilla are known 

“ Chutlan-killangu,” and are much appreciated asan article 
at diet... 

The ‘tubers when boiled lose their bitterness, bia ptlped 
with milk form a sweet mucilaginous mixture not unlike salep, 
which, judging from their chemical nes ge should be 
ee; nutritious. 

. Description.—Root tuberous, a little flattened like a 
sinus, with several fibres from its base ; it is abont as. large 
asasmallapple. Stemstwining, her budsotid, smooth, succulent; 
from 2 to 4 feet long. Leaves opposite, short poticlads 
shai with a small point, entire, fleshy ; size various. 
Umbels lateral, length of the leaves, peduncled, few-flowered. 
‘Flowers pretty large, erect, tube greenish, border pu 
oe tO, ni Mleaders se About 3 or r 4 in hin’ ies 

d Rowburgh.) pe’ 


ASCLEPTADE. 457 


Chemical. composition:—The tubers yielded on analysis— 
oisture 5°2 


Fat 3°30 
Sugar, gum, &e. 23°40 
Alh sm iar 3°48 
Starch 42°52 
Crude fibre 12°64 
Ash 9-43 

100°00 


- The bitter principle of the tubers is an alkaloid, Ceropegine, 
soluble in ether, alcohol and water. The total nitrogen afforded 
by burning with seda-lime was 0°55 percent. The ash contains 
manganese, and is constituted as follows :— 


Soluble in water ae OT 
Soluble in acid 149 
Insoluble. 23°4 


100-0 
Caralluma attenuata, Wight Ic.,¢. 1268, Pulam- 
bari (Tel.), is used on the Eastern coast for ostensibly 
_ regenerating stale toddy. From information received from an 
_ Abkari Inspector, it appears that the bruised fresh plant is 
__ added to teddy te increase its gravity, and to give it the appear- 

- ance and smell of that recently drawn. The toddy may be 
_. Several days old, but so complete is the process of renewal that 
is eee judges are often deceived. The plant is acrid 

_ and bitter, and contains a caoutchouc-like substance, a resin 
iia. to fluavil and a bitter principle, and so far resembles 
the Calotropis. 

_ TheSanskrit names Kshiri, Kshirini, Kshira-kshava, Dugdha, 
Dugdhika, Dugdhapdshéna, &c., are loosely applied to a num- 
_ ber of milky plants, but more gspecially to the weed Ascle- 
piads, such as Oxystelma 
Rheedii, Caralluma edulis and fimbriata. These 
plants Plants as well as other Asclepiads are also called Yugma- 
ottama, and Yienar pinto, in allusion to hen, ‘twin 


A458 “LOGANTACER. 


pods,” which are favourite vegetables of thé Hindus.’ The cen- 
tral portion of the flowers of Holostemma Rheedii, Cos- 
mostigma racemosum,.and Periploca aphylla is 
sweet and is eaten by..the-natives,. The acidulons and some- 
what bitter stems ef Caralluma edulis are eaten as a 
vegetable’ in the’ Punjab.- ~The ‘roots ’ of Holostemma 
Rheedii, Pentatropis’ spiralis’and microphylla, 
and the follicles of Marsdenia’ Roylii are considered to 
be cooling, and alterative, and are used in alterative decoctions 
and as a remedy in gonorrhea.. Sarcostemma’ brevi- 
stigma yields an abundant-bland milky juice ; this plauit and 
Periploca aphylla are used as substitutes for the Soma 
of the Vedas, which-from recent investigations appears to have 
been a species. of. Mphedra, and. the same plant which is still 
brought from. Persia..to. India. as. the: Homa of the Parsis. 
Stapelia reflexa. is used..by.the. ‘Afghan mountain tribes 
‘as a bitter tonic and febrifuge, and Boucerosia Auche- 
riana i is, considered to -have similar -properties. . Dr. G.. Bidie 
has. shown that Secamone oars mabrathaaoding its 
a name, is almost inert. 


eee g 


LOGANIACEA, 


_ STRYCHNOS NUX- vomica, Linn. 8588 
- Pig—Bead Fl. Sylv., i. 243 ; Bentl, and Pris. 2 178; 
Gartn. Fruct. ii. t. 179; Rumph. i. t. 25 ; Rheede Hort. Mal, 
i., t. 34, Poison, nut, False ai Pl hark (Zing ), tad eae 
{Fr.). 


Hab.—thronghout tropa Tain ‘The stem, bark. and 
seeds. 


kottai (Tam.),., Mushti-vittuln,. ‘Mushidi;.( Fi. sie Hemi 


: Vornvaidane 1 at. (Hid, Benga, Kéjen (Atari), Yettion C 
(Can.), Re al Roa me 


LOGANIACEAE 459 


‘ History, Uses, &c.—No mention of Nux-vomica can 
be found in the older Sanskrit medical works. A drug called’ 
Vishamushti, mentioned by Sarangadhara, has by some been 
Supposed to be nux-vomica, but according ‘to the Bhavapra~ 
kasha, Vishamushti has an edible fruit, and is called Karerua in 
Hindi. The latter work gives Kupilu and Kulaka as Sanskrit 
hamés for Kuchila, but these names are generally referred to @ 
kind of ebony. Another Sanskrit’ name given to the drug in 
recently compiled works is Kurachilla, an incorrect.form of 
Kuruchilla, “a crab,” to which animal the seeds bear some 
resemblance in shape. We think there can be little doubt 
that nux-vomica was not used medicinally by the ancient 
Hindus, but ‘the Hindi name Kuchila or Kuchula occurs in 
ancient Persian, and appears to be derived from the Sanskrit 7 
(kunch) to make crooked.: We also find an unidentified plant 
éalled Kuchela, mentioned by Sanskrit writers, with the syno- 
nyms of Avi-karni and Viddha-parmi ; the name Kuncha-phala is 
also met with, but it may possibly be only an incorrect render- 
ing of Kucha-phala, a term for the pomegranate. We can hardly 
Suppose that a plant having such marked» poisonous proper- 
ties can have escaped the notice of the earliest settlers in 
India, and there can-bé no doubt that the wood has been: in 
use from a very early date as one of the kinds of Mushadi in 
Southern and Western India. ° We also find that in the Indian 
Archipelago, which was colonised at a very early date by the 
Hindus, the wood is used as a popular remedy for dysentery; 


fevers and dyspepsia, under the name of Bidara-laut by the 


Malays. This name appears to be of Sanskrit origin and to 
be derived from Vidara, “splitting or rending,’” and lata, “a 
tree or shrub,” in allusion to the tetanic S07 produced : vs 
over-doses of the drug. 

"Inthe Raja Nirghanta two kinds of Katuka are noticed ; one 


of these with the vernacular synonym Kedér-katuki is’ doabt- 


less Picrorhiza Kurroa, the other Katukavalli with the Canarese 


_ &ynonym Tonrematta, which’ does not appear in the vernacular 
. Nighantas, must, we think, be referred to the bitter Saber — 
as lignum colubrinum. pany Sirychnos. colubrina. Ue ae 


460 BOGANTACE, 


, it has. been- supposed by some that nux:vomica was’ the 
Jouz-el:mathil of. the early Arabian writers, but this drug is 
described by Ibn Sina.as studded with thick thorns, and as 
producing torpor when.eaten ; it is considered by all the more 
recent Mahometan writers to be Datura. The Jouz-el-kai of 
the Arabs has: also been supposed to be nux-vomica, but there 
would seem to be no foundation for such. a belief, as it is de- 
scribed as having. properties. similar to Jous-el-mathil, and is 
probably the fruit of a Trichilia. All the Indian Mahometan 
physicians describe nux-vomica under the name.of Azaraki; 
of this drug Ibn Sina merely says it is a kind of Zabad-el-bahr 
(foam of the sea), a name given by the Arabs to the cuttle- 
fish bone; he adds that is is not used internally, but apphed 
externally in. skin diseases and sciatica. Haji Zein-el-Attér 
(A.D, 1368) is the first who clearly identifies Azéréki with the 
Indian drug Kuchula ; he gives the-same description of its uses 
as Ibn Sina, and says. the antidotes for it are fresh milk and 
oil (these are. the popular antidotes for it at the present day 
in India, but in Madras dog excrement is also used). In the 
Makhzan-pl-adwiya azdéraki is said to be a Syrian word, but 
it appears to us more probable that it has been manu- 
factured by the Syrian physicians, who instructed the Arabs 
in Greek medicine, from the words éa and paxia, and that 
it intended to be a Greek rendering of the Arabic Zabad-el- 
bahr. The author of tht Makhzan gives Kuchile as the Indian 
Indian, name for nux-vomica, but says it is best known in Hin- 
_dustan (Northern India) as Nirbhedin (a Sanskrit word which 
Signifies splitting asunder,. derived from fafyz ). Nux-vomica is 
pot mentioned by Garcia d’Orta who was in Goa, where the tree 
is, Very common, about the middle of the 16th century—a toler- 
ably clear proof that it was not used medicinally at that time 
but his. contemporary Valerius Cordus in Europe. deseribes 
jt accurately. The seeds do not appear to have been used 
medicinally. until -about: the middle of the 17th century, but 
Rheede mentions the root as an established remedy in Malabar, 
and .we have much earlier. records of its use on the Western 
Coast as.a substitute for the tras Lignum Colubrinum, a-drug 


ee 
a 


f 
5 


LOGANIACE#; 461 


held in high- estimation. as a tonic, antiperiodic and: alexi- 
‘pharmic in Southern India under the name of Nagamushidi. 
‘On the whole we are of opinion that the Arabs were acquainted 
with nux-vomica seeds under the name of azérdéki,. but. that 
they imagined them to be of marine origin,—a comparatively: 


- modern Arabico-Persian name for them is Fulés-mahi (‘fish 


scales’) ; thisis the more likely, as the.tree is especially a native 
of the Western and Southern Coast districts of India, and the 
seeds like those of several other plants are liable te be carried 
to a distance by oceanic currents. : Leeds 

Ainslie speaks of nux-vomica as a drug. which is little used ; 
he rightly states that the pulp of the fruit. is posonous, and 
the authors of the Pharmacographia have since shown that it 
contains strychnine; nevertheless it is eaten by the hornbill 
and other birds. Ho also tells us: that the Vytians are of 
Opinion that if the seeds are not taken in sufficient quantity to 
cause death, they will produce mental derangement, Loureiro 
states that the seeds roasted to blackness are really useful, and 
can be given without danger in fluor albus, In the Concan 
small doses of the seeds are given with aromatics in colic, ‘and 
the juice of the fresh wood (obtained by applying heatto’ the 


Bassia). In European medicine strychnine is usually pre- 
ferred to the crude drug in which the proportion of alka- 
loid varies considerably. In 1883 Professor Bentley drew 
attention to this fact as affecting the strength of the extract, 
Stating that he had. suffered serious personal inconvenience 
from the variation im strength of extracts prepared from 
different kinds of seed. This statement led to the exatina- 
tion of five samples of commercial nux-vomica’‘by Messrs.’Dun-= 


“stan and Short, who found that the proportion’of alkaloid con-— 
tained in them ‘ranged from 2°56 to 3:57 per cent: Subse- 


A462. LOGANIACEH#. 


quent éxperiments conducted by Dr. Schweissinger showed 
that the German official preparations varied considerably in 
strength, he therefore proposed that the strength of the tinc- 
ture should be fixed at 0°2 per cent. of alkaloid; and that of the | 
extract at 15 per cent., which would practically agree with the’ 
standards adopted in the new British Pharmacopeia. It musé 
be borne in mind, however, that the tineture and extract of 
pux-vomica contain brucine and other constituents, and that’ 
therefore its medicinal action may differ from that of strych- 
nine ; indeed they are considered by some to be more efficient’ 
than ‘that alkaloid in atonic dyspepsia. 


| H. Beckurts | (Arch. der Pharm., 1890, 330-347) ‘remarks - 
that if the physiological action of strychine and brucine is as 
given:by Falck 1: 88-5, then little is accomplished by a total 
alkaloid’ determination; it would be more to the point to 
require: a fixed percentage of strychnine and disregard the 
brucine (of which an equal quantity could always be assumed). 
An extract with fixed strychnine percentage and a brucine per 
centage varying within 1°8 per cent. is undoubtedly more 
Zeliable than an extract containing a fixed quantity of total 
alkaloid: in which | the strychnine pieces might vary 1°8 per 
Sent. 


ese apabts obtained the following atkaloutel bitten lasses from. 
fine ‘samples of nux-vomica :—Bombay, 2 samples, 2°33 and 
2°30 per. cent. ; “Malabar, 1 sample, 2°66 per cent. ; Cochin, 3 
damples, 9°51, 2°41 and 2°81 per cent. ; Madras, 2 samples; 
3°42 and 1°53 per cent. ; Calcutta, 1 sample, 2°40 per cent: In 
es of ten determinations made, assuming strychnine atid 
to be present in equal proportion, the yield of ghisee 
‘nine ated between 2°17 and 2°38 per cent. 

* Physiological action. - aaNORICK: affects animals very un= 
‘Stadio d by it, but there is 
‘a considerable difference of opinion regarding its physiological 
action ‘upon plate and fish. The frog is affected with teta- 
‘nic spasmsif 2 jaw Of 2 grain of strychnine in solution is applied to: 
ita back, pean dried so as-to impede theelimination ofthe 7 


LOGANIACEM. 463 


poison through the integhment: ‘It is well known in India that 
birds are comparatively insusceptible to the poison, and large 
_ doses of nix-vomica may be given to fowls without any injuri- 
ous effect.” Ruminating animals ave less easily affected by strych- 
nine administered with the food than other quadrupeds; dogs 
and rabbits are soon destroyed by it, whilst certain monkeys and 
some other animals are said to be comparatively insusceptible to 
its action, Injected into the circulation it probably affects all 
animals alike. . Stillé.and Maisch remark :—* The phenomena 
fin the various cases in which its specific operation is developed 
donsists of tremor, twitchings, and startings of the voluntary. 
7 tauscles, followed by tetanoid spasms, during which the heart’s 
Action i is accelerated, the temperature raised, and the respira= 
tion and. consciousness suspended. Between the spasms the cir~ 
elation generally becomes normal, the consciousness returns, 
and cutaneous hyperasthesia is observed, but the spasms may 
renewed by any excitation, as a touch, a loud sound, or @ 
den impression on the eye.. Death may occur through. 
hy xia from tonic spasm of the tespiratory muscles, by 
yn syncope, or .by exhaustion.’ The heart continues to pulsato 
fter the respiratory 1 movements have ceased.. Of these modes’ 
of death, that during spasm is by far the most — frequent i in’ 
eases of strychnine-poisoning. No lesion’ is ‘anifornily found 
after déath; the heart- may be distended with black blood or 
enipty, and, although congestion and serous effusion within the: 
ninges of the brain and spinal cord are usual, they are _ 
uniformly met with, and in the substance of these organs no 
-chatacteristic: alterations have been observed. Falck experi- 
‘™mented on: rabbits with brucine nitrate injected subcutan- 
eonsly in doses from *l gram: to.-02 gram. per kilogram of 
body weight. He found that the —- maria sng be 
arranged i in three divisions :—: ” 
1 1st—Respiration is quickened, and in some cases a strange 
injection of the éar was noted : the pupils may be dilated,... reste) 
onetpammieg Soong ——* magaraerct sed 
— « ers wole o¢ bug eeod ebb bra 


Oe ig ieee : 


Feta ere I Means SRS het ae 


. 


464 LOGANTACEA, 


According to Falck the minimum lethal dose’for rabbits is 
023 gram. per kilo of body-weight. Strychnine kills 3-06 
‘times quicker, the intensity of the action of strychnine relative 
to brucine being as 1 to 117°4. (Vierteljahrsschr. f. Gerichtl. 
Med., Band. xxiii., p. 78, quoted by Blyth on Poisons.) 


The experiments of Dr. W. H. Klapp (1878) led him to 
‘conclusions which may thus be summarized: 1, Strychnine 
produces no primary lesion of the nerye-substance proper. 
2. Its convulsions are not cerebral. 38. It does not affect 
either the sensory or motor nerves at their periphery. 4. 
These nerves are unaffected by it in their course. 5. Its 
‘tetanizing effects deperd upon its action on the gray matter of 
‘the spinal cord. 6. In small doses it excites the vaso-motor 
centre. In large doses it paralyzes that centre. 8. It slows 
the pulse by an immediate action upon the excito-motor gan- 
glia of the heart. 9. It does not act on the pneumogastrics, 
but decreases the number of respiratory movements, at first 
from too little blood, and afterwards from too much blood 
flowing to the respiratory centres. 10. Artificial respiration 
always moderates the spasms, not by a reflex stimulation of 
the pneumogastrics, but by maintaining the oxygenation of 
the blood until the poison is eliminated. . 

It may, then, reasonably be believed—1, that strychnine does 
mot act upon the muscles, the nervous extremities, or the 
nerve-trunks; 2, that it does act upon the nerve-centres in 
the medulla cblongata and medulla spinalis; and, 3, that it 
acts upon those centres first by stimulating them when given 
in small doses, and by exhausting them, and thereby exagger- 
ating their reflex irritability, when poisonous doses are used, 
in this respect falling under the general law that the actions 
of small and of large doses of an active agent are antagonistic 
to one another. (Compare Poole, Med. Record, xix. 201. ) The 
latter, of the two effects is probably dependent, in part at 
least, upon the power of strychnine to contract the arteries 
and the heart and to slow the pulse. It is essentially through 
spasm, in so far as it throws the respiratory muscles into tonic - 


TOGANTACR®. = =——— sigs 


contraction and-.by. rendering. the «chest immovable, that. it” 
tends to produce asphyxia, with its: usual symptoms;of dark 
venous -congestion of the eyes and interior,of the..mouth. 
This explanation renders clear the agency of artificial. ‘Tespira- 
tion in saving. the life of. animals in strychnine-poisoning 
(Richet, Med. News, etc., Nov. 1880, p. 659), and the effect, of 


) 'strychiine has been eliminated.” (Nutional Dispensatory. ) 


Strychnine is generally supposed to have no action upon: 
the brain, but E. Biernaki (Ther. Mntsh. Aug. 1890) from. 
experiments made upon rabbits under the influence of chloro. . 
form found that the excitability of the cortical portion of the 
brain, showed a diminution in from 8 to 10 minutes after the: 
inistration of strychnine, this diminution of excitability. 
reached its maximum in from 27 to 30 minutes, then remained 
onary for a time (according : to the dose given) after which 5 


passu, with the diminution of sensibility, in the ‘cortical : 
ion of the brain, as excitation of one portion of the oo 
ous system is known to produce a » depressing action —, . 
her Chae 


r diseases i in which there is hyperexcitability of the brain. 


regards the treatment. of ‘strychnine poisoning, ‘as 
+hshould” be evacuated-and ® brisk purgative adminis- 


465 LOGANTACEZL. 


advantage in the ‘catarrhal dyspepsia, aceompanied ‘by flatu- 
-lence and want of contractile power in the intestines, which is 
so common m India. In such cases it appears to be -prefer- 
-able to the alkaloid strychnine. As a general tonic in relaxed 
-conditions of the muscular system, and in delirium tremens, 
strychnine is an invaluable remedy. It.is also used with 
advantage as a stimulant of the nervous centres in some forms 
of paralysis after the symptoms of irritation have subsided, 
and in sexual debility. Applied externally, nux-vomica acts as 
an irritant, and if the skin is abraded its active principles may 
be absorbed and give rise to symptoms of poisoning. 

Prof. C. Pavesi (Bolletina Farmaceutica, 1881,) has demon- 
strated the antiseptic properties of the different species of 
Strychnos and their alkaloids, and suggests that the effectiveness 
of the species of Strychnos witok are used in tropical countries 
against fevers and poisonous bites may possibly be owing to 
the antiseptic and anti-fermentative power of the alkaloids. 

‘Lauder Brunton (Practitioner, Jan, | 1888 ,) recommends 
strychnine in sleeplessness due to mental fatigue, caused by 
strain or Worry, as pr eforabie to opium, chloral and bromides. 

He has given > to ~i- grain of the alkaloid, or 5 to 10 
minims of Beckie of nux vomica at bedtime, the dose being 
ee if the patient wake within one or.two hours. 

G. A. Gibson (Practitioner, Dec. 1889,) strongly recommends 

‘the hypodermic injection of strychnine in cases of opium nar- 
cosis, or in any case of narcotic poisoning where there occurs 

rregularity or interruption of the beet ive that appears 

‘ eaten a failure of the RE centre. 

. Description.—The fruit indehi “oe of the size 
‘i and shape of a dmall oran - nik ofa rich orange-yellow colour; 

itis filled with a bitter gelatinous, white. pulp, in which the 


. se 


sediiay rather 
diameter 


number, are placed xorioaly in an irregu-— 
is di i bi 


ae ee 


-LOGANIACEZ. i, 


swith a broad, thickened margin, so that the central portion of 
the seed appears depressed.. The outside edge is rounded or 
tapers into a keel-like ridge, Bombay nux-vomica usually has 
a bevelled margin, and Madras an obtuse one. Hach seed has 
on its edge asmall protuberance, from which is a faintly 
projecting line (raphe) passing to a central scar which is the 
hilum or umbilicus; a slight depression marks the opposite 
side of the seed. The seeds are of a light greyish hue, occa- 
‘sionally greenish, and have a satiny or glistening aspect, by 
reason of their being thickly covered with adpressed, radiating 
hairs, Nux-vomica is extremely compact and horny, and bas 
& very bitter taste. (Pharmacographia.) The wood occurs in 
the Be ehops in ne of variable length, and from # to 1 inch or 


nd is s marked by numerous small light-coloured elliptic corky 
warts. A transverse section shows numerous very fine 
edullary rays ; touched with nitric acid the section is anes, = 
a a dull orange red. 


Microscopic seeciaeda aie of nux-vomica are sok ro 
markable structure. They are formed as usual of the pre si, : 


468 EOGANIACEA. 


uine and brucine. Strychnine, C?'H?*N?O%, was first met 
with in 1818 by Pelletier and Caventou in ‘St. Ignatius Beans, 
and immediately afterwards iti nux-vomica. It crystallises 
from an alcoholic solution in large anhydrous prisms: of the 
orthorhombic system. It requires for solution about 6,700 parts 
of cold or 2,500 of boiling water ; the solution is of decidedly 
alkaline reaction, and an aeenwely bitter taste, which may be 
distinctly perceived, though it contains no more than gy7oo5 
of the alkaloid. The best solvents for strychnine are spirits of 
wine or chloroform ; it is but very sparingly soluble in absolute 
alcohol, benzol, amylic alcohol or ether. ‘Che alcoholic solution 
deviates the ray of polarized light to the left. The discovery 
of Brucine was made in 1819 by the same chemists, in nux- 
vomica bark, then supposed to be derived from Brucea ferru- 
ginea. Its presence in nux-vomica and St. Ignatius Bean was 
pointed out by them in 1824. Brucine, dried over sulphuric 
acid, has the formula C?5H?°N*O%, but it crystallises from its 
alcoholic solution with 4H°O. It readily neutralises acids, 
forming crystalline salts. In bitterness and poisonous proper- 
ties, as wellas in rotatory power, it closely resembles strych- 
nine, differing, however, in the following particulars :—it is 
soluble in about 150 parts of boiling water, melts without 
alteration a little above 180° C. In common with its salts, it 
acquires a dark red colour when moistened with concentrated 
nitric acid, 

Tn nux-vomica as rel asin St. Ignatius’ beans the alka- 
 joids, according to their discoverers, are combined with 
_ strychnic or igasuric acid; Ludwig (1873), who prepared this 

body from the latter drug, describes it as a yellowish brown 
amorphous mass, having a strongly acid reaction and a sour 
astringent taste; and striking a dark green with ferric salts. 

_ Nux-vomica dried at 100° C. yields when burnt with soda 
lime 1-822 per cent. of nitrogen, indicating about 11-3 per cent, 
of protein substances. _ The seeds contain 4°14 per cent. of fat. 

Meyer found it to yield butyric, capronic, caprylic, caprinic 

‘and other acids of the series of the common fatty acids, and 

an stearic acid, 


also one acid richer i i 


‘LOGANIACEAI, 469° 


pe Nux-vomica also contains mucilage and sugar. The latter, 
which’ accurding to Rebbling (1855), exists to the extent of 6 
_ per cent., reduces cupric oxide without the aid of heat. When 
_ macerated in water, the seeds easily undergo lactic fermenta- 
s tion, not however attended with decomposition of the alkaloids. 
E The stability of strychnine is remarkable, even after ten years 
of contact with putrescent animal substances, (Pharmaco- 
: graphia.) : 


W. R. Dunstan and F. W. Short discovered (1884) a new 
glucoside in the pulp of the fruit of Strychnos Nux-vomica to 
the extent of 4 to 5 per cent., and named it Loganin. This 
j ic. answers to the Hirata Biges * Fate, 8 as! They have 
also shown that loganin is present in small quantity in the 
seeds and in prep: wrations made from them. (Pharm. Journ. 
Fes) XIV., 1025.) 


_ In nine samples of nux-vomica seeds examined by Beckurts, 
the percentage of total alkaloids ranged from 1°53 to 3°42 
per cent. The same chemist found the percentage of strych- 
ine in ten determinations to vary between 2°17 and 2°38 per 
cent. (Archiv. der Pharm., 1890, 330-347.) W. R. Dunstan 
and F. W. Short ina mui of seeds from Ceylon found as 
ch as 5-34 per cent, of totalalkaloids. They found the pulp 
the fruit to contain 1:4 per cent. of strychnine and 1 per 
cent. of brucine. (Pharm. Journ. [3], XIV and XV.) 


“The wood and bark of S. Nux-vomica (Bidara Laut) have 
en examined by H. G. Greenish, who found 2°26 per cent. 
: hag brucine in the dry wood, and as much as 7°38 per 
in the dry bark. No trace of strychnine could be 
Bastia: The bark of S. Nuaw-vomica has been found to— 
contain varying amounts of brucine according to age: old bark, 
1-68 per cent.; medium, 2°4 per cent. ; and young bark, * ] per — 
ent. ae Journ [8] IX., 1013.) . 
D. Hooper (Pharm. Journ. 1890) found the leaves of 
viea to contain 4 of a per cent. of alkaloid 01 3b 
e, but no Ripchaiee could be detected. 


eis 


EB: 
vase 


io 


470) LOGANTACEA. 


Toxtcology.—Nux-vomica is seldom used as 2 poison in India, 
probably on account of the difficulty experienced in powdering 
it. In Bengal, from 1880 to 1887, out of a total number of 
1,766 cases of poisoning investigated by the Chemical Analyser 
to Government, only 3 were from nux-vomica. In the N.-W. 
Provinces and Oudh, during the same period, one case was 
observed in a total of 1,529 viscera examined. In the Punjab no 
case was recorded in a total of 1,871 viscera examined during the 
same period. In Madras, during the seven years from 1882 to 
‘1888, three cases of poisoning with nux-vomica were recorded, 
all three occurred in 1886, and in all the nux-vomica had been 
mixed with orpiment. In Bombay Dr Lyon remarks that poison- 
ing by nux-vomica is occasionally met with, the cases being 
pebialieally suicidal or accidental; in the ten years ending 1834 ° 
he records one.case of cattle poisoning by this drug. Among 
the causes leading to accidental poisoning may be mentioned 
the practise of nux-vomica eating, which many authorities state 
to be commonly practised in certain parts of India on account 
ofits stimulant and aphrodisiac properties. (See Ohevers’ Med. 
Juris. p. 241.) Nux-vomica has been found. by the Chemical 
Examiner at Madras to be sometimesadded to arrack to increase 
its intoxicating effect. Accidental cases of poisoning with nux- 
vomica bark have also been recorded owing to its substitution 
for Holarrhena bark by ignorant druggists. In a case which 

occurred in Calcutta in 1882, the death of a child was traced to 


Lo this substitution, and in a subsequent case, on a vendor’s stock 


cs of ecerekens bark being seized, about eo of it was 
1 to consist of nux-yomica bark. 


hue the introduction of Strychnine into India a asa medicine 
| i“ Europeans, it has been not unfrequently used as a poison, 


In Bengal the Chemical Examiner reported its detection in 
human viscera three times in 1880-81, once in 1881-82, | 
once in 1882-83, twice in the remaining nine months of 1883; _ 
three times in 1885, ‘and twice in 1886. In 1884 and es no ies 
¢ases occurred, makin : of 


ing in t 766 viseors 


LOGANIACEA). 47] 


Inthe Punjab, during the period between 1879 and 1887, 
nly two cases were recorded—one in 1879 and one in 1887, 
The total number of viscera examined was ISERe oe ae 
In the N.-W. Provinces and Oudh no case is recorded 
ring the same period. 


= the Madras Chemical Examiner's ie we a under 


ychnine was detected in 2 out of 152 cases; in "1883; in 4 out 
123 cases; in 1884,in 8 out of 85 cases; in 1885, in 4 out of 
‘eases; in 1886, none; and in 1887, in 2 out of 76 cases; in 

in 8 out of 101. Under the head of ‘Suspected 
pis to Poison” strychnine was detected in the articles 
amined twice in 1882,.once in 1833, and once in 1887. 
ad one case of catile poisoning by ea is recorded. 


) sapuseses was found. 7 ws : ; 
ing from eating “the leaves OFS. Nw ; ce 
eg in the eben oe and = : 


The following table, ‘conipiled by Assistant Surgeon C, L, Bose, Assistant Chemical Examiner to the 


Government of Bengal, shows the particulars of poisoning by poe vomion and Strychnia in India :— 


| Substances sus spected to be or 


REMARKS. 


Human viscera. to contain n poison in connection 
ith hum g cases. | Suspected 
3 ay a substances 
es j silo in connec- 
og 
§4 Animal a $3 |? Pa tion with 
‘4g } viscera. 3 3 sy 1 
ga a mt Ae a a cattle 
° Alsi f4|scia. poisoning 
Pe Gl ea So} 5a o : 
: Ol) o 1 : as cases, 
Kr Bi S|) bP las | oS] Be 
5 BIE Ba | 22] Re aa 
Aa wm| | wa a 2) re 
wee eeeeee Sesless eee 1 eve eee eeese 
eee eereee fee tee eee ] eee . eae tes 
eee *eteee altee vee vee fee pee oe 
eee eeb ae Seeleee aan ons fee eee teres 


POP COR e reer ery 


Petter eveereree 


“Ofthe four deaths fro rom poisoning by 


bea hig tine three were accidental and 


rom a 
in mistake for itonin. Both these. 
accidents ee once in Caleutta. Dur- 


LF 


BAOVINV POT 


° 
Fs 


1880 


_ing 
similar case came to this 


rot of bot 


“There were 5 deaths from poisoning 
y ne OLMoEEE a t4in the — 
year. = i ed — only one 
due to st aving been mista inion 
for feterie fo against 3 deaths arising 
from a similar inistake in 1878-79. 


‘A somewhat rare form of poisoning 
by thebark of the strychnos nux 

yas ee in Caleutta, in whieli 
a a child was given a strong 
dee of X-vomica _ bark, 
techie, insted of a similar prepara- 


tion of the bark of the Holarrhena 
antidysenterica, kurchi. From the . 
eeiae ence which Wes a it appeared 
that the child had been suffering 
from dysentery, and a macieg practi- 
ioner, who ) pute in 


ed to be taken to his own dispensa 
for compounding. The com puss 


the previous year sortie a 
mn 


‘WAOVINVDOT 


&4P 


(bark or seed )| & =, 


, REMARKS 


incharge, an unqualified man, findivig 
ba sed 


no kurcht bark in store, purchase 
nniah, bar 
was supplied instead, and not being re- 
cogni he preseription was du 
dispens -0Z. mixtur 
ent, the dose being one tablespoonful 
and the child yea ag 
coction was, eli of such 
strength that one ounce represeuted 
extractive matter from an ounce 


of the bark. Halfa ee 
tered, and was followed by death i 
15 minutes. Brucia was fetscind tn in 
the snixture, and also in the stomach 
and vomit.’’ 


“ Kuchila and kurchi bark have certain 


points ing ore mage i. pps se 


bot after the 
above tees “i the Msi obtained 
samples of kurchi bark from various 


PLY 


“WAOVINV SOT 


Do. Pee eee esters tes 


Do. Wee eee eee ree nee 1882 


seers 


eSeerre 


ee 


In one instance the same 


for k i bark has occurred, but it is 
erfectly evident that bunuiahs do not 
reco, nize ie impo Dieta? 


A fatal accident.oc ote rred. a Bae 
by which a child w was poisoned by the 


unniah, the 
medicine prepared, and its administra- 
tion was followed by death.” 


** The vie Surgeon of Sibsagar for- 


warded few pills and wrote as 
follows : pe: The pills were made ya 
u 


It 
lent spasms and became comatose.’ 
The pills were rae to contain 
strychnia and brucia 


“WH HOPINV OT 


‘Substa nces suspected to he or 
to contain poison in connection 
wit th human poisoning cases. | g,, spected 


2 
9LP 


Animal 


viscera. tion with ReMARES. 


Prosidency. 


poisoning 


-yomica. 


Nux 
Brucia 


(bark or seed ) 
Brncia. 
Strychnia and 
Nux-vomica 
Ooark or seed.> 


ms 
= 
E 


i Ce 


oe s contd.).. 1885 Ac Fol eae i. ae 
i a emt 1884 . ee ts eee 2 eeetet eee ete eee 


“ The seeds of strychnos nuz-vomica vere 
etected in the stomachs of two in- 
i th 


— 
mw 


thi 
suspected to be poison or to contain 
po} 


“ One rat the two eases in which nux- 
vo 


“PAOVING DOL 


a 

sahajmaribark. It was sed pio that 

apil Das, a Hindoo male, alt “ 
aa Ves 


ogether 
sahajmari, molasses, and fn ith 
water, and afterwards drank the mix- 


mouth 
e sto- 
mach. The other case océurred at 


Nux-vomica was detected h 


para Sa a See ek aE (a Se ee ey 


ahabai!, Debalakin Jalahin, 


the police to 
ium. The relatives of the deceased 
stated that de was due 


to 
holera. The chemical examination 
detected nux-vomica, 


“From Din magepers, a case of alleged 
nin 


° 
od 


suspected substances were sent 
xamination, and nux vomica | ‘seeds’ 
were detected in one of them.’ 


“In a case at Wace t Mohamedan 
male, named Jahan ‘Selah: died 


HR HOVINV DOT 


L£L¥ 


Animal 
viscera, 


- | Substances suspected to be or 
tocontain poison in connecti 
with human poisoning cases. Baspected 
—— SS ee y ubstances 
a 33 > Gl . connec- R 
= 2 e tion with EMARKS. 
$| |aa\8e/8 é cattle 
Bla as oFl4¢ poisoning 
3\2\ 83 | bx 8 - 
ple ba| 22 | a8) 32 
5 -— 
alaja ja cla |o 


Bengal.—(coutd) 


1884, 


suddenly after taking some medicine 
which was ee to him forthe 
relief of a co A few pieces of 
the bark, of which e was said to have 
eaten, were sent for examination, and 
identified, physically abd Panne: 
as nux-vomica bark.” 


‘« There seems to be little doubt but that 
eaths are 


for the bark of a non-poisonous nee 
dicinal tree. 


by ys Vagaret insight was obtained in 
the month of May hai s to herr this 
ei pea ey Kurchi bark 
is in great r pi Be: mb as 


reput 
a mild antiperiodie ae tonic for 
children, and a dee i 
bark is also used in ane native hos- 


82V 


WAOVINV DOT 


ee 


|. pitals. The apothecary e the Camp- 
bell Hospital when proceeding to 


make some decoction hospital 
use, Observed, amongst the iis 


he Seen the matter to Dr. Coull 
oat the ie mekkir ta of 


the Hospital. A nd Lge 
of havent “bark was pte for to the 
same native drnggist who ied 
the first lot, and this too contained 
several pie nu ‘ 
The police were then informed of the 
matter by . Mackenzi h 

ceeded to shop ist 
and seized the whole of his remaining 


very large a 
one- e-fourth of. the entire quantity of 
the bark.” 


e of the most remarkable seb 
a 


nu 
for 1884 in this as un- 
sails high. The lrge bu balk - the 


W LOVIN V BOT 


. 
' 


6Lb 


Presidency. Year, 


Stryehnia. 
Brucia. 


= 
g 
| 


Strychnia and 


Brucia. 


Nuxeyomica 


(seed or bark.) 


Animal 
viscera. 


to contain poison 


Substances pag Baye to be or 


in connection 


Brucia 
(bark or seed )} 


Strychnia aud 
Nux-vomica 


Strychnia. 
Biucra 


Nux-yo- 


mica 


Ext. 


with “human poisoning cases. Raspectod 


substances 


REMARKS. 


Bengal—{contd )..11884 


| 


Re eirnserysncs1 SOOO) Slenr 
geese sexy fiooe) Lf 1 


Hib trees aye f LOOT 


; 888 
See eae tarererens 1889 ] 


u.. 
L 


CO et YD 
Co kt orbs Oo 


} The 


‘ 


\ 


which figure in the returns 

ander this heading occur in children 
and infan nd such enorm ously 
igh pray rilesom ‘of nse has never 


sively used :. the people for 
infantile ailments 


five substances in connection 
with eattle poisoning were found 
nux-vomica 


O8P 


‘WAOVINVOOT 


ning by stryehni ia, 
detected in the gon: 


caloi d was 
of the. Rican and in the liver of: 
dsy 


“wfecisle Marked sy mptons of poison- 
ing by strychnia were present during 
8 act quantity t "as 
no mm. ‘It was, however, ascer- 
tained that 10 grains by weight of 
strychnia was in the-deceased’s hou 
shortly before she was attacked with 
syinptoms -of poisoning fter her 
port of this ‘quanti 
pened be eerie ‘Only three other 
/ case poisoning by stryehnia (all 
n stad} ve 9 re me dur- 
ing the past tive years. Dr.’Chever’s 
rem hat ‘commonly as the nux- 
mica fi a place among the 
‘Bazaar drugs of Bengal, ‘it would 


_ appear thatit is by no means: frequent- 
ly employed in this ¢ country as a 


supported by the experience of t 
Bombay ‘Chemical Analyser’s Hes" 


* The single er in seal stryehnia was 
detected wa me respects a 
“curious one. ae toed practitioner, 

; ing do 
t 
dog a piece of the meat before him. 


called away before he had due 
‘a sat any himedlf, and on his return 


é 


‘WAOVINV DOT 


‘ 


Substances. suspected to be or : es 
to seam poison in connection a 
with human poisoning cases. — win ected 
5 ; ~ substances 
; ad |. ; 6) B ‘tion with Ramanns. 
41 18.) Beeld cattle 
‘al .| de] 6s - wa poisoning 
S| a) os | Fe | dg] v4 
ple) PE) as |g) os 
alalamlta~| a jaa4 
Nsano| | ; : é | -about half an hour afterwards, found 
nee his dog dying. He naturally suspect- 
i at the meat he had th 
: . . dog was Sp rgiac and pac in apc “bs 
' police. ‘On examination strye as > 
detected in the. contents of the orineh Q 
of the mt but none, eould be found 1 
i ; i ndrg e probable explana- 2 
: ; tio re case was that the dog ty 
cf : ‘had got hold of the ‘poison from the © 
; apes police, who were * a“ time poten - & 
‘ : : / mg stray dogs ‘Bombay with By 
strychaia. 


