(JO JENTANDMA MONOGtNlA. ConvofaufaS. 



in woody fibres, which however separate from the more resinous sub- 

 stance in pounding, and ought to be removed before the trituration 

 is completed. It is in fact in the bark of the root that all the pur- 

 gative matter exists. The older the plant the more woody is the 

 bark of the root, and if attention be not paid in trituration to the 

 removal of the woody fibres the quality of the powder obtained must 

 vary in strength accordingly. It is probably from this circumstance 

 that its character for the uncertainty of its operation has arisen, which 

 has occasioned its disuse in Europe. An extract which may be 

 obtained in the proportion of one ounce to a pound of the dried root 

 would not be liable to that objection. Buth are given in rather 

 larger proportion than Jalap. Like that, the power and certainty 

 of its operation are very much -aided by the addition of Cream of 

 Tartar to the powder, or of Calomel to the extract. I have found 

 the powder in this form to operate with a very small degree of tenes- 

 mus and very freely, producing three or four motions within two. 

 to four hours. Its being free from the nauseous taste and smell 

 of Jalap, gives it a decided superiority over that plant. It is con- 

 sidered by the natives as possessing peculiar hydragogue virtues ; 

 but I have used it with decided advantage m the iiist stages of 

 febrile affections." 



I shall conclude this subject by subjoining the synonymes given 

 with the usual profession in the celebrated S/mgskrit dictionary, 

 Uin&ra-Koshtf, and in Bhave-prwkasha and Raja-Nirglnmta which, 

 according to Mr. Colebrooke's testimony are among the best Hin- 

 doo writings on Materia Medica, to which I will add the virtues ad- 

 scribed to our plant in the latter two treatises. 



The white sort ; ^s^T«TO%j Swrvanoobhooti, "^far^'T) Soovwha, 

 T^CVZT, Tnpoota, f^gcjr, Tnvriia f^gg, Ttiyrit, l^^ Tr *- 

 bhwndee, ^X^«{!> RocliMiiee, 7£rprf{> Rechwnee, ifn^q^T, Ma- 

 \imka, 3$Ef;rh M«sooree., ^ r^ Swrwla, f^in^, Tn'shotra. 



