N. 0. AltlSTOLOCHIACEJi. 1089 



Nothing certain is known of its virtues ; but Dr. Kirkpatrick 

 {Gat. of Mysore Drugs, No. 455) considers that its properties 

 as a febrifuge are deserving of investigation ; and Dr. Fleming, 

 judging from the aromatic bitterness of the root, is of opinion 

 that it will be found useful in dyspepsia (Asiat. Researches, 

 vol. xi.). Dr. Gibson regards it as valuable in bowel affections. 

 From its sensible properties, and the high esteem in which it is 

 held by the natives, it may be worthy of further notice. It is 

 as an antidote to snake bites, however, that it has obtained 

 most repute, and by the early Portuguese settlers was termed 

 Raiz de Cobra, from its supposed efficacy in those cases, even 

 in the bite of the Cobra de Capello. The leaves, and the 

 expressed juice of the leaves, have more recently been brought 

 to notice in the same class of cases by Mr. Lowther {Journ. 

 of Agri.-Horb. Soc. of India, 184b', vol. v. pp. 138, 742, and 

 vol. vii. p. 42.) (Ph. Ind.). It seems to be, however, more used 

 bj 7 the native Madras physicians for snake-bite than in the 

 Dekkan or Concan where I come from. I am not aware of the 

 drug being experimented on by any European physicians. It 

 is worth a trial on theoretical grounds certainly ^K.R.K.). 



In Bombay it is chiefly prescribed in the bowel complaints 

 of children ; and in cholera it is regarded as a stimulant tonic, 

 and is also applied externally to the abdomen. Babu T. N. 

 Mukharji states that the juice of the fresh leaves is very useful 

 in the croup of children, by inducing vomiting, without causing 

 any depression. 



Dr. S. M. Shircore of Moorshidabad states that it is un- 

 doubtedly used to procure abortion. 



" With regard to the antidotal properties ascribed to Aristolochise, Dr. Hance 

 remarks that undoubtedly no genus comprising a large number of species, 

 widely diffused over both hemispheres, has been so universally credited 

 with alexiteric properties as Aristolochia, and this, too, in all ages, and in 

 every condition of society, alike by the wandering savage and the polished 

 citizen or learned physician of a highly civilized commonwealth.* * * * 



" Modern physicians seem with one accord to regard these plants as 

 diaphoretics, stimulant tonics, and emmenagogues only; but the array of 

 testimony from all quarters of the globe, and extending over a period of 

 more than two thousand years, in favour of their alexiteric properties, is so 

 overwhelming, that it is in my judgment incredible that these virtues should 

 be imaginary."— (Ph. J. March 15, 1873, pp. 725-726.) 



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