612 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



one day, arising from the tufts on the upper edges or sides of 

 the joints. Calyx-tube adnate to the ovary, not prolonged 

 beyond it, lobes numerous on the upper edge and on the hollow 

 receptacle of the Calyx. Petals numerous, widely spreading ; 

 stamens numerous, about half the length of the petals. Stigma 

 3-fid. Fruit fleshy, obovate or pear-shaped, umbilicate at the top, 

 with spine-bearing tubercles near the apex. The joints strike 

 roots, but it is chiefly spread by birds which eat the fruit and 

 drop the seeds (Brandis). 



Uses : — The fruit is considered a refrigerant ; the leaves 

 mashed up and applied as a poultice are said to allay heat and 

 inflammation (Ainslie). In the Deccan, the baked fruit is 

 given in whooping cough (Lisboa). 



In Dacca, the milky juice is given as a purgative in doses 

 of ten drops mixed with a little sugar (Taylor). 



A syrup of the fruit appears to increase the secretion of bile 

 when given in teaspoonful doses three or four times a day, 

 and to control spasmodic cough and expectoration (Dymock). 



The ripe fruit when eaten has the power of dyeing the 

 urine red (Miller). 



Said to be useful in gonorrhoea. The hot leaf applied to 

 boils hastens suppuration ; the leaf made into a pulp is applied 

 to the eyes in cases of ophthalmia. 



I have used joints warmed up for poultices in guineaworm, 

 abscesses with marked effect (K. R. K.). 



According to Leather, the fruit consists of Water, 16-96 per 

 cent ; organic matter 60-64, ash 22-40. 



A fruit from Nellore, analysed by David Hooper gave the 

 following results :— Carbohydrates 4T89 ; fibre 3200 ; albumi- 

 noids Q'25 ; fat 3'63 ; Water 5'67 ; and ash 10'56. (Report 

 Indian Museum Laboratory. 1904-5 p. 30). 



