N. 0. PLUMB AQINEiE. 
739 
Roxburgh says: — “The specific distinguishing marks be- 
tween two species, according to my observation, depend on the 
racemes and bracts, color not being a specific mark.” 
Uses : — Mentioned by Sanskrit and Mahomedan writers as an 
abortifacient and vesicant. 
The bruised root of this plant is, in its natural state, acrid 
and stimulating, but when tempered with a little bland oil it 
is us?d as an external application in rheumatic and paralytic 
affections ; it is also prescribed internally in small doses for the 
same complaints, in combination with some other simple pow- 
der (Ainslie.) 
The vesicant properties of the root of this plant were known 
to the old writers, but it was O’Shaughnessy who first tried 
this drug in between thr.ee hundred and four hundred cases, 
and found out that the root-bark, being rubbed with water into 
a paste and applied to skin, raised blisters within twelve or 
eighteen hours; and that it can be used as a cheap substitute 
for Cantharides, with the additional advantage of causing no 
irritation of the genito-urinary organs. When administered 
internally it acts as a stimulant, and in large doses as an acro- 
narcotic poison. “ It is one of the articles in use amongst the 
natives for procuring abortion. For this purpose, the scraped 
root-bark is introduced per vaginam into the os uteri.” Death 
is often the inevitable consequence of the use of this substance 
in the manner specified. The root is also used as a powerful 
sialogogue. In South India, the dried root is highly valued as 
a remedy for secondary syphilis and leprosy (Pharm. Ind., p. 
169). See K. R. Kirtikar’s remarks in his Poisonous Plants 
of Bombay. 
Dr. Waring found that it caused more pain than an ordin- 
ary blister, and that the resulting vesication was less uniform, 
and not always easily healed. From what I have seen of its 
use, I am inclined to support Dr. Waring’s opinion (Dymock). 
“The milky juice is useful in ophthalmia” (Asst.-Surg. T. N. 
Ghose. The milky juice is useful as an external application 
for scabies (Surg. Mukerji.) Its vesicating properties have been 
successfully utilized in curing certain cases of leucoderma 
(Surgeon-Major Gray, in Watt’s Dictionary). 
