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1162 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.


Bombay " the plant had a reputation as an expectorant, hence the native name khokli (cough)." (Dymook, Mat. Med. W. Ind., 588.) " Dr. George Bidie furnishes the following remarks : 'The expressed juice of the leaves is in great repute, wherever the plant grows, as an emetic for children, and is safe, certain and speedy in its action. Like Ipecacuanha, it seems to have little tendency to act on the bowels or to depress the vital powers, and it decidedly increases the secretion of the pulmonary organs. Probably an infusion of the dried leaves or an extract prepared from the green plant, would retain all its active properties. The dose of the expressed juice, for an infant, is a teaspoonful.' ' (Pharm. Ind.) A decoction of the leaves is given in ear-ache ; a cataplasm of the leaves is applied as a local application to syphilitic ulcers, and as a means of relieving the pain of snake-bite. (Drury.) According to Nimmo the roots " attract cats quite as much as those of valerian." (Voigt, 160 ; Treasury of Botany.)

"Much used by Mahomedan practitioners in treating cases of acute mania in early stage. The fresh juice (3i) with (6 gr.) chloride of sodium dissolved in it and dropped in both nostrils every morning, followed by cold shower-baths for three mornings regularly, proves highly successful. Thus it is supposed by them to act as a ' brain purge,' so called probably owing to a quantity of mucus and other matter escaping from the nostrils immediately after the application of the above recipe. I have given it internally; it acts as an anthelmintic and laxative." (Surgeon E. W. Savinge, Rajamundry, "Juice of the fresh plant emetic, laxative ; dose one to four drachms, according to age. Fresh leaves ground into a paste, made into a ball, to the size of a large marble and introduced into the rectum, very useful in relieving obstinate constipation of children." (Apoth. Thomas Ward, Madanapalle, Cuddapah.) " The juice or the bruised leaf is applied to the skin to allay the irritation caused by the bite of the centipede." (Surgeon Ruthnam T. Moodelliar, Chingleput.)

" The juice of the fresh leaves mixed with lime is applied in painful rheumatic affections." (Surg.-Maj. John Lancaster,

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