N. 0, SCKOPIIULARINEvE. 027 



symptoms. The remedy for this condition is said to be a plant 

 called Sannipata-nud, " driving away sannipat," and Nepala- 

 nimba, " Nepal Neem " or " Nepal bitter." At the present time 

 the drag sold in the shops is 8. sphcerocarpa but whether it is 

 the original Nepal Neem is difficult to decide, as at present we 

 do not even know whether this plant is found in Nepal. Tn 

 typhoid conditions the drug is considered to act as a tonic, to 

 promote diuresis, subdue fever, and remove the derangement 

 of the humors. We are not aware of any experiments having 

 been made with it by European physicians in India, though its 

 near relationship with the Antirrhinums, which contain gluco- 

 sides similar to those of Digitalis, would, we should have 

 thought, have excited curiosity in regard to its physiological 

 action." (Pharmacographia Indica, III. 5.) 



Ohemical composition.— The powdered drug treated with ether yielded a 

 dark olive-green extract, consisting of chlorophyll and uncrystallizable fatty 

 matter. Subsequent percolation with alcohol removed a deep brown extract, 

 from which cubical crystals of alkaline chlorides 'separated on evaporation. 

 An aqueous solution of this extract had a saltish taste and gave distinct 

 precipitates with alkaloidal tests. The alkaloid was removed by ether in an 

 amorphous condition, and gave no well-marked colour reactions with the 

 strong mineral acids. By continuing the exhaustion of the powdered drug 

 with water, a deep reddish brown extract was obtained having a bitterish 

 and nauseous taste, and containing saccharine and other matters which 

 readily fermented. In order to ascertain if the drug contained a substance 

 similar to digitalin, a fresh decoction of the powder was filtered and precipita- 

 ted by tannin, the precipitate washed, mixed with an excess of alkali, and 

 shaken with ether. The result was the separation of an alkaloid similar to 

 that previously found. As more recent investigators prepare digitalin by 

 exhausting with alcohol after treatment of the drug with water, this process 

 was adopted with Schweinfnrthia, The resinous matter collected had an 

 acrid taste, but no principle could be obtained possessing the properties of 

 digitalin, digitonin or digitoxin, to which, according to Schmiedeberg, the 

 poisonous qualities of digitalis are due. Besides the alkaloid, which we consi- 

 er to be the active principle, the drug yielded 18*6 per cent, of mineral 

 matter." (Pharmacographia Indica III. 6). 



885. Lindenbergia urticoe folia, Lehm. h.f.b.i., 

 iv. 262. 



Syn. : — Stemodia ruderalis, Vahl. Roxb.4 90. 



Vern. :— Dhol (Mar.) ; Gazdar (Bomb.). 



Habitat : — Throughout India, on walls and banks. 



