CHONDRUS 53 



it was native, its use being especially in the direction of 

 rheumatic and nephritic affections. 



CHIRATA (Chirata) 



First mentioned in U. S. P. in 1860. The name here, and in 

 1870, is spelled Chiretta. Official in 1880, 1890 (as Swertia Chiray- 

 tto) and 1900. Dropped in 1910. 



An annual herb of the mountainous regions of North- 

 ern India, chirata (Swertia Chirayita) has long been held 

 in esteem by the Hindoos, being frequently mentioned 

 by Susruta (622). It did not attract attention in Eng- 

 land until 1829, and was introduced into the Edinburgh 

 Pharmacopeia in 1839. It was first described by Rox- 

 burgh (559) in 1814. No record of its introduction into 

 Indian medicine nor to its original usage is possible, 

 other than that it is a gift of native medication and is 

 described in Sanskrit writings. 



CHONDRUS- (Irish Moss) 



First mentioned (in Secondary List) in 1840. Transferred to 

 Primary List in 1850. Official in all subsequent editions, includ- 

 ing 1910, in which two species are named as official, Chondrus 

 crispus and Gigartina mamillosa. 



Irish moss, Chondrus crispus, has been known from 

 an early period, its use being chiefly as a domestic medi- 

 cine. Neither the London nor the British Pharmaco- 

 peia ever gave it a position. Todhunter at Dublin, 

 1831, introduced it to the notice of the medical pro- 

 fession. The method of its employment is yet in de- 

 coction or infusion, no attempt being made to improve 

 upon the method employed in its domestic use. 



