n. o. aristolochiacejl;. 1087 



Perianth 1-1 fin., base globose, tube cylindric, erect, slender, lip 

 erect, linear, as long as the tube, dark-purple with rootute edges, 

 villous, with purple hairs. Anthers six. Stylar column 6-lobed. 

 Fruit a pyriform capsule, lin. long, many grooved. Seeds 

 triangular, cordate. 



Uses: — Every part of this plant is nauseously bitter, which 

 remains long, chiefly about the throat. For a purging with 

 gripes, two of the fresh leaves are rubbed up in a little water, 

 and given to an adult for a dose, once in 24 hours (Roxb). 



It is well-known by its Hindustani name Kird-mar, r from its 

 supposed anthelmintic, properties, and also probably from the 

 fact of the expressed juice of the leaves being applied to foul 

 and neglected ulcers, for the purpose of destroying the larvce 

 of insects. A belief in the anthelmintic virtues of the leaves is 

 common amongst the natives. In Dalzell and Gibson's Flora 

 of Bombay (p. 225), it is spoken of as possessing " a merited 

 reputation as an antiperioclic in intermittent fevers." Em- 

 menagogue properties are also assigned to it. Dr. J. Newton 

 reports that in Scinde the dried root, in doses of about a 

 drachm and-a-half, in the form of powder or in infusion, is 

 administered during labours to increase uterine contractions 

 (Ph. Ind.). 



The leaves are applied to the navel to move the bowels of 

 children, and are also given internally in combination with 

 castor oil as a remedy for colic. 



Dr. Hove states that the root and leaf are remarkably bitter, 

 and yield a thick yellowish juice, which is mixed with boiled 

 milk and given in syphilis, and combined with opium is used 

 with great success in gonorrhoea. Ainslie notices the applica- 

 tion of the leaf, when bruised and mixed with castor oil, to 

 obstinate psora (the carpang of the Tamils.) 



The native doctors in Bombay make a paste, with water, 

 of the plant, along with the seeds of Barringtonia acutangula, 

 Celastrus paniculata, and black pepper, and rub the whole body 

 with it for the cure of malarial fevers. 



The evidence collected by Dr. Watt (Diet. Ec. Pr. India, 

 i. 314) shows that it is the opinion of several European phy- 