= 
. 
- 
. 
* 
° 
. 
. 
. 


en peeeetoer 


Ge ee ee fee | cee | sees ff The case 1in whieh didi was 
found was that ofa man at Satara 


> 
> 


re 
ho o 
ed to' be stryehnia. This he probably 
stole from the police, who use it for 
destroying dogs, ”’ 


ses which strychnia was» 
d came ‘under notice during 
One of these, except from 


in. a hospital w 
mixtures pie ning the Liq Hydrarg. 
Perchloridi of the British Pharmaco-- 
peeia. The quantities: ordered were 
respectively as apna every 3rd hour 
for patient. A,. one fluid drachm 
n 


nie: symptoms. Further admin 
tion of the mixt 


what was left of’ th hem was — to. 
me for da 


ra 


t 


© 
Fy 


WAOVINVDOT 


Nuxsyomica 


Substances suspected to be or 
to contain poison in aanicion 
with human pasate < came. 


3 = 

z Animal 8 g $ REMARKS, 
3 viscera, | ¢ a 3 

4 a Pas) ee 

$ S| 2/35 | te 

3 PB) S| he | we 

3 Sif) 88) 33 

& ml S| a sa 


Bombay—(contd.) |1878 


eeneee 


r os 
2... eos sue cae eee aoetes 


| 
: 


seneonitaenctnmnemeetetpnnie iy tamtnbetegl antl velit op gee 


substituted for the Lig. Hydrarg. 
Perehloridi which had been Pelee 


This poison was detected in 4 ea 
(two of now pay sri ys during the 
year. Of the esses, one Was 
san Be from Kaira, fee was the case 
ich aman was stated to have 
po eliat ted suic y swallowing a 
packet of as ae Tor killing bya 
1% n analysis, the ay on was dete 
n the conte nts ¢ 
ms liver of the 7. 
fatal case came fi 
Rerars. 


2 


a 
— 
= 
@ 
wn 
L mad 
© 
= 
S 
] 
° 
a 
b=] 
o 
m3 
PBC! 
tes 
= 


given to Lim b 


iste,and some pai 

op haar ear,and soon Hla Ieid 
ecame violently, conyulsed, 

23h ‘died j in about 15 minutes Ou 


PSP © 


‘WHOVINVDOT 


(line co 

tho a nial afterwards. mae 

into Insensibility The symptoms 
isapy M. The 


Ta 5 mplain 
_ gave bread. to her dangher 
who ag om ed of its bitter taste, 
vel whieh mother tasted it, then 
her father (the sada er ), as well 
as four or five men sitting at the time 
in the piso ot aa gt each and 


‘© AOVINV DOT 


Substances suspected tobe or 
to conta n poison in connection 
with human poisoning cases: 


Strychnia. : 

Brucia. es lee 
rychnia and} = | 

Nux-vomica ee 


o~ ‘ = oe | & = 
.§| Animal | | | 2 | 81 F | 8 
Year. £2| viscera, | Sal Bs E E 
t “s of 
5 gig] 8e| Fal" 8] g 
is Ble) Ee | 28198! op 
a |ee os od na a heads Ses 


Suspected 
pss 
nede 


REMARKS 


it-to a do ‘he dog ate the whole, 
and after about a quarter of an hour, it 
fell down trembling, 0 

vulsed, on after died.’ The 


: 3s 
peek Wi. s-sent: for examination, and. 


H onalyaia strychnia was detected in 


RSG 
5 
~~] 
iz 
ao 
Dn 
2 
t=) 
=] 
pant 
2 
co 
= 
sake 
ro 
= 
a 
=) 
& 
oe 
om 
73] 
la] 
Z 
=a 
re) 
a 


in two of these, and perhaps in Ai 
the employment of strychnia as a 
poison ts traceable to its introduction 


eas use for the purpose of destroyin ng 
dog 


98h 


WAOVINVOOT 


1880! . 


eee 


tereee 


eecves 


eho Hav veri 


Age < 

a packet con- 

ting mur’ which on examination 
‘be 


prov waasbionta seeds, was 
Crear 4 oie request that.I woul 
he whether such seeds if adminis- 


be ause abortion, ‘Two fatal 
cases. of, bats oning by str a une 
from Poona and the otherfom Dharam 
gaon (Khandesh .Distriet), were refer- 
red during the year. In the Poona 
ca 


two brothers -by, it -w 

plicable ide Deresrod's two bro- 

‘thers, findin ng the sweetmeat had a 

-bitter taste, did not eatit. Strychnia 

vwas found on analy “7 in. the. contents 
oy .W 


of. the stomach of the who died. 
The .Dharamgaon case apy 0 
have been an accidental one, arising 
out of some strychnia s sup 
plied to the police for the tad ad of 
destroying dogs, having -been mis- 


takenifor«cinchona alkaloid eae 
supplied as a febrifuge.”’ 


Two cases came under notice during 
the past — in which ee bs 
—! eo hip from Dha 
ere this alkaloid 
wie detetiad | fa ihe contents of t 


i 


‘VT MOVINV DOT 


L8¥ 


‘Human viscers. 


th er, : Sa 4 — 
iy ae a 
@ \s¢ ‘ |g/e fd 

j | 8B 4) |#g/E@) 5 | & 
; a4 Ba} a AS tee | She 
/}28| Fs Slgldel ial“ 8| 3 
. es 4 4 2 3 oF us ae seat 
Ba | es SB SS) Fs) HE] oF 

a n Ag 1) al @ hao aes] ol 


‘Rewarns, 


ee 


stomach of a hospital _assistant, who, 
it-was ib ed, | 


PLLC 


symptoms in this case being 
somewhat prowess’ I transcribe from 
the repor 


osed ; no dicenieitae, 8 lt ale 
Ricca: twitchings of face and arms. 
The second case was fécviedan from 


S87 


‘#AOVINV DOE 


n 
some table 
“pot be found ina cup near the” dend 
ody of a man, who, it was suspected 
had committed, suicide. 


‘A case was submitted by the Roribay 
Police in igyce me quack pills were 
found to contain a minute quantity 
of dervichnlie? 


ee ease from poy in which a Ons 

mica seed was found in the co 
tents + a packed suspected to contain 
pol 


= pile — detected in 2 oes o 
ue e contents of the 


e fiv TS, 
ded were eager ened Pe 
chnia given to hem by mistake 
for feitiehoies alkaloid 


“The poison was et —— ic! Me — 
bor the yea ea 
_ Dindor i (Nasik Biteat) ng Ake 
nagar, In the sets the luna» 


Lge rn abe suspected to b 
te contain poison in qeanacthe te 
enh ia poisoning cases. | Suspected 
substa | 


“ys 6 ‘ ‘ ec~ 
a Animal | 3 S| 2 4 [in conn Ri 
' 4 ms ith -EMARKS, 

nearer: wie al fa VES ae Bek ceitte 
A alae Sly g RQ | poisoning 
5 S| SE | uM] wo] ws cases. 
BB) fal S| RE oe 
mal? |4S)q 24 


SE aT 
T 


bend 


: Bombay—(contd.) /188 ee in the vomit of young 
gees : who attempted to commit sui- 
Aes ide. The sufferer was the son of 
a police constable, and the ge sae 
swallow ed by him was a portion of 
some issned to his eg for the pare 
pose of destroying do nt 
Bonar ay ‘ar case, bev etnis was detéoted 
me fragments of bread and also 


t 
bute Subba in the school-room.’ 


067 


AOVINVDOT 


fF 
é 


seen 


in which s 

owder: s were recogn 

‘mica sell and 
ea 


case from Patan (Satara district), in 

which nux-v i eeds and er 

of arsenious oxide and sulp oe of 

copper were fo waved for identifica- 

tion, no notes of the case being 
rded.” 


Strychnia—I. It not mentioned 

whether the deletion was in connec- 

tion with buman or animal poisoning 
cases 


m Sly oe at Superintendent of 
suicide, 

this | aT “hee "Paisohed Bhadun 

an Assistant Surgeoy at Kaship 

in the Tarai. After death two phials 

were found in his pockets, one empty 

and labelled “ Prussie acid,” the 


for stry eta a detected it by the 
usual process. From the history of 


Fe eA ES ih A ps Sg te age ese No eh ee a 


"WT AHOVINV DOT 


“a 
S 


; Remarks. 


 oaneee 


wee 


“peeter 


seveer 


tet ree 


eneane 


he case it would appear. that this 
unfortunate man must have taken a 
large dose, as the symptoms of the 
oison were not only well marked, but 
he died in about 5 wh od the 
first symptoms were obser 


Pinna: 2. Detected in Frucacdes 

with hu i ae eases, but 

whether “ ‘the viscera or in the 

gai substances it is not men- 
ned. 


Nux Vomica—1. Detected in connection 
with human geval stip ge Bk vl 
he 
the rac a ed hiiiates if is 
ion 
“ From Ballia, The i te Sl examined 


was found to he mica. This 
also a drug often us Hs found in 


bazaars and an: not much used as a 
poison.’ 


B6P 


6 
=) 
em 
5 
ay 
5 
S 


1885 


: See 1879 1 vee 
z parent ver aes 1880 sae 


quantity ae ere nia I coul 
not hie at ace of this alkaloid in 
the 


he ie apne (ck This case 


et 
ea 
3 
oo 
&. 
is") 
if] 
bo is 
° 
Sw = 
—e 
z= 
° 


oman 
alleen, had iaie rumeiteret roe 
vomic I 


too slowly she ned herself. 
Small gi ay of nux-vomica w Be 
foun x the ts of 


u mong en 

sn and stryehpia, the iahee 
principle of nux-vomica, was also 
nd jin the substance of the sto- 


4 Cattle case from Sitapore soncatying’ 
siete hy horse— poison used wa 
nux-v 


“A woman was ele ved to have com- 
mitted suicide with bine pied Jeaves, 
No fragments of the leaves or traces 

hni 0 in é 


omac ome leaves which wer 
sent up were own to be leaves of 
nux-vomic 


‘WAOVINVOOT 


: Gia r ea I 


eeerneeeenee 


Do. 


ee Babaisnoce pasteriee to be or 
aman viscera. to contain poison in connectio: 
~~" Gee with human poisoning cases . 
se “> 
} 3 ' 
S| g¥| Animal E | e3le 12 
r yieoeree | oe 5 4 e 
3) e3| 5° s| || 82|48|, 
3 i a SIS Sel Ge] sel of 
33 El E| oA 2 me] oR 
ajala | ad a\f)a |a>|a ja 
T. 2 see eee eee eeneer eeejlere eve eee eee eee 
1882 2 eee eee eee eeeerr 2 oer ove ee ee eee 
1883 7 wey wee eee seeeee a see eee eee ane eee 


Suspected 
substances 
n connec- 


REMARKS, 


“ Strychnia was ‘detected in viscera in 


two insta One may h 

been a case of suicide, In the other 
an who was ering from 

leprosy seems to h 1 poisoned 


with an immense 
quantity of L Preger and ginger.” 


«é 


Nux-vomica seeds in powder were ote 

found in a pee wder which a man 

used of having forcibly ited 
into the mouth of a woman before 
attempting to commit a rape upon her, 
The poison was also found twice in 
native medicines, the properties of 
which were wanitel to be known,’ 

In seven’ instances strychnia was de- 
tected in the ope viscera, and in 
three instances ong substances 

suspected to be or ys contain poison, 


P6P 


‘WAOVINVVOT 


SPER eee ees 


Te tenes eee 


1885| 4 
18861... 


1887] 2 


ew: 


tarees 


aeacee 


eebeve 


jin the 


be 
within three hours. The 
Salem is remarkable, bee 
victim was said to ha 


third e 


ve died twenty- 


the took 

The history of t oe se indi-+ 
peri the srotlghiliey of io bane 
heen produced by some irritant poi 
adtainisters d by an enemy of tone 
peri who was supposed to have 
ntly been Rae d to the de- 
os No ante is font oe 
remaining Ps ca Nux- ca 
was detected in connceton with Whe 
cattle- Reig ca 


< 


The nux-vomica was mi ed with orpi- 
feat in all of the three cases 


In one case strychnia was discovered in 


was de- 
tected a only i in the viscera, but also 


| pest iaaiton The case was remark- 


vipa and ies 


ause ie 


ne which was drawn off 


‘EAOVINVLOT 


CoP 


| Nux-vomica 


(bark or seed )) 23" oo 


REMARKS, 


beetee 


symptoms e oecasional 
caamoste 36 SH of the muscles 
of the upper extr sia Later on ch 
temperature rose, the spas 
ceased. At4 p.m. the oMticas somite. 
t 7-15 p eae hea fit of convul- 
sious and died. Zine RSet, and 
apomorphia had been administered 
without effect, 


“The c ial al ef a woman (widow) was 


dragged out of a well, and as the 
cause of jest Sonia. not tte ascertain- 
ed at the inquest, the body was con- 
veyed to the local Ba sary by the 
po ee. - S eerting gp 
mo ‘inet a foe 
crate rey of the winding nied: pats 


96P 


‘WE AOVINY POT 


mortem delivery having occurred on 
the way unnoticed by the bearers of 
There were no signs indi- 


een By ante e; there were no 


the aid ve art, and indeed even after 
si sito as hans recorded aud 


hief factors in the production of 
Pee * d . “ cadaveric 
spa also kno occur at 


a Ae Mjeath by soa dtae poisoning, 
and x en till true cadaveric rigi- 
dity n, disappearing only 


out 18 
hours in the water, cadaveric rigidity 
had all but mene way at the time 

of examination (only the upper limbs 
being slightly stiff) and no doubt 
expulsion : ‘ie ha Roget: as 
the pressure of the us products 
of puttetietton which ‘filled the abdo- 


WAOVINVYOT 


a 


Substances suspect cted to be or 


The possibility of this accident 
occurring is a point in obstetric juris- 
ru 


xamining the dead body 


ol a female alleged to have mis- 


rhe -vomica was detected in bibs 2 is 


would be at once aroused. Date 


by his wife by eset who gave 
1 rug et e advi vice of a 


to contain poison in connectio 
: with human poisoning contig Suspected 
ne Seael See a a1 & 7 stances 
ako a Animrl E #3, >» |‘ |in connec 
read 21. , § : 4 : Z 2 i e oa ee REMARES. 
= 7 '¢ & na a 8 
4 ea a 5 e a B@| oe A. poisoning 
12 o| F 4 cisi eo it s : ase 
| By me Ke i 2 PE| MS) ga) oS 
i P| oo zie gm z-le =| A 
1873 Bt tecane Tools Ti} eve | oes | 1 
with the cattle-poisoning ¢ 
1879 ee see Baeeee = lawel tee oe 1 : bi ee | 1 . N vomica 
| 
| 
him the d 
fakeer as an aphrod 
Bio ee pie er er eee ea eee 


“In one of the stry chi cases, a police 

officer took a fp e powder, as he 
supposed, from a a in which 
such were Pee for igh oe From 
this drawer there we t 93 pow- 


ders of iabcbioti sie of 5 grains, 


S6F. 


‘HO er 


Pe hh eo 


of cinchona febrifuge and sulphate of 
quinine. It was not stated whether 


“tlh ie i been made up to poison 
bea 
I Sk see sap eeves( LO GL cce[see| sar oy an) bitok gp: how, fey Neck ee 
DO biisisthee veu{ 1882 «0. feve ee nae ag tole. : ves san Wepesso os 
De... veeneses eae tee 1883 Peele ee eee eee eee seeleer l 7 . ° . ee eeeeses 
BPI as ivaseesivers BB4)..)..0] ve | « pide ST Mook 3h. Se Os at is 
Do. . eve { LODO, cae fee ree ba aoe oo 1 tes 1 (Used for procuring abor Nux 
. vomica was detected in yo with 
the cattle rane case, 
Do. see vet eee cates ete site] see vee vee J aoe eee ney Seas Cumin) Sn a Shes. LSS. 
Do. . wah oi \ aed oN ee ee Ee on a oes: 7 careers: peg ete i ‘ 


= ae hese eps cases of poisoning by nux-vomica and its alkaloids are recorded in Dr. Brown’s Book on “ Punjab 
oison 


* In a case which was brought to the Medical College, Calcutta, in 1880, an old man put five of the seeds 
into . vessel ‘of water and allowed it to stand all night long; the next morning he drank off the water. About half an hour 

s he began to feel giddy and unable to 7s ie re length he hada fit. About three gore s er he was brought 
to i hospital, not having. vomited, and t mp was used; as soon as the tube of this passed the throat a 


spasmodic attack was oceasioned, in which all his fimbe backs 6 d remained so = about 2 minutes ; after this wig 
e tube was vorphtngys into the stomach, which was throughly seaned out, and a dose of opium was administ ered. 

ead no return o t, and the next day he was quite well. The above forms a eicd example ‘of a very mild case of this 

form of poisoning.” 


: * Case No. 48 of 1862, Umballa.—A man ate some sugar; soon after he complained * twitchings and spasms in the 
: on bag and limbs; he vomited and afterwards rédow eae strychnia was detected in the sugar used.” 

y * Oase No. 134 of 1869.—Several persons partook of food in which nux-vomica seeds ad been put; within a minute 
td com Bed of a bitter taste in the mouth, twitching of the throat, and Stig an vomiting oceurred ; they subsequently 
38 red from cramps and twitching in the limbs, dimness of sight and we t fell asleep two hours afterwards an 
then peeave vered, ux -vomnica s seeds and strychnia were found i in the batons esa 


along with a large number of yale 


WHOVINVOOT 


667 


500 LOGANIACHA. 


Collection.—Cochin nux-vomica is collected in the dry 
deciduous forests at the foot of the Travancore hills, and is 
sold to small native dealers at a low rate, who send it to the 
merchants. The Coconada nux-vomica is obtained from the 
Ganjam district and Godavery. The Madras seeds come from 
Nellore and several other parts of the Presidency. The dirty 
and discoloured seeds, such as those left by monkeys, hornbills 
and parrots only fetch half rates. The best seed is obtained 
by collecting the fruits, washing out the seeds and drying in 
the sun. The right of collection is sold by the Forest depart- 
ment over fixed areas, and in the upper taluks of the Godavery 
in 1889, 5,500 maunds were taken out on payment of 
seigniorage. The last Nellore sales fetched Rs. 12 per candy 
of 20 maunds, that is, Rs. 2-8-0 per cwt.in Madras. In the 
Concan the seed is collected in a similar manner by the Mhars 
and other outcastes, and is sold to the small dealers at an 
average rate of one anna per measure of about 4lbs. 

Commerce.—Large quantities of nux-vomica are exported 
from India. The annual exports from Bombay amount to 
about 4,000 cwts., all shipped to the United Kingdom. 
Madras and Cochin export still larger quantities, and Calcutta 
rather less. An extensive business is done in this drug at 
Cocanada, from which port it is shipped to Calcutta, Madras, 
Alleppy, Cochin, Bombay and Europe. The bags are made up 
to contain 164—1]65 Ibs. each, and are valued at Rs. 3 per bag. 


Exports from Cochin. Cwt. 
1883-84 2,396 
1885-86 10,787 
1886-87. 2,535 
1887-83 7,575 

1888-89 8,255 
1889-90 17,716 


: STRYCHNOS IGNATII, Berg. 


Fig -—Rev, de Plant. Vasc. Filip. App.,p. 449. Saint. 
Ignatius’ Bean (Zng.), Féve de Saint a i ). 


Hab.— Philippine Islands. The seeds, 


LOGANIACEA. 501 


-. Vernacular.—Papita, from Spanish Pepita (Ind. Bazars). 


History, Uses, &c.—The seeds were first described in 
Europe by Ray and Petiver (Phil. Trans., 1699, xxi., 44, 87), 
from information furnished to them by the Jesuit missionary 
Camelli, and probably were brought to India by Jesuit mission- 
aries about thesamedate. They are described inthe Makhzan-el- 
adwiya of Mir Muhammad Husain (A.D. 1769) as the seeds of 
a fruit, about the size of an orange, brought from the New 
World ; of a hot and dry nature, an excellent remedy in cholera 
and obstinate vomiting, and useful in all cold phlegmatic 
_ diseases, such as asthma, dropsy, rheumatism, &c. The dose is 
 oneto two grains, with two or three peppercorns rubbed down in 
water. There is a lengthy account of the seeds in the Talif-1- 
_ sharifi, which the author informs us is chiefly compiled from 
_ European works. Loureiro says:—“I have often given and seen 
others give a whole seed weighing one drachm rubbed in water 
or wine to buffaloes, horses, cows and swine as an anthelmin- 
ic.” The plant, hitherto imperfectly known to European bota- 
nists, has now been fully described and figured by Von Sebas- 
_ tian Vidal y Soler, Chief of the Commission de la Flora Forestal 

de Filipinas, in their ‘‘ Revision de plantas vasculares Filipi- 

nas,” published at Manilla in 1886. 
The seeds are not now used medicinally in Europe, but when 
cheap are readily purchased for the manufacture of strychnia. 
They are officinal in the United States. 


Description.—Sst. Ignatius’ Beans are about an inck 
in length, their form is ovoid, but by mutual pressure it is 
Tendered very irregular, and they are 3 to 4 or 5-sided, bluntly 
angular or flattish, with a conspicuous hilumatoneend. In the 
_ fresh state they are covered with silvery adpressed hairs ; por- 

_ tions ofa shaggy brown epidermis are here and there perceptible 
on those found in commerce; but in the majority the seed shows 
the dull grey granular surface of the albumen itself. Not- 
Withstanding the different outward appearance, the structure 
‘St. Ignatius’ Beans accords with that of Nux-vomica. The 
radicle however is longer, thicker, and frequently somewhat 


ct 


502 LOGANIACEZ. 


bent, and the cotyledons are more pointed. The horny brown- 
ish albumen is translucent, very hard, and difficult to split- 
The whole seed swells considerably by prolonged digestion in 
warm water, and has then a heavy, earthy smell. The beans 
are intensely bitter, and highly poisonous. 

Microscopic structure.—The hairs of the epidermis are of an 
analogous structure, but more simple than in nux-vomica. 
The albumen and cotyledons agree in structural features with 
those of the same parts in nux-vomica. 

Chemical composition.—Pelletier and Oaventou (1819) found 
the seeds to contain the same constituents, though in different 
proportions, as nux-vomica ; they stated the yield of strychnine 
(still containing brucine) to be 1-4 per. cent. Geissler (1837) 
likewise found 1°5 per cent. of this alkaloid. F. F. Mayer 
(1863), on assaying ignatia with his solution, obtained from 2 
troy ounces of the seeds 4°5 grains of strychnine and 13°73 
grains of brucine, which correspond to 0°52 per cent. of the 
former and 1°43 per cent. of the latter. The dried seeds yield 
1:78 per cent. of nitrogen, indicating about 10 per cent. of 
albuminoids. (Pharmacographia.) 

Commerce.—The seeds sometimes reach India from the 
East via Singapore, or are ees from Europe. Value, 
extremely variable. 


STRYCHNOS COLUBRINA, Linn. 
Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. vii., t. 5. 
- Hab.—wW. Deccan Peninsula, from the Concan to Cochin. 
The wood. 
STRYCHNOS RHEEDII. Clarke, 

Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. viii., t. 24. eres wood (Eng.), 
Bois de couleuvre (Fr.). 

Hab.— Malabar. The wood nud leaves, 

Vernacular.—Néga-musadi (Tel.), Modira-caniram (Mal.), 
Kuchila-lata (Hind., sc asiceh Hoegertlekss (Gn, ) pose kale 
(Mar.)s as : 


LOGANIACEE. . B08 


History, Uses, &c.—The vernacular names we have 
given are applied to several scandent species of Strychnos, the 
___ wood of which is used medicinally in India, and is known in 
Europe as lignum colubrinum. In additioa to the two plants 
placed at the head of this article, it appears to be probable 
that S. Beddomei, Clarke, 8S. laurina, Wall., and 8. cinna- 
momifolia, Thwaites, yield some of the serpent’s wood used by 
the natives, and it is well known that the wood of S. Nu«- 
_ vomica is often sold under this name. Rheede (viii., p. 47), 
_ &peaking of this wood, tells us that it is called Pao de solor or 
Pao da cobra by the Portuguese; and that the Malayalim 
word modira signifies mystax (yvorag), probably an allusion 
tothe moustache-like tentacles of the plant. In addition to 
the well-known use of the wood, he says: “‘ Folia cum zinzibere 
et lacte ad consistentiam unguenti cocta, arthritidem, Vilvada 
_Malabaribus appelata abigit; balneum ex illis praparatum 
idem prestat.” Vilvada isa term applied to neuralgic pains, 
The arbor ligni colubrint of Rumphias (1, 70) appears to have 


d anthelmintic, and also externally in certain skin diseases. 
_ his species is described by Rheede under the name of Scheru- 

4 Katu- Valli-Caniram. He says that the Dutch call it Wild 

_Klimmend Kraanoog; that the bruised fruit is applied to the 
ead in mania, that the root rubbed down with pepper is given to 
check diarrhcea, and that boiled with oil it is used asa lini- 
ment for painsin the joints. The bark and wood of the differ-: 
Species of Strychnos appears to be the Katukavalli of 
the R4j4 Nirghanta, often confounded with Kutaja, the bark 
of Holarrhena antidysenterica, In the yernaculars the San- 
skvit Katu, bitter, becomes Kadu, Karu, Kadva, Karva, Karo, 
ura, &c., and Kuta, a water pot, becomes Karva, Karua, 
— &c. ‘These names are very loosely applied to many bit- 


504 - LOGANIACEA. 


4.e. Chinese Dand islikea pistachio nut, and the kind called San- 


jariis like a red castor seed, marked with rough patches. The 
Indian Dand is smaller than the Chinese, but larger than the 
Sanjari. Dand is a Persian name for Croton and Castor seeds 
of different kinds, and is the equivalent of the Hab-el-Khatai 
(Cathay berries) and Hab-el-Saldtin (Prince’s berries) of the 
Arabs, who.do not appear to have made use of lignum 
colubrinum. It is evidently a corruption of the Sanskrit 
Danii, and the Indian kind, smaller than the Chinese, is doubt- 
less the seed of Bultospermum azillare, the Danti-vija of the 
Hindus. . 

Virey (Histoire naturelle des Medicamenis, p. 191,) states 
that Bois de Couleuvre in an overdose occasions tremors and 
vomiting, but mentions at the same time that in smaller 
doses it may be considered as a useful vermifuge, and be given 
also with advantage in obstinate quartan agues. Guibourt 
considers that S. Colubrina yields the true lignum colubrinum, 
or Pao da Cobra of the Portuguese, but he is unable to. decide 
whether the wood usually found in commerce is produced by 
this tree or by;S. Nuwx-vomica. (Hist. Nat., Ed. 1869, Vol. 
IL, p. 557.) Its claims as an antiperiodic have been exa- 
mined by Dr. Berdenis van Berkelow (Schmidt’s jahrbucher, 
May 24, 1866, Brit. and. For. Med. Chir. Rev., April, 1867, 
p- 527); after a trial. with, it in twenty-two cases qnartan 
and tertian, he reports favourably of its action, and con- 
siders that from its cheapness it may advantageously be 


- wsed as afebrifuge. In Bombay shops two kinds of lignum 
_ eolubrinum (Goagari-lakri) are met with; the genuine and 


least « common ae roned from poussins ‘ind the stems of 89. 


ennai auateiag ane are particularly efficacious, 
and the extract of nux-vomica in half grain doses, appears to 
shave all the virtues of the lignum colubrinum. In the Concan. 


are a i 


the fresh leaves of 8. colubrina rubbed into a paste. with the _ 
i of the ashew: \pbaaning tumors. 


LOGANIAOE&. - 505 


Description.—The general structure of the bark re- 
_ sembles that of S. Nua-vomica, but it it of a rusty colour, and 
the small lenticels upon it, instead of being pale, are of a bright 
_ Tusty brown. The pieces of wood vary much in size, and are 
4 more knotty and crooked than those of 8. Nua-vomica; they are 

_ often as thick asa man’s arm. The texture of the wood is 

_ closer, harder, and of a deeper colour ; when touched with nitric 

acid it turns ef a reddish orange. Under the microscope the 

Zone of stone-cells in the bark is seen to be wider and more 

irregular than in S. Nua-vomica, and the cells themselves 
are bright yellow, and larger. 


Chemical composition.—The wood was found by Pelletier and 
ventou to contain strychine and brucine. H. G. Greenish 
i Journ. [3] ix., 1013) confirmed the presence of | 
th alkaloids in the bark and wood, the strychnine reaction 
eing especially well marked in the alkaloid from the bark. 
lis analysis gave 0°96 per cent. of alkaloids in gh dry wood, 
d 5-54 per cent. in the dry bark. 


STRYCHNOS POTATORUM, Linn. ¢ 
Fig.—fozb. Cor. Pl. i., t. 5; Wight IU. ii., t. 156; @artn: 
ruct. %., t. 179. Clearing nut (Hng.). 
-Hab.—Deccan Peninsula, Prome, Ceylon. The seeds. 
Vernacular.—Nirmali (Hind., Beng., Guz.), Nivali, Katak, 
ailbij (Mar.), Chillbij (Can.), Tetran-kottai (Tam.), Chilla- 
njalu (Tel. ), Tetran-parala (Mal.). 
istory, Uses, &c.—This seed, in Sanskrit Kataka or 
‘buprasada (ambu, water; prasdda, clearness), has been in 
in India from the earliest ages for the purpose of clearing 
ywater. Kalid4ésa says :—*‘ the ignorant man is refined 
Srey. of the learned as water is by the Kataka.” 
u (vii. 67) alluding to the popular saying that to name 
Ratake ; is sufficient to purify water, remarks: “Though 
e fruit of the Kataka purifies water, yet the water 
pure, Se faith without nore avails | 


* 


506 LOGANIACEA. 


Kataka is mentioned by Susruta in his chapter on water. 
One of the seeds is usually rubbed hard for a short time 
round the inside of the earthen pot, and the water is after- 
wards poured into it and left to settle ; the impurities subside 
and the water remains clear and tasteless. Medicinally nirmali 
rubbed down with honey and camphor is applied to the eyes 
to strengthen the sight and prevent lachrymation; it is also 
used in ulceration of the cornea and purulent discharge from 


the conjunctiva. (Chakradatia.) Mahometan writers state 


that it is cold and dry, that when applied externally to the 
abdomen it relieves colic ; they also notice its use to strengthen 
the sight and as a remedy in snake-bite. The author of the 
Talif-i-sharffi recommends it in irritation of the urinary organs 


‘and gonorrh@a. He directs four of the seeds to be powdered 


and mixed with a little curd of milk, to be tied up in a piece 
of cloth and steeped in water during the night. The infusion 
is to be taken in the morning. Ainslie says :— “The fruit, 
though when very young it is made into a preserve and eaten, 
is reckoned in its mature state amongst the emetics of the 
Tamool doctors in Southern India, given in powder in the 
quantity of about half a teaspoonful.” The clearing nut has a 
place in the secondary list of the Pharmacopeia of India, and 
is there said to be used asa remedy i in diabetes, on the authority 
of Kirkpatrick. A suggestion is also made that the nut would 
be of use if supplied to troops marching in the rainy reason, 
when little but muddy water can be procured. 


Dr. Pereira. (Pharm. Journ., 1850, Vol. IX., p. 478 Dridces 


: ‘that tho property of clearing water possessed by these seeds 
3 depends upon the albumin and casein which they contain. If 


the seeds be sliced and digested in water they yield a thick 
mucilaginous liquid, which, when boiled, yields a coagulum 
ak and by subsequent addition of acetic acid, it fur- 

a further ‘coagulum (casein ).—(Phar, of India, p- 146. ) 


_ Description. he me is peels: orbicalar, Sains 


Lg aay Ps 


LOGANIACE@. 507 


s _ ofthe two portions of albumen constituting the bulk of the seed ; 
at one point a slight irregularity of the ridge marks the situation 
_ of the radicle, from this runs a faintly projecting line to the 
~ umbilicus, which is central and well marked, a hardly perceptible 
_ depression marks the opposite side of the seed. The integu- 
ments are yellowish grey and covered with fine silky hairs. 
‘The albumen horny but not quite so hard as that of Nux-vomica. 
) the embryo consists of a club-shaped radicle and two delicate 
heart-shaped cotyledons. 
+ Chemical composition.—We found the seeds as difficult to 
’ powder as those of Nux-vomica, and they had to be treated ina 
similar manner before they could be pulverised. The pow- 
dered seeds were boiled with strong alcohol acidulated with 
sulphuric acid, caustic potash in slight excess added, and then 
acetic acid to acid reaction. The solution was then evaporated 


ily principle when agitated with the acid extract. After . 
Separation of the benzolg the still acid solution was agitated 
with ether, which extracted resinous matter which became of a 

2p yellow colour on the addition of alkalies, The aqueots 
Solution was then rendered alkaline with carbonate of soda 
and agitated first with ether and subsequently with chloroform. 
- In both cases intensely bitter extracts were obtained, the 
ether extract exceeding that yielded by chloroform. These 
extracts were purified,* and afforded all the reactions for 
alkaloids, the special colour reactions in both instances indicat- 
ing the presence of brucia, and it is interesting to note that 
the larger amount was found in the ether extract. Portions of 
these extracts were injected into frogs, but beyond inducing 
muscular irritability no tetanizing effects were induced. Ace- 
tates of the alkaloids were. employed for the hypodermic 
injections. We failed in obtaining any reactions for the pre- 
Sence of strychnia in either of the extracts. We are not 
v prepared to state that other alkaloidal principles are 


ted that the ether extract when first dissolved in dilute sulphuric — 
of a yellow colour, but.changed to grass green on standing. 


* 
rm, 


i asdociate seiated with brucia im the seeds. We noted that on the e 


oo GENTIANACEZ. 


evaporation of the alcoholic tincture of the seeds acidulated 
with sulphuric acid, a beautiful violet coloration was deve- 
loped on the sides of the capsule; we also obtained a similar 
reaction with Nux-vomica seeds. Phosphoric acid, however, 
failed to afford this coloration, and it was not afforded either 
by hydrochloric or acetic acids 


GENTIANACE. 


GENTIANA DAHURICA. Fisch. 


_ Fig,—Act. Soc. Nat. Ser. Mos. iii., 63. Syn.—G. Olivieri, 
Griseb. 

Hab.—Persia. The flowering tops. 

Vernacular —Gul-i-ghafis (Indian bazars). 


History, Uses, &c.—Ibn Sina and the Eastern dikes 
and Persians adopted a Persian plant called Ghafat as re- 
presenting the Eupatorion of the Greeks. This plant is still “a . 
in India under the name of Ghifith or Ghafis. (fa Nel ds 
582). It is described in the Burh4n-i-katia as a plant one alk 
in height, having a long blue flower and a very bitter taste. 
The entire plant i is not aeibeqnoutiy to be found in parcels of — 
the drug which arrive from Persia, Aitchison (Bot. of the 
a. Del. Com., p. 88,) speaking of @. Olivieri, says :— 4 
“In great uxuriance on the sandy downs of the Bédghis, 

part of the sward along with several Carices, Thisis 
sdly; as. Boissier remarks, the Gentian of the hot 
conniey. ; Ttisin such ‘profusion, that when in flower it gives a 
. bese > colouring,” » downs.” We are informed that it is 
ul-kealli i by t the Persian peasants from its being used to 

ingworm of the scalp in children.. Indian _ 

tan pl ysicians describe Ghéfis as having 

g blue flowers, &c.} the 


GENTIANACEM. 509 


_ to it the flowers of the Persian Gentian with which they are 
miliar. The medicinal properties attributed to it are those 
of Agrimony. 


7 - Description.—The drug, which is imported from Persia, 
consists of delicate quadrangular flower stalks, two to four 
inches in length, terminating when perfect in five flowers; 
one of these is terminal, the remaining four are in opposite 
Pairs and on longish peduncles, with bracts as long as the 
peduncles. The corolla is funnel-shaped, about 1 inch in length, 
erect, five-partite; calyx five-partite ; stamens five, alternate 
with the corolline segments; style single; stigmas two ; fruit 
three-fourths ofan inch long, one-celled, containing numerous 
Small seeds; calyx and corolla persistent. The lower portion 
f the plant is sometimes to be found; it has the leaves of a 
‘gentian. 

The entire plant is from 6 to 8 inches high, and very bitter. 
hemical composition.—The drug reduced to fine powder 
treated with ether yielded 7 per cent. of extract, consisting 
st entirely of a light yellow-coloured wax. The spirit 
contained a crystalline bitter principle, neutral in reac- 
on, unaffected by alkaloidal reagents but precipitated by 
mnin. The residue, after treatment with ether and alcohol, 
elled up on the addition of water, and a quantity of nee 
and red-colouring matter entered into solution. 
_Commerce.—The drug is an article of regular import from 


, and sells at from 2 to 3 annas a pound. 


Jintiyana. —Under this name Gentian root imported from . 
urope is sold in India, and is generally accepted by the 


510 GENTIANACRAL. 


GENTIANA KURROO, foyie. 
_ Fig.— Royle Illus., t. 68, f. 2; Bot. Mag., t. 6470. 


Hab.—Cashmere and N.-W. Himalaya. The root-stock. 
~ Vernacular.—Kara, Nilkant, Kamal-phél (Hénd.). 


