602 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



Uses. — The expressed-] uice of the thick tap-root of this 

 plant is used by the native physicians (kavirajes) as an adjunct 

 to the metallic preparations prescribed by them in diabetes. 

 I know several patients who were benefited by the juice*. It is 

 very desirable that its therapeutic action should be tested 

 'U. C. Dutt). 



In the Concan, the root pounded with the juice of the leaves 

 is applied as a lep to the whole body to induce perspiration in 

 fever, the green fruit is chewed to cure sores on the tongue 

 (Dymock). 



This is a favourite remedy with the native practitioners 

 (London Exhibition, 1862). 



The bark of the root, dried and reduced to powder, is said 

 to act as a good cathartic, in a dose of 30 grains (Taylor's 

 Topography of Dacca). 



The leaves, mixed with ghi, are applied as a liniment to 

 sores. The whole plant, bruised and mixed with the oil of 

 Euphorbia nuriifolia and powdered cumin seeds, is adminis- 

 tered by natives in special diseases (Atkinson). The leaves 

 are applied externally in eruptions of the skin, and the plant 

 internally in gonorrhoea (Balfour). 



547. Gueurbita maxima, Duchesne, h.f.b.l, ii. 

 622. 



Vern. — Mitha kaddu (H.) ; Suphurii kumra (B.); Pushinik- 

 kay (Tarn.) ; Qummadi-kaya (Tel.). The seeds : Lalabhopala- 

 bija (Mar.) 



Habitat. —Cultivated throughout India. 



A large, climbing, hairy annual herb. Tendrils 2-4-fid. 

 Leaves 4-6in. diam.. hispedulous and also with much soft 

 hair, denticulate, with 5 shallow lobes or subentire ; sinus 

 between the lobes narrow. Hairs of the petiole equal, not 

 pungent. Petiole often nearly as long as the blade. Flowers 

 monoecious, all solitary, white, very large. Male flowers : — Calyx- 

 tube green, campanulate, 5-lobed, hardly half-way down; stamens 

 3, inserted low in the Calyx-tube ; segments lanceolate-linear ; 



