114 INDIAN MEDICINAL PUNTS. 



the treatment of malignant growths was founded on the use 

 of wild Violets, at least as far back as James I, and that it is 

 therefore desirable that in any inquiry into the subject wild 

 Violets should be used, such as have been used for centuries, 

 and not a recent cultivated Violet, as employed at the present 

 time. In the light of the above remarks, the varieties officinal 

 in the Continental Pharmacopoeias will be of interest. It will 

 be noted that wild violets are officinal in the German and 

 Swiss Pharmacopoeias, and cultivated Violets in the Austrian. 

 (Peter Squire's Companion to the British Pharmacopoeia, 

 18th edition (1908), pp. 1235-1236). 



A syrup is made from the petals which is a favourite 

 remedy for infantile disorders. 



The root is a powerful emetic, and is frequently used to 

 adulterate ipecac. A dose of from forty to fifty grains of the 

 powdered root acts powerfully. 



A principle called violine is present in all parts of the 

 plant, analogous in external characteristics to the emetine of 

 ipecacuanha, and possessing the same emetic properties. It 

 is an alkaline substance, and forms salts by its union with 

 acids ; it is soluble in alcohol, but hardly so in water. 



The flowers were used in olden times as remedies in many 

 disorders, and were supposed to be especially serviceable to the 

 eyes and in ague. 



The seeds were formerly believed to counteract the effect 

 of a scorpion's sting. 



Syrup of violets is a favorite medicine for cough and 

 hoarseness. The French make great use of violets in their 

 confitures and household remedies ; and we have seen and 

 partaken of a delicate sweetmeat composed simply of the violet 

 flower prepared with sugar, yet retaining its delicious perfume. 

 (Sowerby's English Botany). 



101. V. cinerea, Boiss, h.f.b.l, i. 185. 



Vevn. : — Banafsha (Sind. and Pb.) 



Habitat ' — Dry hilly region of the Punjab and Sindh. 



