602 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
Uses . — The expressed-juice of the thick tap-root of this 
plant is used by the native physicians (kavirajes) as an adjunct 
to the metallic preparations prescribed by them in diabetes. 
I know several patients who were benefited by the juice. It is 
very desirable that its therapeutic action should be tested 
'U. C. Dutt). 
In the Concan, the root pounded with the juice of the leaves 
is applied as a lep to the whole body to induce perspiration in 
fever, the green fruit is chewed to cure sores on the tongue 
(Dymock). 
This is a favourite remedy with the native practitioners 
(London Exhibition, 1862). 
The bark of the root, dried and reduced to powder, is said 
to act as a good cathartic, in a dose of 30 grains (Taylor’s 
Topography of Dacca). \ 
The leaves, mixed with glii, are applied as a liniment to 
sores. The whole plant, bruised and mixed with the oil of 
Euphorbia nuriifolia and powdered cumin seeds, is adminis- 
tered by natives in special diseases (Atkinson). The leaves 
are applied externally in eruptions of the skin, and the plant 
internally in gonorrhoea (Balfour). 
547 . Gucurbita maxima, Duchesne, h.f.b.i., ii. 
622 . 
Vern . — Mitha kaddu (H.) ; Suphuru kfimra ( B.) ; Pushinik- 
kay (Tam.) ; G-ummadi-kaya (Tel.). The seeds : Lalabhopala- 
bija (Mar.) 
Habitat . — Cultivated throughout India. 
A large, climbing, hairy annual 'herb. Tendrils . 2-4- fid. 
Leaves 4-6in. diam., hispedulous and also with much soft 
hair, denticulate, with 5 shallow lobes or subenitire ; sinus 
between the lobes narrow. Hairs of the petiole equal, not 
pungent. Petiole often nearly as long as the blade. Flowers 
monoecious, all solitary, white, very large. Male flowers : — Calyx- 
tube green, campanulate, 5-lobed, hardly half-way down; stamens 
3, inserted low in the Calyx-tube ; segmeuts lanceolate-linear ; 