History, Uses, &c.—This drug is not mentioned by 
Sanskrit writers on Materia Medica. Their Katuki, in the ver- 
naculars Katki and Kart, which is in general use all over India, 
is undoubtedly the root.of Picrorhiza Kurrooa. In the Dietion- 
ary of the Economie Products of India (iii., p. 486,) it is stated 
that G. Kurroo is largely exported to the plains along with 
P. Kurrooa as the officinal Karu or Katki, but we have been 
unable to find anything like the root of a Gentian in the origi- 
nal parcels of that drag which arrive from the hills. We 
believe that all the references to this plant, asa drug in use 
in the plains, belong properly to Picrorhiza, and that G. Kurroo 
is only used in the Himalayas and northern districts of the 
Punjab. 3 | 


Description.—The root-stock is perennial and creeping, 
terminating in knotty crowns from. which spring numerous 
vertical rhizomes from 3 to 6 inches in length; the latter, which 
form the bulk of the drug, are bluntly quadrangular, about as 
thick as a goose-quill, and marked on each face by the remains 
of a closely set single vertical row of rootlets; they are also 
transversely wrinkled, and terminate in a scaly tuft consisting 
of the remains of leaves and flower stems. A transverse section 
shows that the rhizome consists of a central quadrangular 
woody portion, surrounded by a thick cortex, both of a light 
yellow colour, tough, and having the odour and taste of 


but is precipitated by ammoniacal aceta 


* 
ome 


and alcohol, and is not thrown down 


ES 


GENTIANACEAE. 511 


from an aqueous solution by agitation with benzine or ether, 
_ but more readily by chloroform. Ferric chloride does not 
f precipitate it, nor does tannin. Sulphuric acid colours it red- 
dish, and the dilute acid decomposes it with the production 
of sagar. The root also contains a yellow, transparent, brittle 
resin, resembling mastic, in softening at the temperature of the 
mouth ; it is odourless and tasteless, neutral in reaction, and 
soluble in alkaline liquors. ‘The presence of this resin to 


Pthirotta (Eng. } Ohiverti (Fr. ). 
Hab.—Temperate Himalaya. The plant. 


far.), Nila-vembu (Tam.), Nela-vemu (Tel.), Nelabeva 
-), Nila-veppa (Jal.), aes 
History, Uses, &c.—Kirdyat has long been an import- 
article of the Hindu Materia Medica. It is mentioned by 
ita and other Sanskrit writers under the name of Kiréta- 
ta, which means the bitter plant of the Kirdtas, an outcaste 
of mountaineers in the north of India. It is also called 
4rya-tikta, “the bitter plant of the non-Aryans,”’ Another 
askrit name is Bhunimba, “‘ground-nim.” The herbis much 
med by the Hindu physicians on account of its tonic, 
mintic and febrifuge properties, and is prescribed in 
forms of malarial fever in which the chief symptoms 
spepsia ; it is usually combined with aromatics, such as 


is also’ considered to be laxative, anthelmintic and 
2. Inthe Bhaishajya-ratnavali, a decoction is directed 
le of — parts of chiretta, Tinosposa stems, raisins, 
ns and zedoary root. ‘Chiretta is one of the 

of the . powder known as Su 


512 GENTIANACEA. 


churna, and it gives its name to a compound oil called Kirétad 
taila, in which it is combined with 26 other drugs, mostly aro- 
matics and stimulants, This oil is rubbed on the body in 
obstinate cases of ague, causing emaciation and anemia. 
( Bhaishajya-ratnavalt.) 
Mahometan writers upon Indian drugs have identified Chi- 
retta with the Kasab-ed-darira of the Arabs, and Calamus 
aromaticus of Dioscorides. Guibourt was alas of the ia 
opinion, but Fée and Royle dissent from it. 
The author of the Makhzan-el Adwiya gives at the end of hi 
article upon Kasab-ed-darira the following short summary of 
the manner in which Chiretta is used by the Hindu phy 
cians :— 7 
«They consider it to be cold and dry, light and flatul 
a remedy for colds and bilious affections, burning of ie b d 
and the fever arising from derangement of the three 
which they call sannipat (fever wills delirium).” The lal 
first described by Roxburgh under the name of Gentian: 
rayita in 1814, Ainslie notices it, and remarks that it 
to be much used in Bengal; it was probably rather a 
drug in Southern India in his time, as he says little ab 
In England it began to aitract attention about the year J 
and in 1839 was introduced into the Edinburgh Pharmacop 
ias, 


is generally accepted as a valuable bitter tonic. In We 
— it has a Aghios asa remedy for bei ae 


@ENTIANACEA, 513 


ens, the root is somewhat oblique or geniculate; perhaps the 
‘stem i is in this case the product of a second year’s growth, and 
the plant not strictly annual. Each plant usually consists of a 
single stem, yet occasionally two or more spring from a single 
_ root. The stem rises to a height of 2 to 3 feet, and is cylin- 
drical in its lower and middle portion, but bluntly quadrangu- 
lar in its upper, the four'edges being each marked with a pro- 
minent decurrent line, as in Hrythrea Centaurium and many 
other plants of the order. The decussate ramification resembles 
that of the other Gentians; its stems are jointed at intervals 
of 1 to 8 or 4 inches bearing opposite semi-amplexicaul leaves 
or their cicatrices. The stem consists in its lower portion 
of a large woody column, coated with a very thin rind, and 
nclosing a comparatively large pith. The upper parts of 
we stem and branches contain a broad ring of thick-walled 
roody parenchyme. The numerous slender axillary and oppo- 
branches are elongated, and thus constitute a dense umbel- 
panicle. They are smooth and glabrous, of greenish or 
mnish grey colour. 
The leaves are ovate, acuminate, cordate at the base, ples, 
ile, the largest one inch or more in length, 3to 5 or 7- 
nerved, the midrib being strongest. At each division of the 
‘panicle there are twosmall bracts. The yellow corollais rotate, 
obed, with glandular pits above the base; the calyx isone- 
third the length of the petals, which are about half an inch : 
af ae The one-celled bivalved capsule contains numerous 


‘The flowers share the intense bitterness of the whole drug. : 
Be wood of the stronger stems is devoid of the bitter pra 


Chemica i vietlionconk the request of the authors of the 
, jraphia, a chemical examination of chiretta was made 
éhn under the direction of Professor Ludwig of Jena. 
shief results may be thus described. Among the bitter — 
of the seas, Ophelic Acid, C'3H2°Q"9, oceurs in the 

portion. It is an Stee boon y ow 


S14 GENTIANACE A 


stance of an acidulous, persistently bitter taste, and a faint 
ventian-like odour. With basic acetate of lead, it produces an 
abundant yellow precipitate. Ophelic acid does not form. an 
insoluble compound with tannin ; it dissolves in water, alcohol 
and ether. The first solution causes the separation of protoxide 
of copper from an alkaline tartrate of that metal, 

A second bitter principle, Chiratin, C°®H*8O'', may be 
removed by means of tannic acid, with which it forms an in- 
‘soluble compound. Chiratin is a neutral, not distinctly crystal- 
line, light yellow hygroscopic powder, soluble in alcohol, ether 
and in warm water. By boiling hydrochloric acid, it is decom- 
posed into Chiratogenin, C!3H**O%, and Ophelic acid. Chirat- 
ogenin is a brownish, amorphous substance, soluble in alcohol 
but not in water, nor yielding a tannic compound. No sugar 
is formed in this decomposition. 


‘These results exhibit no analogy to those obtained in the 
‘analysis of the European gentians. Finally Héhn remarked in 


ehiretta a crystallisable, tasteless yellow substance, but its — 


quantity was so minute that no investigation of it could be 
made. The leaves of chiretta, dried at 100° C., afforded 7°5 
per cent. of ash; the stem 3:7, salts of potassium and calcium 
prevailing in both. (Op. cit. 2nd. Ed., p. 487.) 


~ Commerce.—Most of the chiretta of commerce is said to be 
collected in the Morung district of Nepal; it is packed i in large 
bales, which contain about 1 ewt., and arrives in India about 
_the end of March, when a stock may be laid in at about 2 annas 
Bee Ib. a inferior kind, known as Mitha kirayat, “sweet 
_ chiretta,” is frequently met with ; it is sometimes packed sepa- 
rately, a. sometimes mixed deans the true drug, but can be 
easily recognised by the almost complete absence of the cen- 
tral pith, and by its deficient bitterness. This spurious chiretta 
has been noticed in the London market and described by Prof. 
Bentley. (Pharm. Journ. [3] Ve, 481.) It is said to be derived 
from 8. angustifolia, H am. 


stems i ae some bundles of 


-Blborne in 1883 potest) a : 
oA Chiniia. dessa cua 


GEN TIANACEA), BLS 


Swertia decussata—Nimmo, Wight Ill., t. 157, bis f. 
3 f., Syn.—Ophelia multiflora, a native of the West Deccan 
Peninsula; is used’ under the name of Siléjit as a substitute for 
chiretta. The whole plant is bitter, but the root is preferred, 
and is said. by Dr. Broughton and others who have used it to 
be an excellent substitute for gentian. ‘It is not an article of 
commerce, but. is sold in the bazar at Mahableshwar under the 
name of Kadé, which simply means “ bitter.”” The 8S. corym: 
bosa on the Nilgiris, and the 8. pulehella on the Pulneys, are 
used as tonics in place of the true chiretta. 
Description.—Stem quadrangular, 4-winged, ascending 
densely leafy ; leaves round ovate ; stem clasping, 5-nerved, 
-mucronulate, glabrous, decussate , cymes many-flowered ; ealyx 
divisions lanceolate, acuminate ; corolla white, 4-divided, seg- 
ments ovate, elliptic, their rounded pits surrounded hy long 
fringes; filaments united at the very base; capsules. large, 
cylindrical, erect; seeds minute. Root of the diameter of a 
: quill, giving off two or three rootlets, covered, with a whitish- 
brown epidermis, when dry wrinkled longitudinally, white 
internally, and brittle, a i 
ENICOSTEMA LITTORALE, Blume. — : 
Fig.—Bot. Mag. ii., t. 28; Wight Ic. t. 600. 
Hab.— Throughout India, except in Bengal. The plant. 
_ Vernacular.— Chhota-kirdyat (Hind.), Mamijva ((ruz.), 
Nella-galli (Tel.), Vellurugu (Tam.). 

History, Uses, &c.—This plant does not appear to 
have been noticed by Sanskrit writers on Materia Medica, but 
it is popularly known in many parts of India, aloug with seve- 
ral other bitter herbs as a kind of Kirdyat. It is most abundant 
in moist situations near the coast, and is also found in Tropical 
Africa and the West Indies. Roxburgh describes it under the 
name of Gentiana verticillata, but says nothing about its medi- — 
cinal properties. In the Pharmacopeia of India it is noticed 
‘Under the name of Cicendia hyssopifolia. cons ote 


oe 2301 aie oa sateen 


516 GENTIANACEZ, 


According to Cleghorn it is much used by the natives of | 
Madras as a stomachic, as in addition to its tonic properties, it 
is also somewhat laxative. (Ind, Ann. of Med. Sci. iii., p. 272.) 


Description.—Root perennial, creeping, filiform. Stems 
herbaceous, simple, erect, from 6 to 12 inches high, four- 
sided, jointed; leaves opposite, sessile, lanceolate, 3-nerved, 
smooth, entire, 14 to 2 inches long, by half an inch broad; 
flowers axillary, sessile, generally threefold, small, white ; 
corolla funnel-shaped. The whole plant is bitter. 

Chemical composition.—The aérial and subterranean por- 
tions of this plant were examined separately; the former gave 
34 per cent, of dry alcoholic extract and 157 per cent. of ash, 
and the latter 15°5 per cent. of dry alcoholic extract and 10°4 
per cent. of ash. The bitter principle from both portions 
appeared to beidentical and to have the characters ofa glucoside. 
Tt was left as a varnish-like residue from the evaporation of its 
solution in chloroform, and was also soluble in ether, benzol, 
alcohol and water. It gave a reddish-brown colour with 
strong sulphuric acid, which changed to a purplish tint after 
standing. The hydrolysis of the bitter principle with dilute 
hydrochloric acid resulted in the production of an agreeable 
aromatic substauce, and the deposition of a flocculent light - 
brown colouring matter. 


CANSCORA DECUSSATA, Roem. ct Sch. 
Fig.— Bot. Mag. t. 3066. 
| Hab.— Throughout India. The plant. 
_Vernacular.—Sankhéhuli, Danipola, Danakuni (Hind. ), Dan- 
kuni (Beng.) , Sankhvel (Mar.), Cansjan-cora (Mal.). 

History, Uses, &c.—This plant is mentioned in Sans- 
krit medical works, under the names of Shanka-pushpi, 
Kambu-pushpi, Kambu-malini and Dandotpala, as a laxative, 

: alterative, and nervine tonic. Chakradatta recommends. the 
. fresh juice of the plant to be given in doses of about an ounce _ 
e in all sorts of insanity ; he also prescribes it as a nervine tonic. 


‘ GENTIANACEH. | 517 
It seems probable that the Sanskrit names are applied in 
ifferent parts of the country to more than one species of 
anscora. Rheede (Hort. Mal. «., t. 52), figures C. perfoliata 
with the Malayalim name of the Consfan-cieee from which the 
tanical name of the genus has been derived. The different 
ecies of Canscora are bitterish annual plants which grow in 
moist situations during, or immediately after the rainy season. 
‘They have pink, yellow or white flowers, and are of no medi- 
al importance. 

Description.—Stem about a foot high, perfectly erect 
Janda-utpala), four-sided, angles very sharp, or rather mem- 
ra ne-winged, smooth, ramous, branches always opposite 
-armed, in other respects like the stem; leaves opposite, 
ding, sessile, lanceolate, sharp-pointed, entire, smooth, 3- 
d, size various; flowers terminal and axillary, peduncled, 

: tetninal ones ‘Bites fold the axillary single, white; 
ncles 4-sided ; calyx large, 4-toothed, 4-sided, 4-winged ; 
ol funnel-shaped, border irregular, 3-parted, the two upper 
ments equal and orbicular, the lower one 2-parted, with a 
preates in the groove is lodged the fourth or large: 
; filaments four, inserted into the mouth of the tube, — 
Be stinost longer than the other three; style single; stigma Bs 
ft, segments recurved ; capsule one- -celled, many-seeded, _ 
Other plants belonging to this Order which are somthin. 
d medicinally are: the different species of Exacum, 
0 ngst which may be mentioned LH. tetragonum in Northern. 
-and E. bicolor in the Deccan Peninsula. 

rythroea Roxburghii has been recommended as a 
stitute for Chirctta ; it is a delicate little plant from 4 to 
inches high, appearing in cultivated ground after the rains. 
The root is small and fibrous, sparingly branched, the stem 
gular and winged; lower leaves obovate-oblong, 
those | onthe stem lincar-acuminate ; cymes dichotomous , 
ight pink, starlike; capsules oblong, mucronate, } of 
, dehiscing, 9-celled, covered by the long ' ey 
silyer-paper-like tube of the corolla. 


CD 


518 BORAGINEE 


~BORAGINEZ. 
CORDIA MYXA, Linn, 


Fig. —Delile Fl. Aigypt, t. 19, f.1 3 Wight Iil., t. 169 ; 
Rheede Hort. Mal. wv. t. 87. Small Sebesten Plum (#7ng.). 


Hab. ..(Phroaghout India. Egypt to Cochin-China, Aas | 
tralia, The fruit and bark. | ae 


CORDIA OBLIQUA, Wit. 


Fig.—Bedd. Fl. Sylv., t. 245; Wight Ic., t. 1378. Large 
Sebesten Plum (Eng.). 


_ Hab.—Western India. cs: and Hindustan to ° Ceylon 
The fruit. : a 

GO Sai eae Se . (Hind. ); Bahubéra (Beng.), Bickers ; 
Shélvant (Mar.), Bargund, Gondani (@uz.), Naruvili (Tam.)> 
Nakkera, Botuku (Tel.), Viri (Mal.), Dodachallu (Can.). The | 
adjective great or small is added to these names to ia comeaer : 
the two species. 


History, Uses, &c.—The fruits of these trees are the — 
Selu, Bahuvara, or Sleshmétaka of Sanskrit writers, the — 
Sapistén of the Mahometans, and the Sebestens of old European 
works on Materia Medica. C. Mywa is Supposed by some to — 
: be the kokupnea deyorria of Theophrastus. The natives of India 

_ pickle the fruit of both trees. Medicinally the dried fruit is 
yalued on account of its mucilaginous nature and demulcent 
properties ; it is much used in coughs and chest affections, also 
in irritation of the urinary passages ; in larger quantities it is 
given in Dilious affections as a laxative. Mahometan writers 
describe two kinds of Sapistdn; the greater ay obliqua),. the 
pulp of which is Separable from the stone, and the lesser (@ 
Myzxa), the. pulp of which i is adherent. The word Sapistén is. 

an abbreviation of Bin cs pistan,. esshich, means in Persian ‘ 2 


BORAGINE. 519 


sion to their glutinous pulp,. Both trees are minutely de- 


yxa is used by the Javanese as a tonic. This tree is the 
Vidimaram of Rheede, the Fruita d’ Entrude of the Portuguese, 
nd the Arbor glutinosa or Kleeverige Boom of Rumphius. 

_ Description.—C. obliqua : Drupe oblate-spheroidal ; about 
inch or inch and a quarter in diameter, smooth, when ripe 
low ; pulp in large quantity, soft, clear and very clammy, 
one-celled ; nut nearly circular, laterally compressed, rugose 
the outside, with a cavity at each end, the lower one deeper 
than the other, exceedingly hard, 4-celled, though rarely all 
fertile ; seed solitary, ovate-oblong. 

Ev. Sia Drupe globular, smooth, the size of.a cherry, sit- 
ting in the enlarged calyx, when ripe yellow ; the pulp almost 
trausparent, very tough, and viscid ; nut cordate, at both ends 
ntate and perforated, rugose, somewhat. 4-sided, 4-celled, 
it rarely happens that all prove fertile; seeds solitary. 
urgh.) Both kinds of fruit when dry are shrivelled, and 
he colour of a dry prune. The pulp of C. obliqua can be 
ated from the nat, that of C. Myxa cannot; on sawing 

gh the nut a heavy disagreeable smell is observable. 

hemical composition.—The palp of the fruit of C. obliqua 


r cent, 
Moisture ....é....:.. 12-85 
- Extracted by hot water ... . 64°25 
|. Sugar (by copper estimation) ...........0+ 29°76 
- Acidity neutralizing Na i 5. OS 
_- Alkalinity of ash as KHO . .. 8°06 
Total ash P 8°85 


PRC Ash i im insoluble atin er eee eee ere 408s ee tee eee 


alkaloid, and was not rendered turbid with lime water. 
plums appear to have properties: similar to prunes, 
ey _— a —* laxative action when’ taken in set : 


520 BORAGINEZ. 


A decoction of the bark of C.: Myxa was not affected: by 
iodine solution, and was only slightly turned green by ferric 
-chloride. The alcoholic extract contained some white, trans- 
‘parent’ crystals belonging to the square prismatic system. 
They had no peculiar taste, were neutral in reaction and 4 
unaffected by alkaloidal reagents and the stronger mineral 
acids. The aqueous extract. was dark-coloured, free from 
bitterness, and a substance like cathartin was precipitated 
from it by six volumes of alcohol. Nothing was found in the 
bark to account for its reputed tonic action. Some simple 
crystals of calcium oxalate were present, and the reduction of 
this salt. to carbonate, by bien contributed lasgety * to the — 
12°75 per cent. of ash. 


CACCINIA GLAUCA, Savi. 
Syn.—C. Celsti, Boiss. Fl. Orient iv. p. 277. 
Hab. — Persia. The herb and flowers, 
Vernacular.—Gaozabin (Ind. Bazars). The flowers, Gul-i- 
gaozabin (Ind. Bazars). f 
History, Uses, &c.— A plant named Sovyreooos is men- 
tioned by Dioscorides, Paulus Aigineta, Pliny and other Greek 
and Latin writers as useful in the cold stage of fevers as a 
stimulant when added to wine.* ; 
Dioscorides says of it, Zoe Be PAdpo GudAdovy yapaumerés tpaxu Te 
kai peAdvrepov Sporov Bods yhooon © it has leaves like Verbascum, 
: shen, but rough and blacker, like a bullock’s tongue. - 
ell i : 


Bugloss of the ancients was Borage, laying special stress upon 
the fact that Dioscorides, Paulus Aigineta, Galen and Pliny all — 
mention its addition to wine to increase its stimulating effects. 
a well known use of the plant up to the present time. 
‘Forskahl lees Anim., p. 146 ; Flora lxii.) identifies the Lisén- 
‘althoae of br eetnorharie Mbee eee oe a of = Makhzan, 


BORAGINE:, 521 


ith other Persian writers, assumes that the Gaozabén of Persia 


aozab4n we now receive from Persia, and says that most of 
he drug comes from Gilén. He also mentions another kind 
with smaller leaves as coming from Azimdbad in India. Mir 
uhammad Mumin, in his. Juhfat-el-Maminin, says that in 
[spahdn and some other towns of Persia a kind of Gaozaban is 
called Marmakhiz, and has a small round blue flower. In Persia 
taozaban is used as a demulcent in colds and coughs, and the 


In India the drug has long held a high place in native prac- 
tice as an alterative tonic in syphilitic, leprous, and rheumatic 
cases; it has also diuretic and demulcent properties. O’Shangh- 
1essy (Beng. Disp., p. 420,) notices it favourably, but there is 
e doubt as to the kind of Gaozab4n used by him. Mr. M, 
Sheriff and others have suggested its use as an alterative 
nstead of Sarsaparilla. It may be given in decoction (1 oz. to 
int of water) in doses of from 2 to 4 ounces three or four 
s a day. Whatever its alterative powers may be, there 
be no doubt as to its mucilaginous and saline properties. 
hison found the Persian Géozabar growing abundantly in 
Badghis and Khorasan as well as in the Hari- rud valley. 
tates that the root stock is eaten by the natives, and that it 
en with a most viscid juice, which seems to be palatable to 
people of those parts. (Trans. Linn. Soc. 8nd Ser. Botany, 


Description. —The following description is drawn up 
m ie examination of original bales of the plant and flowers 
| from Persia :—Gaozabén is a large herbaceous, pe- 
al plant with black woody rhizomes, 1 to 2 inches in dia- 
r, and terminating in a knotty head, from which spring 
ral angular stems, thickly studded with calcareous 
les and armed with stiff, white, calcareous bristles. 
ves, which are very fleshy, entire, petioled, and of an 

minate shape, have a slightly waved margin; the 
re 8 inches long by 44 inches meer: = 


522 BORAGINEZ. 


leaves were 44 by 2 inches, gradually decreasing to J inch; 
both sides of the leaves are thickly studded with calcareous 
tubercles which support stiff, white, calcareous bristles. Heads 
of flowers scorpioid and branched, thickly studded with white 
stiff bristles; bracts lanceolate to linear lanceolate, bristly ; 
calyx half an inch long, 5-partite; segments linear-lanceolate, 
bristly; peduncles very short when the plant is in flower, 
lengthening to half an inch when in seed, and becoming studded 
with calcareous spots; pistil hairy, bifid at the apex, double 
the length of the calyx ; corolla one and a half inch long, half 
an inch wide at the throat, funnel-shaped, almost bilabiate, qa 
externally hairy, 5-lobed, two upper lobes longest, throat of 
corolla glabrous, naked; stamens five, attached, a few long, 
weak hairs between the stamens; the fruit consists of oblong 
rugose nuts, ¢ to ;5; of an inch long, supported upon bony cups 
one-twelfth of an inch in diameter. If long kept the flowers 
lose their deep blue colour and turn reddish. 


Chemical composition.—In boraginaceous plants there occurs 
a nitrogenous substance differing from gluten, the solution 
of which in boiling water jolidites on cooling to an imperfect 
jelly, and is precipitated by acids. It is also precipitated by 
the alkaline earths and by most salts, but tannin merely clonds it. 
(Braconnot, J. Phys. 84, 274.) In Gaozabén this nitrogenous 
substance is particularly abundant. 


The ash of the leaves and stalks of Gaozab4n has been 
examined by Deshmukh (1884), with the following results:— 
Silica, 24°17; Carbonic acid, 15°71; Alumina with traces of iron, 
1°87; Lime, 27-31 ; Magnesia, 2° 77; Potash, 14°56; Soda, 9°51; 


Sulphuric acid, 1° 79; Phosphoric acid, 1 06 ; PGilacina, 14th 


Commerce. —Value, Goazabén, gs 7 per maund of STs lbs. 5 
Gul-i-gaozabén, Rs. 12 per maund. 


“TRICHODESMA INDICUM, Br. 
i Bet: ae t 172 


q BORAGINEA 593 


TRICHODESMA ZEYLANICUM, Br. 

Fig.—Bot. Mag. t. 4820 ; Jacq. Ic. Pl. Rar. ti, a 314, 
Hab.—Deccan Peninsula and Ceylon. The herb. 

Vernacular.—JI hingi, Jhingino (Hind., Mar.), Kouri-buti, 
Ratmandu (Bunj.)s Gaozabaén (Sind.). 
History, Uses, &c.—These plants bear the Sanskrit 
1€8 of Jhingi, Jhingini, Sirishika, Durbala and Ambu-siri- 
‘a; they are andor to be demulcent, alterative and alexi- 
rmic; useful for the removal of phlegmatic humors, skin 
The Hindi and Mar: rathi names, which are derived 


on or prickly obj ects; im Hindi J hinga i isa name for shrimps 


itles, and also a stinging kind ef fish. ‘Phe authors of the 
khzan-el-Adwiya and Tuhfat-el-Muminin notice a small kind 

aozabin with a round blue flower, which is probably a 
odesma. J’. indicum is mentioned “in Spry’s Modern 
as being in repute as an antidote to snake poison. Dr. 
‘er (Bombay Med. and Phys. Soc. Frans., 1840, p. 42,) 
ices the use of Indian Borage in the Deccan on account of its 
nollient properties. In the Punjab and Sind it is used as an 
terative and diuretic like the Persian Gaozab4n; in the latter 
wince 7’. Africanum isalso used under the name of Pdbarpani. 


Description.—Bristly, with hairs springing from 
ercles and also more or less villous, leaves mostly sessile-lan 
te or cordate-lanceolate, 1-4 inches long, tuberculate on the 
r surface ; lower pedicels often distinctly axillary, 1-flower- 
clayx lobes (at least in fruit) cordate or hastate at the 
—4 inch, more or less grey or white-villous ; corolla tube 
lobes } inch, ovate, suddenly acuminate ; staminal cones 
r woolly on the back; nutlets 4 inch, sometimes very 
the inner surface, Sbasairely margined. In the variety 
2, the leaves are amplexicaul and strigose econ 
nerves, but glabrous between them. T. Zeylanic 
- and more softly ‘villous racemes tha 

) Ne aeee it hardly differs from it a 


624 BORAGINE. 


Chemical composition.—Like others of the same family thes e 
plants afford a nitrogenous substance, differing from gluten, 
the solution of which in boiling water solidifies on cooling, and 
is precipitated by acids sleltaline earths, and most salts, whilst 
tannin merely clouds ‘i. ‘The ash contains silica, lime, magne- 
sia, potash and soda, in combination with enrnanie sulphuric 
_ and phosphoric acids and chlorine. 


Several other plants belonging to this Seti are used as 


substitutes for Borage, such as Onosma echioides and . 
iO. bracteatum i in Northern India (Stewart, Royle), Helio- : 


Aspptum ophioglossum i in Sind (Stve ~ 


eee : - ALKANET, 


This colouring matter was well known to the Greeks and 
Romans as éyoveaand Anchusa. It is mentioned by Theophras- 
tus (vil., 9), Dioscorides (iv., 35, 36) and Pliny (22, 23). Dios- 
-_corides describes three kinds; it was used chiefly to colour 
“medicines. Iba Sina ealls it bagel (anjusa); he gives Khass- 
‘el-himar “ ass’s lettuce” as the, Arabic name, and quotes 

_Galen’s opinion of its medicinal properties ; he also mentions 
several other names for the different kinds of alkanet. ‘The 
author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya, in his article upon Abn-Kalsa, 
_ gives various names for the four kinds of alkanet described by 
-Mahometan writers ; he states that Harjuya is the Persian, and 
_ Ratanjot the Biiee name for them. In India the roots of 
i Onosmna, Hookeri, Clarke, and of a species of Arnebia from 
a hanistan, are known as Rang-i -i- -badshah, “king” s dye,” and 
oo jot, and dre chiefly used ie colouring medicinal oils, &c ; 
ee third kind of alkanet i is imported from China, and consists of | 
_ long, woody, twisted roots like the alkanet of Europe, which 
is chiefly derived from Alkanna tinctoria, Tausch, and | is i 
Orcanette of th Frenc on 


WS yaa ns oo rb: 


BORAGINBE. 525 
HELIOTROPIUM INDICUM, Linn. » 
Fig.—Wight Il., t. 171; Rheede, Hort. Mal. «., 48. 

e Padian Turnsole (Eng.). tos 
Hab.—Throughout ae ae The herb,. 
Vernacular-—HAthi-shtra (Hind.), Hatistira (Beng.), Bhi- 
rindi (Mar.), Tét-kodukki (Tam.), Télumani, Nagadanti (Tel), 
Tél-kotukka, Teliyanni (Mal.), Hathi-sundhéna (Guz.). 


‘History, Uses, &c.—This plant i is the Hasti-sunda of 
‘Sanskrit writers, it isalso called Sri-hastini, from its being held 
in the hand of Sri or Lakshimi; it appears to be very generally 
used as an astringent and vulnerary in different parts of the 
world, It is the Bena Patsja of Rheede. Ainslie describes 
it under the name of Heliotropium indicum, Of its medicinal 


The juice of the leaves of this plant, which isa little bitter, 

th: native practitioners apply to painful gum boils, and to 
repel pimples on the face; it is also prescribed as an external 
application to that species of ophthalmia in which the tarsus is 
inflamed or excoriated. The Heliotropium indicum is also a 
native of Cochin-China and of the West Indies; in the rai 
mentioned country the natives call it Cay-boi-boi. ‘OF 

virtues, Loureiro says :—‘ Folia istius herb contusa maximé 
conducunt ad inajores anthraces, vel, quando incipiunt, resol- - 
endos, vel postea suppurandos.’ (Flor. Coch.-Chin., Vol. I., : 
p. 103.) It is well described by Browne, in his History of 
maica (p. 150), and I find Barham (p. 42) tells us that it 
cleans and consolidates wounds and ulcers, and that boiled with 
castor oil it relieves the pain from the sting of a scorpion, and 
cures the bite of a mad dog!” (Mat. Indica, Vol. LL., p. 414.) 

In India also the plant is used as a local application to boils, 
Sores, and the stings of insects and reptiles. 

Description —An annual plant common in ditches where | 
e soil is rich,’ The whole plant is more or less covered with 
hairs, stems several, as thick as the little finger, hollo’ 
sched from the axils of the leaves ; leaves cena ern 


526 BORAGINE 2. 


cordate-ovate, rugose, long-petioled ; petioles margined ; spikes 
terminal, solitary, simple; flowers like those of the garden 
Heliotrope, but smaller; fruit mitre-shaped.. The plant has a 
fetid odour like Stramonium ; taste a little bitter, 

Chemical composition.—The stems and leaves, besides con- 
taining a tannin soluble in ether, affording a dirty green colora- 
tion with ferric chloride, and an organic acid, non-crystalline, 
also soluble in ether, gave very marked evidence of the pre- 
sence of an alkaloidal Pantie soluble in ether, and yielding 
marked precipitates with the ordinary alkaloidal reagents: with 
potassic chromate it afforded no. precipitate, and it gave no 
special colour reactions. It was tasteless, 


Heliotropium Eichwaldi, Steud. Bichw. Itin. Casp- 


Caucas 10, t. 4, differs little from H. europeum, Linn. Its 
leaves, boiled in castor oil, are said by Murray to be used 
in Sind to relieve the pain of scorpion stings, and also 
for cleansing and and healing ulcers. 4H. brevifolium and H. 
undulatum are used for similar purposes in Northern India. 
The 7corpémov ro péeya of the Greeks (Theophr. H. P. vii., 
8, 9, 10; Diosc. iv., 195,) is supposed to have been H. euro- 
peum, the same plant was the Herba Solaris of the Romans, 
and was used by the ancients to expel bile and phlegm, and 
locally applied to scorpion stings. P. L. Simmonds (Amer. 
Journ. of Pharm. Feb. 1891) states that it contains a toxic 
alkaloid. It obtained its name from a myth which is related 


- by Ovid (Metamorph. Lib. iv., Fab. 6), in which the nymph 


oS Oe atun the Sun was turned into this plant, but still 

; ed her affection for her lover. 

** Membra ferunt hesisse solo: partemque coloris. 

Luridus exsangues pallor convertit in herbas, 

Est in parte rubor, violaque simillimus ora 

Flos tegit. Ila suum, quamvyis radice tenetur, 

Vertitur ms soles pareeque seryat amorem. ” 

“ey et Vaesiem # it Poy ae teaNeY 

- Stillthe lov'd aah the fond leaves hea 

Still move gee metas Di vial 4) Sire 
yinph is true.” 


retained, 


CON VOLVULACEZ, oad 


. Plants of minor importance belonging to this Order, which 
are used medicinally, are:— | 

: Ehretia buxifolia, Rob. Cor. Pl. 4., t. 57, a shrub of 
the Deccan Peninsula, called Kurwvingi in Tamil, the root of 
which, according to Ainslie, is sweet and slightly pungent 
when fresh, and is used as au alterative in cachexia and 
_ syphilis; the Mahometans consider to be an antidote to 
4 vegetable poisons. 

a Ehretia obtusifolia, Hochst., a native of Sind and the 
4 Punjab, is considered to have similar properties. 

Coldenia procumbens, Linn., Lam. Ill., ¢. 89, a com- 
mon weed in rice fields during the cold season, known to the 
natives as Tripakshi or Tripankhi, is, when dried and powdered, 
made into a paste with an equal proportion of powdered 
fenugreek, and applied to boils to promote maturation, 


Sh Wa he Sage ie ea Sane peu 
Gee Te eee eee ey Su Da abt) es ea 
agi ehpigi Se Re ORT ok en ee 
sat Masi ial Mas Ss Meee oe ad are th 


CONVOLVULACE&. 


IPOMZA TURPETHUM, Pr. 
Fig.—-Bot. Reg., t. 279; Bot. Mag., t. 2093. 


-Hab.—Throunghout India and Ceylon. The root. oe 
oot. lating 
- Vernacular. —Nisot, Nakpatr, Pitohri ( eed ), Teor: ( Beng. i, 
Shivadai, Shivadai-vér (Tam.), Tegada, Tegada-véru (Tel.), 
Chivaka-véra (Mal.), Tigadikeputigadi (Can.), Nishottar, 
Tartari, Shetvara, Phutkari (Mar,), Nishotar (@uz.). 
_ History, Uses, &c.—This drug, which bears the Sans- — 
krit names of Triputa, “ three-angled, ” Trivrit, “ three-fold, ‘e 
Kutaran4, Tinti and Nindika, is described in the Nighantas as 
pungent, cathartic, dry, sweet and hot; a dispellent of wind, 
: ot bile and melancholy, and bitter and ae 
os rene two varie varieties, Sree Se 4 


Ss. 


528 CONVOLV ULACER. ‘ 


Kala, Kélaparni and Kalameshi, and is described as a violent pur- 
gative. Its source has not been satisfactorily ascertained, but 


itis supposed to be the root of Lettsomia atropurpurea, Clarke, 


anative of Nipal and Sikkim. J. T'urpethum is sacred to Siva, 
to whom the flowers are offered by the Hindus, It is one of the 


most common native cathartics, and has probably been in use | 


all over India from a very early date. The usual method of 


administration is to rab down about a drachm of the rootorstem — " 


with water, and add to it some rock salt and ginger, or sugar 
and black pepper. Under the name of Turbud,an Arab corrup- 
tion of Triputa, Mahometan writers also mention two kinds, 
white and black, and direct the black to be avoided dn account 
of its poisonous properties, which are said to resemble those of 
Hellebore. As regards the properties of Turbud they say that 
it isa drastic purgative of phlegmatic humors and bile; its 


action is promoted by combination with ginger; it is particularly a 


beneficial in rheumatic and paralytic affections, Combined 
with chebulic myrobalans it is useful in melancholy and 
dropsies, 


Ainslie says—* The Convolvulus Indicus alatus maximus had 
long a place in the British Materia Medica, but of late years has 
fallen into disuse. I find it mentioned by Avicenna under the 
name of Turbud ; but the first. among the Arabs who prescribed 
it was Mesue (see Spreng., Ret Herbariw, Vol.1, p, 249), also 
Rhazes (c. 173). Alston in his Materia Medica speakspfturpeth 
as a strong and resinous cathartic, and recommended in his days 
in 2 tetas dropsy and leprosy. The plant is known to the modern 

eks b he name of rovpmeé ; it is a native of the Society and 


Fr iendly Isles, as well as of India, of the New Hebrides and of 
‘New Holland. Virey, in his Histoire Naturelle des Medica- 

ments (p. 184), speaks of the root of the Convolvulus Turpethum 

as more drastie than the common jalap, which, however, it does 
_ not seem, is to be found in India.” (Mat. Ind. II., p. 384.) - 


Wallich, Gordon, and Glass considered this drug to be of 
lue as a cathartic. ‘Sir W. 0” Shaughnessy 
p. 504), four “06 uncertain paaeh bes. e that 


CONVOLVULACEA. 529 


he pronounced it unworthy of a place in the Pharmacopotia. 
‘In this opinion he is undoubtedly correct, as the active resins 
are present in the root in a much smaller proportion than in 
jalap, but as the drug is very cheap it might be used with 


it Ae iien inflamtintlgeer the gastro-int mbrane 
_ and bloody dejections, Like jalap itis an faye stimulant, 
increasing the secretion of biliary matter and rendering it more 
watery. Being’ a hydrogogue cathartic itis useful for the 
_ removal of dropsical effusions, and in such cases it acts best in 
combination with ginger and bitartrate of potash. The dose 


t 


Be abtion. The Turpeth of commerce consists of the 
lisot and stem of the plant cut in short lengths, usually from 3 
to 2 inches in diameter; the central woody eee is hes 


of a dull grey colour, a transverse section shows a porous sur- 
face of a dirty white colour, and loaded with pale yellowish- 
white resin; through this substance pass numerous bundles 
composed of large vessels and woody fibre. The drug is free 
from smell, but has a nauseous taste, which is only perceptible 
after it has been some time in the mouth. In some specimens 
all or a portion of the central wood remains; it resembles a 
piece of rattan cane. Black nisot presents a similar appear- 
ance, but is of smaller size and of a darker colour. 
Microscopie structure.— The epidermis consists of tebuslne 


‘born, cells; the parenchyma is starchy, in it are thickly. 
‘Seattered very large resin cells and numerous rosette-like 


530 CONVOLVULACEA. 


‘The central cane-like woody column of the root or stem when 
present is seen to be divided into four parts by four bands of 
parenchyma (medullary rays); it consists of large dotted vessels 
connected together by narrow portions of woody fibre. : 

The black nisot has exactly the same structure as the white. 

