Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/526

downwards, leaf edge between the prickles concavely indented, terminal spine slightly grooved, dull-brown, 1 to 2in. long derived from the upper leaf margins which for about three inches from the top are involute and horny ; scape with the panicle 15 to 25ft. in height, primary branches of the inflorescence almost horizontal, fascicles of blossoms crowded at the ends of subsidiary ascending branches ; germen faintly sulcate, about equalling the perianth or shorter than it, perianth lobes ovate-lanceolate, tips obtuse, amber-coloured as are also the filaments, pollen orange-yellow, style faintly three-lobed, capitate ; capsule bluntly trigonous or oblong-cylidrical, rather broader up warps. — (Agricultural Ledger, 1907. No. 7.)

Uses : — The roots are diuretic and anti-syphilitic, and are said to find their way to Europe mixed with Sarsaparilla. (Lindley).

The expressed juice of the leaves is administered by American doctors as a resolvent and alterative, especially in syphilis, scrofula and even cancers.

Diuretic and alterative properties are assigned to its roots by the Mexicans. Dr. Æ. Ross reports having employed them in this character, in decoction (in the proportion of four ounces to one pint of water), in secondary syphilis, with great apparent benefit. Dr. R. F. Hutchinson regards this remedy as well worthy of further trials ; he mentions, also, that a thin slice of the large fleshy leaves constitutes a good poultice.

The sap is said to be laxative, diuretic and emenagogue. Very useful in scurvy (U. S. Dispens.) Genl. Sheridan is reported to have used the juice with great success amongst his men who were suffering from scurvy, in a small isolated post on the Texas border (Year-book of Phar. 1875 ; 232). The large, moist, fleshy leaves used with much advantage as poultice ; the fresh juice applied to bruises and contusions. The gum found exuding from the leaves and lower part of the stem is used in Mexico as a cure for tooth-ache. " The pulp of the leaves placed between folds of muslin and applied to the eye in conjunctivitis ; and also used mixed with sugar, in gonorrhœa, twice a day. (H. S. P. Kinsley,Madras).