576 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
is also stated that the milky juice of the plant is applied locally 
to the os uteri, with the view of inducing abortion. Facts in 
support of the alleged emmenagogue properties of the papaw are 
still wanting. It is not within the scope of this work to con- 
sider the alleged power of the juice of the papaw to lessen the 
cohesion of the muscular fibre, or, in homely language, to render 
tough meat tender. The subject, which is discussed in extenso 
by Sir W. J. Hooker ( Bot . Mag. Nos. 2998 and 2999), Dr. Wight 
(Must., vol. ii., p. 34, et seq.), and Dr. John Davy ( Edin . Med. 
Phil. Mag., Oct., 1855) must still be regarded as sub-judice. 
(Ph. Ind.). 
Papaw leaves contain an alkaloid Garpaine, which has 
been used as a heart tonic and febrifuge. 
From Papaw juice is extracted Papain, which is a white, 
or whitish, amorphous powder, possessing a solvent action on 
animal proteids. A five per cent, solution of Papain is stated 
to dissolve false membrane in diphtheria, and to be a good 
application to warty epitheliomatous growths. 
Injections of {-2 grains and upwards have been success- 
fully used in scirrus and other malignant tumours (B. M. J. 
1906, Vol. I., p. 1439 et seq., also 1907, Vol. I. p. 135). 
The leaves contain an alkaloid Carpaine,* which crystallises in anhydrous, 
colourless, lustrous prisms melting at 121°, and resolidifies at about 90°; on 
further heating, it undergoes partial decomposition, some subliming in 
colourless needles. The alkaloid is extremely soluble in chloroform and 
carbon bisulphide, more sparingly in light petroleum and alcohol, and in- 
soluble in water; in alcoholic solution it is dextrorotatory, [a]D=+21'55°. 
The base does not give a colour reaction with sulphuric acid either alone or 
in presence of bromine water or vanadic anhydride ; with potassium 
chromate and sulphuric acid, a green coloration is produced, nitric acid 
gives no reaction. The formula of the alkaloid, is C 14 H 2S N0 2 . 
Carpaine does not react with benzoic chloride or acetic chloride, but, 
on treatment with acetic anhydride, a compound is formed which has not 
yet been investigated. Ammonia and an acid free from nitrogen are formed 
by the oxidation of carpaine with sulphuric ac'd and potassium permanganate. 
— J. Ch. 8. LX1V. at I. 1893, pp. 740 741. 
On methylation, carpaine yields methylcar paine, crystallising from dilute 
alcohol in small colourless prisms, melting at 71°, benzoylation of nitrosocar- 
* The alkaloid is contained in leaf epidermis and to a lesser extent in the 
underlying parenchyma, epidermis of leaf stalk. 
