N. 0. EUPHORBIAOEjE. 1163 



M. B., Chittur.) " Used in scabies and ringworm, also internally 

 as a carminative." (Surg.-Maj. F. F. L. Ratton, Salem.) " The 

 root possesses purgative properties ; the leaf-juice is a safe, 

 useful emetic, especially adapted for children." (Surg.-Maj. F. M. 

 Houston, Travancore, and Mr. John Gomes, Trivandrum.) 

 "The juice of the fresh plant is given to children as an emetic 

 in f>\ to §1 doses." (Apoth. F. Norman, Chattrapur, Ganjam.) 



"This plant is called in Kanara chalmari as well as kuppi 

 (the latter word means a ' heap,' the plant being found in waste 

 places and rubbish heaps). The natives use it in congestive 

 headaches : a piece of cotton is saturated with the expressed 

 juice and inserted into each nostril, relieving head symptoms 

 by causing haemorrhage from the nose. The powder of the dry 

 leaves is used in bed sores and wounds attacked by worms. 

 In asthma and bronchitis T have employed it with benefit both 

 in children and adults. 



" Mode of preparation. — Macerate 3 oz. of the fresh leaves, 

 stalks, and flowers, with a pint of spirits of wine, in a closed jar 

 for 7 days, occasionally agitating the same. Strain, press, filter, 

 and add sufficient spirits of ether to make one pint. 



" Physiological effects. — In small doses it is expectorant and 

 nauseant : in large doses emetic. 



"Dose. — Minims 20 to 60, frequently repeated during the 

 day in honey," (Surgeon-Major E. H. R. Langley, Bombay.) 

 "One drachm of the expressed juice of the fresh leaves is an 

 easy and rapid emetic in children. The bruised leaves are 

 useful as an application to maggot eaten sores." (Surgeon W. D. 

 Stewart, CuttackJ 



" The root, bruised in hot water, is employed as a cathartic, 

 and the leaves as a laxative in decoction mixed with common 

 salt. The leaves are used in scabies, and mixed with chunam 

 in other cutaneous diseases (Drury)." 



Chemical composition. — The whole plant of A. Indica was dried at a low 

 temperature, reduced to powder, and exhausted with 80 per cent alcohol. 

 The alcoholic extract was mixed with water, acidulated with sulphuric acid, 

 and agitated with petroleum ether, and ether ; the solution was then rendered 

 alkaline and agitated with ether. During agitation with petroleum ether, a 

 quantity of dark matter separated, which was partly soluble in ether, and in 

 alkalies, and contained much colouring matter. The petroleum ether extract 



