N. 0, COMPOSITE. 
717 
According to Barbara, a drachm of the dried flowers taken 
internally, cures jaundice (Ilort- Jamaica, 1. 72). 
In Bengal (Dumraon) the oil is considered by the ryots as a 
valuable remedy for itch. A cure is said to be effected after 3 
to 6 applications. The young green plant is said to be very 
efficacious in colds. It is believed to keep the system warm 
The charred oil is used for healing sores and for rheumatism. 
As a veterinary medicine the oil occasionally finds use in healing 
sores on cattle. 
The oil of the seed is used as medicine in the United Pro- 
vinces. The meal of the cooked seed is called harira and is 
considered a curative and specific for colic pain. 
In the Central Provinces the oil extracted by the dry hot 
method is employed as a salve for sores on cattle. 
In Sind, the seed is employed as a cooling medicine (thadhol ) ; 
it is sometimes boiled and made into gruel. The oil is Considered 
a mild purgative. (Agricultural Ledger 1904 — No. 11). 
The seeds and fruits contain about 30 per cent, oil, but owing to the 
thick husk, only 17 or 18 per cent, of the oil is obtainable by pressing. The 
kernels constitute about 40 per cent, of the seeds and can only be removed by 
special machinery. The composition of the seed and the undecortieated and 
decorticated cako have been shown by Dr. Leather. 
Seed. 
Undecortieated 
Decorticated 
cake. 
cako. 
Moisture 
7-49 
8-79 
8-49 
Oil 
... 81-84 
9-84 
9-80 
Albuminoids 
... 13-31 
16-06 
32-75 
Carbohydrates 
... 1866 
27-23 
21-19 
Fibre 
... 26-31 
33-83 
2017 
Ash 
2-39 
425 
7 60 
100-00 
100-00 
100-00 
The oil obtained by expression in the cold is pale yellow in colour, and 
is used for culinary purposes. It has good drying powers and although it 
cannot replace linseed oil it should certainly form a substitute for it in many 
instances and find extended use in the manufacture of soft soap. 
A dark coloured empyreumatic oil is prepared from the seeds by a simple 
process of destructive distillation. This is used for the preservation oMeather 
buckets and ropes exposed to the action of water. 
Orossley-and Le Sueur in 1898 examined several samples of safflower oil 
obtained from various districts, and their constants are thus summarised: 
Specific gravity, 0'9251 to 0 9280; saponification value, 187-2 to 193-3 ; iodine 
