HYDROCOTYLE ASIATICA 135 



Lepine and Boileau used it experimentally to treat leprosy 

 and reported favorably ; but later experience demonstrated that 

 it did not exercise any specific effect, but benefited ,ana3sthetic lep- 

 rosy simply by improving the general condition of the patient. 



The plant is official in the Pharmacopeia of India, as altera- 

 tive, tonic and stimulant. It states that the drug has been 

 found very useful in the treatment of secondary and constitu- 

 tional syphilis, when the disease attacks the skin and subcuta- 

 neous tissue. 



In Bombay it is a popular remedy for the mild dysentery of 

 children, given as a decoction of 3 or 4 leaves with a little 

 cumin seed and sugar ; the bruised leaves are then applied to 

 the umbilical region. In the Philippines the decoction of the 

 leaves is given as a purge. 



Dr. Dervegie reports good results in the treatment of eczema, 

 administering the powdered leaf in dozes of 0.10 gram and 

 applying locally the powder or an ointment of the same. The 

 most marked and constant effects of the drug are a considerable 

 increase of the urinary secretion, elevation of the temperature 

 of the skin and profuse diaphoresis. 



Dr. Boileau, quoted above, himself contracted leprosy of 

 which he died ; he experimented on himself with " hydroco- 

 tyle " and on one occasion a dose of 3 grams nearly proved 

 fatal ; tetanic symptoms supervened with suffocation, palpita- 

 tion, epistaxis and rectal hemorrhage, abating finally with pro- 

 fuse sweating and diuresis. 



Dr. Lepine, a pharmacist of Pondicherry, has analyzed the 

 plant and isolated a substance that seems to be the active prin- 

 ciple ; he has named it vallarin, from " vallarai," the Tamul 

 name of the plant. " Vallarin " is a thick, pale yellow oil of 

 a piquant and persistent taste and an odor peculiar to the plant. 

 It changes under the influence of air, moisture or heat and 

 volatilizes at 120. It is soluble in alcohol. The plant contains 

 T 8 <j- to 1 ft of this oil, a dark resin and a green resin. 