Chemical composition.—Turpeth resin consists of a small ~ 
quantity of soft resin soluble in ether, and of a substance in- 
soluble in ether, benzine, bisulphide of carbon and essential 
oils. Thissubstance has been named Turpethin (0%*H%°O"), 
and is present in the root to the extent of 4 per cent.; it has — 
been examined by Spirgatis, who describes it as a grey powder — 
having a powerfully irritant action upon the mucous membranes — 
of the mouth and nose, and being analogous in its reactions — 
with jalapin and convolvulin. Under the action of alkaline 

_ bases it is transformed into turpethic acid, and in the presence — 
of hydrochloric acid becomes converted into glucose and tur- 
petholic acid. (Zeitschr. der Chemie und Pharmacte, 1865.) 
Turpeth resin is supposed to have a resemblance in colour and — 
action to Turpeth mineral, an old name for basic sulphate of © 
mureury, 

Commerce.—The price of the drug i in Bombay is about Rs. 2 

_ per maund of 374 lbs, . 


IPOMAZA HEDERACEA, Jacq. 
 Fig.—Jacq. Icon., t. 36; Bentl. and Trim., t. 185. Syn— 
ha “ont Nil, Chois. \ 
-Throughout India. The seeds. 
ar.—Mirchai, Kéladana (Hind.), Nil-kolomi, Kéla- 
dav (Beng.), Kodi-kikkatan-virai, Jiriki-virai (Tam.), Jiriki- 
ttulu, Kolli-vittula (Tel.), Kéladana (Guz.), Nilapushpi- 
eh Mar.). The same vernacular names are often 7 
to the seeds of Clitorea ternatea, 
21S! >. —These hom do not appear to be | 
| Medica, “naeta the 
name ' i-nfl, 


CONVOLVULACRE, 531. 


Shape of the seeds, and colour of the flowers. As regards the 
medicinal properties of the drug he says that it is a drastic 
‘purgative and attenuant, relieving the system of bilious and 

hlegmatic humours, and acting as an anthelmintic. In some 
native works the seeds of Cliterea ternatea appear to be con- 
founded with Kaélédéna. The author of the Makhzan, though 
: describing the latter article correctly, gives Aprajita (Oliteria 
ternatea) as the name of a kind of Hab-un-nil. i 
From the time of Roxburgh, and probably from an earlier 
ate, the properties of the seeds have been known to Europeans, 
ho have almost universally acknowledged their value as a 
e and sure cathartic. 
Th the Pharmacopeia of India (1868) they were made 
official, aud directions fer preparing an extract, tincture, com- 

ound powder, and resin are given. These preparations are 
‘Meant to supply the place of similar preparations of jalap. 
With regard to the extract, we would observe that no direc- 
ons for separating the albumen and mucilage are given, 
msequently the result of the operation isan enormous bulk 
f a most inert extract, which in a short time becomes putrid. 
@ to ten grains of this extract have no perceptible effect as 
urgative. The resin, first prepared by Dr. G. Bidie of 
as in 1861, appears to be the most satisfactory prepara- 
of this the dose is from 4 to 8 grains. 


ae eg 


Jescription.—The seeds resemble in shape those of < 
of the Convolvali, being in the form of a segment ofa _ 
e; they are generally about 3, of an inch in length, 
nearly as much in breadth, but sometimes much smaller. 
ir weight varies from }to nearly ] grain. The colourof _ 
testa is black, except at the umbilicus, where itis brown, 


le. ‘These have an acrid taste and earthy odour. 
 structure.—From without imwards the testa con- 
a layer of epithelial cells, the thick outer walls of 
ical projections; 2nd, a sixgle layer — 


Koad 


3 — eal ig of a light green sGisiies 15 inches long; ealyx 


identical with those: re E,, hederacea. 


532 CONVOLVULACEM. 


quadrangular cells; 3rd, a layer of radially elongated prisma= 
tic cells; 4th, a zone of parenchyma, the cells of which are 
irregularly compressed. Within the testa is the thin layer of 
albumen, which contains much mucilage. The cotyledons are 
built up of polygonal cells; in their substance are cavities or 
passages which contain a yellowish oil. 


Ipomoea muricata, Jacq., Hort. Schoenb, vis, 40, t. 325; 
Bot. Reg. iv., t. 290, a native of Persia and the Himalayas, is 
the source of the Tukm-i-nil imported into Bombay from Persia. 
Roxburgh says of it :— “ I have only met with this in my own 
garden; it was raised from seeds sent from Persia and proves — 
annual.” Itis noticed by Graham, who seems to regard it as a 
variety of Calonyction speciosum ( Bombay Plants, No. 972). 
In Bombay it is common in gardens and upon waste ground, 
and it is agarden weed in many parts of the Concan, where it is 
known as Barik Bha urt, or the lesser Bhauri, on account of the 
similarity of the calyx to that of Porana racemosa (Bhauri). | 
The juice of the plant is used to destroy bugs. The Bombay — 
plant i is identical with the one we have obtained by sowing the 
Persian see a 


A a —Annual herbaceous, Secs, root small, 
nad: with many slender rootlets ; stem branched, covered 
with soft prickles, not hairy; leaves broadly aperete, acurninate, 
smooth, onlong petioles; flowers axillary, 2 to4, on long 
peduncles having prickles like the stem ; pedicles large, fleshy — 


vided ; ‘sepals 5, broadly ovate, mucronate, smooth, persistent; a 
corolla. purple, about 2 inches in diameter, expanding at 
sunset, before sunrise ; capsule two-celled, composed 

of 4 segments, whisk separate from the central partition; cells 

two-seeded ; seeds dark brown, smooth, the same shape asthose 
of Kaladana, about 4rd ofan inch in length, and} in breadth; 
weight about 8 grains each. They can easily ie ae 
guished from Indian Kaladana by their greater size, lighter 
colour and thick testa; their medicinal Prapertigs ww to be 


CONVOLVULACE. 533 


Chemical composition.—The authors of the Pharmacographia 
say:—‘* By exhausting the seeds dried at 100° C., with boiling. 
ether, we obtained a thick light-brownish oil having an acrid 
taste and concreting below 18°C. The powdered seeds yield- 
ed of this oil 144 per cent. Water removes from the seeds 
a considerable amount of mucilage, some albuminous matter, 
_and a little tannic acid. The first is soluble to some extent in 
dilute spirit of wine, and may be precipitated therefrom by an 
alcoholic solution of acetate of lead. 

_‘*The active principle of Kaladana is a resin, soluble in 
alcohol, but neither in benzol norinether. From the residue of 
the seeds after exhaustion by ether, treatment with absolute 
alcohol removed a pale yellowish resin in quantity equivalent 
8-2 per cent. of the seed. Kaladana resin, which has been in- 
oduced into medical practice in India under the name of Phar- 
tisiny has a nauseous acrid taste and an unpleasant odour, 
ecially when heated. It melts at about 160°C. The follow- 
ing liquids dissolve it more or less freely, namely, spirit of wine, 
absolute alcohol, acetic acid, glacial acetic acid, acetone, acetic 
ether, methylic and amylic alcohol and alkaline solutions, — 
It is, on the other hand, insoluble in ether, benzol, chloro- 
rm, and sulphide of carbon. With concentrated sulphuric 
acid, it forms a brownisb yellow solution, quickly assuming & 
violet hue. This reaction, however, requires a very small 
quantity of the powdered resin. Ifa solution of the resin in 
monia after having been kept a short time is acidulated, no 
ecipitate is formed; but the solution is now capable of sepa- 
ig protoxide of copper from an alkaline solution of the 
rate which originally it did not alter. Heated with nitric 
1, the resin affords sebactc actd. 
rom these reactions of Kaladana resin, we are entitled to 
that it agrees with the resin of jalap or Convolvulin. To 
re it in quantity, it would probably be best to treat 
‘seeds with common acetic acid, and to precipitate it by 
ising the solution. We have ascertained that the resin 
for a week. phe lea al 8 


‘a ye 
a 


Br 


* 


534 CONVOLVULACEA. 


‘“We have had the opportunity of examining a sample of 
Kaladana resin manufactured by Messrs. Rogers and Co., 
Chemists of Bombay and Poona, which we found to agree with 
that prepared by ourselves. Itis a light yellowish friable mass, 
resembling purified jalap resin, and, like it, capable of being 
perfectly decolorised by treatment with animal charcoal.” (Op. 
eit., nd Hd., p. 449.) 

Commerce.—Kaladana is collected in different parts of the 
country; the plant is everywhere common during the latter 
part of the rainy season. 


In the Bombay market the seeds of oo muricata, Jacq., 


imported from Persia, are much more common than those of 


the true Kaladana. They are accepted by the natives as 
Kaladana. Value, Rs. 5 per maund of 374 lbs. 


IPOMAAA DIGITATA, Linn. 


Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. wi., 49; Bot. Reg., t. 62, Bot. — 


Mag., 1790. Syn.—Batatas paniculata. 
Hab.—tTropical India. The root. 


Vernacular.—Bidari-kand, Biléi-kand (Hind.), Bhumi- 
kumra (Beng.), Bhui-kvhola, Patténa (Mar.), Bhui-koholu 
(Guz.), Matti-p4l-tiga (Tel.), Nela-gumbala, Buja-gumbala 
Seen Pal-tiodekks (Mal.), Nelli-kumbalu (Tam.). 


History, Uses, &c.—This plant is mentioned by the 

_ early Sanskrit writers on medicine under the names of Vid4ri 
» and Bhumi-kushménda. In the N ighantas it bears numerous 
: ynonyms, such as Payas-vini, “abounding in milk” ; Vriksha- 
valli, _“tree-creeper ”; Ikshu-valli and Be ecridéri, The 
name Bhumi-kushménda signifies “earth gourd,” and is ap- 
plied to I. digitata, from a supposed resemblance between its 
large taberous root, and the gourd of Benincasa cerifera. The 
acular . shami-kumra and Bhui-kohola have the 
indi Bilai signifies a “ 
root,” and in Malayalim p4l 
modekka “a se ae 


CONVOLVULACE-#. 535 


The large tuberous root is considered tonic, alterative, aphro- 
disiac, demulcent, and lactagogue. In the emaciation of 
children with debility, and want of digestive power, the follow- 
ing diet is recommended :—“ Take of Vidari, wheat flour and 
barley equal parts, and make into a confection with milk, 
clarified butter, sugar, and honey.” Susruta gives several 
prescriptions for its use as an aphrodisiac. The simplest is 
as follows:—‘‘ Macerate the powder of the root in its own 

juice, and administer with honey and clarified butter. Vidari 
enters into the composition of several diuretic and demulcent 


piers 
ceo 


mixtures. 

In the Concan the root is peeled and cut in small pieces and 
dried in the shade, it is then powdered and the powder repeat- 
edly moistened (14 times) with the juice of the fresh root and 
dried. Half a tol4 of this preparation may be taken daily in 
oney or milk asan aphrodisiac. From this powder a Paushtik 
is made by frying it in butter with equal parts of almonds, 
uince seeds, cloves, cardamoms, nutmegs, satawari, gokhroo, 

ed of Mucuna pruriens, musli, &c., and making the whole 
nto a conserve with sugar. This conserve is taken dissolved 
1 milk in doses of half a told or more, as an aphrodisiac. In 
spermatorrhcea the juice is given with cumin and: sugar, 
and as alactagogue it is combined with coriander and fenu- 
greek. Rheede says:—‘ Radix in ‘sole siccata, trita, in 
pulverem redacta, cum saccharo et butyro decocta et assumpta, 
macilentos fertur reddere et obesos ; sed et immodicum men- 
jum sistit fluxum, et in febribus ossium confert.”’ 


Description.—The root is a simple or branched tuber, 
Sometimes as much as 40 to 50 lbs. in weight, externally it is 
of a brown colour, and somewhat warty and scabrous. hen 
. transverse section is made the cut surface is of a dirty white 
ur, and marked by concentric rings, which are formed by 
vascular and laticiferous vessels; from the latter a viscid 
ky fluid exudes ; the taste is astringent and somewhat acrid, 

e raw potato, The bulk of the tuber consists of 
renchyme. The vascular system is scalarifor 


536 CONVOLVULACEZL. 


The ‘laticiferous vessels are ceeseiemprunie ‘towards the cortical 
part; raphides abound. 

Chemical composition.— The fresh tuber, collected in Novem- 
ber when the vine had died away, was sliced, dried at a low 
temperature and reduced to fine powder. The powder dried at 
100°C., yielded 2°68 per cent. of extractive to absolute alcohol 
of which 1°78 per cent. was soluble in ether. The resins con- 
tained in the alcoholic extract had the properties of Jalap resins 
as: regards colour, reactions, &c.; but we are unable to say whe- 
ther they possess any purgative action. Sugar, reducing alka- 
line copper solution on boiling, was present to the extent of 
10-909 per cent. calculated on the anhydrous tubers. The bulk 
of the tuber consists of starch. Supposing the resins to be 
purgative, they are present in so small a proportion that no 
ordinary dose of the root would have any aperient action. 


IPOMAAA BILOBA, Forsk, 


Fig.— Rheede Hort. Mal. xi., t. 57; Bot. Reg., 319. Syn.— 
I. pescapre. Goat’sfoot Convolvulus ( Hng.). 
Hab.—Coasts of India and Ceylon. The root and leaves. 


Vernacular.—Dopatilata (Hind.), Chhagal-khuri (Beng.), 
Marjadvel (Mar.), Ravara-patri (Guz.), Balabandi-tiga, Chevul- 
apilli-tiga (Tel.),  Kutherai-kolapadi, Anttoo-kala-dumbo, 
Adapu-kodi (Tam,), Adambu-balli (Can.). 


‘History, Uses, &cC.—Vriddhadéraka is the name of a 
drug in use throughout India; it is a twisted root about half an 
inch in diameter, upon the broken or cut ends of which may be 
observed a black, concreted juice. It is supposed to strengthen 
the body. and prevent the effects of age (Vriddha déraka). 
Datt states that in Bengal the root of Argyreia speciosa is used, 
but the drug sold as Vardhéra in Western India is not the 
root of this plant; it appears, however, to be obtained from a 
plant of the same order, but, as is usually the case in India, the 


herbalists will not indicate the source from which they obtain + 


it. If we turn to the Nighantas we find the following syno-— 


CONVOLVULACER. 537 


nyms for Vriddhadéraka :—Chhagala, Chhagalénghri, “ goat’s 
foot” ; Chhagalandi, “ goat’s testicles ;” Chhaggalantri, “ goat’s 
guts;” Antri, Raksho-ghna, Dirgha-mulaka, Anda-kotara- 
pushpi, Durga and Mahasyama. From these names it would 
appear that the “ goat’s foot convolvulus” is the plant which 
ought to be used. Vriddhadéraka is described as astringent, 
hot, pungent, alterative, tonic; a remover of rheumatism, 
dropsy, gonorrhwa and phlegm. Theso properties agree very 
nearly with those ascribed to I. biloba, the leaves of which 
boiled are applied externally in rheumatisth and colic ; whilst 
the juice is given as a diuretic in dropsy, and at the same time 
_ the bruised leaves are applied to the dropsical part. Rheede,. 
_ Speaking of I. biloba, which he calls Schovanna Adambu, 
States:—TIn aqua decocta fomentum exhibet quo dolores 
3 arthritici mitigantur. Folia cum lacte caprarum in potionem 
_ Preparata, pro hamorrhoidibus propinantur.” 

_ According to P. S. Mootooswamy, the leaves are used as a 
cataplasm in phlegmon, &c, Plumier states that the dried juice 
of the root is used asa purgative in the Brazils in doses of 12 
to 14 grains, and that it should be given like jalap resin with 
uger and bitartrate of potash. 
_ L, biloba is sacred to Durga, and the Kolis on the Wesiobs 
Oast, on the sixth day after a child is born, decorate its cradle 
with the flowers to propitiate that goddess, who, under thename 
of Shashti, is supposed to destroy newborn children. In this 
Tespect it also agrees with the description of Vriddhadéraka. 
The Brahminical name for the plant given by Rheede is ainda, 
. 4 Combination of the Marathi word Béngadi, ‘‘a coil of rope or 
bangle,” and the Sanskrit Valli, “a creeper.” 


_ Description. —A perennial plant with a tough woody 
root of great length ; it abounds in sandy ground near the sea~ 
shore ; from the enlarged crown of the root grow a number of 
ig stems, fleshy and a when young, but becoming 
they mature; the leaves are smooth, thick, long 
and two-lobed like those of the Bauhinias; the flowers 
nd of a reddish purple. A section of the nonk-slowe Se 


Se ee 


Bi) 
i 
2 
a 
ie 
aa 
ii 
hs 
a 


538 CONVOLVULACEA. 


in the’ central) portion’ five: wedge-shaped bundles. of. fibro- 
vascular.tissue ; external to these is a row of laticiferous vessels 
full ofa viscid. yellow. latex, then again come a number of 
irregularly. plaged. fibro-vascular handles, and. external to ~ 
them another zone of laticiferous vessels. The parenchyme of 
the root contains starch and large conglomerate raphides. — 
= whole plant is very mucilaginous. . 4 
“ Ohemical composition.—The powdered roots, avied at a low 
temperature, were exhausted with 80 per cont alcohol : : th 
tincture exhibited a slight greenish yellow fluorescence. The 
tincture was freed’ from aleohol by spontaneous evaporation, 
and the extract mixed with water, acidulated with sulphuric 
acid and agitated with benzole. During agitation, a brownish — 
soft resin separated ; this resin was insoluble also in ether, but — 
dissolved in alkalies with a dark yellowish brown coloration 
and was precipitated’by acid in brown flocks. The benzole 


® 


which possessed a slight odour of peppermint. This extract 
was soluble in absolute alcohol with greenish yellow 
fluorescence and was neutral in reaction: it was also soluble 
‘in ‘ether, with: similar» fluorescence. The alcoholic solution 
gave with ferric chloride a dirty greenish precipitate. In_ 
eald 5 per cent.. caustic soda it was insoluble, but | on ‘ 
boiling it. dissolved. with, some difficulty, affording a dark 
: — solution, while an odour not unlike that of aniseed 
yas 


: on ‘the addition of dilute acids afforded a yellowish precipitate. 
a The original | acid aqueous solution was next agitated with — 
ether, The extractive was small in amount, partly in the form 
: of a transparent varnish adhering: to the sides of the capsule, 
and pa ict whitish crystals. Heated with water. 
ford = Adal solution, but ' which beca 
ore 


on oe : 


CONVOLVULACE, 039 


talline structure; we only ‘detected’ minute «globules. » The 
queous solution was strongly acid in reaction, and gave with 
ferric chloride a dirty greenish coloration, with lime water a 
bright yellow coloration, and with basic acetate of lead a 
| phur-yellow precipitate. . This principle, soluble in water, 
and reprecipitated on cooling, is probably ‘allied to the Quer- 
‘itrin group of principles. That portion of the residue insoluble 
m water, was in properties similar to the resin dissolved by 
benzole. ees 7 
: The aqueous acid solution was lastly rendered alkaline. and 
gitated with ether. The ethereal extract was nof more 
han a trace, but afforded all the reactions ina marked degree 
f an alkaloidal principle. . . 
Phe leaves also afforded marked evidence of the presence of 
Ikaloidal principle soluble in ether, and probably similar 
one we detected in the roots. 
veral othor species of Ipemea are considered by the natives 
ia to have medicinal properties. I. reniformis, Chovs., 
Pl. Ind. 77, t. 30, f- 1, is said to be deobstruent and 
the jaice is administered im rat-bite, and is ‘supposed — 


anciful than real, though, like others of the genus, it is 
ive if taken in large doses. | 
scription.—Stem creeping and rooting ; Jeaves kidney- 
waved, and dentate on the margin, obtuse ; petioles 
duncles very short, 1 te 2-flowered ; corolla small, 
Common in places where water has lodged ; flowers in 
ther. At alittle distance the plant has the appear- 
tyle'asiatica, = fist | Se 
Sweet., Burm. FI, Ind. 45, ¢. 18, f. 1, isa large | . 
ant, with cordate, palmately 5-cleft leaves, 2 
low flowers, the juice of which is consi 
‘and is administere 


540 CONVOLVULACEM. 


sugar; itis also applied’ locally to inflamed eyes, mixed with 
limejuice one part, opium 3, and Mémirén (Coptis root) 4. 

I. Quamoclit, Linn., Bheede Hort. Mal. zi., t. 60, a small 
twining plant, easily recognised by its filiform, pectinate 
leaves, and small,bright crimson or white flowers, is considered 
by the Hindus to have cooling properties; they apply the 
pounded leaves to bleeding piles, and at the same time 
administer one tol4 of the juice with an equal quantity of 
hot ght (clarified butter) twice a day internally. The crushod 
leaves are also applied as a lép (plaster) to carbuncles. 

The Sanskrit name is K4malata, ‘‘Cupid’s flower.” (See As. 
sgh — p- 256.) ‘The Marathas call it Rita- che-kes, 
*Sita’s locks. 

he seat: Ortega, a native of Tropical America intro- 
duced in the North-West Provinces, is the “N oyeau Plant.” 
The leaves have an odour of oil of bitter almonds, and are used 
in the preparation of the French Liqueur known by that name. 

I. campanulata, Linn., Rheede Hort. Mal. wi., t. 56, is 
said to be an antidote to snake-poison. 

iI; Sepiaria, Koen., Rheede Hort. Mal. ai., t.. 58, has o 
roputation as an antidote to arsenic; the juice, which is strongly 
acid, is said by Rheede to be used “ad purificattonem corporis.” 

¥, pes-tigridis, Liinn., Rheede Hort, Mal. zi., t. 59, is sup- 
posed to be an antidote to the poison of mad dogs; pounded 
a butter, it is applied to disperse boils and carbunceles. 

I, uniflora, Roem. et Sch., Rheede, Hort. Mal. «i. » €. 54,5 18 
purgative, and the juice is administered in bilious dyspepsia. 
. aquatica, Forsk., Rheede, Hort, Mal. zi., t, 52, is com- 
monly used as avegetable. It is called Kalambi in Sanskrit, 
Kalmi-sék in Bengali, and Néli-chi-bh4ji in Marathi. 


I, bona-nox, Liwn., Cone. Or. 59, t. L  f. 4, is the 
Moon-flower. _ 
The — 


‘pi m of this species of Convolvulus contains 
a the size of kidn Mansy Deon. Wiok ate 7 


CONVOLVULACEE. “5AI 


_ eaten when young... Dried, these capsules and seeds, as well as 
the flowers, leaves and root, are amongst the medicines. which 
_ are supposed to have virtues in snake-bites; the dose of the 
seeds is about three daily, administered i in powder, (Ainslie.) 
The capsules have been sent to us from Poona as being in use 
there. In the Concan the juice of Rivea ornata, Phénd 
(Mar. ), is made with Borneo camphor and butter into an oint- 
ment for pityriasis. For piles, one told of the Juice | with half 
a tolé of Babul pods, and a little sugar, is given.in a quarter 
seer of cow’s milk every morning. 


e ARGYREIA SPECIOSA, Sweet. 

- ‘Fig. — Wight Ic., t 851; Bot. Mag. 2446. Wlephaak-areepre 
(Eng.). 
Hab. Oo. Thycdghout India. The leaves and root. 
- Vernacular.—Samandar-sokh (Hind. ),. Bijtarka (Beng. ), 
mudra-shok (Mar.), Shamuddira-pachchai, Kadal-péla 
(Tam. ), Samudra-p4la, Kokkita (Tel., Can), recone arr rs 
Samudra-yogam (Mal.), Samudra-sosha (Guz.). sa 


History, Uses, &c.—The root. of .this large i 
an which is called Samudra-sosha in . Sanskrit, is used. as @ 
bstitute in Bengal for the drug described under the name of 
Vriddhad4raka, a drag which we have already noticed as having 
een originally the root of Ipomea biloba. The large leaves, 
ich have the under-surface covered by’a thick layer of silky. 
hairs, afford a kind ‘of natural impermeable piline, and are 
as a maturant by the natives. ‘ With regard to the alleged 
blistering properties of the upper surface of the leaf there 
<8 be some mistake, as we find it has no effect when Saprett 


Pe era 


Fie 


eee 


action. — Leaves ee aed 91 to 12 rachel vad 
and 8 to 10 broad, or even larger; upper. surface dark green 
smooth, under-surface white and silky from the presence 
a felted layer of long simple hairs. Under the. microseope, 
3 are seen to he simple tubes gradually tapering to omen 


542 CONVOLVULACEAE. 


and much like the fibre of flax; they are very strong and not 
easily removed by pulling or scraping ; they retain moisture well. 

The roots are long, woody and tough, covered with a dark 
brown bark; on transverse section they present a central 
porous woody column, and several concentric rings of woody 
fibre, between which are situated portions of parenchyma. In 
the woody portions of the root there are large laticiferous 
vessels which contain a yellowish latex. The vascular system 
consists of very large dotted vessels. In the parenchyme are 
numerous conglomerate raphides. - 


Chemical composition.—The roots yielded acid resins of an 


amber colour, soluble in ether and benzole, and partly soluble 
in alkalies. The acid ether extract was partly soluble in water 
with strong acid reaction, and gave with ferric salts a grass- 
green coloration; with alkalies a bright yellow. The portion 
insoluble in water was soluble in alkalies with orange colora- 
tion, and afforded with acids a yellowish-white precipitate. The 
original aqueous solution after addition of an alkali and agita- 
tion with ether, failed to afford any alkaloidal reactions when 
the ethereal extract was tested. This extract did not amount 
to more than a trace. The original aqueous solution contained 
a tannin-like principle. 


CONVOLVULUS ARVENSIS, Linn. 
Fig.—Eng. Bot. v., t.312; Bulliard Herb. Fr., t. 269. Small 
oe "os othe (Eng.), Pies des champs (F’r.). 


Te a Western India from Cashmere to the Deccan. Most 
emperate climates.. The root. | 

Verncalir —Hiexipad, Hiranpadi (Hind.), Hiran Guz., 
‘Sind. ), Ni aranji (Can.). — 
ib : —— &c.—This common: weed of cultiva- 


ek name for a plant described by Dios- 


Cissampelos of Matthiolus (Valgr. 2, 359). 


‘ently of ee plants, men- 5 


CONVOLVULACEZ. 648 


\satisfactorily identified. Roxburgh describes C. arvensis under 
he name of C, Malcolmi; his plant was raised from seeds 
bronght from Persia by Major Malcolm in 1801. Stewart and 
Aitchison notice the occurrence of the plantin the Punjab. Dr, 
bson states that it is very common on the black soil of the 
eccan, flowering during the rains. The root is used as a 
rgative in the Punjab and Sind. 


Description. —Root perennial; stems and branchlets 
rine to an extent of six or eight feet, somewhat furrowed, 
- twisted, and villous, herbaceous ; leaves petioled, sagittate, 
argins a little hairy, smooth on both sides, from 1 to 3 inches 
ng; barbs or posterior lobes dilated, spreading, somewhat 
te, often dentate, and always angular ; petioles scarcely 
I f the length of the leaves, phacublled: peduncles axillary, 
flowered, three times longer than the petioles, round ; 
icels clavate, as long as the petioles, villous ; bracts bers, , 
site, at the base a the pedicels, lanceolate; calycine : 
s ovate; Corol large, of a beantiful lively pink colour, =~ 
; almost entire; filaments not half the length of the 
villous at the base; anthers purple; germ with a 
y ring round the base; style longer than the stamina ; ; 
a of two linear, spreading lobes. (Rowburgh. ) 
Chemical composition.—This plant, like many others of the 
contains convolvulin. 


EVOLVULUS ALSINOIDES, Linz. 

} Lam. Ill, t. 216, f.2; Wight Ill, t. 168; Rheede, 

al. wi, t. 

a pent India and Ceylon. The herb. i 
racular.—Vishnukranta (Hind.), Shankavéh (Mar), | 

: ae (Pam., Can.), Vistnukrandum (Te/.). 

, Uses, &c.—This plant is the Vislonioleishatg: 

» of Sanskrit writers. In. the Nighantas it~ 
1s of Nila-pushpa, ‘‘ blue flowered,” Jaya and 

ped ae as cephalic, a ant . 


5A, - GONVOLVULACEA. 


‘phlegmatic and antiphlogistic. | In Vedic times it was» thought 
‘to promote conception. At: the present time. it is thought-to 
strengthen the brain and memory, and.is used extensively as.a 
.febrifuge and tonic.. .Rheede calls.it Vishnu-clandi, an evident 
corruption-of the Sauskrit:name; he ‘states that it .is used as.a 
febrifuge with cumin and.milk, also as an alterative, and with 
oil to promote the growth of the hair.. According to Ainslie, 
the leaves,- stalks, and roots are all used in medicine by the 
Tamools, and are supposed. to possess. virtues in certain bowel 
affections; they are prescribed in infusion in the quantity of 
half.a teacupful twice daily. Burmann says that it is reputed 
to bea sovereign remedy for dysentery. 


\. Deéscription:—A very small herbaceous plant, ceespitose, 
procumbent, covered with adpressed hairs ; leaves ovate-oblong, 
subsessile, less than 4 inch long; peduncles one-flowered, as 
long as the leaf or longer; flowers of a beautful deep blue, very 
small. Common everywhere in grassy places. 

' Chemical composition.— Ether separated from the powdered 
herb a yellow neutral fat of the consistence of vaseline. The 
alcoholic extract contained an alkaloid of a slightly bitter taste, 
and affording no colour reactions with strong mineral acids. 
An organic acid of a deep red brown colour occurred in the 
water extract, and formed an uncrystallizable compound with 
lead. A quantity of saline matter was present in this drng. 


SAKMUNIYA or BAZAR SCAMMONY, 


_ This substance is all fictitious, and is said to be made in 
Surat ; nevertheless it was for many years purchased by the 
Medical Store Department in Bombay under the impression 
that it was genuine Scammony! (See Pharmacopeia of India, 
__p. 447.) Te usually occurs in irregular fragments of a bright 

green colour, somewhat translucent at the edges, and having 
> resinot & Arsaieinel, Rectified spirit dissolves the resin, aud 
rene of Breen colouring matter and. gum. ; the fors 


~ 


artes origin. bitten Oe eetes ey oe ee Pe ee Aid 
¢ ha hig : : 


q CONVOLVULACEA. 545 


P ovSometimes a°black Sakmuniya is met with; this is also 
spurious; and is resinous in taste and smell, but has a‘ more 
earthy appearance than the green variety. Reotified ‘spirit dis- 
solves ont a quantity of resin, and leaves a black residue 
which, under the microscope, is seen to be made up of tufts, of 
vegetable seers: numerous ea carbonaceous particles, and 

tallineparticles, Treatedwith dilute hydro- 
chloric acid it oMarviees fais after a short time; with strong 
acid it effervesces strongly at once,and forms a green solution. 


’ 
* 
a fa a 


The Persiais call Scammony Mahmudah. Mir Mnhammad 
Husain in the Makhzan gives a good description of it and the 
plant which produces it. ‘He tells us that artificial Seammeny 
is made from the juice of Calofropis gigantea, mixed with the 
flour of a kind: of pulse called ‘in Persiaw ‘ Karsanah.’ His 
account of the uses of the drug does not differ materially from 
hat given in European works, with the exception that Scam- 
mony when baked is said to lose its aperient properties and to 
act as a powerful diuretic “The baking process consists im 
nclosing the powdered drag i in a bag, and then placing the 
bag inside an apple | or quince which has been hollowed out for 
the } purpose, the apple i is then enclosed i in dough like a dump-_ 
ling : and baked in an oven. ee 


CRESSA CRETICA, Linn. 

4 Fig. —tam.- ths t: 183; Sibth. Fi. Greve. y g, 256) 

eS “Hab. —Throughout India. Common on the West 
| Diary —Rudravanti, Rudranti (Hind., Beng.), Khardi, 
Chavel chansghaed Una (Guz., Sind. 5 


ses, &e, —This plants is the Rudantike and 
, and is behaved to. Tes! 


546 CONVOLVULACEAE. 


eonsidered to. be exhilarating, and-to purify the blood and give 
tone to the system. It is prescribed in decoction as a tonic, 
and is believed to possess. a and antibilious pro- 
perties. 


C. cretica is found in Greece, and is supposed to be the first 


kind . of dv@vAXis mentioned by Dioscorides (iii., 144); it is 
described as growing in sandy ground, and having a salt taste, 
and was used asa diuretic and to disperse swelling and phleg- 
matic humors. Paulus Algineta and Pliny also mention it. 
Mahometan physicians copy whatthe Greeks have said about: the 
two kinds of anthyllis, but give no Arabic or Persian name for 
the drug, and those who have written in India do not identify 
it with the Rudantika of the Hindus. It appears to retain its 
place in their Materia Medica solely because of its repute among 


te Greeks. 


- Description. —A very small, shrubby, diffuse plant ; 

leaves ovate, sessile, very small, acute, numerous, ashy or 
hoary-pubescent; flowers small, white or pink, sub-sessile, in 
the superior axils, forming a many-flowered head. It is very 
common in rice fields about Bombay in the cold weather, and is 
much used by gardeners for making bouquets. The plant has 
a bitter and saline taste. According to Retz and Roxburgh 
the Indian plant differs from the common form of C. cretica in 
having 4 seeds. 
Chemical composition.—The plant con erases alkaloid soluble 
which fails to afford any special colour.reactions ; its 
1 is not precipitated by chromates. It is not Biter 
ig else in the plant of special interest. 


_AFTIMUN. ms 


Se ta 


er 
% ey sr 


CONVOLVULACES. . 547 


-he is:speaking of the flowers of a kind of thyme, or of 3 a 
parasitic plant growing on thyme. Pliny (26, 35), com- 
mences by speaking of Epithymon as the blossom of a sort of 
thyme similar to Savory, but ends by saying—‘ Some 
persons, again, give a different description of epithymon: 
according to them, it is a plant without a root, diminutive, 
and bearing a flower resembling a small hood, and of a red 
colour.” Epithymon is generally identified with Cuscuta 

_ Epithymum, Linn., the Lesser Dodder, a parasitic plant upon 
Heath, Furze, Thyme and other small shrubby plants. (See 
Fi. Br. 283 ; Fl. Dan. i. 427.) The plant used medicinally in 
India as Aftimun is imported from Persia, and appears to bea 
‘ larger species, probably C. ewropea, Linn., which isa native of 
Europe and of Western and Central Asia. Mahometan physi- 
cians consider this drug to be alterative and depurative, a 
urge for bile and black bile, useful in all affections of the brain 
such as fits, melancholy, insanity, &c. They also describe it 
as carminative ; and apply it _locally as an ano pee The 


i 
{i 
Bs 


: small ae toa “desariplica: of its properties and uses. 
odern medicine the different species of Cuscuta are no longs 


hanical composition.—In addition to quercetin, which was 
present in large amount, and resins, an alkaloidal principle 
was isolated, slightly bitter, soluble in ether, but more easily 
by chloroform. This alkaloid did not afford 
vial special colour ‘reactions. We provisionally call it 


KUSHOOTH, vulg. KASOOS. 


shooth (“545) is the Arabic name for the. Dodders, and 
have been derived the Greek xacovéa and Latin Cuseuta 


Revie 


048 CONVOLVULACEA. 


“He is like the. Kashooth; for he has neither root, leaves, fra- 
grance, shade or fruit.” ' 


In the Indian bazars the name is applied to the fruit of a 
species of Cuscuta, imported from Persia; and also called 
Pukm-i-kasis ; it is mixed with the small oblong leaves and 

spines of the plant upon which it has grown, and the flowers 
and portions of the stem may often be found. The seeds are 
four in number, light brown, convex on one side, concave on 
the other, and enclosed in a nearly globular capsule about the 
‘size of a radish seed. The taste is bitter. Mir Muhammad 
Husain identifies this drug with the Amal-bel, Akds-bel, or 
Amarlata of India, and describes it as yellow growing on thorns : 
and other shrubs, and as having a very small, whitish flower, 
and seeds rather smaller than radish seeds, nearly round, and of 
reddish yellow colour. Its properties are described as much 
the same as those’ of Aftimun:’ The plant may be either | 
‘O. hyalina, Roth., C. chinensis, Lam., or C. planijlora, Tenore ; 
possibly dsveial species are collected. In India OC. -reflexa, 
Roxb.; is sometimes used; it is a larger plant, and has Jarger 
fruit than the imported article. 


