N. O. ASCLEPIADEyE/ 
815 
The following is a resume of the trials reported to the Indigenous Drugs 
Committee : — 
Captain Cliilde, who used the minimum doses of the tincture, reported that 
the drug was found useful in acute and subacute dysentery, but that in cases 
of chronic diarrhcea uo good effect was observed, Lieutenant-Colonel hailer 
reported that in 30 grains dose the drug acted as an efficient emetic in one 
case. Captain Waters reported that it was tried in two cases of mild 
dysentery and appeared to have a slight effect. Captain K. Prasad reported 
that the powder is a good substitute for ipecacuanha in dysentery and that 
the tincture is not so efficacious as the powder. Civil Surgeon Maddox 
reported that an initial dose of 5 grains of the powder first given produced 
violent vomiting and purging. The pul vis should be given at first in small 
doses gradually increased. The tincture given in 30 m. doses produced 
vomiting and purging. Iu 20 m. doses it however had not that effect, the 
dose should be gradually increased. Lieutenant-Colonel Bartholnmcusz re- 
ported that he tried pulvis C. procera! in two cases, of dysentery, but with no 
satisfactory results. Major Crawford reported that the drug was tried in 
several cases where ipecacuanha would otherwise have been administered 
and the results have not been very satisfactory. Major Macnamara re- 
ported that it was tried in a few cases, but no good effects were noticeable. 
Assistant Surgeon Ganga Singh reported that the tinc ture and powder of 
0 procera have been used in bronchitis and dysentery and have been found 
efficacious. Major Powell reported that the tincture has been prescribed as 
a tonic and stomachic for debility and impaired appetite in five cases in 
doses of 20 m. with satisfactory results. 
Ohemicul composition.— The authors of the Pharmacograpbia state, that 
by following the process of Duncan, 200 grammes of the powdered bark of C. 
gigantea yielded nothing like his mudarine, but 2'4 grammes of an acrid resin 
soluble in ether and alcohol. The latter solution reddens litmus ; the former 
on evaporation yields the resin as an almost colourless mass. When the 
aqueous liquid is separated from the crude resin, and much absolute alcohol 
added, an abundant precipitate of mucilage is obtained, and the liquid now 
contains a bitter principle, which after due concentration may be separated 
by means of tinnic acid. Similar results were obtained by exhausting the 
bark of 0. procera with dilute alcohol. The tannic compound of the bitter 
principle was mixed with carbonate of lead, dried, and boiled with spirit of 
wine. This after evaporation furnished an amorphous, very bitter mass, not 
soluble iu water, but readily so in absolute alcohol. The solution is not 
precipitated by an alcoholic solution of acetate of lead. By purifying the 
bitter principle with chloroform or ether, it is at last obtained colourless. 
This bitter matter is probably the active principle of Calotropis ; we ascer- 
tained by means of the usual tests that no alkaloid occurs in the drug. The 
large juicy stem, especially that of 0. gigantea, ought to be submitted to an 
accurate chemical and therapeutical examination, List's usclepione (Gmelin's 
Chemistry XVII., 368,) might then be sought for. (Op. cit„ 2nd Ed., p. 426.) 
Drs. Warden and Waddell (1881) commenced an examination of Madar root 
bark in Calcutta, and obtained a substance crystallizing in nodular masses, 
