N. 0. ASCLEPIADEiE. 821 



treatment of catarrhal affections, in ten grain doses, at the Pettali 

 Hospital, Mysore (Ph. Inch). 



The fresh leaves made into a pulp are used as a stimulating 

 poultice in carbuncle, with good effect (S. Arjun). 



Certainly valuable as an emetic with infants : the leaves are 

 washed, and the juice expressed by rubbing between the palms 

 of the hands ; the leaves of the dark Toolsi are similarly treated, 

 and then a mixture of the juice is given : this preparation is a 

 stimulating emetic. (Dr. Evers). 



Used in infantile diarrhoea (Dr. Thompson, in Watt's Dic- 

 tionary). 



Dr. P. S. Mootooswamy notices the use of the juice in rheuma- 

 tism in combination with ginger. It is used in the preparation 

 of a purgative medicinal oil used in rheumatism, amenorrhoea 

 and dysmenorrhea, and that the root bark is used as a pur- 

 gative in rheumatic cases in doses of 1 to 2 drachms mixed with 

 cow's milk. (Ind. Med. Gaz., Feb. 1890). 



The leaves like those of tobacco and Adhatoda, evolve alkaline fumes 

 when ignited, and like them contain an alkaloid. The alkaloid, which we have 

 provisionally named Dsemine, is soluble in ether, alcohol and water and 

 shows no disposition to crystallize from these and other solvents. In contact 

 with strong sulphuric acid it dissolves with a reddish violet colour, gradu- 

 ally fading ; with Fronde's reagent it gives a yellowish brown coloration. 

 It forms crystalline deliquescent salts very soluble in water with a bitter 

 taste. An alkaloid having similar properties was separated from a sample 

 of the root. The ash from a sample of the dried and powdered leaves amount 

 ed to 15*33 per cent. (Pharinacographia Inclica, Vol. II. p. 444.) 



777. Holostemma Rheedii, Wall, h.f.b.i., iv. 21. 



Syn. : — Asclepias annularis, Roxb. 253. 



Vern. :- Tultuli, sidori, dudurli (Bomb.); Apung (Kol.); 

 Apung, morou-rak (Santal.) ; Palay kirai (Tarn.); Pala kura, 

 pala gurugu, istarakula (Tel.). 



Habitat :— Tropical Himalaya, from Sirmore to Sikkim ; 

 Deccan Peninsula, from the Circars and Canara southwards. 



A rather large perennial, woody at base. Stems twining, 

 much branched, glabrous, shining. Leaves rather large, 3-5in., 