Chemical composition.—In addition to quercitrin, we sepa- 
rated a bitter and glucosidal resin, insoluble in ether, but 
soluble in amylic aleohol, and also somewhat soluble in water. 
‘With basic acetate of lead, after the solution of the resin in: 
‘ alkalies, a light yellow precipitate was afforded ; but when the. 
_ alkaline solution was exposed to air, the precipitate with basic 
lead. was of the colour of chromate of silver. An alkaloidal- 
principle was also present in traces which failed to give any 
_ special colour reaction’. The presence of a principle in traces 
_ possessing a marked rhubarb-like odour was detected; thiS 

principle did not appear to exist ready formed in the seeds, but 
was a product of the action of dilute acids on an undetermined 
principle: it was soluble in ether and benzole. | Astringent. 
matter affording.a plum-coloured precipitate with basic acetate 
of lead a present pas well-as: wax, — a b Corkain amonnt | 
of ou. Ae tata A Toe mn 


| SOLANAOEA: 549 
SOLANACEZL. . 
SOLANUM NIGRUM, -Linn. 
“Fig. — Wight Ic. t. 344; Jacg.-Pl. Rar. it., t. 326; Rheéde, 
Hort, Mal, «., t, 73. Garden Nightshade (Huzg.), Morelle noire 
at.) Pepe ee 


- Hab.—Throughout India and Ceylon, .. All temperate and 
‘tropical parts of the world, The herb in fruit. | wd 


SOLANUM DULCAMARA, Jinn. - 
_ Fig.— Bentl. and Trim. t. 190. Bitter-sweet Nightshade 
(Eng.), Douce amére, Vigne vierge (Fr.). _ ee ee 
_ Hab.— Temperate W. Himalaya, Europe, Central Asia, 
The herb in fruit. Lea 
: Vernacular.—S. nigrum: Makoi, Garkamai (Hind.),: Kék- 
machi (Beng.), Kémuni (Mar.), Pilidu (@uz-), Manatta-kéli 
(Tam., Mal.), K&nchi-chettu, Kémanchi-chettu (Zel.), Kanchi, 
_ Ganiké (Can), S, duleamara: Inab-es-salib (Ind. Bazars). ee 
History, Uses, &c.— The Sanskrit names Kéka-méchir 
Kékamata, Dhvénksha-machi, Jaghana-phala and Kinkini are 
3 probably applicable. to both of these plants; whilst the verna- 
cular names, with the exception perhaps of the Hindi, are only 
applicable to S. nigrum. In the Nighantas the drug is de- 
Scribed as emollient, hot, sweet, strengthening, cardiacal and 
alterative; a useful remedy in dropsy, skin diseases, piles, fever, 
gouorrhcea, and inflammatory swellings. In a preparation 
called Hridayarnuvarasa it is combined with mercury and 
sulphide of copper as a remedy in heart disease. In India at 
the present time S. nigrum is in general repute as 
_ ®remedy for skin diseases, and.as a local application to 
= rheumatic -and gouty. joints, It is also valued as a diuretic . 
Under the name arpoxves or Teuxres the Greek physicians describe 
‘Several Solanaceous plants, one of which, the, 7rpexser , Maaing OF 7 


550 SOLANACEA: 


*“Garden nightshade ”’ of Dioscorides (iv.69) appears to agree 
well with S.nigrum. He distinctly states that it may be eaten 
without danger, and describes it as very cooling whether applied 
externally or administered internally.. It appears’to have been 
used. chiefly by the Greeks as a local application to inflamed 
parts, 

Haji Zein-el-Atiar, under the name of Inab-eth-thélib, “ fox’s 
grapes,” in Persian Riibah-turbak, and Sag-angur “‘dog’s 
grapes,” describes a kind of nightshade with yellowish red berries 
having similar properties, which he also saysis useful in dropsy as 
a diuretic; he concludes with acaution against the use ofanother 
kind with black berries which causes delirium and is_ highly 
poisonous. In cases of poisoning by the latter plant he directs 
an emetic to be administered, and milk, or honey and water 
with aniseed and bitter almonds to be: given. Most Arabian 
and Persian writers on Materia Medica describe the four kinds 
of orpixvos mentioned by Dioscorides as varieties of Inab-eth- 
thalib, and copy from Greek writers, but they only appear to 
have used the first and second kinds medicinally, viz., Solanum 
nigrum or dulcamara, and Physalis Alkekengi, commonly known 
as Kakanaj. The Inab-eth-thdlib of the present day, imported 
from Persia, consists entirely of the red berries of 8S. duleamara. 
In India the juice of S. nigrum is given in doses of from 6 to 8 
ounces in the treatment of chronic enlargements of the liver, 
and is considered a valuable alterative and diuretic. The juice 
after expression is warmed in an earthen vessel until it loses 
its green colour and becomes reddish brown; when cool it is 

x ‘strained and administered in the morning. aes is said to act aS 
 a&hyd: ogogne cathartic and diuretic. Mr.M. Sheriffin his Sup- 
ant to the Pharmacopeta of India speaks very favourably 
of it when used in this way. In-smaller doses (1 to 2 ozs.) it is 
# valuable alterative in chronic skin diseases, such as psoriasis. 
In the Concan the young shoots are cooked as a vegetable and 
given im these diseases. ‘Dr. De B. Master of Bombay. informs 
us that as'seen fl with great snecess in psoriasis: 
Loureiro states that theherb is anody wane eboaidbectiecd 


SOLANACER. 564 


_. physiological action of solanine, tlie active principle of this plant, 
has been investigated by Max Perles (Centralbl, f. Klin. Med, 
1890, No. 2), who found its action upon ameeboids, infusoria and 
_ ciliated epithelium cells to be that of a powerful protoplasmic 
_ poison. A solution containing less than 1 per cent. prevented 
the growth of bacteria; a very dilute solution added to blood 
accelerated coagulation, whilst a stronger solution (1 per cent.) 
prevented coagulation and partially dissolved the red corpuscles ; 
left for some hours in contact with hemoglobin it converted 
it into reduced hemoglobin, but not into methemoglobin. In 
‘cold-blooded animals solanine produced paralysis of the central 
nervous system, acting first on the brain and afterwards.on the 
spinal cord, and finally paralysing the heart muscle. Locally 
applied solanine produced destructive changes in muscular 
tissue, causing paralysis and obliteration of transverse striation, 
while the nerves, which were at first excited, finally became 
_ paralysed. 
Intravenous injections of BERS in warm-blooded animals. 
: sanded violent tremblings, soon. followed by clonic spasms of 
the muscles of the jaw, nape of the neck and back, and see 
wards by paralysis of the central nervous system. 

« The temperature changes in poisoning by solanine were forthe 
to indicate very exactly the gravity of the case, the minimum 
of temperature corresponding with the maximum of danger. 
The-dyspnoea which was observed in all the cases is: attributable 
partly: to the disturbance of the circulation and partly to seca 

blood changes which have been already noticed. 
> The post-mort tion of animals poisoned by solanine 
showed:-a eskidsen similar'to the enteritis of typhoid fever, 
with here and there hemorrhagic extravasations. into the 
intestinal walls. The -kidneys presented lesions similar to 
those seen in acute nephritis, with infarction of the renal tubes« 


Intra-peritoneal: injections of solanine caused iene 

nitis with exudation. 

“Moderate snbcutaneous injections produced little effect, but : 
=_— quantity to be poisonous, the — ‘alrea 


552 SOLANACEM. 


described were observed, and the temperature fell as low as 
31%5 C 

’ The fatal dose of solanine administered by the stomach is ‘30 
gram. per kilo body weight; death takes place in 12 hours. 


In dogs injections into the stomach cause violent. vomiting, 
which interferes with the absorption of the poison. 
_ Solanidine has similar properties, but is much less active 
than solanine; it has no local irritant action. The author 
classes these substances with the sapotoxins, such as quillaic 
acid, sapotoxin, senegin, cyclamin, &c. 


Description.— 8S. niyrum is an erect annual or biennial, 
stem angled, with spreading or diffuse branches, one to three 
feet high, glabrous, or pubescent, with simple hairs, without 
prickles, but the angles of the stem sometimes raised and smooth 
dr rough, with prominent tubercles; leaves petiolate, ovate- 
oblong, attenuated at both ends, 1 to 3 inches long, entire or 
repandly toothed; flowers small and white, in little cymes, 
contracted into umbels on a common peduncle, from very short 
to nearly an inch long; calyx 5-toothed or lobed tothe middle ; 
corolla deeply lobed, 3 to4 lines in diameter; anthers very’ 
obtuse and short; opening in terminal slits, which are often 
continued down the sides ; berry small, globular, usually moans) 
black, but sometimes yellow or dingy red. 

- §. duleamara isa woody scandent plant, with numerous 
glabrous or sparingly pubescent branches, leaves ovate or 
oblong, subentire, lobed or lyrate, peduncles extra-axillary ;. 
eymes Jaxly panicled; calyx-teeth small, obtuse ; corolla purple. 
~ The berries are 4 inch in diameter, globose, red; seeds. 
numerous, ;/, inch indiameter, smooth. The fresh plant has a 
fetid odour, which it loses when dried. Taste at first bitter, 
afterwards sweetish. 

< Chemical composition. — The most important constituent of 

S. nigrum is Solanine, which was discovered in the berries by’ 
a Desfosses in. 1821; This base has been represented by various 
: pee formule. saw ro 8, Boa analyses Jead to ithe fs formula 


SOLANACEZ. 553 


C*°H7' NO! ; according. to Kletzinsky it-is C?*H55NO’, =A. 
Hilger from recent analyses assigns to it the formula 
_ CH*'NO?, and to Solanidine, obtained from it by boiling with 
_ dilute, acids, the formula O?6H*'NO*, while Zwenger and 
Kind assign to solanidine the formula C?° H** NO and repre- 
sent its formation as being due to the assimilation of 301° by 
_ Solanine, and its resolution into solanidine and 3 molecules 
of glucose. Solanine forms delicate colourless, silky needles, 
appearing under the, microscope as four-sided rectangular 
_ prisms.  (Zwengerand Kind; Payenand Chevallier.) It turns 
__ yellow when heated, and melts at 235° C. (Zwenger and Kind.) 
_ Itis.inmodorous and tastes faintly bitter and somewhat. acrid. 
(Ginelin Handb. xviii. 90; Watt, Dict. of Chem. viii. 1807.) M. 
E. Wotezal (1890) has published an elaborate paper on the 
peretes bastion of Solanine, and its Microchemical Reactions in 
Kussian, from which we extract the followmg :— 


“Solanine was found in nine species of Svulanwm and three of 
! Scopolia. Inthe tubers it is found chiofly i in the neighbour- 
hood of the ¢ eyes.’ In the vegetatiye portions it oecurs in 
greatest abundance in the young tissues, and in the mature 
tissues it is usually entirely wanting except in the neighbour- 
hood of the buds, and of the origin of the roots. In the floral 
organs the reverse is the case, the quantity of solanine increasing 
for a time in both calyx and corolla as the flower opens, but 
ultimately disappearing from these organs, while it continues to 
increase in the green unripe fruit, diminishing again when the 

fruit is ripe, and being then localized chiefly in the peripheral 

; layers.. The seat of the solanine is the cell cavity, where it 

Occurs in the form of a soluble salt, and from which also it 

‘Peneirates the cell wall by diffusion. - 

The author regards solanine as a product neither of primary 

synthesis nor of disorganization, nor as a seeretion or exerction, 

r as a reserve substance, nor as a transporting form like 


a04 SOLANACEZ, 


edly also serves as a protection against consumption by 
animals. 

Wotezal finds only three trustworthy tests for the presence of 
solanine, viz.:—(1) Mandalin’s vanadin-sulphuric acid, i.e, 1 
part of ammonia-metavanadinate in 1000 parts of tri-hydrated 
sulphuric acid (H?SO*+2H?0O). The test is one of extra- 
ordinary delicacy; if the preparation contain solanine, it 
goes through the following series of colours :—yellow, orange- 
red, purple-red, brown, pure red, violet, blue-green, and 
then disappears altogether. (2) Brandt’s reagent: 0°3 gram 
sodium selenate in a mixture of 8 c.c. of water and 6 e.c. 
ef pure sulphuric acid, Ifthe preparation containing solanine 
is first warmed, then, on cooling, it becomes first violet-red, 
then orange-red and yellow-brown, the colour finally disap- 
pearing. (3) Pure sulphuric acid as a macro-chemical reagent, 
but this test has no advantage over the other two. (Pharm. 
Journ., July 1890.) : 

_ Prof. E. Schmidt and Mr. Schiitte (Apoth. Zig., 1890, 501,) 
have recently reported that they have found small quantities of 
an alkaloid having the property of dilating the pupil in S. 
nigrum. Solanine has also been obtained from 8S. duleamara 
along with a glucoside Dulcamarin. Duleamarine was the name 
given by Wittstein to a nitrogenous substance which he obtain- 
ed from the stalks of S. duleamara. This substance has been 
further examined by Geissler (Arch. Pharm. (3) vii. 289), who, 
by treating it with ammonia, has freed it from a nitrogenous 

impurity, and by converting the remaining substance into a lead 
ae Gear, and decomposing the latter with hydrogen sul- 

phide, has obtained a pure non-azotised body having the 
composition C*"H5*O'°. This duleamarin ig amorphous, 
tastes bitter at first, afterwards persistently sweet, dissolves in 
aleohol and acetic ether, and is precipitated by basic lead 
acetate, yielding the compounds Ona PbOw 4+. 3H?O and 
C”"H™ Pbo” ¥ 5H7O. 

By the action of dilute acids, dulcamarin is encheud into 
glucose and a resinous compound wkend. scalled dadzamaratins 
ie -_ Dict. of Chem. vill. badah a = 


SOLANACE. 555 


Toxicology.—-Cases of poisoning from eating the berries of 
8. dulcamara, S. nigrum, and 9. tuberosum (the potato) have 
eccasionally been recorded in Europe, and it is also on record 
that the germinating tubers of the potato, have given rise to 
symptoms of poisoning. It would appear, however, that the 
process of cooking rendersall those plants mnocuous, or nearly so, 
as the herb of 8. nigrum is used in India asa vegetable. Burton 
Brown (Punjab Poisons) records the death of three children 
after eating the berries of S. nigrum; the symptoms observed 
were, a focling of sickness followed by vomiting, pain in the 
belly and intense thirst, pupils dilated, with impaired vision, 
headache, giddiness, delirium, purging and. convulsions, sleep 
ending in coma. 

: Commerce.—The dried fruit of S. duleamara, known as 
Anab-es-silib in Bombay, comes from Persia. Value, Re. 4 
per lb. 

__ &. nigrumis a common weed everywhere on cultivated ground, 
The dried fruit is met with in the shops in many parts of the 
untry. 


Sey eae rer ae : 
hs sh 9 a a atte 


% 
¥ 


SOLANUM INDICUM, Linn. 
Fig.—Wight Ic., t. 346 ; Rheede, Hort. Mal. i, t. 36. 


~Hab.—Throughout India. The frait and root. 
Vernacular.—Bari-khatéi, Birhatta, Barhanta (Hind.), By- 
ra (Beng.), Dorli, Mothi-ringani (Mar.), Ubhi-ringan 
Guz.), Mulli, Pappara-mulli (Tam.), Tellamulaka (Ted.), 
heruchunta (Mal.), Gulla (Can.). 
History, Uses, &c.—This plant is of importance in 
du medicine as the source of one of the drugs required for 
preparation of the Dasamula Kvatha. In the Nighantas it 
the Sanskrit names of Bhantaki, Vrihati, Mahati, “large 
plant,’ ? Vartaki, Mahotika, &c.; and isdescribedas cardiacal, 
1, astringent, carminative and resolvent; useful in 
a gh, ee pap se. ee tions, colic, f. tulence, worms, ne : 
thor of the Makhzan-el-adwiya notices it under — = 


595 SOLANACEM. 


the name of Birhatta, and repeats what the Hindu writers say 
about it. Chakradatta gives the following prescription as useful 
in bronchitis with fever: Take of the roots of S. indicum, 8. 
wanthocarpum, Sida cordifolia, and Justicia Adhatoda one part, 
raisins one part, and prepare a decoction in the usual manner. 
Rheede notices its use in Malabar; and: Ainslie (ii., 207) 
remarks that the root has little sensible taste.or smell, but is 
amongst the medicines which are prescribed in cases of dysuria 
and ischuria in decoction to the quantity of half a teacupful 
twice daily. He also notices that Horsfield in his account of 
Java medicina} plants says, that the root taken internally, 
possesses strongly oxciting qualities, and that Rumphius states 
that it is employed in difficult parturition. The berries, which 
are bitter, are sometimes’ cooked and eaten by the natives of 
India as a vegetable. 
- Description.—Trunk trifling, but the branches are nu- 
merous, ligneous, and perennial, forming a large, very ramous, 
shrub of several feet in height, armed with numerous, very acute, 
somewhat recurved spines, the young parts are downy; leaves 
solitary, or in pairs, petioled, ovate-lobate, downy, and armed 
with a few straight spines on both sides, from 2 to 4 inches 
— long; racemes between, or opposite to the leaves, supporting 
- several long-pedicelled, middle-sized, pale blue flowers; calyx 
deeply 5-cleft, armed; berries erect, round, smooth, size 
of a marrowfat pea ; while immatare variegated’ with deeper 
: and lighter green 5 when ripe, with ‘deep orange yellow. 


Chemical composition.—200 grams of the fruits were aoe 
to consist of 58 grams of pericarps and 142 grams of-secds. 
These were powdered and examined separately, and had the 
following composition— eee Nc rernne : 
: +, a ia | Pericarps. Seeds. 


_ ‘Bthereal extract jbavanseas cabal fA: See © £18°3: se dein oo 

Mboobolietcger Sos onivacises BB ietng MOM oki 
Aqueous §,, F eseeecsvniale 138: sigma hs 9 “Oe 
Mineral mat bole ) 


See ag k2 


-SOLANACHA. B57 


. The pericarps contained a yellow wax-like principle melting 
: ab as”, a trace of an alkaloid answering to solanine, and a quan+ 
tity of ammonia combined as an ammonium salt. -The seeds 
afforded 13:5 per cent. of a yellow oil having a specific gravity 


me white crystals separated out, having a melting point 


ine, and it was associated with a glucosidal principle giving 
‘a purple-coloured solution with sulphuric acid. ‘The seeds like 
the pericarps contained an ammonium salt, and both portions of 
the fruit gave off strongly alkaline fumes on burning, and m 
rhich ammonia was casily detected. The fruits when dried 
and kept for some time. are almost tasteless compared with 
eir bitterness and acridity when fresh, and it would conse~ 
ntly appear that the alkaloids solanine and solanidine, be- 
ome decomposed with the production of ammonia and other, 
stances. Cnt eet 
SOLANUM XANTHOCARPUM ,Stlirad.ct Wend. 
4 Fig.—-Schrad. et Wendl. Sert. Hanov. i. 8, t. 2 5 Jacq. ae 
Rar. ii:, t. 332; Wight Ic., t. 1401. Syn.—S. Jacquint, 
ab,—Throughout India. The plant. ait 
ernacular.—Laghu-khatéi, Bhatkatya, Bhumi-ringani 
.), Ké&ntakéri (Beng.), Bhui-ringani, K4nte-ringani 
), Patha-ringani (Guz.), Kandan-kattiri (Tam.), Vakudu,; 
amulaka (Tel.), Nelagulla (Cun.), Kantam-kattiri (Mal.). 
History, Uses, &c.—This plant is of importance in 
du medicine, as its root is one of the Dasamula or “ten 
”? so often prescribed in decoction by. their. physicians. 
2 Tribulus terrestris.) In the Nighantas it is called Kan- 
ind. Kantakini, “thorny”; Nidigdhika, “clinging”5 
“tigress”; and Dush-pradarshani, “‘ which, cannoy 


“ 


558 SOLANACEZ. 


be touched” ; and is described as aperient, pungent, bitter, 
digestive, diuretic, alterative, astringent and anthelmintic; 
useful in fever, cough, asthma, flatulence, costiveness and heart 
disease. It is also thought to promote conception in the 
female. In practice the drug is generally combined witl other 
expectorants, demulcents and aromatics. 


The following prescription from the Bhavaprakasha is scion 
in * Dutt’s Hindu Materia Medica” :—Kantakdryavaleha, or 
electuary of S. Jacquini. Take of Kantaékéri 124 seers, water 
64 seers, boil till reduced to one-fourth and strain, Boil the 
strained decoction till reduced to the consistence of a fluid 
extract, and add to it the following substancesin fine powder, 
namely, T'imospora cordifolia, Piper Chaba, Plumbago zeylanica, 
Cyperus rotundus, Rhus Kakrasingt, long pepper, black pepper, 
ginger, Alhagt maurorum, Clerodendron Siphonanthus, Vanda 
Roxburghii, and Zedoary root, each 8 tolas, sugar 24 seers, 


sesamum oil and clarified butter each one seer. Boil together 3 


until reduced to the proper consistence. Lastly, add honey — 
one seer, bamboo manna and long pepper in fine arg each 
half a seer. 


This electuary is given to allay cough. The drug is also 
used in decoction with long pepper and honey, and with salt 
and asafcetida for asthma, 


Mahometan writers, under the Arabic name of Hadak, or 
the Persian Badinjén-i-barri (wild egg plant), mention three 
kinds of Solanum, having somewhat similar properties. Their 
small kind, or Hejazi, appears to be the Solanum xanthocarpum, 
which they recommend in asthma, cough, dysuria, catarrbal 
fever, leprosy, costiveness and stone in the bladder. Under 
the name of Cundunghatrievayr, Ainslie (ii. 90) notices the use 
of this drug in Southern India as an expectorant. The stems, 
flowers, and fruit, according to Dr. Wilson (Calcutta Med. 
Phys. Trans., Vol. TI., p. 406), are bitter and carminative, and 
are prescribed in those forms of Ignipeditis, which are attended 
with a vesicular, Watery eruption. Fumigations with the 
—— os see bane eek sepsis | 


SOLANACHA. 559 


in the cure of toothache; they are smoked in a chilam like 
tobacco and the natives have the idea that the smoke kills 
the insects which they suppose cause the pain. The ancients 
used the seeds of Henbane in the same way. (Scrib. Comp. 
54-) They act as a powerful sialogogue, and thus afford 
relief. (Phar. of India, p. 181.) In the Concan 2 tolas of 
the juice of the fresh plant, with 2 tolas ofHemidesmus juice, 
are given in whey as a diuretic, and the root with chiretta and 
ginger is given in decoction as a febrifuge. Dr. Peters, of the 
Bombay Medical Service, informs us that in Bengal the plant 
is much used as a diuretic in dropsy. 

Description.—Root at least biennial ; stem none, but se- 
veral flexuose, ramous branches, spreading close on the ground, 
_ for an extent of some feet, often striking root at the insertion 
_ of the leaves; angular, nearly void of pubescence ; leaves fre= 
quently in pairs, oblong, pinnatifid, or laciniate, smooth, but 
armed on both sides with long, strong, straight spines ; 
_ racemes between the leaves, and almost as long, bearing 4 to 6 
alternate, pedicelled, large, bright blue flowers; calyx armed 
_ with straight spines ; berries spherical, size of a large goose- 
‘ berry, very smooth, drooping, while immature variegated with 
green and white, when ripe with different shades of sada 
_ only.—(Roab.) 

Chemical composition.—The fruits of this plant were found on 
analysis to have a similar composition to those of the previous 
article, except that in this caso the fruits were examined in a 

esh condition, and the solanine reactions of the alkaloid and 
the almost entire absence of ammonia were noticed. The dried 
leaves left 20°74 per cent. of ash when burnt, and contained 
traces of an alkaloid, and an astringent organic acid giving a 
green precipitate with ferric salts. 
S. trilobatum, Linn., Wight Ic. t. 854, is mentioned by 
lie ‘al being used medicinally in Southern India. He 
oots of this creeper, are all 
Lit ieticive by the Tamools; the two first, which are bitter, 
oi prescribed in consumptive cases in the form ¢ 


560 SOLANACH AL 


electuary, decoction, or powder; of the electuary a teaspoonful 
and a half are given .twice daily.” -(Mat Ind. ii., 427.) lt 
appears to be used asa substitute for S. canthocarpum. The 
medicinal use of S, verbascifolium, S. torvum and S$. 
ferox has also been recorded, and it seems probable that these 
Nightshades are often mistaken by ignorant people for the 
officinal plants. 


PHYSALIS ALKEKENGI, Linn. 
* Winter Cherry (Zng.), Coqueret, Coquerelle (F’r.). 


Hab.—Persia, Southern Europe. The fruit. 
Vernacular.—Kaknaj (Arab., Ind. Bazars). 


. History, Uses, &c,—tThis plant appears to be the opxvs 
éduxaxéBds of the Greeks, which they also ‘called pucadis or Pueahhus; 
and the Vesicaria or Halicacabus of the Romans; it was sup- 
posed to cure diseases of the bladder. It is the Kékanah of the 
Persians and Kékanaj of the Arabs.: It also bears the names 
of Kachuman; and Artisak-pas-i-pardah, or “‘ bride behind the 
-curtain,” in Persia; the Sanskrit name is said to be Réjapu- 
trika. 

Abu Hanifeh, author of the Book of Plants, says of Kaka- 
naj:—“ It is of the Aghalith and isa plant resembling the 
Harmal (Peganum Harmala), except that it is taller, with 
round branches, and having capsules (-i%) like those of 

_ Harmal ; it has also berries intensely red, like beads of corne- 

lian, smaller than the Nabik (Zizyphus Spina-Christi) and 
rer than the currant, and people seek out the leaves thereof 

‘that have not been rendered foraminous, which leaves are 

then bruised and used beneficially as a dressing for maladies 
attended with pain.” Other names for the fruit are Jouz-el- 
marj and Habb-el-lahv, which indicate. that they are thopem® 

to be possessed of intoxicating properties. “2 

sicians, describe, it as. diuretic, alleratixe. and 


SOLANACE®. 561 


ception if given to women. after menstruation. Large doses 
are thought to-be narcotic. Exterually itis applied to. pros 
mote the absorption of tumours, boils, carbuneles, &c. Laville’s 
gout pills consist of 15 parts of extract of Alkekengi and 5 
parts of silicate of soda. Four to ten 5-grain pills are takem 


Description.—The fruit is about the size, shape and 
‘olour of a small dried cherry, skin smooth and shining, red- 
lish ed much ‘shrivelled ; it contains a large number of 


" presence of a small quantity of brown pulp, which has a fruity 
odour. 
hemical Ec dordiionelRieeisigoce and Chautard (WN. J. 
. 21, 24) found sugar and citric acid in the berries, and 
e leaves and calyx an amorphous bitter principle, Ph ysalin, 
160°, which is obtained as a whitish powcer on agitating 
aqueous infusion with chloroform, and is soluble. in 
1, but sparingly so in ether, cold water and diluted 
by erneiin, Handb. xvi., 191.) : 
PHYSALIS MINIMA, Linn. 
g.— Rheede Hort. Mal. «. tt. 70, 71. 
Hat. _—Throughout India. The plant in fruit. 
; sular.—Tulati-pati (Hind), K&knaj (Punj.), Ban-tepa- 
kari (Beng.), Thanmori, Chirbutli, Chirboti (Mar.), 
Tel.), Bondula (Can.). 
ry; Uses, &c.—This common weed of cultivation, 
1 Sanskrit Tankéri, occurs in two forms, one with a 
about the size of a pea and the other with a berry half 
diameter. “The former plant is pubescent and the 
_ Tankéri is considered by the Hindus to be 
and aperient, and is an ingredient in a medici- . 
en. for enlargement of the spleen ; tho other 
is mul, Hing, te — pepy 


562 SOLANACEAE. 


(black salt),. Saindhava (rock salt), Javakshara (potash), gin- 
ger.and melted butter. . In the Concan the plant is made into 
a paste with rice water, and applied to restore flaccid breasts, 
in accordance with the doctrine of signatures. _ Both varieties of 
this plant are noticed by Rheede, and Ainslie (11. 15) in a note 
remarks that P. minima has been neticed by Dr, Heyne as 
medicinal among the Hindus, and is called by them Lakshmi- 
devatya, ‘‘sacred to Lakshmi.” Dr. Stewart states that the 
fruit is considered in the Punjab to be tonic, diuretic and 
purgative. Itis used by the Mahometans as a substitute for 
P. Alkekengi. 


Description.— An herbaceous annual, leaves 2 inches; 
petiole 1 inch ; pedicels 4? to $ inch; calyx at flower-time $ 
to 4 inch; lobes lanceolate, half the length of the calyx, often 
hirsute, sometimes glabrescent; corolla clear yellow or some- 
times spotted at the base; berry nearly globular ; ; fruit-calyx 
globose in the smaller variety, rswrese in the larger, 5 or 
10-ribbed ; seeds numerous, ;4 inch, discoid, reticulated, 
scarcely scabrous. 

P. peruviana, the Cape Gusbpenn or Brazil Cherry, which 
is cultivated in India, hardly differs from this plant except 
in its larger size-and more oblong berry. It affords an excel- 
lent fruit, and is now much cultivated in France and is largely 
used in India for making the well known “‘ Topare jam.” 


CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS, Linn. 
| Fig.—Lam. Til., t. 116, f. 1; Rheede, Hort. Mal. it., t. 56. 
Chillie (Eng.), Piment de Cayenne (Z’r.). 
Hab.—Aumerica. Cultivated throughout India. The fruit. 


CAPSICUM MINIMUM, oad. 


“Fig.— Wight Ic. t. 1617; Bentl. and Trim., t. 188. Bird'e: 
eye Chillie (Eng.), a ai Pile Maurice (Fr). 
Hab. —Uneertain, € ultiva 


“SOLANACE®. "563 


—-Vernacular.—Mirch, Lal-mirchs Gach-mirch (Hind.), Mirchi, 
Tambari-mirchi, Mir-singha (Mar.), Milagay (Tam.), Mirapa- 
‘kéya (Tel.), Kappal-melaka (Mal.), Menashina-kaya (Can.); 
‘Lél-morich, Lanka-morich (Beng.), Lal-mirch, Marchu (Guz.). 
a History, Uses, &c.—Clusius states that Capsicums 
were brought to India from Pernambuco by the Portuguese ; 
from India they were introduced into Germany, and finally 
reached England in 1595. The Spaniards were acquainted 
with the spice as early as 1494. Chanca, physician to the fleet 
‘of Columbus in his second voyage to the West Indies, notices 
‘them among the productions of Hispaniola as a condiment used 
by the natives under the name of Agi, which is still the com- 
mon name for them in Spanish. In Bnglish they were for- 
merly known as Guinea-pepper, and the Portuguese call them 
menta de Guiné. Chili is the Mexican name. (Pharmaco- 
phia.) In the Indian vernaculars there is no special name 
1 them, and they are not mentioned by any Sanskrit writers. 
Jp to the present time the cultivation of the plant is carried on 
gore extensively at Goa than at any other place in Western 
\dia, and .capsicums are well known in Bombay as Govaz- 
4, “Goa pepper.” The Arabs call the chillie Filfil-ahmar, 
d pepper,” in Persian it is F ilfil-i-surkh, which has the 
me meaning. Besides the two species commonly cultivated, 
everal varieties of 0. grossum are met with in India as 
ornamental plants in gardens ; they are mostly remarkable for 
the size of their fruit; which is almost or entirely devoid of 
\wency ; one variety, which has been named C. cerasiformis, 
globular fruit resembling a cherry. A yellow capsicum, 
ga peculiar flavour, has been introduced into India from 
, and from it is prepared a very highly esteemed Cayenne 
per. In India C. minimum, though common in many 
‘of the country as a weed of cultivation, is seldom used 


use | e 
Persians object to it. Medicinally the natives of 


. 


564 ‘SOLANACEA. 


a promoter df the regilar action of the bowels: externally 
they use it asa rubefacient. The irritant properties are fre- 
quently taken advantage of to inflict torture upon prisoners 
and’ refractory children. In. European medicine capsicum is 
used in the form of a plaster, or liniment, made with the 
ethereal tincture, in rheumatic-and neuralgic affections ; it pre- 
duces warmth and redness of the part. Pads dipped in a strong 
infusion of -the crushed pods may also be used ; they should 
be covered with paraffin paper or oil silk, and may be kept on 
for several hours; as a gargle, or in the form of lozenges, it. 1s 
used in baneaiitis, pharyngitis and relaxed sore-throat. In 
the West Indies it is used in infusion with cinnamon and 
sugar to relieve the sinking at the epigastrium felt by drunk- 
ards, and forms a most valuable diet drink for patient suffer- 
ing from . delitiam tremens, as it satisfies the craving for 
stimulants. ‘Large: doses taken internally by persons who 
are not in. the habit of using capsicum may produce gastro- 
enteritis. om 


~ Description,—The ‘ey is very Marin biei in size a 
shape, and many-seeded. The fleshy pericarp-is composed 
‘of two layers, an outer consisting of thick-walled cells, and an 
inner, which is a soft and spongy parenchyme traversed by 
fibro-vascular bundles. Most of the: colouring matter is con- 
tained in the outer layer, which also: contains some: fatty oil. 
The — are discoid, — or F sub-seabrous the embryo 


4 Panic! Bicoded | in ee a a soivaenics dow: i belive 
_ principle, Capsaicin (C°H"0*),. from the extract, which he 
Canal by exhausting the fruit of C. minimum with petro- 
Jeum ¢ ether. From the red liquor dilute caustic lye removed 
ca apsaicin, » ‘ich’ ot | precipitated in minute crystals by eet 

a ough t the alkaline bape and. which may be 
ae them” om either aleohol, _ether, 

i ee 


“SOLANACGEA | 565 


 dissolves.abundantly on addition of fatty oil, ‘The latter being 
present in the pericarp is the cause why capsaicin can m 
_ extracted by the above process. 

Capsaicin forms colourless prismatic crystals ‘cmclable in 
water; it begins to volatilise at. 100° C. and is powerfully irris 
tant. The pungent taste is removed by heating with potas- 
sium bichromate and dilute sulphuric acid. Ba Cl’ and CaCl’ 
4 in alcoholic solution give a precipitate soluble in ether; 
_ AgNO® gives a precipitate soluble in ammonia, and Fe*Cl 
a a red precipitate when warmed. 

 Capsicine, an alkaloid, has also been extracted by katie 
from the fruit of C. minimum. The benzene is evaporated and 
the residue dissolved in ether, from which the alkaloid is 
: obtained by shaking with dilute H*SO* (Thresh, Pharm. Jowrn, 
| vi. 941). It forms ‘needles insoluble in water and very .so- 
ble in alcohol’and ether, which may be sublimed or volatilized 
_ with steam, and are free from pungency. The hydrochloride 
_erystallises in cubes and tetrahedra, the sulphate in prisms. 
Tatt’s Dict. Cham., 2nd Ed. i., 678.) A. Meyer has discovered 
at capsaicin is not, as has been generally assumed, distri- 
uted throughout the entire fruit, but only occurs in the light 
llowish-red placentze and their attachments. These parts 
ld 0-9 per cent. of capsaicin. According to G. Laube and H, 


3 a a i ag 
foe io Nahe es aa 
eee ee 


ances 4:31, Volatile oil 3°05, Fat 8°17, Sugar 2°54, Nitrogen- 
ee extractive 43°88, Cellulose 22°50, Ash 2°87 per cent., and 
hen dried yield 0°79 nitrogen and 12°85 per cent. of volatile 
and fat. According to Warnecke, the ash of capsicums 
mounts to 4°66 per cent. : 
: The colouring matter of capsicum fruits is sparingly soluble 


tensely red soft mass is obtained, which is not much altered: 
7 po otash, it turns first pee then black with concentrated ee 


Pores Le 1 1877, 


566 SOLANACEZ. 


Commerce.—Several varieties of C. frutescens are cultivated 
throughout the plains of India for local consumption which is 
very large, but of which statisticsare notavailable. .C.minimuin 
is common asa weed of cultivation in most: parts of India, 
but is little used by the natives. The average:-value of: capsi- 
cums in the Bombay market is-about Rs. 12. per cwt. 


WITHANIA SOMNIFERA, Dunal. 
| Fig.—Jacq. ‘Bel, tt. 22,23 ; Sibth. Fl. Greec., t. 233 ; Wight 
d., t. 853; Eheede, Hort. Mal. ww., t. 55. Moorenkappen 
(Dutch) 


.. Hab.—Dry sub-tropical India, West Coast. Southern 
Europe. The root and leaves. 

Vernacular.—Asgandh (Hind., Guz.), Asvagandhé (Beng.), 
Asvagandh4é, Tula, Dorgunj, Kanchuki (Mar.), Amkitléng- 
kalang (Tam.), Pénérré-gadda (Tel.), Hirimaddina (Can.). 

History, Uses, &c.—This plant bears the Sanskrit 
names of Asvagandha, Turagi or Turangi, and Turagi-gandha, 
‘* smelling like a horse or mare”; Varaha-karni, “ boar-eared”; 
Vrisha, “amorous,” &c. It is described in the Nighantas 
as tonic, alterative, pungent, astringent, hot and aphrodisiacs 
and is recommended in rheumatism, cough, dropsy, consump= 
tion and senile debility. Chakradatta recommends it in 
decoction with long pepper, butter and honey in consumption 
and scrofula. A ghrita or medicinal butter prepared by boil- 
ing together one part of the root with one part of clarified 
butter and ten of milk may be used in such cases. As an 
c and as a remedy for rheumatism the drug is usually 
RET with a number of aromatics, each dose contains about 
30. grains of the root.. It is also made into a paste with 
aromatics for local application in rheumatism. Indian Maho- 
metan writers merely repeat what the Hindus say about this 
_ drug, and do not recognise in it the Kaknaj-el-manoum of the 
. io Goa ee So-mepeoeen tp erates tewwunip of 


SOLANACEE. 567 


tolerably well with W. somnifera. Rheede calls it Pevetti, and 

states that a vulnerary ointment is prepared from the leaves, 
Prosper Alpinus (i., cap. 33) describes and figures it under the 
name of Solanum somniferum antiquorum. Roxburgh states 
that the Telinga physicians reckon the roots alexipharmic. 
Ainslie (ii. 14) says:—‘“The root as found in the medicine 
bazars, is of a pale colour, and in external appearance not 
anlike our gentian; but it has little sensible taste or smell, 
though the Tames Vytians suppose it to have deobstruent and 
diuretic qualities, given in decoction to the quantity of about 
half a teacupful twice daily ; the leaves moistened with a little 
warm castor oil, are a useful external application in cases of 
_ earbuncle.” The authors of the Bombay Flora say that the 
seeds are employed to coagulate milk like those of W. coagulans. 
_ We have tried the experiment and find them to have some 
coagulating power. 
The plant is very common along the sherri of the Mediter- 
ranean, where it has always been reputed to be hypnotic. The 
properties of W. somnifera have recently been investigated by 
Dr. Trebut with regard to its reputation for hypnotic. proper- 
ties ; he states that he has obtained an alkaloid from it which 
has i protic action and does not produce mydriasis. Pl. 
Simmonds (Amer. Journ. Pharm., Feb., 1891) states that the 
plant is omeloret at the Civil Hospital, Alves, as a sedative and 
hypnotic. 
— Description.—The plant sa long tapering light 1 brow 
root, which may attain the size of a carrot ; it is surmounted by 
a knotty crown, from which spring eter) shrubby, flexuose 
round branches, 1 to 5 feet in length. The leaves are double, 
ovate, entire, 2 to 4 inches long; flowers axillary, subsessile, 
crowded at the ends of the branches; corolla campanulate, 
yellowish .green, very small; berry red, smooth, size of a pea; 
covered by a membranaceous closely-fitting calyx, open at the 
apex;. seeds numerous, yellowish white, reniform, Bein 
, about sth of an inch long; testa honeyco 
hole plant i is covered with small branched: sand 


team ote * 


568 . SOLANACER:. 


white hairs, which give it a hoary appearance. The odour is 
pungent and disagreeable like horse’s urine. 

