114 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
the treatment, of malignant growths was founded on the use 
of wild Violets, at least as far back as James I, and that it is 
therefore desirable that in any inquiry into the subject wild 
Violets should be used, such as have been used for centuries, 
and not a recent cultivated Violet, as employed at the present 
time. In the light of the above remarks, the varieties officinal 
in the Continental Pharmacopoeias will be of interest. It will 
be noted that wild violets are officinal in the German and 
Swiss Pharmacopoeias, and cultivated Violets in the Austrian. 
(Peter Squire’s Companion to the British Pharmacopoeia, 
18th edition (1908), pp. 1235-1236). 
A syrup is made from the petals which is a favourite 
remedy for infantile disorders. 
The root is a powerful emetic, and is frequently used to 
adulterate ipecac. A dose of from forty to fifty grains of the 
powdered root acts powerfully. 
A principle called violine is present in all parts of the 
plant, analogous in external characteristics to the emetine of 
ipecacuanha, and possessing the same emetic properties. It 
is an alkaline substance, and forms salts by its union with 
acids ; it is soluble in alcohol, but hardly so in water. 
The flowers were used in olden times as remedies in many 
disorders, and were supposed to be especially serviceable to the 
eyes and in ague. 
The seeds were formerly believed to counteract the effect 
of a scorpion’s sting. 
Syrup of violets is a fayorite medicine for cough and 
hoarseness. The French make great use of violets in their 
confitures and household remedies ; and we have seen and 
partaken of a delicate sweetmeat composed simply of the violet 
flower prepared with sugar, yet retaining its delicious perfume. 
(Sowerby’s English Botany). 
101. V. cinerea, Boiss, H.F.B.I., I. 185. 
Vern. : — Banafsha (Sind, and Pb.) 
Habitat ' — Dry hilly region of the Punjab and Sindh. 
