N. 0. LILIACEjE. 
1303 
gradually increasing the dose to 15 grains. There were no bad 
effects, but, on the contrary, my appetite improved, and I felt 
distinctly more active and stronger. I have been using it in 
my practice during the last sixteen or seventeen years, and 
consider it to be a pretty good tonic and stomachic. Dose 
from 5 to 12 grains three times daily.” In Bombay, it is 
supposed to be an anthelmintic, and is accordingly frequently 
administered to cattle affected by worms. In Madras, it is 
believed to be specific against the bites of poisonous snakes, 
and the stings of scorpions, and is also used as an external 
application in parasitical affections of the skin. Surgeon-Major 
Thomson, C.I.E., has kindly furnished the following information 
regarding its utilisation in Madras : — 
“ There are two varieties of this plant. The root of one 
plant divides dichotomously, that of the other does not divide 
at all, but appears as a single piece shooting into the ground. 
The former is supposed by the natives to be the male plant, 
the latter the female. The male root is gathered during the 
flowering season, cut up in thin slices and soaked in butter- 
milk to which a little salt is added. In this composition it is 
soaked by night and dried by day for four or five days. It is 
eventually dried well and preserved. By this process, its poi- 
sonous properties are said to be removed. When so prepared, 
and administered by giving a piece or two internally in a case 
of cobra bite, it is said to be an effectual antidote in cobra 
poisoning. It is called in Tamil ‘ Katharum cheddy.’ In scor- 
pion and centipede stings and bites, relief is obtained from the 
pain by applying a paste of the root rubbed up with cold water 
and then warming the part affected over the fire. This p^ste 
is applied also for parasitic affections of the skin.” 
The starch obtained from the root by washing is given 
internally in gonorrhoea. 
Notwithstanding its characteristic appearance, the tuber 
is occasionally employed as an adulterant of the roots of 
Aconitum ferox, to which, indeed, it is believed to be closely 
allied in therapeutical properties. — (Watt Die. Ec. Pro. Ind. III. 
507.) 
