( 34 ) 
Ipecacuanha is prepared from the dried roofs of 
the plant which yield only about one per cent, of 
the drug, consisting of the three alkaloids, emetine, 
cephaeline and psychotrine. 
The present market price of dried root is 8s. per lb. 
Uses . — The pure alkaloids and an extract of the 
roots are used in medicine. The principal alkaloidal 
constituent, emetine, is used largely as a specific 
for dysentery. 
General . — Although ipecacuanha has been grown 
successfully in this country, particularly in Selangor 
and Johore, it should be noted that there is only 
a limited demand for this drug, and any attempt 
to cultivate the plant on a large scale would have 
the effect of reducing its market value considerably. 
Further, its cultivation requires much labour and 
supervision and, therefore, the plant is costly to 
grow on anything approaching a field scale. 
TOBACCO. 
(Nicotiana spp.). 
The tobacco plant is an erect annual, 4 to 7 feet 
high, with viscid leaves and stems. The varieties 
now cultivated originated from Nicotiana Tabacum 
and Nicotiana rustica, indigenous to South America. 
The dried, cured leaves constitute the tobacco of 
commerce. Tobacco is one of the most widely culti- 
vated crops, being grown on a larger or smaller 
scale in most countries possessing the requisite 
climatic conditions. 
Cultivation . — Tobacco grows best on alluvial or light 
sandy loams, rich in potash, lime and humus, heavy 
