N. 0. SCITAMINE/E. 
1251 
of its yellow colour. The editor of the Pharmacopoeia of 
India speaks favourably of the use of a decoction of turmeric 
in purulent conjunctivitis ; he says it is very effectual in reliev- 
ing the pain. In coryza he states that the fumes of burning 
turmeric directed into the nostrils cause a copious mucous dis- 
charge, and relieve the congestion. Murray remarks that it 
is given by the native doctors in the diarrhoeas which are so 
troublesome and difficult to subdue in atonic, subjects. Baden- 
Powell remarks that it is employed in “ intermittent fevers and 
dropsy. It contains much essential oil and starch and acts 
as a stimulant and aromatic tonic. 
The root, parched, and powdered, is given in bronchitis in 
doses of grs. xxx to xl. (Civil Surgeon J. Anderson, M. B , 
Bijnor.) The smoke produced by sprinkling powdered haldi 
over burnt charcoal will relieve scorpion sting when the part 
affected is exposed to the smoke for a few minutes. A 
paste made of fresh rhizome is applied on the head in cases 
of vertigo. Fresh juice is cooling. Fumes of burning root 
is employed during hysteric fits. (T. N. Ghose.) Turmeric 
and alum in the proportion of I to 20, is blown into the ear in 
chronic otorrhcea. (Dr. Darasha II. Baria.) 
Turmeric contains about 1 per cent, of an essential oil. Curcumin, the 
yellow-colouring matter of turmeric, has been examined by several chemists, 
whose experiments have led to the conclusion that its formula is either 
C 10 H 10 O 3 or C 16 H 1S 0 4 , that it melts at 172°, forms red-brown salts with alkalies, 
is converted by boric or sulphuric acid into rosocyanine, by reduction with 
zinc-dust into an oily body, by oxidation into oxalic or terephthalic acid, and 
by fusion with potash into protocatechuic acid. (Pharmaeogr. Ind, III. 412.) 
1237. Koempferia galanga, Linn, h.f.b.i., vi. 219 
Roxb. 5. 
Sans. : — Chandra malika. 
Vern . : — Chandra mula (H. and M.) ; Chandu mula, lmmala 
(B.) ; Katsjulam (Mai.) ; Katsjolan (Tam.) ; Kachoram (Tel.). 
Habitat : —In the plains throughout India ; much cultivated 
for its highly fragrant root of great commercial value sold in the 
bazaars as Kachari in Bombay. (K. R. K.) 
An artomaic annual herb. Rootstock tuberous. Root-fibres 
