ARGEMONE MEXICANA 29 



PAPAVERACEJE. 



Poppy Family. 

 Argemone Mexicana, L. 



NOM. VULG. Kasubhag-aso, Hoc. 



USES. Padre Blanco says that the yellow juice of this plant 

 ' ' is used by the natives (Filipinos) to treat fissures of the cor- 

 ners of the eyes." 



The negros of Senegal use the decoction of the root to cure 

 gonorrhoea. The milky juice to which Blanco refers is used 

 in different countries to treat various skin diseases, including 

 the cutaneous manifestations of syphilis and leprosy ; to re- 

 move warts, and as an eye wash in catarrhal conjunctivitis. 



The English physicians of India state that it is dangerous to 

 use the milky juice as an application to the eye, although Dy- 

 mock claims the contrary. 



The flowers are narcotic by virtue of a principle resembling 

 morphine, perhaps identical with that alkaloid. 



The seeds yield a fixed oil on expression, which is laxative 

 and relieves the pains of colic, probably by virtue of its nar- 

 cotic properties. Physicians in India praise this oil highly ; 

 not only is it a sure and painless purgative, but it is free from 

 the viscidity and disgusting taste of castor-oil ; besides it has 

 the advantage of operating in small doses, 2-4 grams. Its ac- 

 tivity is proportionate to its freshness. Dr. W. O'Shaughnessy 

 does not value this oil highly, but the experience of many dis- 

 tinguished physicians of India has proved the purgative and 

 other properties that have just been mentioned. Possibly the 

 differences of opinion may arise from the fact that oils from 

 different plants were used in the trials. 



The seeds yield a fixed oil, yellow, clear, of sweet taste, den- 

 sity 0.919 at 15 ; it remains liquid at 5 ; is soluble in an 

 equal volume of alcohol at 90 ; characterized by an orange-red 

 color on adding nitric acid. From its soap Frolicher has ob- 



