838 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



larger in the false than in the genuine seed. The longitudinal, rod-like thick- 

 enings, which form the wall of the hair in each case, show a slight difference. 

 In the genuine seed these thickened parts usually remain coherent at the tip 

 of the hair, but in the false they frequently separate and show a slight curva- 

 ture at the extreme end. These insignificant differences, of course, are of no 

 value in the examination of the powdered drag, and if the seed is entire it is 

 easily distinguished by its lighter colour and the ridge round the edge, as 

 well as the complete lack of any bitter taste. Since there is no significant 

 difference in microscopic characters, a short series of experiments was made 

 to trj to find a chemical test whereby the fasle seed could be detected. 

 Since it was required to distinguish the false seed, the positive tests for 

 strychnine were, of course, valueless, since a mixed powder would give these 

 reactions. Transverse sections were cut and examined under a simple lens 

 and also under the microscope while being treated with various reagents. 

 The reagents used included strong nitric acid, a mixture of strong nitric and 

 sulphuric acids, 50 per cent, sulphuric acids, 50 per cent, sulphuric acids with 

 potassium dichromate, potassium hydroxide solution, B, P. strong solution of 

 iron perchloride, and solution of iodine and potassium iodide. No difference 

 was observed in Aie reactions of the two seeds with these reagents. 



As the published accounts of the genus Strychnos give very meagre details 

 with regard to the seeds, it has not yet been possible to assign the false seed 

 to its species, although its structural identity with that of Strychnos isux- 

 vomica leaves no doubt that it is a species of Strychnos." 



Uses : — Acording to the authors of the Pharmaeographia 

 Indica Vol. II p. 459), " no mention of Nux- Vomica can be 

 found in the older Sanskrit medical works. + + We can hardly 

 suppose that a plant having such marked poisonous properties 

 can have escaped the notice of the earliest settlers in India, and 

 there can be no doubt that the wood has been in use from a 

 very ealry date as one of the kinds of Mushadi in Southern and 

 Western India. We also find that in the Indian Archipelago, 

 which was colonised at a very early date by the Hindus, the 

 wood is used as a popular remedy for dysentry, fevers, and 

 Dyspepsia." " Nux Vomica seeds produce a sort of intoxication, 

 for which they are habitually taken by some natives as an aphro- 

 disiac. Those who do so gradually become so far accustomed 

 to this poison that they often come to one seed daily, which is 

 cut into small pieces and chewed with a packet of betel leaf. 

 Medicinally, the seeds are used in dyspepsia and diseases of 

 the nervous system" (Hindu Mat. Med.) The author of 

 Makhzan-ul-Adwiya recommends great caution with regard to 

 the medicinal use of Nux Vomica, and says that it is very useful 