- The dried root as it appears in commerce: is of very uniform 
Appearance, being from 4 to 8 inches long, and from } to } 
ich in diameter at the thickest portion a little below ine! 
crown ; if is plump, smooth, tapering, and of a light yellowish 
brown colour externally, white internally, brittle; fracture 
short and starchy. The root is seldom branched. Attached 
to the crown are the remains of several slender stems. 
Microscopic examination shows the substance of the root to be 
principally composed of starch, enclosed in delicate oval cells ; 
the cortical portion is about 5, inch in thickness. The vas- 
cular system consists of a ee central bundle of scalariform 
and dotted vessels; round this several smaller bundles and 
single vessels are arranged in a radiating manner. It has a 
mucilaginous and slightly bitter taste. In the “ Materia Medica 
of Western India” an opinion is expressed that the commercial 
article'cannot be the root of W. somnifera. This opinion was 
founded upon a comparison of the drug with the root of that 
plant as found in the salt marshes near Bombay, where it ac- 
quires a twisted, woody form, entirely different to the tapering, 
starchy root which it has when growing in sweet soil. Young 
roots obtained from Satara exactly corresponded with the drug 
of commerce. Another point of difference is the red colour of 
the inner bark in the Bombay roots, which was not observed in 
those from the Deccan, The foliage, flowers and fruit of both 
is appear to be identical. 


_ © Chemical composition.—Dr. Trebat i in 1886 separated an 
ye elksloldigeom the Mediterranean plant, which forms a crystalline 
see ees ee hypnotic action, but not producing mydriasis. 
ly named the alkaloid Somniferine. ( Lancet.) 
the Indian plant, reduced to fine powder and 
with a ! afforded: a a red-coloured tincture 


dto dryness. The 


late racer 4 


SOLANACEA. 569 


Was left as an amorphous substance from its solution in ether, but 
‘gave crystals when neutralized with sulphuric or hydrochloric 
acid, It had a bitter taste, was not coloured with nitric acid, 
but with sulphuric acid and alcohol it imparted a red colour 
similar to that produced by.solanine. A solution of the neutral 
acetate of the alkaloid was found to have no action upon the eye. 
A fatty.and colouring matter were also .present in the root; 
the latter was resinoid, and the alkaloid was combined with an. 
astringent acid. The leaves afforded 19°5 per cent. of ash, and 
a trace of alkaloid was detected in them. 

Toxicology.—Dr. Burton Brown (Punjab Poisons) records a 
fatal case of poisoning by the seeds of this plant. The 

_ Symptoms observed were vomiting, insensibility, convulsions ; 

the patient became unconscious with dilated pupils insensible 

_ to light; there were continued tetanic spasms of the muscles of 
the face and extremities, tongue not bitten, no lockjaw, face 
and lips livid, veins distended. . 


WITHANIA COAGULANS, Duna. 
Fig.—Wight Ic., 4. 1616; Stocks in Hook. Ics, ¢. 801, — 
Hab. — Punjab, Sind, Afghanistan. The frnit. 

-Vernacular.—Panirband, Panir-ja-fota (Sind.), Khamjaria. 
(Punjab), Spin-bajja (Afghan), Akri (Hind.), Kakanaj 
(Bomb.). : 

History, Uses, &c.—A small, rigid, grey undershrub,, 
the fruit of which is commonly used in Sind, N.-W. India and 
Afghanistan to coagulate milk instead of rennet; the natives of ; 
those countries rub up a few of the fruits with a small quantity 
of milk and add this to the milk to be coagulated. This useful 
_ plant appears to have attracted little notice until 1849, when it» 
was described by Dr. Stocks (Journ. Bomb. Asiat. Soc., 1849, 
55). The fruit is also used as an emetic, and smaller doses 
as a remedy for dyspepsia arising from chronic liver disease ; ihe 
is alterative and diuretic, In Bombay it is usually confounded” 
72 


570 \ SOLANACEZ. . 


with the fruit of Physalis Alkekengi, Wild., imported from 
Persia, the Hab-el-kaknaj or Kaknaj of the Arabians, which is 
described by Ibn Sinaas an alterative similar to Dulcamara, 
and especially useful in skin diseases. The berries of bot 
plants have a reputation as blood purifiers. Recently, from 
experiments made by Sir J. D. Hooker at Kew, it has been 
ascertained that 1 oz. of the fruit of Withania coagulans and 1 
quart of boiling water make a decoction, one tablespoonful of 
which will coagulate a gallon of warm milk in about half an hour. 
Experiments of a similar nature have been made on the Kilkerran 
Estate, the property of Sir James Fergusson, late Governor of 
Bombzy, four ounces of the fruit were allowed to simmer for 
12 hours in 1} pint of water, and half the liquid was then added 
to 55 gallons of milk; the milk curdled inan hour and a half, 
affording a firm curd free from taste and smell; of this a cheese 
was made which proved to be excellent. 


Description.—The entire fruit is about § ofan inch in dia-_ 
meter, flattened at the base, and enclosed in a leathery close- 
fitting calyx, with a small 5-partite opening at the apex, through 
which a small portion of the fruit is visible; thisis red when 
fresh, but yellowish and chaffy when dry; within is a mass of 
flattened reniform seeds nearly } of an inch in their longest 
diameter, and held together by a viscid brown pulp which has 
a nauseous fruity odour. 

Chemical composition.—The following is Mr. Sheridan” 
_ Lea’s report upon the “rennet” ferment contained in the 


Sie 


" ing equal weights of the seeds, I extracted them for 

- 7s hours with equal volumes of (1) water,(2)5 per cent. sodic 

_ ehlorid 2 per cent. hydrochloric acid, (4) 3 per cent. sodic 

carbon: Equal volumes of each of the above were add 

, and neutral condition, to equal volumes o 

bath at 38° C, The milk was rapidl} 
carbonate e | 


SOLANACER. : ol 


nown that a 5 per cent. solution of sodic chloride is the most 
ficient in the extraction of the active principle from the 


There is no doubt that the substance which possesses the 
lating power is a ferment closely resembling animal 
ennet. 

ri—A portion of the 5 per cent. sodie chloride extract loses 
8 activity if boiled for a minute or two. 

4 II.—The active principle is soluble in glycerine, and can be 
racted from the seeds by this means ; the extract possesses 
mg coagulating powers even in small amounts. : 
—Alcohol precipitates the ferment body from its solu- 
; and the precipitate, after washing with alcohol, may 
dissolved again without having lost its coagulating 


.—The coagulation is not due to the formation of acid by 
erment. If some of the active extract be made neutral or 
line, and added to neutral milk, a normal clot is formed, and 
reaction of the clot remains neutral or faintly alkaline. 

T The clot formed by the action of the ferment is a true 
resembling i in appearance and properties that formed une. 
rennet, and it is not a mere precipitate. 

question of preparing an extract which should be 
of being kept for a considerable time is perhaps of im- 
- Ordinary commercial rennet usually contains a large 
H Bodie chloride and some alcohol. One specimen I 
ined 19 per cent. of common salt, and 4 per cent. 
have, therefore, added to the 5 per cent. chloride _ 
ed above enough salt’ to raisc the percentage 
and also alcohol up to 4 per cent. The 
ct is not appreciably altered by this, and 


72  SOLANACEZ. 


such a preparation corresponds very closely in activity: with a 
commercial solution of animal rennet with which I compared 
it. The possibility of making extracts which may be expected 
to keep, is thus indicated, but, of course, time alone will show 
whether the activity of the ferment is impaired to cad important 
‘extent by such keeping, 


I may add, in conclusion, that I have coagulated a consider- 
able volume of milk with an extract such as I have described, 
and prepared a cheese from the curds, I have also given a 
portion of the extract to a professional cheese-maker, who has 
‘used it as a substitute for animal rennet in the preparation of 
a cheese. The product thus obtained, and the statements of 
the person who has made the experiment for me, lead me to 
suppose that extracts of the seeds of Withania can be used as 
an adequate and successful substitute for animal rennet.’’ 
(Pharm. Journ. [8] xiv. 606.) 

- An attempt has been made by Mr. D, 8. Kemp, of Bombay, 
to preserve the ferment by means of sugar, but with ‘only 
partial success. 


ATROPA BELLADONNA, Linn. 
Fig.—E£ng. Bot. t. 934; Benil, and Trim. t, 193. Common 
Dwale, Deadly Mabhaia nds ), neneeees Morelle furieuse 
7 (Pr. 1a 


suliah. —Westom Himalaya, oie bene The root and 


s Vaimochtas -—Suchi (Hind J. 


£ a Uses, &c.—This plant i is not mentioned by 
anskrit medical writers, and does not. appear to. have been 
‘ ag : a in Mae tt een to correspond pretty 


Writers ssnpy copy — 


NS atone & 


s, though it cannot, - 


: SOLANACEAE. $73 


general name in Arabic for the Nightshades. Haji Zein-el-Attar 
(A. D. 1368), speaking of Inab-eth-thdlib, in Persian Rubah- 
turbak and Sag-angur, “ foxes’ or dogs’ grapes,” concludes by 
cautioning his readers against the use of a kind with black 
berries, which causes delirium and is highly poisonous. In 
cases of poisoning by the latter plant he directs emetics to be 
given, and milk or honey and water, with aniseed and bitter 
almonds, to be administered. 
The use of Belladonna as a medicine is of quite recent date ; 
it was only known to the ancients as a noxious herb. ts 
action upon the pupil of the eye appears to have been utilized 
in the 16th century by the Italian ladies, whence the name 
Herba Belladonna. (Matth. Comment. (1558) 533.) 
Physiological action—All animals are not equally affected 
_ by this poison. It has been observed that rabbits can feed 
_ upon the plant with impunity, and that the pupils of their eyes 
may be dilated by the application of their own urine. Birds 
eat the fruit, and, strange to say, the drug has no local actiou 
upon their eyes. Hecquet has observed the insusceptibility 
of marsupials to the poisonous action of belladonna, and 
snails and slugs feed upon its leaves with impunity.: Atropine’ 
has no injurious effect when injected into the blood vessels of 
birds and herbiverous animals, it is therefore evident ‘that 
their nervous system is not susceptible to its toxic action. _ 
The carnivora, under the influence of the drag, exhibit along 
with dilated pupils, evidences of suffering, retching or vomiting, 
general muscular debility, dulness of the senses, and increased, 
_ frequency and force of the heart’s action, but no delirious 
excitement is observed. (Acad. des Sciences, Séance du 28 Juin, 
1875.) 7 3 7 
In man when poisonous doses of belladonna have been 
taken, a sense of tightness or pain is felt in the forehead and 
eyes, with giddiness, confusion of thought, and. noises in the 
ears, The sight is confased, objects are hazy or their charactor 
is mistaken. Often they appear to be much smaller than 
ral. Spectral illusions, generally of a pleasing character, 


574 ; SOLANACEA. 


are frequent, such as jewels, flashes of coloured light, birds of 
brilliant plumage, and insects with enamelled wings. In other 
cases they have the hideous appearance of the phantasms of 
delirium tremens. Sometimes there is a total blindness of 
several days’ duration, and even after all mental disorder has 
subsided. The mind is apt to be filled with extravagant ideas ; 
there is often delirium, which is generally of a gay description, 
and which prevents sleep or disturbs it with fantastic dreams. 
Sometimes the patient is quite conscious of his illusion and 
delirium, but is without the power to control either of them. 
The latter may be characterized by the incessant repetition for 
hours of some habitual act or phrase; sometimes though rarely, 
it is violent, maniacal, and attended with injury to himself or the 
attendants; but, in general, poisonous doses of the drug give 
rise to active and, for the most part, joyous delirium. Itisa 
powerful anesthetic; in cases of poisoning by it ending in 
recovery there has been almost a total loss of sensibility of the 
skin, lasting for several days. It has no direct soporific 
operation. Belladonna in excessive dose renders the gait un- 
steady and staggering, producing numbness with trembling and 
jerking movements of the limbs; the patient unconsciously runs 
against objects in his way, or avoids encountering imaginary 
ones; he is unable to co-ordinate his movements or to pick up 
small objects. The pupil is dilated, the eyes bright, the voice 
husky, or deglutition, owing to dryness of the throat, is impos- 
sible; the bladder is paralyzed and the urine retained, or both 
this secretion and the fceces may be passed involuntarily. 
Ae oe eyelid is Sa to be Piece and may remain so for 
months. = and Maisch.) 


_ Symptoms exactly similar to these have frequently been 
seistetant in cases of datura-poisoning in India. ‘The action 
of belladonna on"the brain has been attributed to a deficiency 
= in that organ caused by stimulation of the vaso-motor 
iS nerves, but as var nots the carotids i is not followed -y: any of 
oe appears to 
t understood. 


SOLANAQCEH. 575 


The action of belladonna on the spinal cord also has not been 
satisfactorily explained. The spinal symptoms observed after 
poisonous doses, viz., suspension of mental control over move=- 
ments and their co-ordination, seem to result from impaired 
sensibility and power of motion. Gubler, two hours after the 
subcutaneous injection of several milligrams of sulphate of 
atropine, observed symptoms of paralysis of both motor and 
sensory nerves, the patient being unable to button his clothes 
from want of power and feeling in the fingers. (Gubler, Diet. 
Encyclop. des Sci. Med. (1) €. vii. et ix.) 

Like all other medicines which act directly through the 
nervous system, small and large doses of belladonna produce 
opposite effects, the former stimulating, the latter paralyzing 
it. The direct action of small doses upon the heart is to increase 
the vigour and the frequency of its contractions; but large doses 
render the pulse still more frequent, but more and more feeble: 
and thready. 

Under the action of full doses of belladonna the pulse is at 
first slower and fuller, contrary to what takes place in the 


until in fatal cases it grows thready and intermittent. 
the active period of the operation the whole capillary circulation 
would seem to be congested, for the external mucous membranes 
are dry, the face is red and turgid, there is a sense of fulness 
in the head, with throbbing of the arteries, as if the blood were 
prevented from returning to the heart by a ligature around the 
neck. But the intracranial pressure does not appear to be 
increased in a like proportion. (Jacodt.) The general dryness 
of the skin and throat and larynx contrasts with the greatly 
augmented secretion of the kidneys during the active stage of 
belladonna-poisoning. This diuresis has been attributed to the 
fact that the active principle of the drug is excreted with the 
urine, and almost exclusively in this manner. Irritation of © 
scrotum sometimes exists in a high degree. (Stillé and 


eT ‘ aca ee eae 


576 SOLANACEA. 


Amongst the most remarkable and earliest indications of the 
action of belladonna is dilatation of the pupil, and loss of the 
power of accommodation, the degree and. persistence of these 
symptoms being in proportion to the dose employed. The 
defects of vision produced by the drug are various, there may 
be want of defining power, diplopia, presbyopia, want of the 
power of accommodation or even amaurotic amblyopia. Some 
of these defects may even persist when the natural diameter 
ofthe pupil has. been restored by eserine or has gradually 
recovered its normal condition, which indicates that the retina 
itself has lost some of its sensibility. The manner in which the 
drug acts upon the pupil has been much discussed by physiolo- 
gists; Gubler, who has thoroughly investigated this question, 
admits that the various theories which have been suggested, 
viz.—paralysis of the iris, excitation of. its radial fibres, 
paralysis of the ciliary nerves or their spinal centres, contraction 
of the blood vessels of the veins, torpidity of the ophthalmic 
branch of the trigeminal and of the retina—are individually in- 
- sufficient to explain the physiological fact. He considers it to 
be of a complex nature, and that several of the causes above 
mentioned contribute to its production. The solution of the 
problem becomes more difficult when we consider the resistance 
of the iris of birds to the action of the drug. Rossbach and 
Frdélich have observed that in rabbits and frogs the pupil con- 
tracts before dilating. (Gubler, loc. cit.) 

- Belladonna is antagonistic in certain respects to eserine, 
opium, ergotine and pilocarpine, viz., with eserine and ergotine 
as regards its action on the pupil, with pilocarpine as regards. 


rae its action on the secretions of the skin, and with opium as 


egards its action on the brain. Its antagonism to opium is of 
most importance, as numerous cases: are on record in which 


ll 


SOLANACHA. 577 


contraction of the involuntary muscles; -as a mydriatic: in 
upillary stenosis, cataract, iritis, posterior synechia,. and 


pilepsy, chorea and eclampsia. To control secretions it is 
used in excessive perspiration, profuse manera copious 
atarrhal defluxions and to. arrest the secretion of m 
preventive against scarlatina it is supposed by some re act by 
ndering the condition of the mucous membranes less favour- 
le to the absorption of the poison. 
_ As an antidote itis used in poisoning by opium, eserine 
d muscarine. 
- Description.—An herbaceous plant with thick, dntdot 
moms, 4 to 5 feet in height; leaves 3 to6inches long, stalked, 
idly ovate, acuminate, attenuated at the base, pubescent 
n young; flowers solitary, campanulate, pendulons, pur- 
h-green; berries black, large and shining. The fresh 
nt has a fetid odour and a nauseous faintly bitter taste. 
berries are sweet. The root is large, fleshy, tapering and 
ched, 1 to 2 inches thick, and a foot or more in length, it 
s a thick, light brown bark, and is internally of a dirty white 
our. Odour not peculiar ; taste acrid. 
hemical composition.—All parts of the plant contain atro- 
together with hyoscyamine. Atropine, C'7115NO5, erys- 
allizes in needles from dilute alcohol; it is slightly soluble in 
, , and very soluble in alcohol or chloroform, and the 
u ienis are alkaline and taste bitter. Its salts enlarge the pupil 
the eye. Atropine is decomposed by hot baryta water or 
d aaa song into apts met, C°H'°05, and tropine, 
HSNO. t t Pp ction on the eyes, 
hen “sc with duhydeating agents, suchas Zn Cl’, 
cL, oa, wei is sigeagen ae Besonding to Ladenburg, 
inane g the methyl (CH) 
6 oxethyl (C*H*O0H) sertnp in iw: plate of two H atoms, 
acid is a phenyloxypropionic acid. By combining 
‘other aromatic acids we obtain tropeins, a class of oe 
| eo in constitution to atropine. - One of 


578 SOLANACEZ. 


these a compound of tropine with one of two isomeric phenyl- 
glycollic acids has been named homatropine, and has proved 
physiologically important. Atropine is the same as daturine, 
the active principle of the Daturas; it occurs along with 
hyoscyamine in those plants and also in Duboisia and probably 
in other Solanaceous plants. Belladonnine is an alkaloid occur- 
ring in the mother-liquor from which sulphate of atropine has 
been crystallised; it is amorphous, very slightly soluble in 
water, very soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform. It is but 
slightly attacked by boiling baryta water, but is split up by 
alkalies into tropic acid and oxy-tropine, C®°H'5NO*. This 
would indicate that belladonnine is oxy-atropine, C'7H**NO*. 
According to Merling belladonnine is C!7H?'NO*%, and 
gives tropine, atropic acid, and iso-atropic acid when boiled 
with baryta-water. For further information on the chemistry of 
atropine and its decomposition products, the reader is referred 
to Watt's Dict. of Chem., 2nd Ed.; Stillé and Maisch, National 
Dispensatory, 4th Ed.; Iiebig’s Annalen; Berichte der deutsch. 
Chem. Ges. Atropamine is a new alkaloid found by Hesse in 
Belladonna root, where it is occasionally present in con- 
siderable quantity. It is amorphous, melts at 60° C., 
is easily soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform, has 
the formula C'?H?'NO® (differing from atropine, that is, 
hyoscyamine and hyoscine, by containing one H’O less; but 
identical with pure belladonnine). It differs from the other 
belladonna alkaloids by forming beautifully crystallized haloid 

salts 5 iti is optically inactive ; the hydrochlorate in 2 per cent. 


n oe unknown acid, which may under some conditions 
rrange its atoms to form cinnamic or isocinnamic acid. 

Aci¢ i easily bring about the decomposition, but first 
amine into belladonnine ; this easy decom- 
i and the Doane was not sooner dis- 


SOLANACEA. 579 


Mr. A. W. Gerrard has obtained the following amount. of 
alkaloid from Belladonna roots and leaves from plants of 
different ages: -- : 


Wild. Sn a 

Age | inl Comin meaitl Yield from leaves. , 
al | 260 ° 431 
Be vensencie ice sn son peupes “381 407 
ad. | “410 510 

Cultivated. 

years *207 320 
” *370 "457 
aes | -313 ‘491 


Prof. Schmidt. and Mr. Schiitte (Apoth. Ztg. 1890, 511) 
have obtained the following alkaloidal results from Belladonna 


_ Taken in Old roots. Young roots. 


Per cent. Per cent. 


Spring 0°174 °0°127 
— Summer .........-eees000e 0°358 0452 
0°458 


PAGED fence ceeecece veep 0°280 


ey found that the young roots contained only hyoscyamine, 
the old roots much hyoscyamine and a little atropine; no 
erence was observed between roots collected 1 spring, 
mmer or autumn. cs 
Toxicology.—Cases of fatal poisoning by belladonna are few 
nber. A lad of sixteen died from a drachm of the 
and a woman of sixty-six after swallowing “a tea- 
1 of belladonna liniment.” A woman, having taken $ 
each of Lin. belladonnw and Lin. aconiti (Br. Phar.), 
pasms within half an hour. (Hilinb. Med. Jour., xxvii. 
A man having liquefied an ointment containing’ 2} _ 
10) of extract of belladonna, injected it into his — 


‘a portion of it, but the remainder cai 


580 SOLANACEA. 


most marked symptoms of belladonna-poisoning. Recovery 
ensued without special treatment. (Bull. de therap. ci. 239.) 
Children have a remarkable tolerance of belladonna. After 
death by belladonna or atropine the lungs and right side of 
the heart are engorged, the brain and meninges are congested, 
and the retina is hyperemic, and a corresponding condition of 
the spinal cord has been observed. (Stillé and Maisch.) 
No cases of criminal poisoning by Belladonna have been 
recorded in India, but poisoning by Datura is extremely frequent 
(see Datura). Dr. Warden (Ind. Med. Gaz. 1879,) records a 
non-fatal case of poisoning ensuing upon the hypodermic 
injection of 5 to 6 drops of Liq. Atrop- Sulph., B. P. Imme- 
diately after the injection the medical officer in charge of the 
case states that he scarified the part, and pressed out as much 
of the injected fluid as possible. Within five minutes after the 
injection, the patient complained of vertigo, was unable to sit 
ina chair, and had to be carried to a bed. Within an hour 
after the injection the patient was delirious, the symptoms 
appeared to occur in paroxysms. The pupils were much dilated. 
Three hours after the injection the patient was quieter, save for 
an attack of furious delirium. Micturition was increas ed; the 
pulse between 130—140 and rather weak. Six hours after the — 
injection, the patient was picking up imaginary objects, tying 
up imaginary rupees in his clothes, spinning, and carrying his 
fingers along imaginary threads ; at times he would dig at the — 
ground with his fingers and ook for his shoes, all the while 
king incessantly. 10} hours after the injection the symp- 
ns had considerably abated, and during the night sleep was 
bed ey. wild dreams. On the. following morning the 
ated that he had very little recollection of the events 
ing ay Assuming 5 drops to have been injected, 

ld equivalent to ‘0418 of a grain of the 


SOLANACHE. $8 


stomach had been removed, and all approved methods for 
restoration tried, his condition appeared hopeless, when Dr. 
_Tawrie injected one grain of morphia subcutaneously, and 
_ maintained artificial respiration, a second grain of morphia was 
injected, and after 7 hours a third grain. One hour after the 
q last injection the patient was restored to consciousness. 


ation aE RR OS eS 


UR ers Oe 
a ae aii 


MANDRAGORA OFFICINARUM, Linn. 
Fig.—Bulliard Herb., t. 145. Mandrake (Hng.), Mandra- 
gore (Fr.). 
Hab.—Levant. The root. 


Vernacular.—Yebruj (Ind. Bazars), Lakshamana (Hind.), 
Kattai-jati (Tam.). 


_ History, Uses, &c.—In the Nighantas the root of this _ 
plant bears the names of Lakshamana, “ possessed of lucky 
signs or marks”; Putra-da, “child giver” ; Rakta-vindu, ‘a 
drop of blood” ; and Bh4gini, “co-heiress.” It is described as 


_ of the body: bile, blood and phlegm. The Hindus appear to 
have derived their knowledge of the drug from Western 
from the Chinese, as the only Indian species 


nations, or possibly 
to be used 


of Mandragora, M. caulescens, Clarke, is not known 
medicinally. From the time of Hippocrates to the first century 
of the Roman Empire, mandragora was used medicinally by the 
Greek physicians, sometimes as an anzwsthetic before surgical 
operations, but more frequently as an application to painful 
tumours. The root bark was preferred as being the most 
active part, but the leaves were also used, more especially for 
local application. Internally the juice of the root was usu 
administered in wine or vinegar. The description of the action 
‘mandragora juice given by Dioscorides and Pliny leave no 
; of its resemblance to that of belladonna. Theophrastus — 


‘Dioscorides mention that the plant was also used in love 


982 SOLANACEZ. 


philtres, which appears to be explained by the sensual excites | 


ment and hallucinations that are observed in datura poisoning. — 
Like many other medicinal plants Mandrake appears always to 


have been collected with certain superstitious ceremonies ; it was 
supposed that it could only be drawn from the ground without 
danger to the collector by the assistance of a dog, who, after 
the earth round the root had been removed, was tied to it by 
the neck and beaten until his struggles effected its extraction, 
and not unfrequently the death of the animal. The ancients 
speak of two kinds of Mandragora, male and female, the former 
has been identified as M. vernalis, Berth.; it has larger leaves 
and fruit than M. officinarum. From the time of Theophrastus 
up to the fifth century of our era the superstitions which have 
surrounded the mandrake appear to have gradually multiplied: 
we then find it spoken of as anthropomorphon and semi-homo, 


and described as having a human form and wonderful fertilizing a 


powers. In the Middle Ages it became a mystical magic root, 
which existed only in fancy, and was represented by a fictitious 
image in the form of a man or woman manufactured from some 
other root, and used by priests and charlatans as a charm. It 


is the Alrina of German mythology, which was believed to be — 


a gallow’s mannikin sprung from the seed of men who were 
hanged; that when pulled out of the earth by a black dog it 
shrieked like a child.* Tt came to be regarded as a kind of 
talisman or fetish which could bring good fortune to its pos- 


sessor. In France it was known as Mandagloire or Maglore (main _ 


de gloire), and was regarded as a kind of fairy which if well 
: breatod. would bring good luck to its owner. 

Chéruel (Dict. Hist. des meurs et coutumes de la France) gives 
the following extract from an anonymous diary of the 15th cen- 
tury:—‘En ce temps, frére Richard, cordelier, fit ardre plusieurs 
madagfoures (mandragores) que maintes sottes gens gardoient 
et avoient si grant foi en cette ordure, que pour vrai ils croyoient 
fermement que, tant comme ils l’avoient, pourva qu il fut en 


beaux drapennsteagie: ou de lin enveloppé, jamais ils ne seroient 4 ; 


: *DeG k ti ee PM ete ahd Abruzzes, itis still exé sy 


tracted from the ground in this maar nee 


SOLANACEE. 583 


auvres.” . This superstition, says Chéruel, was still current in 
e 18th century among the peasantry of France. Dr. Pereira 
nentions his having seen a rude representation of a human figure 
ashioned out of the rootof Bryonta dioica, exhibited at an herb- 
op in England as a Mandrake. The Arabs call the mandrake 


own in Syria as Shammdém and in Persia as Dastambuyeh, 

*perfuming the hands,” the Hucumis Dudaim of Linnzus, and 
St supposed to be the Dudaim or “love apple” of Gen. xxx. 14, In 
ja the mandrake is known as Mardumgyah and Sagshikan. 
hometan medical writers, under the name of Yebruj, Yebruh 
~ebrnj-cl-sanam, popsidiage with slight modifications the 

gthe plant. Haji Zein-el-Attarstates 
on the Sopders of the Garmasir of Shiraz, near the fort of 
hryari, mandrake root was in his time (A. D. 1368) collected 
the assistance of dogs, and was known as Sagkand (Sag, 
Og: end kandan, Be dig ). = cases of poisoning by it he 
I 1 t tion of aromatics in milk, 
concludes by saying that it is beyond the province of medi- 
to discuss its use as a love-philtre. Mandrake roots, though 
well-known in India, are occasionally offered for sale as a 
m ; the narcotic properties of the plant do not appear to be 
wn to the natives. In China the plant is said to be much 
as an anesthetic, and in Europe the leaves are still some- 
used as as a local application to tumours. Gnuibourt 
“Tes feuilles fort partie du baume tranquille (Hlwolé 
ées composé). 
ription.— Mandragora is a perennial plant, ay: a 
<, fusiform, light brown root, which often bifurcates; 
are all radical, petioled and humifuse, broad, acute, 
nd nlating edges; flowers numerous, on peduncles shorter 
e leaves ; fruit a yellow berry, which in M. vernalis (male 
) is round and the size of a crab-apple, whilst in M. 
(female mandrake) it is ovoid and rather smaller. 
of < caeed aie are also narrower and smaller 
male mandrake. The: ead when 
CaF odour. 


584 SOLANACEZ. 


Chemical composition.—Herr Ahrens reports that he has 
separated two basic substances that are probably isomers of 
hyoscyamine (Annalen, ccli., 812.) The residue from the 
evaporation of an alcoholic extract of the roots was treated with 
acidulated water, the solution treated with potassium carbonate 
in excess and then shaken with ether and the ether evaporated, 
when a deliquescent alkaloidal substance was left, which when 
dried over sulphuric acid resembled a brittle resin. When neu- 
tralized with sulphuric acid it formed a sulphate crystallizing 
in white scales, a solution of which dropped into the eye dilated 
the pupil. Analysis of the gold salt gave results pointing to the 
formula C’7H*NO*,HCI, AuCl, or the same as that of hyoscy- 
amine, atropine and hyoscine. But although the gold salt had 
much of the external appearance of hyoscyamine gold salt, and 
a melting point only six or eight degrees lower, the properties 
of the other salts studied differed widely from the corresponding 
salts of hyoscyamine, and moreover the new substance was not 
converted into atropine by prolonged contact with alkaline 
liquor. Herr Ahrens is therefore convinced that the substance 
is a new isomer of the belladonna alkaloids and has named it 
“‘mandragorine.” The press residue left after the extraction 
with alcohol was then treated with acidulated water and the 
aqueous solution supersaturated with potassium carbonate was 
shaken with ether, which left on evaporation an oily base 
that did not crystallize over sulphuric acid. A solution of the 
sulphate of this substance, which could not be obtained crys- 
talline, when applied to the eye also dilated the pupil. The 
mercuric chloride, platinochloride and gold double salts were 
obtained crystalline; but the quantity available was too small 
to allow of the determination of its composition, although Herr 
Ahrens thinks it is probably another isomer of the belladonna 
alkaloid. (Pharm. Jour. June 8th, 1889.) 


DATURA STRAMON IUM, Linn 

Fig.—Eng. Bot., t. 935; Bentl. and Trim., t. 192. Thorn 

apple (Hng.), Pomme épineuse, Herbe aux sorciers (Fr.). 
Hab.—Temperate Himalaya, Afghanistan, Persia. 


SOLANACEZ. 585 


DATURA FASTUOSA, inn. 
. Fig.—- Wight Ic., t. 1896; Rheede Hort. Mal. %1., €. 28, 
- Hab.—Thronghout India. 7 


DATURA METEL, Luu. 
Fig.—Bot. Mag., t. 1440; Rumph. Herb, Amb. v., t. 243, 
 Hab.—W. Himalaya, W. Deccan Peninsula. The roots, 
eaves and seeds. . 
 Vernacular.—Dhatira (Hind.), Dhiitéra’ (Beng.), ‘Dhatiéro 


(Guz), Umattai (Tam), Ummetta (Tel.), Ummatta (Mal.), 
Ummatté (Can.), Dhotara, Kante-dhotara, Pisola (Mar.). ~ 


~ 


: History j Uses, &c.—The Sanskrit names Dhustura or 
_ Dhattura, and Unmatta, ‘‘insane,” include all the species and 


ah ic difficult. to judge how much of the effect produced is — 

o the Datura. The Svalpajvarankusa may be taken as 

imen of this kind of prescription; it contains mercury, 

aconite, ginger andilong and black peppers, of cach 
wo parts of 


fs 
Sos ae 


y.secds. The dose is 4 gra 


586 SOLANACE. 


of the mass, which is directed to be made with the assistance of 
lemon juice. . 

As a local application to inflamed and painful parts, the 
pounded leaves mixed with turmeric in the form of a paste are 
much used as a domestic remedy. Similar pastes are made 
with the fruit; and juice, with or without opium, and mixed 
with oil; they are used to destroy lice and in parasitic skin 
diseases. 

A pill made of the pounded seeds is placed in decayed teeth 
to relieve toothache, and the leaves are smoked along with 
tobacco in asthma. According to Dutt, no mention of the 
latter use of the plant is to be found in old Hindu books. 
Mahometan writers also are silent upon this point. Ainslie 
found upon enquiry that the physicians of Southern India 
were unacquainted with the value of Datura in spasmodic 
asthma, but he tells us that his friend, Dr. Sherwood of Chittore, 
noticed the smoking of D. fastuosa as a remedy in that disease. 
Tn the Concan the juice of the same plant is given with fresh 
curds in intermittent fever to the extent of one tolé during the 
intermission, and at least two hours before the fever is 
expected. The seeds also often enter into the composition of 
the bakha, used in the fermentation of country spirits, and 
Norman Chevers states that bakha is also frequently added 
to. Kaila (#4), an intoxicating drink prepared from the 
fruit of Feronia elephantwm, and indulged in by the 
lower classes during the Holi festival. The seyeral species 
of Datura are described by Mahometan writers under 
the Arabic name of Jouz-el-mathil. The Persian name 
is Tatulah.t The author of the Makhzan recommends 
preference to be given to the purple kind; he says 
that all parts of the plant are powerfully intoxicating and nar- 
_eotic; as a local application they relieve the pain of tumours, 


piles, &c. The roasted leaves applied to the eyes give relief in 


‘* Datura Stramonium is called ra i ni k, a name di 
 rFamonvum is called rarovha in modern Greek, a name doubt- 
mstans whence it appears to hav 


3 
4 
% 
7 
a 
? 
4 


SOLANACE. 587 


ophthalmia, similarly they are useful in headache, enlarged 
testicles, boils, &c. The following description of Datura intoxi- . 
cation is by the same author :—“ Every thing he (the patient) 
looks at appears dark; he fancies that he really sees all the - 
‘absurd impressions of his brain, his senses are deranged, 
: he talks in a wild, disconnected manner, tries to walk butis 
_ unable, cannot sit straight, insects and reptiles float before his 
: eyes, he tries to seize them, and laughs inordinately at his 
failure. His eyes are bloodshot, he sees with difficulty, and 
“catches at hi8%clothes and the furniture and walls of the room. 
Tn short, he has the appearance of a mad man.” pomcaep 
article “Jouz-el-mathil.”’) 

The leaves and seeds of D. fastuosa have been made official 
the Pharmacopeia of India, and of these a tincture, extract, 
ster and poultice are directed to be made. The extract 


oe 


ss A i otras i ii a 
eg el aoe TMUney a ity ee 


ES 


plant as a remedy for painful syphilitic nodes, tumours, &c.5 is 
well known to many European physicians in India. 

For a description of the physiological effects of Datura, the 
der is referred to the article upon Belladonna. 


-Description.—The leaves of D. Stramonium, D. fastuosa, 
nd D. Metel are very similar; they have long petioles, are 
nequal at the base, ovate, acuminate, sinuate-dentate, with 
irregular pointed lobes; when frosh they are firm and 
, and have a disagreeable fetid odour, which they lose when 
In D. Stramonium and D. Metel the young leaves are 
rally pubescent, in D. Fastuose they are glabrous. In 
» the leaves vary greatly, in vigorous plants the largest 
7 to 8 inches long and 4 to 5 in breadth. All the species 
» large trumpet-s shaped, night-scented flowers, which in 
fastuosa vary much in colour and are often doable. In 
x ee. are white, and in D. Metel ear 


uw _ is van ovoid dis about the size of a wiles, 
ed with blunt spines ; os is bilocular, with each cell 


388 SOLANACEA. 


incompletely divided into two, and in D. Stramonium opens at 
the summit, when ripe, in four regular valves, disclosing a large 
number of flattened, kidney-shaped black or dark brown seeds, 
about:2 lines long and $a line thick. The surface of the seeds 
is finely pitted, and also marked with a much coarser series of 
shallow reticulations. The embryo follows the outline of the 
seed, and has the tip of the radicleeverted. The fruitof D. fas- 
tuosa dehisces i eae when ripe, and the seeds are ear- 
shaped and of a light yellowish-brown colour. The testais much 
thicker than in the seeds of D. Stramonium, but like them is 
reticulated and finely pitted. The seeds of both plants have 
a bitterish taste and disagreeable odour when bruised. The 
fruit and seeds of D. Metel agree nearly with those of 
D. fastuosa. 


Microscopic structure—The outer envelope of the seed is 
formed of alayer of thick-walled, sinuous cells, which in D. 
fastuosa and D, Metel are much more developed than in D. 
Stramonium, and contain secondary deposits ; the inner is formed 
of tangentially extended cells. The albumen consists of poly- 
hedral cells, containing granuler matter and fatty oil. The 
structure of the embryo is similar, but the cells are much 
smaller. 


