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gradually increasing the dose to 15 grains. There were no bad effects, but, on the contrary, my appetite improved, and I felt distinctly more active and stronger. I have been using it in my practice during the last sixteen or seventeen years, and consider it to be a pretty good tonic and stomachic. Dose from 5 to 12 grains three times daily." In Bombay, it is supposed to be an anthelmintic, and is accordingly frequently administered to cattle affected by worms. In Madras, it is believed to be specific against the bites of poisonous snakes, and the stings of scorpions, and is also used as an external application in parasitical affections of the skin. Surgeon-Major Thomson, C.I.E., has kindly furnished the following information regarding its utilisation in Madras : —

" There are two varieties of this plant. The root of one plant divides dichotomously, that of the other does not divide at all, but appears as a single piece shooting into the ground. The former is supposed by the natives to be the male plant, the latter the female. The male root is gathered during the flowering season, cut up in thin slices and soaked in butter-milk to which a little salt is added. In this composition it is soaked by night and dried by day for four or five days. It is eventually dried well and preserved. By this process, its poisonous properties are said to be removed. When so prepared, and administered by giving a piece or two internally in a case of cobra bite, it is said to be an effectual antidote in cobra poisoning. It is called in Tamil Katharum cheddy. In scorpion and centipede stings and bites, relief is obtained from the pain by applying a paste of the root rubbed up with cold water and then warming the part affected over the fire. This paste is applied also for parasitic affections of the skin."

The starch obtained from the root by washing is given internally in gonorrhœa.

Notwithstanding its characteristic appearance, the tuber is occasionally employed as an adulterant of the roots of Aconitum ferox, to which, indeed, it is believed to be closely allied in therapeutical properties.— (Watt Die. Ec. Pro. Ind. III. 507.)