N. 0. LILIAOEiE. 1303 



gradually increasing the dose to 15 grains. There were no bad 

 effects, but, on the contrary, my appetite improved, and I felt 

 distinctly more active and stronger. I have been using it in 

 my practice during the last sixteen or seventeen years, and 

 consider it to be a pretty good tonic and stomachic. Dose 

 from 5 to 12 grains three times daily." In Bombay, it is 

 supposed to be an anthelmintic, and is accordingly frequently 

 administered to cattle affected by worms. In Madras, it is 

 believed to be specific against the bites of poisonous snakes, 

 and the stings of scorpions, and is also used as an external 

 application in parasitical affections of the skin. Surgeon-Major 

 Thomson, CLE., has kindly furnished the following information 

 regarding its utilisation in Madras : — 



" There are two varieties of this plant. The root of one 

 plant divides dichotomously, that of the other does not divide 

 at all, but appears as a single piece shooting into the ground. 

 The former is supposed by the natives to be the male plant, 

 the latter the female. The male root is gathered during the 

 flowering season, cut up in thin slices and soaked in butter- 

 milk to which a little salt is added. In this composition it is 

 soaked by night and dried by day for four or five days. It is 

 eventually dried well and preserved. By this process, its poi- 

 sonous properties are said to be removed. When so prepared, 

 and administered by giving a piece or two internally in a case 

 of cobra bite, it is said to be an effectual antidote in cobra 

 poisoning. It is called in Tamil ' Katharum cheddy? In scor- 

 pion and centipede stings and bites, relief is obtained from the 

 pain by applying a paste of the root rubbed up with cold water 

 and then warming the part affected over the fire. This paste 

 is applied also for parasitic affections of the skin." 



The starch obtained from the root by washing is given 

 internally in gonorrhoea. 



Notwithstanding its characteristic appearance, the tuber 

 is occasionally employed as an adulterant of the roots of 

 Aconitum ferox, to which, indeed, it is believed to be closely 

 allied in therapeutical properties.— (Watt Die. Ec. Pro. Ind. III. 

 507.) 