_. Chemical composition.—Prof. E, Schmidt and Mr. Schutte 
(Apoth. Ztg.1890,511) found the seeds of D. Stramonium to 
‘contain much hyoscyamine with small quantities of atropine 
. hyoscine. M. Gérard (Comptes rendus, Acad. des, Ses, 
1890) has prepared a new fat acid, Daturie acid, from 


‘with petroleum, this oil was of a greenish 
t was a with Biers then the lead 
heved: by. 


SOLANACEH, “Bag 


Formula C*H2*0% (old notation). From’ Répert. de Pharm., 
; Sept. 10, 1890, in Amer. Journ. Pharm., Oct. 1890. The air- 
dried seeds of D. fastwosa ( purple var. ) reduced to powder 
Jost 7:828 per cent. of moisture when heated to 100° C. 
The ash calculated on the air-dried seeds amounted to 4°830 
per cent., and was of a brick- red colour. 

On proximate analysis the following results were obtaitied, 
ated on the seeds containing 7828 per cent. of 


aS lice extract 11°654 —* 
extract, containing °296 per cent. 
il soluble in petroleum ether ......... O°340 4, 5 ~ 


erature of about 8) ©. fog Siieat days, it or 


id to dissolve any trace of alkaloid, and se 
paper, it had a specific gravity at 15°5 C. of 9167. It 
mned below 10° C. The ether extract contained oily 


which caused marked dilatation of the pupil when 
xed into the eye. The alcoholic extractive contained a 
exhibiting a marked greenish fluorescence, a 
: and an alkaloidal body. The gold salt of this 
am microscopically closely resembled the 
of atropine. The total alkaloid extracted from 
amounted to ‘088 per cent. Dragendorff states that 
of atropine dried at 100° C. contains 31°37 per 
; asalt having the formula C'?H?5NO*HAuCl* 
n 81°31 per cent. of gold. We made two deter: 
1 the gold salt, prepared with Sane ~~ 
after drying first over a | 


Ne 


590 SOLANACEAE. 


then at 100° C., we found the gold content to be 80:518 per 
cent. The melting point of our gold salt was above 170° C. 
when heated in the dry state, The amount of alkaloid at our 
disposal was too small to admit of any attempt at fraction- 
ation. 


Toxicology.—Datura poisoning is common in India, the seeds 
being usually employed; a few cases of poisoning by the leaves 
and root have, however, been reported. In the great majority 
of cases the motive for its administration is facilitation of theft, 
and when in India an individual has been first drugged and then 
robbed, it will usually be found that datura has been employed. 
A common form of theft by aid of this poison is road robbery, 
and Dr. W. Center mentions the use in such cases of a hollow 
pestle, the cavity containing the seeds. Inversion of this 
while pounding the masaleh or spices always used in Indian 
cookery, introduces the poison into the food without exciting 
suspicion. It rarely happens that there is any ground for 
suspecting homicidal intent in cases of datura poisoning; in fact, 
there seems to be a popular belief in this country that the drug 
is simply an intoxicant. As Harvey remarks, road poisoners 

sometimes partake with their victims of the drugged food, 
which they would hardly do if aware of thedanger. Commonly, 
when datura is used for criminal purposes in India, the poison 
is -mixed with sweetmeats or food, but in exceptional cases it 
has been mixed with tcbacco given to the victim to smoke. 
_ Datura is said to be used by vendors of native liquor, 
for the purpose of increasing its intoxicating power, the liquor 
a g poured into a vessel which has been first filled with the 

smoke of the burning sceds. Suicidal poisoning by datura, if 
it occurs at all, is extremely rare. Accidental ne aie among 


children is occasionally met. with. — . Juris. for 
India.) 


: symptoms of poisoning by this plant the reader is 
roferred to the article ‘Spon Belladonna. 


sie use o% agen is so common 


: 


SOLANACEZ. 591 


Giraud in 1843 met with only one death in fifty-one cases admit- 
red into the Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy Hospital, Bombay ; and in the 
ten years ending 1885, of fifty-nine cases admitted into the 
- same hospital, only two died. ‘This, however, is an exception- 
ally low death-rate. Dr. Burton Brown, of Lahore, records 
__ twenty-one deaths in ninety-two cases. In Harvey’s one hundred 
and twenty-three Bengal cases, twenty deaths were reported; 
and of the Bombay Analyser’s one hundred and thirty-eight 
4 cases, twenty-four died. Here there is a marked difference in 
_ the fatality among cases treated in hospital and the last three 
sets of figures which represent cases referred to the Chemical 
Analysers from different part of the country, many of which 
would probably have recovered under medical treatment. 
From the Reports of the Chemical Examiner, N.-W. Pro- 
_Vinces and Oude, for the years 1879 to 1887, it appears that out 
of 110 cases referred tohim, 9 were fatal. His report also shows 
a remarkable decrease in the number of cases in which Datura 
detected in the various substances sent to him for exami- 
nation, In 1879 and 1880, 20 and 25 per cent. of them contain- 
[this poison, in 1881 the percentage fell to 9 and remained 
t about that figure during the remaining 6 years. 
In Bengal fatal cases of datura-poisoning are now very rare, 
as ‘tm be seen from the following table :— — 


Bae a Re TT 
SEY gee REET 


pres. th 


mber pigs 
Year. . vse ex-| of Da 
ined.  eceatiolle 


1880-81 Pe 0-7 
1881-82 phy. 10 0° 4 


1882.83 210 | None. 
Nine months of 
1883 126 99 
o 4 1 7 | 9? 
234 
e 266 0°4 


592 SOLANACEA:: 


In the Punjab fatal cases are more frequent, but their number 
appears to be declining, as will be seen from the followi ng 
figures :— 


.| Number of} Percentage 
Year. -| viscera ex-| of Datura 
amined. | detections. 
1879 162 1°8 
1880 . 194 2°0 
1881 .. 186 6°3 
1882. 201 0-9 
1883 194 15 
1884 : 200 Pe. 
1885 .. ae 234 0-8 
1886 272 0-7 
1887 228 0°8 
Madras— 
1882 152 6 
1883 128 1°6 
1834, 85 8-2 
3885 81 4°9 
-_.1886 84, 273 
1887 76 | None. 
1888 11 
1889 10] 1°9 


A case is reported by Taylor (Poisons, p. 774) in which a 
decoction of 125 seeds of D. Stramonium caused the death ofan 
adult in seven hours : on the other hand, in. Dr.-E. Lawrie’s case 
(see Belladonna), the patient, an adult, recovered under suit- 
able treatment, after taking four graitis of Atropine. 


Bite rian em Kien 


Len eeeregnevuseres 


PPP Peet Secor ers 


Seer voverererr ets: 


SOUP e ere eee estes 


POOP UN Eten vertee 


senvee 


’ 


tee 


Venrey 


Peeres 


‘WAV NV'1OS 


rigs | Substan oe 
| suspected to | suspected to 
be or to con~ | be or to con- 
m in es 
ine connection REMARKS, 
| with human } with cattle- 
: poisoning | poisoning 
7 (Datura) 
PEA 1 (Datura age ‘* Datura was not detected in any of the viscera examined 
. and ahh during 1884. In the years one 1876-77 and end- 
Asafetida). ing 1882-83, datura was detected in one, three, none, one, 
; two, one and one cases, E cautiely mAIth ugh not found 
in th Ta eX ura was found in seven of the 
cted substances and in ?) o 
ith o isons. From Satkhira, a female was reported 
to have been severely burnt and afte ro y two 
persons d been her guests for the night. 
8 oi these individuals poisoned the food of which 


she had Part of the remaining rice an age were 
piderag ak a pei ad examination, and datura was de- 


“‘ Another of the cases was reported from Howrah. This 
case also was an attempt to drug a woman. ath 
Sircar and anothe n, name not yet known, po 

quantity of liquor from a bottle into a wineglass and 
offered it to the woman, w ad no sooner taken t 
than she complained o urning sensation i throat, 


interior of the wineglass. 


6S 


WHAOVNV'IOS 


cciatetbveted by me to the Indian gnge ys ed 
nee recording medico-legal ine 6 in Che- 


xaminer’s Department, Caloutta, catome 
in 1889, the ae one cases were cited as cases ree Datura 
poisoning tha ¢ came under observation during the period. 


‘In the case of an up-country bo 

the following history was forw: 

Sie oo states that he 
travellin; 


1 pate from Hoogly, 


and his uncle and his uncle’s 
m went to sleep and died in his 


sleep. The nephew was sick pres * ooptelaeh The father 
states that he was robbed by the m 


‘On examining the viscera, the asties principle of datura 
was detected.” 


of drngging by datura, ~ most 


important 
one Satie 4 in Clie, in which one 


their stomachs w , and the sent to the 
Chemical Examiner’s Department for tho th In one of 
these 46, in another 8, and Jl en as 
and some broken fragments o: 

the physiological action of the active prin on a shy drag 
were detected in the hon 3 of the s ace 

tion with this case, t a ype we, eae wil 
the accused, were sie xamination, and the active 
principle of datura t The man feigned 


insanity at his trial in the ri ay Conk but he was sen- 


“HAOVNV TOS 


Presidency. 


ef Year. 


Human 
viscera 


Substances 


tain 
in connection | 


poisoning 
case 


Substances 
suspected to 


- | be or to cons 


pat Reaper. 
cattle- 
ee 


REMARES. 


 Bengal—(contd.)...... 
N.-W. P. and Oudh, 


i ‘ 
Do, OURO e tebe eotebeee 


1890 
1865 


1866 


eh ee eee we ee en ee eee 


datura poisoning, no history was 
rest the usual history of strangers taken 

of the food and robbing of the 
er was recorded,”’ 


oot ee tonne teee 


‘‘ By the assistance of Major Manning, I have yelp from 
a professi: — fs isoner retained at Benares under sentence 
of transport as 


rai hed or ground), the usual Dessiee the seed 
(reduced to the finest powder) is quite unrecognisable, by 
taste or tags the oe the proportion in fact being 
25 grains to 3,500 
‘Five cas fact poisoning by datura were referred. In 4 of 
ee - I was able to detect the poison, The cases were 
Sr 


96S 


‘WAOVNVTOS 


Fe TS Tt Se ee ee Se ee a Oe 


d in 
peaked: The case 


ren 


his wife ad absence of all object 
e tbe his Lense oe 


s after, on ho 

partaken he mothee 
Roth became insensible and the daugh 

in the chapatees made from 

tomach.’’ 
“No 193 nd the o lowing were the only two 
cases of gang or road poisoning referr ing the year 
his case a sowar (trooper), by name 
p as returning 8a to his h at 
Lallutpur with a well-filled containing Rupees 310 ; 


with 
thus for eight hours. When 
he came to himself, his purse and companions were gone ; 
but he had sufficient strength to fone i Mt Te bow toned 


e inform 
pursued and apprehended, and Iuckily. for “juste, ic 
sowar had retained, tied up in a piece Stas mall 
it ich had been 
‘No 194, This case occurred in - Se _—- 
i i rriage party g from 
Lallutpore were drugged by a Geoteenional | vison in an 


encampment on the Grand Trunk Road. e drug was 
given in ‘sherbet.’ Two of the men died, I failed to 


‘“W OVNV'IOS 


Substances | Substances 
suspected to | suspected 
ee or to con- or t - 

in poison in |tain poison in 

part hore coneucn REMARES. 
with hum: with cattle- 

poisoning poisoning 

cases. cases. 


eeeees 


detect datura by analysis, but the eget erg that 
_ _ given that po ison ere agli the sher 
Was a dom janis ch en at Fyzabad. 
shine ‘pers ons were “affec tas but recovered, wel been 
Datura was found the 
ny. 7? 


ether in human viscera 
or among suspected articles, is not moentionen’ in sg report. 
* Datura tay gina s having been used for a criminal 


Fe er n 12 cases. 

atura seems a be used i in two le of paid the 
ular gang poisoners, and by men to produce a temporary 
ibility in women with a cr rienad urpose in view 

n the rae eee _ A Sire is tol Aviat 2 triturated by 

the prac o admini e dose is 


e carelessness and ignorance 
_ of the operator seaaity leave satisfactory evidence of the 


instrument used to . ct his 
‘¢ In 22 cases of poison g, dtu was found to be the cause 
of deat a@ cases Were pe 


wo of aa erfect examples 
of the cold-blooded nt “heal ess system pursued by the 

regular ey ssional poi 

[. d a bo ge were travelling last May, fro 

Bombay trwants the N.-W. Provinces. They were joined 


366 


WHOIVNY TOS 


1870 


1871 
1872 


teeters 


(“To the othe er case, six men were seen to encamp near a 
in the sear sein Py aie o strict. After a pes 


et : 
Datura was atone 20 instances, but whether in human 
viscera or among eo arti oe , is not mentioned. 


fr ca detection of aatura ais far fon m being on a satisfactory 
In 3 out of the 4 cases in which it was detected the 


ae r pa oat were appreciable to the or to 
microscope, but in the 4th case ( 1 iscovered the 
datura by its physiological test, dilatation of the pu 

t was a case whic es det anpore in Oudh, 
and the substance to be ined was a bain def = it 
was from a nextract of it that te chained the tes ery 
savnstenistio ee _ gh not ta succee ys bh gettin ing 
this test from the ex t of a st peels 4 “ oy contents, 
although it has been tried in almost sey of Datura 


poisoning which has ie prea ts 


WHOVNVIOS 


66¢ 


009 


‘FV UOVNV TOS 


oo Substances | Substa 
gpa to suspected i 
= n= e 
— | Human ig in apes allen : 
‘Year. | viscera. gee inp ectio cise 2 ection . REMARKS. 
be i hers uk cattle- 
bi a beta ‘poles 
cases. cases. 
Ue ee + Datura was detected in 26 instances; ‘‘in all these 26 in- 
ee eon “pu fal Mea ee it was in the contents of 
. mach, in yomi atter, or in foo 
1874 CY Se nee , vertu Dee was cpt in “i taro ces, but no mention i is nate 
= ther the enya was detected in human viscera 
mong s su Sper bj ed : 
1875 | Oe iy tee : Do. 23 pia do. 
We a ee cetee esha ses Do. in 23 instances do, 
eG eee ets EL Yea ; Do. in 28 instances do. 
1684) ve = ise Re aed “ Do, in 18 instances do. 
PO yg PA es erst A lenges Do. in 20 instances do, 
PeOU oe aces gti Bf sae Do 2 25 instances 3 
1881. fe eee ats Do. 9 instances 
‘ i In connection wit one of these BR “the Sessions Judge 
aharanpore sent a small parcel containing 150 datura 
seeds a ked first, if I c tell if these ha 
| been in a human stomach, a 80, 12; ‘ 
secondly, if instead of having been rejected by vomiting, 
| they had been retained in the st h of a woman, wow 
they have caused death. To the first question, I co 
only answer that I did not know. To the second, I ven- 
tured to state that as seeds were whole a lso 
and hard, they would most probably not bring about a 
-_ issue, even if they had been retained in the woman’s 
ach,”’ 
i 


1887 


1871 


Be  vaisester ssf $872 


Hearne 


beeen 


fees 


teers 


weeene 


Do. ass 
Case “No 160. Muttra. The 
gis balls, and they mee 


mined wa sweetmeat 
contain Galant t found dutura seeds 
‘were very seeds, Pris 


s 
5 
fer] 
:: 
E 
if 
oe. 


1an viscera 


substance ekay 


foig 


datura 


0 of the 
lant, or of its alkalo vid, 3 we a ta phnsiak inc rk ae deaths. 


n one of the fatal cases over 70 datura seeds 


iven to a man by his wife 


In the oth 

(cire pumisijnecs an stated) the alkaloid was gens 

toad aaa in_ the matter vomited, and in th 
mac ons 


included in the 7 ca es above mentioned 


per ‘Yes ejeebhoy Hospital, who was a 


vomited matter of g patient in 
admitted 


e 4, in the j ne 
the 18 cases of datu Ta poiso: admitted into the Jam- 
setjee Jejeebhoy sates. et ene the ge y under report is 
included i 


GPAOE NF LOS 


“109 


Substances 
pected 
be or to con- 
cgpeat era - REMARES. 
with cattle- 
poisoning 
cases. 

ptoms of da and was dis- 

from hospital’ b but Pot di 2 or or "3 ps afterwards. 

Cases of datura poisoning occurring in Bombay so rarely 

prove fatal that special re: tai es bya: case, the 

symptoms, etc., of which are remarkable enoug: be 

worth recording. While under reales ent in hospital, the 

patient, an old woman, suffered from great tympanitie dis- 

tension of the abdo: ; thi ever was completely 

ved before her discharge from hos Sh 
dismissed from hospital seven days on, ap~ 
parently quite well rwards, or ten days 
th administration of the poison, her death w. 
st = e 


made, from the notes of Dr. e , House : 
Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Hospital, I gather that the following 
condition of parts was observed:— abdo- 
ery greatly disten on opening it the disten- 
sion was found to be due to an enormously sto 
fill uid. No less 4 gallons of fluid we 
contai the viscus. At the lower part of the intes- 
tines three intussusceptions were fo fro ) 
absence of sign m in tones a 


ons. 
the stomach and the seat of the 
completely empty, it is very doubtful anaes, ths be 


‘609 


WAOVNV TOS 


Pee epee pe eeret 


teneee 


wever, taken in conn 
zi he state of the 

the time the sorrehy remained in 
nsion of the 


tem 
Deed, acco f Da , quo uoted by 
"iGhevers = nin Medical Jura te age 839) states,— 
“Tn fo of da’ ave <br with h deep 


a, SS eth insensibility, stertoron 
g ese there was a remar rape state of ‘the 
don’? 


eer ee ee eeae 


en most: bs ee , re dy te been caper ia cen 
“object 0 ueing stupe: 1 pare or purposes of rob 
tea in aus abe: from what I could ro it was p laced bn 
with the design false 


th the getting up a fs a of drug- 

In none of the suspected cases could I succeed in 
etecting itin th Bl ihe is leads me to 

the fact in t report the 


ipa “Knowing that capeioum, a member of a closely - 


Sook the trouble t to compare it microscopically with datura, 
be rte outer covering of both seeds so 
nearly similar appearance; I long — the 
roscopie virgg *: datura, preferrin 
var on its Sjulstigleal action as the > prvot of greatest 
value 


WHOVN¥Y IOS 


£e9 


« 


ry ; : oy 


“The poison was detected in 9 cases, or the same aia 
hh four of these nine gels came = the Conta 
in 4 
pinning of no less than foaty “indivi uals ; only one 
th from the effects of the poison is eres perriets: 
Tn all nine cases the wage ae to have been i 


th, att 
In most of the cases, aeatte, robbs was the object 
in view. In one however from Akola, a org the 


ym the foe 
in question w i: anti by his wife. The following is 
pele fatal case of poisoning by this 
ig above alluded to:—A family comming of two 
men, their wrives, and an old woman, their mother,—in 
five persons,—lived in a hut in a ‘enely. ae of the Thar. 
and Parkar District. in Sind. One evening a a epust 


a small. quantity. Twe elve hon afterwards four of 


Were gz 


symptoms of datura poisoning, yor e old woman: 


Lae Pala 
was found dead. The alkaloid was hays 9p from. the 


contents of the stomach of the deceased. Anattempt also 


was made to extract it, from the. liver, but wihent success.’’. 


%09 


EAOVNY TOS 


1876 


suffering from some 


ex nce datura poisoning. me 
India should show a far greater mortality = this. on 
Burt 


8 0 nin 

ie or 22°8 per cent. On the other hand, De _Girau - 
records 51 eases of datura poisonin g admitted imto the 
Jamsetjee sojeokinay Hospital: Banas 3 in 1848, without 
a single dea 


‘The poison was detected in 14 cases as compared with 9 ir 
tc Th 


each of the two previous € reports rd 
iat 6 persons were attacked with symptoms of 
datura poisoning ; ly a much r of 
persons than this d, the reports sent with many 
the cases being silent as to ‘whether any individuals ‘were 
poisoned or not. 8 ineluded i 
the 14 cases. One was a 0 aroda ; in 
his case, although the* alkaloid was not detected in the 
viscera of the dee » & powder of which 
= geo — nd swallowed t me hours before 
dea consist Bes A yeibr ie, datura seeds. 


tal eases in oe nuts ‘seldom occur. Pos- 


% 


OV NYIOS 


ty 


et: 


oa e es eee 


: n : 
netic: AR t 


Human 
viscera. 


Substances ; 
suspected to 


with cattle- 
pesos 


REMARKS. 


1877 


etneee 


eaeeee 


alkaloid. In “a7 case, & child two years old, got held of 
a small pill box n which a small quantity had been kept 
te use in ophthl ic practice by its father. Bap after- 
ards it became insensible and convulsed, | pils be 


mbay, got into conversation with 
d accepted pan-supari om them; they 


ed 
the identification of the poison depended on the extraction 
of the alkaloid; in the remaining 7 cases, the extraction 
t ired, whole datura seeds, suf- 
e 


und, and in seven the poison 


ou = identified by it = physiological action 
“'Twe ich 


lve ich datura was detected were polenaae 
durin wk eg ar 12 cases included the 
of 17 ices, of whom eight died. In many of the otiteh 


ee nd ee ny ee ay ees 


909: 


‘PHOFNVTOS 


‘as follows :—Two 
man from Hubli to buy cotton in 
ere starting a man 
emselves as guides, stating that 
ww them the villages where cotton was to be 
food w was prepared bh the Al tes of 


he At a is 


became 
cn bae ae a case from Dho a ted women et 
wi i 


The third case seabed was a case in Sieh some 


om Bhusaval, where a man was taken in a state 
petty out of the Jubbulpore down mail. It was 
stated that he had been insensible for 16 hours. e died 
shortly after ‘aca ~ hos ospital, A fe Now--bevivelien 


ive 
persons were dined with wher: the emotive "for x 
aria is not stated in the history of the In ea 
th 


cases the victims recovered, in the third all died. In the 
fo case one individual was poisoned and recovered: 
In the g possibly, persons were 
poisoned, but no statement to that effect accompanied 
matters sent i 0 of these cases 
substances forw: ere pow con 

seeds. In hird oid was found in some 


8. th 
sweetmeat, and in the fourth case some sediment. left in a 


“WHOVNE IOS 


ReEMaBES, 


bottle, sent 
contain the 


fo anes 


ee crag aes the 


ae te ible eee hs cases m. 
‘spss rmed that 


it is “ oa 
rsons, under a aadsve _of 


big Facute a a in which from the poverty 
isoned, i ble that ele could 


se 5 mou oe came 
ae 4 men second aaé 
m died, pe from Kaira 


Poona City peerset. ee Sate to 


809 


“WAOVNV TGS 


1880 | 


syeeee 


e was als 
pend case, and was a case, in which a prostitute, it was 
eged, was drugged with et te and then robbed of her 
A seo i 


iscctg by some men ond case ¢: 

and was one in whi an Was poiso by datura, his 
wife being the party suspected to have administered 
pois A third case was forwar ladgi; in 
this man was poisoned, da 


use p sed. 
fourth and la mr case was doiemchndea the Civil Surgeon of 
Satar ra ; in this case a child was poisoned, the poison hav- 
> 


atura was detected came under 
notice © year, sehen cts the poisoning of 22 in- 
dividuals, of whom two die Enumerating these cases in 


list was one from Sukkur, where 7 

is 8 poisoned with datura at a Holi feast by some 

Hindu t we have a case 

men weet poisoned b: 
third 


came from s bad 
ed Districts, and was one in whi aia of 
whom one died, belonging ee a native weisinien were 


icine 


609 


poisoned by datura. The man who died, only lived, it is 
Said, for 2 hours after taking the poison. The fourth case 
came from Borsad ; in this 


e 
boys were poisoned by some 


engar given to them, which, on examination, was found to 


powdered datura 


fig three nee 9 


(sian 


m rinci 
was detected in some food nae had been pariaken 


Mba ahi ter suffered from sympto: 


OL 


“HE AOVNV IOS 


ZHAOVNYTOS 


ve fo 
ie Involving ten th. ered; ; 
ee 1884 teases ‘ : ree, all recovered ; (¢) Three, two recovered and one died. 
Tio 1885 5 uk ‘The pape is a summary of the five cases—all non- 
eae nest va fatal. i : : : 


tb sta fr ptom 
atura oning after eating food prepared from flour 
found, on examination, to contain the alkaloid of datura 


119 


The aceused in this case confessed to having mixed 
of wdered datura seeds ah the heres! (2) In a case 


Bagevadi ( ol 
found in some sweetmeat gi Pas man to another, — 
king of it, was satel os by the usual abet 
: se W 


da in her 
hasta’ food. 5 “band and cothers? who ate of 
the ea were @ a Da a ry In rere 
8 possession an: identifi 4) In a case 

from aines in which five person of them children— 
were Loiemoee the alkaloid dante ah found in some 
f breadcakes, some flour sent at the same time 


three 
J : , 
children were poisoned, and datura seeds, whole and ie 
powder, were found in possession of the accused. Som 
ti scraped froma grinding stone belonging to the 
was also epee to contain the alkaloid. 
entified. 


Allon-fatal, seeds id 
“ The ted in 5 cases during the eh In 


poison w as detec y 
ae cat the. 5, individuals were poisoned, and in 1 case 
ene eee mie deaths. A summary of t ar ‘casce in 


c19 


‘WHOVNVTOS 


eetewe 


veaee 


poner seeds. 

cg se frm aoe’ (Kaira D Dist), in ‘which € the pie 
2. rereongcewgya me food, <A po 

of this ve ey bois ten by notraonet li eer after? 

were attacked bi sa syapiens of cop ing—all 

recovered 8 


ad given rise to ho abearng of anne ivi ‘is in I 
in i ses j a in coo 


WACVNV'IOS 


§I9 


Substances | Substanzes — 
ed 8 


a2 
a 
FIO 


Brea Human tain poison in tain poison 
Presidency: Year. | viseera. | connection pe pctree Remarg. 
: with hum i 


| - Bombay—(contd.) vs] 1889 2 | | ears ‘« Three cases of t ceacepeen by i a lie were i ae - 
= he cases 


A case from Dholka a (Ahmedabad District), in which datura 
was detected in the viscera of man who had been 
i see 


‘PHOVNY'TOS 


sympto: ‘ 
: in the contents of the stomach of the child” 
WI, ven teesrereer es 1890 2 oi eee ' ‘* These 4 cases oor e poisoning of thirteen persons :—(a) 
A case from Haveri (Dharwar), in which 8 persons, after 
ting food, exhibited symptoms of datura poisoning, all 
; ti 


= f as 
was in connection with Re Gasentna of 3 women who 
were treated in hospital ; all. recovered. 


iE i a a hl 


seeeee 


eeh one 


eee 


veeenee 


ere ee rd 


“Datura was detected in vi viscera ‘only once. It was found 
once in som ills, and once ina Pepa peek Lo hrs were 
| a to pg fe been used with criminal in 


eee oe ey 


of record:— _) Mad: The dec ears man was supposed to 
Pend thrown a tank 


ay 
aft 
3 
ev 
Ss 
sf 
<4 
“KAOVNV TOS 


poiso a milk 
he: One of them 
nscious for two days. eed: In 


but the al by th i 
hysiological effects of datura.’’ 
**(e)‘* Godaveri boys s 


= uffered _— vomiting, Sore 

elirium and clutching at imaginary o jects 

shortly after erie some toddy. Datura was found in 
tte 


—After "drinking arrack, three PO sas were 
with vomiting, delirium, and dilated pupils. 
Dattoa Wea feat th the arrack. 


ee 


Substances | Substances 
suspected to | suspected 
a H ‘. or to con- | be or to con- ; 
ue uman tain poison in|tain poison ; 
Presidency. Year. | viscera connection counephicas _ -REMARES. 
human | with cattle- 
poisoning poisoning 
cases cases. 
‘*(e) Bellary, gaat leaves | of Datura fastuosa were 
tered as jac.’ 
“Fourteen | dividus were boas by datura, but in no 
case does a fatal result appear to have been due to the 
e only A th seems to have occurred hee 
: : dro while victim was under the influence’ of 
‘ Madras—(contd.) mee a | 1885 4 2 fn evar es Date Se Pare. aL 
i th characteristic sympto ig RD an hour after: wie 
ry (0) phos gs ol sail tohave suffer m the usual 
symptoms soon after g ; datura were dis- 
covered mixed with chilli festa in the evacuations.’ The 
| re iden by their structural peculiarities, but no 
physiological effect could. be obtained with them; they 
were appare exhaus by ne during their 
je | passage ugh the intestinal ¢: 

RN isssararrre-e 1886 2 Me fh ere Datura was found in 4 cases :— —(a) a pau traveller put up at 
: a ce house. n after a meal, the seven ates, 
not the traveller, eg seized with giddine , thirst, ting 
in the at, deliri and stupor. Evidence of 
datura was found in pepper w: ent of a 


nd in one pena 
abortifacient drug consisted of 


“WHOVNV TOS 


1 ow heading now in- 
1 W. wie pylon ea used is available, 
the identification re ‘ye very of a midriatic 
alkaloid ; they were formed included « under ‘ Datura 
Datura and. atropine were f Aer in four cases alone, and 
with ganja in one case. (a) Three chucklers, who 


‘in e was F eccanke from his 
i r 


the ame 
insensible an ; from the iocael's hark atvoriine 
was extracted. 
atura and atropine were rind in five cases alone, and 
together with arsenic in a sixth case. In the three cases 


fe] 
Fa 
vA 
& 
° 


n, ine talking, g uscles, 
clutching at eginary. objects, oe of laughter, diftionlty 


the family to ee food was sent out to the fields ae 
found suffer: e same way, and one Pee them died, 
(b) Two beotiiens esas put datura seeds into the ¢ 


of 
three women, who were their celabbous. with malicious 


* 


wm 
S 
: 
= 
& 
By 


| arg 


~~ aa 


Substances: 
to | suspec 
be or to con- 


n poison 
m | in connection} 


poisoning 
cases. 


REMARKS. 


erases 


erry 


seeeee 


Beetee 


Datieh was Tieected in 
availab! 


“Datura is principally used by robbers 
and, ind 


intent, and were sentenced to 2 months’ rigorous impri 
ment. hs alan Pphe traveller joined a party of Maho. 
metans turned auritius, and were making 
n the 


ura, with the inten 
Hi id hsmarae and was sentenced to 7 years’ rigorous 


4 instances; no further information 


le. 

Do. in 1 instance do. 
Do. n 38 instances do. 
Do. in 9 instances do. 
Do. n 7 instances do. 
Do. n 6 instances do. 
Do. in 6 instances do 
Do. n 14 instances do 
Do. in 7 instances do 
Do, in 15 instances do 
Do. n 9 instances do. 

to cause insensibility, 


be better adapted for the 
os pt ey ses the victim r senudly becomes 

toxicated, throws. off. his clothes and picks oe "dust and 
straw, and ’ afterw: 


me time te of 


idiocy or Sineetaes, that pan he unfit pe give 


819 


AOVNVTOS 


e 
& 


e made their 
lasts for days, and is then 
‘swallowed, which, if not 


total s) may take some time to pass 
testinal Being extremely tough, 
y disolve or digest, a yee me case in 


on re found in the fess. In ca 
re isoning 409 intestine sho 
1erefore sent along with the stomach. In 3 fatal cases 
were found in ch ; 1 frag- 


stomach ; 
In 2 specimens of vomit, ick seeds 
f a. 
in which cw detected were cooked 
eer in Shick it had oe ut with 
ther closely sembles, and 
an l case in plc a along with Midiena and other 


iisong the drugs, it on found in one case pounded ane 


made up in pills; in 2 in powders with aromatics ; in 1, 
a masala, for food ; in 1, adhering to a e Bet 


co ; 
e pound i 
In all these cases, | except 25 the. examination for datura 


poisoning g 
ments bein ng f ound in the payee examination. When 
agments were a ss rey were identified b i 


MOV NVTOS 


619 


REMARKS. 


.| 1879 


1880 


1881 
| 1882 


1883 


1885 


theres 


seeeee 


eenes 


‘Datura, the Thug poison, is almost always used to facilitate 
robbery. Tt not eg age causes death, as will be seen 
from the statistics of the cases pion ended 
fatally, aod two of these were sent up as cases ‘found 
dead,’ the Civil Surgeon being unable from the post- 

ti 


sen ., tura 

Fined » powdered, were found i in 6 cases in food and once in 

In the non-fatal cases datura was detected in 8 instances in 

vomited matters; in 1$ instances in food articles and drugs. 

In the non-fatal cases datura was detected in 5 instances in 
pic excreta, in 9 instances in food and in 2 in the 


Datite w as d etected in 6 instances in vomited matter, in 6 in 
fod article, and in 3 in the drugs forwarded facia fatal 


Datura was detected in 10 instances in vomited 
in food articles, and in 3 in the,drugs Seewiedad | toe fetal 


cases). 
Datura was detected in 5 _pormceagt in vomited matters, in 6 
in food =e el and in 3 in the drugs forwarded. 
atura was detected in 1 Fitarita | in vomited matters, in 6 in 
food articles, aid ts Ob the Jenn ass rded. 


069 


WHOVNVIOS 


or was detect- 


articles, and in 1 


erase mar 
Datura was @ instan ces int 
Sddlatas te he Gigs fore ed. 


er ee 


: 
Doras ee ee 


: cases of Dhatura poisoning have been recorded by Dr. Down t in his book (“ Punjab Poisons *’) :— 
* : f Case No. 23.—Eixtracted from the Indian Lancet of August, Ist, 1860, reported and treated by Dr. Aitchison : 


« Busunki aged 35, employed as a Chandari, had been ill for some time with a cough for which he went to a native hakim, 
on November 23rd, 1859, at 8 a. m., he took some medicine ; on arriving at 


and 

his own house about half an hour afterwards, he com- cS 
of headache and foverishnoss and wat about nearly naked ; he was also restless, moving about from place to place, and oe 
was attacked by convulsive fits > 
“He was seen at half past seven in the evening, at which time he was in a state of unconsciousness, with greatly dilated pupils. a 
He continued in a state of restless delirium, incessantly tossing his head from one side to another. The pulse was slow and the & 
mouth dry. bats a 

ee He vy . 


mited after an emetic was given, and then began to stare about and talk deliriously ; afterwards he had two convulsive 
uth. 


fits in whik he foamed at the mow 


“The next morning he was less delirious, and the pupils were natural. He rem ained unconscious till the ard day, and then 
recovered his senses, but he became weaker ; and on November 28th, five days after he had ta fr 

tion. On enquiry it was found that he had never had any fits Wetors this illness. 
mustard flour and hot water, afterwards cold affusion was applied to 
as a stimulant. On the second day castor oil was given as a hea 


_ “No, 24.—Case,No. 75 of 1866, Punjab Records. 
three - 


The patient was treated at first with emetic of 
ati head and Carbonate of Ammonia administered internally, 


—A man visited a house while food was bei cooked ; he left suddenly and the : 


persons who partook of be food were tease ill and one eauH Spain seeds were found in the food, and also on the ey of 
the — ‘who was sentenced tadeath.” 


169 


‘Case No 96.—@ogaits; January 1860. —A man named Furida went to the house of Mussammat Hatim one evening, while her 
husband was absent, and took an opportunity of mixing some dhatura seeds with the rice that she was cooking, as he afterwards 
co’ nfessed. ‘Mussammat Hatim, another woman, and an old man partook of the rice when it was cooked, but the poisoner refused to 
do so. Shortly after eating, Mussammat Hatim was attacked ie extreme oe and her mouth and throat became very dry, 
and subsequently she became insensible as did also the other tw 


Sacer next ated the two women were seen to rush from the house in a very excited. manner, tearing off their clothes till they 

and throwing about bricks like mad people. On entering the house, the old man was found insensible , lying on 

hin bed and clutohing at it; his breathing was loud and as if his throat was filled with phlegm; he was perfectly unconscious and 

remained so for three days. The two women recovered on the second day, one of them declared that she had been raped while 
Supanible. 


‘« An infant also partook of a Aye. of the food and became insenaitll Seeds of dhatura were found on the prisoner, who alone 
‘was quite unaffected by any illnes 


‘Case No 26.—Another very interesting case in which death occurred happened at Umballa in 1861. Aman named Din 
Mul was sent with some money to Umballa; on his way he met with a person named Devera, with a companion. These 
_ persuaded him to drink some liquid which they had mingled with pounded datura seeds, as they Seetvands confessed. 

‘Shortly after Din Muhammad had drunk this, he complained of feeling thirsty and confused. He was seen to s tagger about 
as if drunk, and then to fall and become senseless. From this condition he was ig by pouring cold water over his head; he 
en ae ot 

‘* Afterwards he ran up a tree and jumped off into thorns, and then began to run about laughing and singing, and to eat earth. 
| ‘Subsoquently he fell ties and died, vomiting before death ’’ ' 
_ Case No. 26.—Lahore, November 2nd, 1859.—Lulloo had been married to Kirpoo for 14 years without having any children. 
_ He therefore asked Muhammad Shah to give them some medicine which would produce fertility. This was done at their own house, 
while ay and the poise? were alone present. Half an hour afterwards the male sufferer felt his head going round, and subse- 
quent. , a8 also did his wife. They were found by the man’s brother in an insensiblo state, and the woman 
% sonia 80 How: three nae ae then died, but the man recovered. 


“WHOVNVTIOS 


oR eo ey ee ee a es ee FE et ee | Sa ES Se err 


, and was in Sbetiyeted there on Fike 24th August 1860. From the 
Ballu, a Brahmin, sens tentellttgs with his brother and some cartmen, and also another Brahmin, named 
tt on July 2ist, the last person prepared a dish called chori made of chuppaties (cakes) and sugar, of which the two 
e rather largely, the cartmen sparingly, and the prisoner Sadanand not at all. Very shortly afterwards the two brothers 
n ill and became insensible ; the cartmen appeared also as if intoxicated, but the prisoner was not affected. Ballu died the 
day, remaining insensible up to the time of his dea ath 
The prisoner confessed that he had ground dhatura seeds to powder, and mixed them with the food. In consequence none 
- were detected on examination of the contents of the stomach of the deceased, but this was found to be very much inflamed 
No, 28.—Case No. 112 of 1862, Umritsar.—Two men became insensible after eating some dhali; they remained so for 
several hours, but ultimately recovered. A large quantity a white dhatura was found in the dhadi left.” 
**No 29.—Case No 5 of — Hissar.—Three persons began to suffer from thirst, dryness of the mouth, and vomiting half an 
hour after taking some food; they then became drowsy and delirious; the pupils of the eyes were seen to be di lated ; ther 
Temained delirious for two pro and nights and then recovered. Dhatura seeds were found in the sugar which they had eaten.’ 


