N. 0. OtJOURBITAOE®. 
587 
Uses : — Every part of this plant is remarkably bitter, the 
fruit is violently cathartic and emetic. The juice of the roasted 
young fruit is applied to the temples by the natives to cure 
headache. The ripe seeds either in infusion or substance, are 
used by them to vomit and to purge (Roxburgh), In Bombay, 
the leaves are used as an external application to sores in cattle. 
In dog-bite, the pulp of the fruit is given with water ; it causes 
vomiting and purging. The juice is applied to different kinds 
of bites, and the dried fruit is used as a snuff in jaundice. The 
root with equal parts of Jaaund root (Hibiscus rosa-linensis) 
and Hemid^smus, is given with milk, cumin and sugar in 
gonorrhoea (Dymock). 
In the Indian Pharmacopoeia, it is described as a bitter tonic 
and diuretic, and is recommended in splenic enlargements. 
The kernel of the seeds forms the only vegetable emetic in 
India which is equal to Ipecacuanha, in the same quantity. In 
smaller doses, it is expectorant and also demulcent, owing to 
its containing albumen and oil. It has a great control over 
dysentery. I have used this drug and also Ipecacuanha, separ- 
ately, iu several cases, in the same manner and doses, and 
found it to be at least quite equal to the latter. The dose of 
the kernel as an emetic is from 20 to 30 grains, as a nauseant, 
from II to 15 grains, and as demulcent and expectorant, from 
5 to 10 grains. When the kernel is rubbed and mixed with 
water, it forms a greenish white emulsion, which is the only 
form in which I have yet used it. (Moodeen Sheriff). 
The seeds ^re small (17 weigh one gram,), black, irregularly pitted and 
two-lobed at the base. On extraction with ether the seeds yielded 20 per 
cent, of a light green oil. The expressed oil is yellowish-white in colour and 
solidifies at the ordinary tempearature in England (60° Fah., 16-60° O.). 
Physical and chemical characteristics. ...Fat : Specific gravity at 100°, 
O'OSfiS ; acid value, OS^; saponification value, 229'2 ; Reichert-Meissl value, 
18‘1 ; titration number of insoluble volatile acids, KOH 0‘88 ; iodine value, 
40 - 12 ; unsaponifiable, 1'09; butyro-refractometer at 26°, 73°. Fatty acids 
(insoluble) : per cent. 82-3; melting point, 441; iodine value, 41.9 ; neutra- 
lisation value, 216 ; mean molecular weight, 260‘9. (A. K. Menon, 1910.) 
534. L. echinata , Roxb. h.f.b.i., ii. 615; Roxb. 699. 
Vem. : — Kukar-wel (Bomb.); Juug-thoree (Sind.) ; the seeds: 
Wa-upla-bij (Guz.) ; Deodagri (Mar.). 
Habitat : — Guzerat ; Sind ; Bengal ; Bombay. 
