N. 0. CUOURBITACE^E. 587 



Uses : — Every part of this plant is remarkably bitter, the 

 fruit is violently cathartic and emetic. The juice of the roasted 

 young fruit is applied to the temples by the natives to cure 

 headache. The ripe seeds either in infusion or substance, are 

 used by them to vomit and to purge (Roxburgh), In Bombay, 

 the leaves are used as an external application to sores in cattle. 

 In dog-bite, the pulp of the fruit is given with water ; it causes 

 vomiting and purging. The juice is applied to different kinds 

 of bites, and the dried fruit is used as a snuff in jaundice. The 

 root with equal parts of Jasund root (Hibiscus rosa-linensis) 

 and Hemidesmus, is given with milk, cumin and sugar in 

 gonorrhoea (Dymock). 



In the Indian Pharmacopoeia, it is described as a bitter tonic 

 and diuretic, and is recommended in splenic enlargements. 



The kernel of the seeds forms the only vegetable emetic in 

 India which is equal to Ipecacuanha, in the same quantity. In 

 smaller doses, it is expectorant and also demulcent, owing to 

 its containing albumen and oil. It has a great control over 

 dysentery. I have used this drug and also Ipecacuanha, separ- 

 ately, in several cases, in the same manner and doses, and 

 found it to be at least quite equal to the latter. The dose of 

 the kernel as an emetic is from 20 to 30 grains, as a nauseant, 

 from 11 to 15 grains, and as demulcent and expectorant, from 

 5 to 10 grains. When the kernel is rubbed and mixed with 

 water, it forms a greenish white emulsion, which is the only 

 form in which I have yet used it. (Moodeen Sheriff). 



The seeds are small (17 weigh one gram,), black, irregularly pitted and 

 two-lobed at the base. On extraction with ether the seeds yielded 20 per 

 cent, of a light green oil. The expressed oil is yellowish-white in colour and 

 solidifies at the ordinary tempearature in England (50° Fan., 15-50° C). 



Physical and chemical characteristics.... Fat : Specific gravity at 100°, 

 0*9363 ; acid value, 93*7.; saponification value, 229*2 ; Reichert-Meissl value, 

 13*1 ; titration number of insoluble volatile acids, iV KOH 0*83 ; iodine value, 

 40*12; unsaponifiable, 109; butyro-refractometer at 25°, 73°. Fatty acids 

 (insoluble) : per cent. 82*3; melting point, 44*1; iodine value, 41.9 ; neutra- 

 lisation value, 215 ; mean molecular weight, 260*9. (A. K. Menon, 1910.) 



534. L. echinata, Roxb. h.f.b.i., h. 615; Roxb. 699. 



Vern. : — Kukar-wel (Bomb.); Jung-thoree (Sind.) ; the seeds: 

 Wa-upla-bij (Guz.) ; Deodagri (Mar.). 



Habitat : — Guzerat ; Sind ; Bengal ; Bombay. 