‘No 30. Case No 27 of 1868 from Panjab — for 1868.—Some travellers leaving Lahore were joined by a stranger, who 
‘supplied them with ata and two of them also took some native liquor from him: they soon became ill, and appeared like 
drunken mén: they were taken to Umritsur and treated for poisoning by dhatura. One man who had taken the spirit died in a 
few days, the rest recovered. No dhatura was found, and the prisoner was acquitted.” 


“No 31.—Case No. 38 of 1869, Jullunder.—Five persons of the same family became insensible after taking some food and 
remained so ‘al a hours, after which they recovered, but their pupils were seen to be dilated. Dhatura seeds were found in the 


a7." “No 32. —Case No. 12 of 1876, from the Panjab Records for 1876.—The accused confessed that he had administered dhatura to 
“his wife, as he said, to frighten ten her. She and another woman partook of the food ie which the poison was introduced, and 
intoxicated and suffered from vomiting and purging, pat recovered. The accused was sentenced to 2} years’ rigorous 
Chg rae but no ners was seater to the sufferers 


‘EW HOVNY TOS 


£69 


c+ HN 38. —Case No. 3 Delhi. —Five ve persons partook of food co but all complained of a peculiar bitter taste, and 


of thel They were unable to stand, but fell down and kept on rollitg about. They all vomited, and then 
ong htm woods were found in the vomited matters.” 
me «No. 34.—Case No. 121 of 1870, Lahore.—A Sikh ate some dahi (curdled milk), Half an hour afterwards, he began to be 
is and threw off his clothes ; he vomited and gradually recovered, Dhatura seeds were found in the vomited matters.’’ 


ee No, 35.—Caso No. 130 of 1868, Muzaffargarh.—A man became insensible in less than one hour’s time after drinking some 
and died in 8 hours. : Dhatura seeds were found in the milk.”’ 


No. 36. —Case No. 205 of 1869, Karnal.—Two men partook of some Majwn* with which dhatura seeds had been mixed by 
h ird man, who afterwards confessed it. Both the men became insensible, and were conveyed to the hospital, where they were 
i to be in a state of complete coma with dilated pupils and eet breathing ; no pulse could be felt at the wrist, and both 
001 died. Dhatura seeds were found in the stomach of each of them 
No, 37.—Case No. 61 of 1886, Umballa.—A woman and a child became ae after eating some food, but both vomited, 
and then reco vered. Dhatura seeds were found in the food in poisonous quantity.” 
“No, 88.—Case No. 111 of 1866, from Hissar.—A poisoner was reported to have killed at least 15 persons, as he was in the 
habit of giving ened sweetmeats to travellers who afterwards became insensible and many died. Dhatura seeds were found in a 
ile bag: in his cl 
An account of 32 cases of dhatura poisoning was given by Assistant-Surgeon Nil Ratan Bannerjee in the inion Medieal Gazette 
for 1885, page 209. All but four recovered. 


* A kind of sweetmeat. 


To PERI A ee CN Pee ee aE aT eh: eons eee snail 


81 of 1870, 
ards they were all attacked by headache and giddiness. They all became stupefied, but complained of cramps and. 


WAOVNF TOS 


SOLANACE®. 695 


SCOPOLIA LURIDA, Dunul. 


tic. —Iink & Otto Ic. Sel., t. 835; Miers Ill. 8. Amer. Pl: 
JI, t. 78; Sweet Brit. Fl. Gard., ¢ 125. 
Hab.—Central Himalaya, Nepal, Sikkim. 


History, Uses, &c.—The properties of this plant do 
it appear to be known to the natives of India. It was intro- 
uced into Europeas a garden plant by the late Mr, Whitley of 
ulham in 1823, and is of the most easy culture, and will grow 


no the leaves, in the proportion of one ounce to eight ounces 
‘alcohol, administered to different patients, was found to 
oduce extreme dilatation of the pupil; and in two instances it 
uced blindness, which only disappeared when the medicine 
discontinued. The largest dose given was 20 drops of the 
incture during the twenty-four hours. (Op. eit. p. 181.) 
experiments were reported in the Gaz. Med. Nov. 4th 1843) 
peared in Bratthwaite’s Retrospect of Med. 1X., p. 119. 
e years other species of Scopolia, especially 8. japonica, 
attracted attention in Europe as substitutes for belladonna. | 
Description.—S. Jurida is a strong, robust, downy, 
scent plant, with something the habit of Belladonna, and 
drooping, lurid yellow or greenish-purple flowers. 
resemble those of Datura. The fruit is globose, 
1 in diameter, circumsciss above the middle, lid 
i remainder two-celled; seeds numerous, reniform, 
inch. 


; composition, —S. lurida has been examined by 


ity of hyoscyamine,” but no atropine or 
u plants collected when the seed had 
quantity of atropine could be isolated — 


626 SOLANACEZE. 


under the same conditions and no hyoscyamine. The failure 
to detect hyoscine is thought to be possibly due to insufficiency 
of the material used. These results seem to indicate that the 
degree of development of the plant may have an important 
relation to the quantity and nature of the alkaloids occurring 
in it. (Pharm. Journ. Mar. 1st, 1890, p. 709.) 
HYOSCYAMUS NIGER, Linn. 
Fig.—Bot. Mag., t. 2394; Benil, and Trim., t. 194; Hen= | 
bane (Hng.), Jusquiame noire (f’r.). 
Hab.—Temperate Western Himalaya. Casl toGurhwal. 
HYOSCYAMUS MUTICUS, Linn. 
Fig.—Jaub. et Spach. Ill. v., t. 415 ; Griff. Ic. Pl. Asiat., 
t. 412. Syn.—H. insanus, Stocks. , 
~ Hab.—West Punjab, Sind, Afghanistan. ae 
-HYOSCYAMUS RETICULATUS, Linn. 
Fig.— Commelyn Hort., 77, t. 22. 


Hab.—Beluchistan, Badghis, Khorasan. The herb and 
seeds. 
euler. —Khoraséni-ajowin (Hind., Beng.), Khorasani- 
ova (Mar.), Khorasdni-ajamo (Guz.), Kirashéni-yomam (Tam.), 
_ Kérdsini-vamam (Tel.), Khuréséni-vadakki (Can.), 


History, Uses, &c,—Henbane, though a native of the 
malayas, was probably unknown to the ancient Hindu phy- 
'Parasika and Khoraséni yam4ni, the names which it 
1e recent Sanskrit works, indicate its foreign source. 
Bee s were known to the Greeks, pedas 
te ,and aNaniaeeiel yellow. Hyoscyamus'is called 
r 1 honiaca by Latinwriters. Cf. Pliny, — 
een ees pein pron 


SOLANACEA. 627 


_ writers we meet with the mutilated form Jusquiamus. Maho- 
- ™metan writers call it Banj, an Arabic corruption of the Persian 
_ Bang; they say it is the Afiyun (émor) of the Greeks, the Azmalis 
_ of the Syrians, and the Katfft or Iskiras of the Moors; they 
also add that in the Deilami language it is called Kir-chak, 
because the capsules resemble a little basket with a cover, such 
as the Arabs make out of date leaves and call Kafir. Baron 
Hammer-Purgstall makes the following important observation : 
ndj, the plural of which in Coptic is ‘ntbendj,’ is without 
ubt the same plant as the ‘nepenthe,’ which has hitherto so 
much perplexed the commentators of Homer. Helen evidently 
wought the nepenthe from Egypt, and bendj is there still 
reputed to possess all the wonderful qualities which Homer 
attributes to it.” (Trébutien “ Contes Inédits des Mille et une 
Nuits,” i, p. 12, note.) Mir Muhammad Husain’s description 
Banj in the Makhzan agrees well with the genus Hyos- 
amus. He says there are three kinds—white, black, and 
and that the white is to be preferred; he mentions the 

ration of a sun-dried extract from the juice of the fresh 
, and says that the leaves are also pounded and made into 
yaste with flour, out of which small cakes are formed, which 
hen _ dry retain their medicinal properties for some time, 
mbane is described by Hastern writers on Materia Medica 
yxicating, narcotic and anodyne; among the many uses 
ch it is put the following may be mentioned as now 
to the Hast. A poultice of the juice with barley flour 
sd to relieve the pain of inflammatory swellings. The 
in wine are applied to gouty enlargements, inflamed 
and swelled testicles. About half a drachm of the 
with 1 drachm of poppy seeds is made into a mixture 
: and water, and given as an anodyne iv congh, gout, 
qual parts of the seeds and opium are said to bea 
reotic. A mixture of the powdered seeds with 
Fe ee cr oe eathache-. (Serb. Corp. 5s) Sul 
aperto alterci semine carbonibus ‘asperso, subinde os cole 
erdum enim quasi vermicul: quidam ejiciuntur. (See 


628 SOLAN ACES. 


pitch is used to stop hollow teeth which are painful, and also as 
a pessary in painful affections of the uterus. The juice or a 
strong infusion of the seeds is dropped into the eye to relieve 
pain. Lastly, the seeds made into a paste with mare’s milk 
and tied up in a piece of wild bull’s skin if worn by women, is 
said to prevent conception. Ainslieand other Huropean writers 
upon Indian Materia Medica notice the use of Hyoscyamus 
seeds in India. 

The officinal Henbane of the ancients is generally considered 
to have been H. albus, Linn., and in the Mufaridat-i-Nasari 
the seeds are described as Bazr-el-banj-abiad, ‘‘seeds of white 
henbane.” Pliny mentions four kinds of the plant, the first 
with a black seed, flowers bordering on purple, and a prickly 
stem, growing in Galatia (H. reticulatus) ; the second, or common 
kind (H. niger) ; the third having seeds like Izo, 4. e. “reddish” 
(H. aureus, Linn.) ; and the fourth with white seeds, which is 
preferred by medical men (7. albus). All of them have, he says, 
the effect of producing vertigo and insanity. The Henbane 
seeds brought from Khorasén are those of H. reticulatus. This 
plant has also been sent to us from Quetta, where it grows 
abundantly. H. niger is cultivated at the Saharanpur Botanic 
Gardens, where the extract is also manufactured for use in the 
State Sanitary Establishments. The physiological effects of 
Hyoscyamus are the same as those of Belladonna, which have 
already been described. In certain conditions of the system 
the action of the drug, and especially of hyoscyamine, appears 
_ to be considerably modified, as will be seen from the following 
cases quoted by Stillé and Maisch. “Dr. H. A. Hutchinson, of 
Pittsburg, took } grain of Merck’s hyoscyamine (Phila. Med. 
Times, xiii. 139.) Besides the dryness of the mouth and throat, 
there was intense congestion of the head and face and violent 


c throbbing of the heart and carotids, numbness over the whole 


y and muscular incodrdination, and an inability to walk 
without watching the steps. There was no mental excitement 
or sensory illusion, but an over-powering tendency to sleep, 
; which came on and lasied for 11 hours. Various means 
were used by friends who were ignorant of the.cause of the — 


SOLANACE®. 629 


sopor to arouse the sleeper, but uselessly. During the sleep 
the muscular system was completely rélaxed, and the pulse 
at first was full and hard, 138 a minute, the respirations 

34 to 40, and the temperature 106° F. As the narcotism 

’ subsided these rates subsided rapidly toward the normal stan- 
dards. Onregaining consciousness the mind was unsteady and 
confused, and all objects looked tinged with yellow. During 

the sleep there was more or less nausea, and once vomiting. No 
recollection of anything after the commencement of sleep 
remained. For several days the pupils remained dilated, and 
there was double vision, while all the secretions, including the 
perspiration, were suspended. A patient of Empi’s affected 
with paralysis agitans took 5 mgm, of hyoscyamine (gr. 7g), 
and, finding the tremor diminished, used a like quantity on the 
following day. The first dose caused a slightintoxication, and 
after the second there was a like confusion of the mind and senses; 
. the face was flushed, the expression anxious, the whole interior 
_ of the mouth dry, the tongue stiff, and nausea was experienced. 
Hallucinations in which rats and serpents appeared, and familiar © 

_ persons were not recognized, were accompanied and followed 
by furious delirium, tetanic spasms, and extreme dilatation of 
the pupils. Deglutition was impossible; the respiration was 
hurried and oppressed, the pulse at 96; and constant vesical 
tenesmus existed. The attack lasted for 3 hours, and gra- 
dually subsided, and on the morrow only some recollection of 
the hallucinations remained. (Bull. de thérap., xcix. 373.) A 
phthisical tg accustomed to hypodermic injections of mor- 
phia was given 7; grain of hyoscyamine. After vomiting he 
became delirious, lost all correct perception of the distance of 
objects, and constantly caught at insects, with which he said 
his bed-clothes were covered. (Practitioner, xxii. 369.) In 
some forms of hypochondriasis hyoscyamine seems to have 
been useful as a means of calming agitation. Prolonged 
experience has confirmed these statements. Prideanx states 
(Practitioner, xxiii. 446) that it produces sleep, sometimes of 
’ wonsiderable duration, in excited conditions of the brain, as in 
‘a. delirium tremens, meningitis, and where ordinary 


630 SOLANACEH. 


hypnotics, and especially opiates, are inadmissible. In such 
cases small doses (,!, gr.) suffice, but in chronic mania large 
doses (} grain, or even 1 grain) are necessary, and are very 

useful in cutting short exhibitions of temper and excitement of 

a violent and destructive character. . It would appear to be 

particularly useful in delusional insanity ; the illusions which it 

conjures up overlie and gradually obliterate those which belong 

to the disease. In chronic dementia, associated with des- 

tructive tendencies, bad habits, and sleeplessness, the patients 

are much improved by a course of small doses of the drug. 

(Stillé and Maisch.) Of late years the hydrochlorate of hyoscine 

has been recommended as calmant in maniacal excitement in 

doses of one-half to one milligram. It is claimed for it that 

there are no injurious after-effects, and that it isa good hypnotic, 
bui at the same time its depressing influence on the system is 
admitted,and it appears to have been of no use in a considerable 

proportion of the cases in which it was tried. Therecan be no 
doubt that much of the discrepancy which is observable in the 
records of the medicinal effects of hyoscyamine, is due to the 

use of impure or inert samples of the alkaloid. 


Description.—The bazar seed is reniform, laterally com- 
pressed, equal in size to that of H. niger, of a greyish-brown 
colour. The testa is finely reticulated. The albumen is oily. 

The embryo curved like the figure 9, the tail of the 9 being 
represented by the radicle. The taste is oily, bitter and acrid. 

: Mveroscopie structure.—The outer envelope of the seed is 
composed of a row of large cells, the outer walls of which are 
thin but the lateral and interior very much thickened. The 
second layer is made up of very small cells tangentially 
tended and closely applied to one another. The cells of the 
bumen are BXeetel, and contain granular matter and oil 


josttio Eaten contains Hyoscyamine, 
Asomer aoe atropine. It occurs both in the 
f the Miftorent, ‘Species of Hyoscyamus, 


SOLANACE Zi. 631 


It crystallizes in needles (from dilute alcohol), or prisms (from: 
CHCI5), is more soluble in water and dilute alcohol than 


atropine, and is levorotatory, {a],——21°. It enlarges the 


pupil of the eye in the same manner as atropine. 

Hyoscyamine occurs mixed with atropine in several plants of 
the Solanaceze, such as Datura, Duboisia, Atropa, and probably 
in some others, Ladenburg is of opinion that atropine is an 
_ optically inactive base standing to hyoscyamine in the relation 
_ of racemic acid to lwvotartaric acid. From 20 grams of com- 
‘mercially pure atropine aurochluride he isolated by recrystal- 
: lization one gram of hyoscyamine aurochloride, and to this he 
_ attributes the statement that atropine can be converted into 
hyos¢ Hyoscyamine is converted into atropine by heat- 

for 5or 6 hours above its melting point.. Its optical 
y may likewise be diminished by allowing its alcoholic 


| oscine or "amorphous oa C’H=?NO’, is a 
colourless syrupy fluid, and oceurs in the mother-liquor from 
ich hyoscyamine has crystallized. It closely resembles 
_hyoscyamine, both in its mydriatic action on the pupil and in 
ther respects. Boiled with water it splits up into tropic acid 

d pseudo-tropine. (Watt's Dict. of Chem, 2d.Ed.II., 744.) 
enbane seeds contain 26 per cent. of fatty oil, and according 


. 


632 SOLANACEZ. 


natives, and it is. stated to be smoked like Ganja, and some- 
times used in the same way as Datura to facilitate robbery. 


NICOTIANA TABACUM, Linn. 


Fig, —Lam. Ill. ¢. 113; Wight Ill. t. 166, Bentl. and Trim. 
t. 191. Tobacco (Eng.), Tabac (F'r.). ; 


Hab.—America. . Cultivated throughout India. The herb. 


Vernacular.—Tambaki (Hind., Mar.), Taéméku (Beng.), 
Pugai-ilai (T’am.), Pogéku, Dhimra-patramu (Tel.), Puka- 
yila, Pokala (Mal.), Hogesappu (Can.), Tamaki (Guz.). 


History, Uses, &c.—In the Encyclopedia of Sanskrit 
learning by Raja Ridh4ékanta Deva, entitled Sabdakalpadruma, 
tobacco is mentioned under the name of Témrakitita. This 
name occurs in the Kulérnava-tantra as that of one of eight 
intoxicating agents. No Sanskrit medical writers mention. 
Tobacco. Tamrakita isa word compounded of Témra, “a red 
or copper colour,’ and kita, “deceitful or vile,” and the Hindi 
name T'ambaku may possibly be derived from it and not from 
the Portuguese, in which case Tobacco has usurped the place of 
some older but now forgotten drug. From the Madsir-i-rahimi 
and the Dédra-shikohi we learn that tobacco was introduced 
into the Deccan by the Portuguese about A. H. 914(A. D. 1508), 
and that it began to be smoked about 1605, towards the end of © 
the reign of Sultan Jalaleddeen Akbar. Rumphius speaks of 
it as having been known from a remote period in the Hast, and 
it appears to have been introduced into China in the 16th 
century probably by way of Japan or Manila. In Europe the 
Spaniards first became acquainted with Tobacco on the discovery 
of Caba in 1492, and introduced it into Spain as a valuable 
medicinal herb. Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdés, gover- 
nor of Domingo, in his Historia general de las Indias, printed 
at Seville in 1535, states that the plant is smoked by the Indians 
through a branched tube of the shape of the letter Y, which 
they call Tubaco, | nee Bo ec ats 


SOLANACEA. 633. 


In the edition of 1570 of Estienne and Liebaut?s 7’ Agriculture 
et Maison Rustique, Nicot’s own account of the herb, which was 
called after him Nicotiane, is given. In it he relates the won- 
derful cures which were effected by it at Lishebron (Lisbon), 
where he was resident as French ambassador to the Court of 
Portugal in 1559-60 and 63. Nicholas Monardes in 1517 
published a full account of the uses of Tabaco, the proper name 
of which amongst the Indians he says, is Picielt; and in 1577 


oking appears to have been first taught in eres oridee 
wing circumstances : 


Walter Raleigh’s first expedition took’ possession of 
13th, 1534, and after a six weeks’ stay m 
éturned home. The next year, a second expedi- 
tio; veyed out a colony under Master Ralph Lane, ‘which 
| remained i in the country from August 17th, 1585, to June 18th, 
1586 : when Sir Francis Drake with his fleet, returning from his 
victorious raid in the West Indies, brought home the colony 
to the number of 108 persons. Among these was the celebrated 
mathematician, Thomas Hariot, who in his, “ Briefe and true - 
ort of the new found land of Virginia, §c.,” London, 1588, 
eseribes tobacco, and the adoption of ‘the smoking of it by 
shese Virginian colonists, It would therefore appear that — 
leigh himself had nothing to do with the introduction of the 
itself, or of the habit ofsmokingit. But while Sir Walter 
du ed neither the herb nor tae manner of smoking it, there 
consent that he principally brought the habit of 
eo ory! as it was at first called, fcennieier oe 


d pes connects his name withit. For these ie 


634 SOLANACEM, 


we must refer the reader to Arber’s reprint of King James’ 
famous ‘‘ Counterblaste to Tobacco.” 

From George Sandys’ travels in 1610 we learn that tobacco 
smoking was becoming common among the Turks at that 
date, and that it had been introduced into the — by the 
English merchants. 

Like coffee drinking, the use of tobacco met with much op- 
position at first, and even at the present day is visited with the 
severest penalties by the Wahabis. Sandys remarks that 

tobacco from England would prove a principal commodity in 
Turkey were it not for the severity of Morat Bassa (Murad 
Pasha), who commanded a pipe to be thrust through the nose 
of a Turk who was caught smoking, and that he should be led 
in derision through the city. The Mahometan law doctors in 
Arabia and Turkey universally condemned its use, in Persia* 
and the East they appear to have been less severe. In the 
former country “to filla pipe forany one” is a vulgar expression 
for doing a mrs Mulla Fauki says :— 
58 WB pr Silos; she wi 
58S eye 31 AS REI CoS ly 1 40S 
A Sofi praises tobacco’in the following terms :— 
BESS 5, VAT y BUI Gg! or, ab SA SU te wl 
“Who drink tobacco; breathe Allah first, then God.” 


The liberal policy of Akbar probably prevented any perse- 
cutionin India; in China its use was prohibited by the emperors 
both of the Ming and Tsing dynasties. In Russia up to the time 

Peter the Great snuff-takin g was forbidden under the 
nalty of having the nose cut off. 


SOLANACEA, | 635 


known Counterblaste, and published a Commissio pro Tabacco, 
by which be placed a duty of six shillings and eight pence upon 
every pound imported into England, in addition to the custom 
of twopence which was before levied. Offenders against this 
act were liable to confiscation, fine and corporal punishment. . 
Even now the controversy is not extinct in England, but 
_ Tobacco appears to have the best of it, and in all other countries, 
except in the Wahabi territory, it reigns supreme, Nénak Shah 
indeed when he established the Sikh religion thought it neces- 
sary to forbid the use of something, and selected tobacco as 
the forbidden article, but, nevertheless; he allowed converts who 
been in the habit of using it to continue the practice. 
‘The author of the Makhzan- el-Adwiya states that native 
hysicians consider tobacco smoke to be disinfectant, and recom- 
d it for fumigating cholera patients. Taken in various 


iveness if inhaled fasting. The ashes of the 
oa paste with oilare a useful application to sores 
: revent bleeding. The water from the hookah 
s diuretic, ani the black oil which collects in the pipe stem is 
used on tents to heal up sinuses, and is dropped into the eye to 
cure night blindness and purulent conjunctivitis. Mir Muham- 
mad Husain closes his notice of Tobacco by remarking that 
cen — classes of English in India smoke the hookah, but in 

r own country they mostly take snuff, a few chew, andsmoke 
a (the author of the Malk:shzan wrote about one hundred and 
yenty years ago). Ainslie mentions the application of the 


es of Southern India. In the Concana paste made with 
souff, lime and the powdered bark of Calophyllum inophyllum 
plied i in orchitis. Dr. Leith of Bombay was in the habit 
a of Tobacco leaves to the spine in tetanus _ 
The use of Tobacco is very general amongst 


; mixture of Pobon0d and Gur (ovneaelaiagey be 


636 SOLANACEZ. 


equal proportions, but the wealthier classes add other ingre- 
dients to. it.* 

' Guraku has the appearance of an extract; when used it 
is broken into fragments which are packed.in the chilam and 
covered with a layer of live coals of wood, or rice balls specially 
prepared for the purpose. In Western India cigarettes rolled 
in the leaves of Bauhinia racemosa or Diospyros Tupru are 
much used. Many among the labouring. classes chew Tobacco 
along with their betel leaves and areca nut. Sunff-taking also 
is very common in some parts of India, 

Physiological effects.—Tobacco acts as a poison upon most 
insects, but is fed upon with impunity by weevils. In frogs, 
nicotine, after a period of temporary excitement, causes a 
tetanic condition ; sometimes accompanied by convulsions, and 
followed. by muscular ralaxation. Herbivorous animals are 
not affected by moderate doses injected into the stomach, but 
large doses reduce the frequency of the pulsations of the heart, 
and may prove fatal to them. The carnivora are affected by 
it in the same wayasman. When its fumes are thrown into the 
lungs of animals, or when its decoction is applied to their skin 
its poisonous operation is speedily developed. Tobacco first 


_* Apples and Sumbul, the root of Nardostachys Jatamansi, according to 
the author of the Makhzan, who resided for many years at Murshidabad. 
Dr. K. L. Dey “On the Use of Narcotics and Stimulants and their Effect upon 
the Human Constitution,’ Caleutta, 1868, gives the following as the compo- 
sition of the two kinds of Guraku commonly used in Bengal :—Ist quality, 
_ Mildor Bhalsah—Tobacco leaf powder 72 parts, Powdered scents 16, 
_ Treacle 88, Ripe Champa plantains 16, Ripe Jack fruit juice 2, Ripe Pineapple 
- juice 1 part. The ingredients to be thoroughly mixed, and the mixture to 

be allowed to ferment for 6 months. : 
oe ae quality, Strong or Mitla Kurrah—Tobacco leaf powder 12 parts, 
‘Tobacco leaf rib powder 6, Powdered scents 2, Treacle 22, Slaked lime 1 

The ingredients 


a 5, Bdellium 1, cloves 1, Patchouli 5, 
Alkekengi 5, Storax 5, Tobacco powder 


ae 49. The. ingredients to be 


SOLANACHEE. 637 


stimulates the spinal cord, giving rise’ to convulsions and after- 
wards paralyses it. ‘The convulsions are of spinal origi im the 
frog, but those which occur before death in mammals are 
probably asphyxial. (C. Bernard, C. Rouget, L.-Brunton.) 


~ Onman the minutest doses of nicotine(.7; to zy grain) occasion 
a burning sensation in the tongue, a hot, acrid feeling in the 
fauces, and sense of rawness throughout the cesophagus. 
- Salivation is abundant. Small doses produce a sense of heat 
‘in the stomach, chest, and head, and even in the fingers, with 
some excitement of the nervous system; larger ones cause 
heaviness, giddiness, torpor, sleepiness, indistinct vision, with 
‘sensitiveness of the eye to light, imperfect hearing, laborious 
‘and oppressed breathing, and dryness of the throat. In 40 
minutes after the larger doses a sense of great debility: is 
ceived, the head droops, the pulse-rate falls, the face grows 
, the features are relaxed, the limbs seem paralyzed, the 
hands: and feet are cold, the coldness advances gradually 
trunk, and faintness ends in loss of consciousness. 


oe 


lisor or of the digestive organs manifests itself by 
18, mnauseay and even vomiting, the abdomen becomes 
nded, and an urgent desire is felt to go to stool ; wind i is 


| “tremulousness of the ceiuunbees and gradually Ee aa 
whole muscular system, including the respiratory muscles, 
that the breathing is oppressed, gasping, and incomplete. 
This enumeration of effects is sufficient to prove that nicotine 
inal and sympathetic nervous systems, 
It may cause death by direct paralysis 
eart, or more indirectly by paralysis of the respiratory 
producing asphyxia. The blood examined during life _ 
rson under the full influence of tobacco presents & — 
cor gation of the red corpuscles, which are also 
reular than natural, and have jagged or, crenated 
As we poisonous operation passes off, however, the 


primarily upon the sp 
nd not upon the brain. 


. 


638 SOLANACE. 


blood regains its normal characters. The action of tobacco 
itself is so nearly identical with that of nicotine as to render 
unnecessary a detailed account of it It, however, is mainly 
exhibited in muscular relaxation and collapse. In some cases 
“ lethargy” and “insensibility” are mentioned, but the 
condition is not that of cerebral oppression so much as of 
cerebral exhaustion. Of other symptoms especially prominent 
in certain cases of tobacco-poisoning, either caused by a single 
excessive dose or by inordinate indulgence in smoking or 
chewing tobacco, may be mentioned: a rapid followed by a 
very slow pulse, hiccough, and cold perspiration, profuse 
diuresis, convulsions without loss of consciousness, sometimes 
cataleptic and sometimes hysterical, and great numbness as 
well as impaired motor power of the limbs and of the tongue. 
(Séillé and Maisch.) 

Tobacco is now hardly ever used medicinally. Formerly it was 
applied to certian cutaneous eruptions such as scabies, and as a 
palliative in rheumatism and other painful affections, but its 
local application, if the skin be broken, is dangerous, and its 
administration in the form of enema, to induce muscular 
relaxation or remove worms, has often been followed by alarm- 
ing symptoms. The value of tobacco smoking as a palliative 
in the paroxysms of asthma is well established, and in some 


- €ases its use appears to affect a permanent cure. 


There can be no doubt that the moderate use of tobacco 
smoking is not injurious to a great many people, but it is equally 
certain that on some constitutions it produces mischievous 


effects. For a full account of the injurious action of the 


excessive use of the herb by smoking, rr or chewing, 
tillés Therapeutics may be consulted. He shows that it 


fiasdne the natural appetite, more or less impairs digestion, and 


induces constipation, while it irritates the mouth and throat, 
tendering it habitually congested and impairing the purity of 
the voice. It induces a constant sense of uneasiness and 

nervousness, with epigastric sinking or tension, palpitation 
(‘irritable heart”), ay impaired memory, neu- 
ralgia, and — ini Chewing and snuffing tend to : 


i 


SOLANACEM, 639 


cause gastralgia, but smoking causes neuralgia of the fifth pair. 
It renders the vision weak and uncertain, causing objects to 
appear nebulous, or creates musce rolaaiiee and similar subjec- 
tive perceptions. Analogous derangements of hearing occur, 
with buzzing, ringing, etc., in the ears, and even hallucinations 
of this sense. Often there is a feeling of a rash of blood to the 
head, with vertigo and impairment of attention, so as to prevent 
ontinuous mental effort; the mind is also apt to be filled with 
ude and groundless cigs leading to self-distrust and 
melancholy. The sleep is frequently restless and disturbed by 
distressing dreams. It impairs muscular power and co-ordina- 


ipe-smoking pyridine preponderates, but when tobacco 
n¢ ced in cigars, where there is free access of air, the 
oduct of the dry distillation undergone by the tobacco 
ine, which is far less active than PING: and me 
partly account for the fact that many Suropeans who — 
resided for some years in India, are unable to smoke a ~ 
but can smoke many times the equivelent of a pipeful of 
© in the form of cigars with impunity. 


Ww work, as in sedi In these cases the effect is 
oy not “i to the nicotine itself, but to the stimonias of 


640 SOLANACEM. 


apex, and with an entire margin. In the fresh state they are 
rather thick, green, and covered with viscid hairs and with 
small sessile glands ; after drying they are thinner, lighter or 
darker brown, or mottled with different shades 'of brown, and 
friable. The leaves have a thick, prominent midrib, branching 
under acute angles into lateral veins, which are curved near 
the margin. ‘The odour of tobacco is peculiar and heavy, and 
its taste disagreeable, bitter, and acrid. 

_ The variety rustica, Linn., is chiefly cultivated in India. 

Chemical composition.—Tobacco contains a large amount of 
salts, consisting of sulphates, nitrates, chlorides, phosphates, 
and malates of potassium, calcium, ammonium, and_ nicotine, 
and yields from 14 to 18°5 per cent. of ash. Larger amounts 
have been obtained, sometimes as much as 25 to 27 per cent. 
—a result which is probably due in some cases to dust adhering 
to the viscid glands, as was suggested by B. F. Creighton 
(1876). The other constituents of tobacco are albumen, resin 
extractive, gum, citric acid (Gowpzl), and nicotianin. 

Nicottanin was discovered by Hermbstiadt on distilling tobacco 
with water ; if separates from the distillate in the form of white 
foliaceous crystals, which have an odour resembling that of 
 seaseoneasincummes and a warm and bitterish aromatic taste. (Posselt 
"and Reimann, 1928.) Landerer (1835) obtained nicotianin 
from the dried, but not from the fresh leaves, Barral (1845) 
stated that it contains 7°12 per cent. of nitrogen. 

Nicotine or nicotia is the poisonous principle of tobacco, and 
was discovered by Posselt and Reimann (1828), It may be 
prepared by exhausting bruised tobacco with acidulated water, 
concentrating the infusion, adding an excess of potassa, and 
agitating with ether, which dissolves the alkaloid, and on the 
addition of powdered oxalic acid, nicotine oxalate, which is 
insoluble in ether, is separated (Schloesing): or, the ether is 
, the liquid neutralized with oxalic acid, evaporated 
to dryness, "and the residue exhausted with boiling alcohol 
which ‘aivolires oxalate of nicotine. (Ortigosa.) Onevaporating — 
the solution to a syrupy comsisterio’ and erred *. a 
canes and ether, an q 


SOLANACEE 641 


- fractional distillation yields the alkaloid. This is a colourless — 
oily liquid, having at 15°C. the specific gravity 1°0111, and 
remaining liquid at —10° C. .It has an unpleasant, and when 
heated a pungent, acrid, tobacco-like odour; a burning taste, 
and a strongly alkaline reaction. Hxposed to air and light, it 
_ rapidly acquires a brown colour and is partly converted into a 
resinous compound. It boils near 250° C., but distils at a 
lower temperature, always leaving a residue. Its composition 
is C!°H!4N?, It absorbs water from the air, dissolves readily 
in water, and is separated from this solution by caustic potassa; 
Alcohol and ether dissolve it in all proportions, and it yields 
with acids neutral and acid salts, of which the former crystallize 
with. difficulty, and are mostly soluble in weak alcohol, but 
insoluble in ether. The alkaloid acquires a wine-red colour 
With strong sulphuric acid, and on heating the mixture is 
charred. Chlorine gas colours it deep-red or red-brown, When 
heated with a little hydrochloric acid a violet colour is pro- 
duced, which on the further addition of nitric acid changes té 
Mowish-red. The double salts with mercuric and platinic 
ride are sparingly soluble in cold water. Dried tobacco 
“leaves contain from 2 to 8, and occasionally as high as. 11 per — 
- cent. of nicotine. The alkaloid is present in all parts of the 
: green plant, as well as in the dried leaves, and, according to 
Kissling (1882), also in tobacco-smoke. Instead of nicotine, 
‘H. Vohl and H. Enlenburg (1871), found chiefly. collidine, 
with pyridine, picoline, and other bases of the same series 
in tobacco smoke, besides ammonia and traces of ethylamine ; 
d, in passing the vapours through potassa solution, hydro- 
eyanic, _hydrosulphuric, acetic, formic, butyric, valerianic, 
rbolic, and probably other acids were retained. (Stillé and 
Maisch.) 
~ According to Herr Dieser (Archiv. Mar. 31, 1889, p. 266) the 
id tartrate of nicotine can be obtained as a well crystallized — 
definite salt. He prepares it by adding to pure nicotine 
ot filtered alcoholic solution of tartaric acid, when 
acid tartrate tan asa white syrup. After cooling, — 
mors of the tartaric acid solution is added, so long. as it. con: 
> oh 


642 SOLANACER. 


tinues to-producée a milky separation, and then the last trace 
of the salt remaining dissolved in the alcoholic liquor is pre- 
cipitated by the addition of ether. .The precipitate is dissolved 
in hot alcohol, the solution filtered, and ether added to pro- 
mote the separation of the salt, when it is obtained in handsome 
crystalline tufts. Analysis of the salt indicated the formula 
C '°H'*N2(C4H 5)*4 2h°O; it therefore contains 32 per 
cent. of nicotine. 

M. de Coninck (1889) made the interesting observation that 
in the oxidation of a ptomaine having the formula C®H?'!N by © 
means of a solution of potassium permanganate a pyridincar- 
boxylic acid was obtained presenting the principal characters of 
nicotinic acid. Having since obtained the compound in a 
purer condition he is able now to state definitely (Compt. Rend., 
cviii., 809) that this acid produced in the oxidation of a ptomaine 
is identical with nicotinic acid resulting from the pace ee i a 
nicotine. (Pharm. Jour., June 8, 1889.) ee” 


Prof, E. Schmidt and Mr. Schiitte (Apoth. Zig. 1890, 511) 
have discovered traces of mydriatic alkaloids in tobacco. 


Toxicology.—The reports of the Chemical Examiners in India 
do not contain many cases of poisoning by this drug. Dr. 
Brown, Punjab Poisons, refers to a case of an infant, taken 
from its mother in the morning, and returned at night but 
soon died. Portions of tobacco were found in the stomach, 
In a second case, also reported by Dr. Brown, a female child of 
a woman who had left her husband was found dead; the 
stomach contained a quantity of green substance which 
proved to be portions of tobacco leaves; the brain and lungs 
were congested. In the Bengal Chemical Examiner’s Report 
for 1884, tobacco was received in connection with three cases 
of alleged attempts at poisoning, in two of the cases ganja 
was mixed with the tobacco. In the Bombay Dispensary | 
Reports (vol. ii., p. 4,) the injurious effects of tobacco as an 
_ emetic in a case of poisoning by opium is recorded. Dr. Lyon 

(Med. Jurisprudence for India, p. 291,) remarks :— Death has _ 
resulted from “——— tobacco, from administration ty me 


pe eZ aaa 


SOLANACE. 643 


ction of tobacco as an énema, and from swallowing 
cco juice such as collects in pipes; and bad symptoms have 
Se isicod by the application of tobacco leaves to a wound, 
even to the sound skin. Death has occurred from exces- 
e smoking ; it is doubtful, however, whether tobacco smoke 
jains nicotine; probably its poisonous effects are due to 
ine bases, developed during the combustion of the 


merce.—The average annual total exports of tobacco from 
amount to 40 millions of pounds, valued at 114 lakhs of 
Iti is exported from Bombay to Aden, Arabia, and the a 
tof Africa. Of manufactured tobacco the exports 
80,000 Ibs., valued at about 24,000 Rupees; three- 
this quantity goes to Aden, and the remainder is 
| among twenty-eight different countries, and pro- 
sists of small consignments of Indian cigars for 
those who have acquired a taste for them in this 


uction of ksbaase in all countries has eli. . 
; 8,000,000 tons. In former days the 


END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.