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 
