N. 0. EUPHORBUOE^. 1145 



ed doses." (Dr. A. J. Amadeo, in Pharmaceut. Jour. Ap. 28. 

 1888.) 



According to Muhammadan writers, the milky juice is a good 

 application to offensive sores ; a poultice of the leaves with salt 

 cures scabby affections, and without salt may be applied to 

 bruises, etc. In the Konkan, the root rubbed down with rice 

 water is given as a remedy for monorrhagia. (Dymock.) 



Regarding the chemical composition of this and of P. urina- 

 ria, Linn., the authors of the Pharmacographia Indica write : — 



Chemical composition.— The alcoholic extract from the whole plant was 

 mixed with water acidulated with sulphuric acid, and agitated first with 

 petroleum ether,then with ether, and finally rendered alkaline and re-agitated 

 with ether. 



The petroleum ether extract was dark-coloured, and soft, with a tea-like 

 odour, and extremely and persistently bitter. It was mixed with 3 per cent, 

 caustic soda solution and re-agitated with petroleum ether, which removed 

 the bitter principle contaminated with traces of oil and colouring matter. 

 This extract gave the euphorbon colour reaction when treated with sul- 

 phuric and nitric acids. For the bitter neutral principle, we propose the 

 name of pseudochiratin. 



The acid ether extract contained green colouring matter, and was partly 

 soluble in water with acid re-action, the solution giving a dirty bluish-green 

 coloration with ferric chloride, slightly precipitating gelatine, but affording 

 no re-action with cyanide of potassium. 



The alkaline ether extract contained an alkaloidal principle, which, after 

 purification, was obtained in white feathery crystals without any special 

 taste. With Frohde's re-agent it gave a light yellowish-red coloration, chang- 

 ing to blue on heating ; with concentrated nitric acid, yellowish. No re-action 

 with dichromate of potassium and sulphuric acid. 



1135. P. distichus, Muell. Arg., h.f.b.i., v. 304. 

 Syn. :— P. longifolious, J acq. Roxb. 684. 

 Sans. : — Lavani. 



Vern. : — Harfarauri, chalmeri (H.) ; Noari, loda, fruit— 

 hariphul (B.) ; Narkuli (Uriya) ; Cherambola (Goa) ; Arunelli 

 (Tarn.) ; Racha usirike (Tel.) ; Kirnelli (Kan.) ; Nelli (Malay). 



Habitat : — In gardens throughout India. 



A deciduous tree. Bark, says Gamble, grey ; smooth, very 

 rough, says J. D. Hooker. Wood light-brown, moderately hard, 

 20-30ft., quite glabrous; with very robust branches and slender 

 leafy branchlets, l-2ft., terete below, angular above, mostly 



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