BY J. H. MAIDEN. 389 



56. Piper N"ov^-Hollandi^, Miq., N.O. Piperaceee, B.Fl, 



VI., 204. 



" Native Pepper." 



An excellent stimulant tonic to the mucous membrane. Used 

 by Dr. Bancroft, of Brisbane, in the treatment of gonorrhoea and 

 other mucous discharges with considerable success. 



This is one of the largest native creepers, the root being at 

 times from six inches to a foot in diameter. The plant climbs like 

 ivy to the top of the highest trees, and when full grown weighs 

 many tons, so that a good supply of the drug is readily obtainable. 

 The active principle, as dissolved out by ether, is a brownish, oily 

 fluid, soluble in water to a limited extent only, the insoluble 

 portion producing an oily emulsion. It has a warm, aromatic, 

 pleasant taste, and a benumbing effect on the tongue when applied 

 to it in minute quantity. (Bancroft.) 



This plant is also found in Queensland. 



57. PiTTOSPORUM UNDULATUM, Vent., N.O. Pittosporese, B.F]., 



i.. 111. 



" Native Laurel," "Mock Orange." 



I am not aware that this plant is employed medicinally, but an 

 interesting account (perhaps paving the way for its economic 

 application) of Pittosporine, a bitter glucoside obtained from the 

 bark by Baron Mueller and L. Rummel, will be found in Wittstein's 

 " Organic Constituents of Plants." This tree is found in all the 

 colonies except South and Western Australia. 



58. Plumbago zeylanica, Linn., N.O. Plumbagineae, B.Fl., 



iv., 267. 



In India, a tincture of the root-bark has been employed as an 

 antiperiodic. Dr. Oswald states that he has employed it in the 

 treatment of intermittents with good effect. It acts as a powerful 

 sudorific. {Pharm. of India.) 



It is a common medicine for dyspepsia in India. It is also 

 frequently used as a poultice for abscesses. 



It extends from New South Wales to IS orthern Australia. 



