135-3 
ploca (Periploca Graeca) has been used as a stimulating application for ulcers, and 
in Greece as a wolf poison. Lindley states* that the East Indian 7y/ophora asth- 
matica is either emetic or purgative in the proper dosage, and constitutes a valu- 
able Indian remedy. Many species of Gonolodus act as drastic purges, and some 
are used by the Aborigines as arrow poisons, The Ceylon Indian or Country 
Sarsaparilla, Hemidesmus Indicus, is spoken of by Lindley} as being quite as efh- 
cient in its usage as the American root, and adds: “A great deal of it is consumed 
in London and considered a fine sort.” The genus Cynanchum affords several 
purgatives, one of which, the Syrian Cynanchum erectum (Marsdenia erecta), is 
stated to be very poisonous, and used by the natives as a means of murder or 
suicide; Avghel (Cynanchum Argel) is often used to adulterate Alexandrian 
Senna, and to this Lindley ascribes the griping and other unpleasant effects of the 
commercial Senna; while the leaves of the East Indian Cynanchum extensum 
(Daemia extensa) are employed as an anthelmintic, and the juice in asthma. Thus 
throughout the order almost all species are used in the practice of their native 
countries ; while to the arts some yield excellent fiber for the manufacture of rope, 
and others (especially Cynanchum ovalifolium), caoutchouc in good quantity and 
of fine quality. 
History and Habitat.—Asclepias tuberosa is common from Canada south- 
ward; growing at first near the coast on sandy fields, but spreading inland as the 
soil grows drier and less rich. It flowers northward during the earlier months of 
summer, and fruits in September. The procumbent form, more common south- 
ward, formerly classed with this species, is now recognized as var. decumbens, Pursh. 
The Western Indians boil the tubers for food; prepare a crude sugar from the 
flowers, and eat the young seed-pods after boiling them with buffalo meat. Some 
of the Canadian tribes use the young shoots as a pot-herb after the manner of 
asparagus.} 
The pleurisy-root has received more attention as a medicine than any other 
species of this genus, having been regarded, almost since the discovery of this 
country, as subtonic, diaphoretic, alterative, expectorant, diuretic, laxative, eschar- 
otic, carminative, anti-spasmodic, anti-pleuritic, stomachic, astringent, anti-rheumatic, 
—anti-syphilitic, and what not? It has been recommended in low typhoid states, 
Se Flor. med., p- 542. st Idem, p. 544- 
ESree | Elementary Therapeutics, Vol. 1, p. 35% Se 
