828 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



Uses : — The dried leaves are emetic, diaphoratic and expec- 

 torant, useful in over-loaded states of the stomach and other 

 cases requiring the use of emetics. It has also been found 

 useful in dysentery, catarrh, and other affections in which 

 Ipecacuanha has been employed (Pharm. Ind.) Roxburgh, in hia 

 Flora Indiea, gives a long account of the use of this plant as a 

 substitute for Ipecacuanha : — 



" On the coast of Coromandel, the roots of this plant have 

 often been used as a substitute for Ipecacuanha. I have often 

 prescribed it myself, and always found it answer as well as 1 

 could expect Ipecacuanha to do. I have also often had very 

 favorable reports of its effects from others. It was a very 

 useful medicine with our Europeans who were unfortunately 

 prisoners with Hydar Ally, during the war of 1780, 1781, 1782, 

 and 1783. In a pretty large dose, it answered as an emetic ; in 

 smaller doses, often repeated, as a cathartic, and in both ways, 

 very effectually. 



11 1 had made and noted down many observations of its 

 uses, when in large practice in the General Hospital at Madras 

 in 1776, 1777, and 1778, but lost them, with all my other 

 papers, by the storm and inundation at and near Coringa in 

 May 1787. I cannot therefore be so full on the virtues of this 

 valuable, though much neglected, root, as I could wish. 1 

 have no doubt but it would answer every purpose of Ipeca- 

 cuanha. 



11 The natives also employ it as an emetic ; the bark, of about 

 three or four inches, of the fresh root, they rub upon a stone, 

 and mix with a little water for a dose ; it generally purges at 

 the same time." 



Note By Dr. P. Russell. 



" Dr. Russell was informed by the Physician General at 

 Madras (Dr. J. Anderson) that he had many years before known 

 it used, both by the European and Native Troops, with great 

 success in the dysentry which happened at that time to be 

 epidemic in the camp. The store of Ipecacuanha had, it seems, 

 been wholly expended, and Dr, Anderson, finding the practice 



