N. 0. COMPOSITE. 717 



According to Burham, a draclim of the dried flowers taken 

 internally, cures jaundice (Hort- Jamaica, I. 72). 



In Bengal (Dumraon) the oil is considered by the ryots as a 

 valuable remedy for itch. A cure is said to be effected after 3 

 to 6 applications. The young green plant is said to be very 

 efficacious in colds. It is believed to keep the system warm. 

 The charred oil is used for healing sores and for rheumatism. 

 As a veterinary medicine the oil occasionally finds use in healing 

 sores on cattle. 



The oil of the seed is used as medicine in the United Pro- 

 vinces. The meal of the cooked seed is called harira and is 

 considered a curative and specific for colic pain. 



In the Central Provinces the oil extracted by the dry hot 

 method is employed as a salve for sores on cattle. 



In Sind, the seed is employed as a cooling medicine (thadhol) ; 



it is sometimes boiled and made into gruel. The oil is considered 



a mild purgative. (Agricultural Ledger 1904 — No. 11). 



The seeds and fruits contain about 30 per cent, oil, but owing to the 

 thick husk, only 17 or 18 per cent, of the oil is obtainable by pressing. The 

 kernels constitute about 40 per cent, of the seeds and can only be removed by 

 special machinery. The composition of the seed and the undecorticated and 

 decorticated cake have been shown by Dr. Leather. 



Seed. U 



Moisture ... ... 7*49 



Oil ... ... ... 31-84 



Albuminoids ... ... 13*31 



Carbohydrates ... ... 18-66 



Fibre ... ... 26*31 



Ash ... ... ... 2*39 



100*00 100-00 100-00 



The oil obtained by expression in the cold is pale yellow in colour, and 

 is used for culinary purposes. It has good drying powers and although it 

 cannot replace linseed oil it should certainly form a substitute for it in many 

 instances and find extended use in the manufacture of soft soap. 



A dark coloured empyreuraatic oil is prepared from the seeds by a simple 

 process of destructive distillation. This is used for the preservation of leather 

 buckets and ropes exposed to the action of water. 



Crossley and Le Sueur in 1898 examined several samples of safflower oil 

 obtained from various districts, and their constants are thus summarised: 

 Specific gravity, 0*9251 to 0*9280; saponification value, 187*2 to 193-3; iodine 



corticated 

 sake. 



Decorticated 

 cake. 



8*79 



8-49 



9*84 



9-80 



16*06 



32-75 



27-23 



21-19 



33*83 



20-17 



4*25 



7 60 



