N. 0. SCITAMINE.E. 1251 



of its yellow colour. The editor of the Pharmacopoeia of 

 India speaks favourably of the use of a decoction of turmeric 

 in purulent conjunctivitis ; he says it is very effectual in reliev- 

 ing the pain. In coryza he states that the fumes of burning 

 turmeric directed into the nostrils cause a copious mucous dis- 

 charge, and relieve the congestion. Murray remarks that it 

 is given by the native doctors in the diarrhoeas which are so 

 troublesome and difficult to subdue in atonic subjects. Baden- 

 Powell remarks that it is employed in " intermittent fevers and 

 dropsy. It contains much essential oil and starch and acts 

 as a stimulant and aromatic tonic. 



The root, parched, and powdered, is given in bronchitis in 



closes of grs. xxx to xl. (Civil Surgeon J. Anderson, M. B., 



Bijnor.) The smoke produced by sprinkling powdered haldi 



over burnt charcoal will relieve scorpion sting when the part 



affected is exposed to the smoke for a few minutes. A 



paste made of fresh rhizome is applied on the head in cases 



of vertigo. Fresh juice is cooling. Fumes of burning root 



is employed during hysteric fits. (T. N. Ghose.) Turmeric 



and alum in the proportion of 1 to 20, is blown into the ear in 



chronic otorrhoea. (Dr. Darasha H. Baria.) 



Turmeric contains about 1 per cent, of an essential oil. Cur cumin, the 

 yellow-colouring matter of turmeric, has been examined by several chemists, 

 whose experiments have led to the conclusion that its formula is either 

 C 10 H l0 O 3 or C 16 H l6 4 , that it melts at 172°, forms red-brown salts with alkalies, 

 is converted by boric or sulphuric acid into rosocyanine, by reduction with 

 zinc-dust into an oily body, by oxidation into oxalic or terephthalic acid, and 

 by fusion with potash into protocatechuic acid. (Pharmacogr. Ind. III. 412.) 



1237. Kcempferia galanga, Linn, h.f.b.i., vi. 219 

 Roxb. 5. 



Sans. : — Chandra malika. 



Vern. : — Chandra mula (H. and M.) ; Chandii inula, humala 

 (B.) ; Katsjulam (Mai.) ; Katsjolan (Tarn.) ; Kachoram (Tel.). 



Habitat : —In the plains throughout India ; much cultivated 

 for its highly fragrant root of great commercial value sold in the 

 bazaars as Kachari in Bombay. (K. R. K.) 



An artomaic annual herb. Rootstock tuberous. Root-fibres 



