N. 0. EUPHORBIACEÆ. 1163
M. B., Chittur.) " Used in scabies and ringworm, also internally as a carminative." (Surg.-Maj. F. F. L. Ratton, Salem.) " The root possesses purgative properties ; the leaf-juice is a safe,
useful emetic, especially adapted for children." (Surg.-Maj. F. M. Houston, Travancore, and Mr. John Gomes, Trivandrum.) "The juice of the fresh plant is given to children as an emetic in f> to §1 doses." (Apoth. F. Norman, Chattrapur, Ganjam.)
"This plant is called in Kanara chalmari as well as kûppi (the latter word means a ' heap,' the plant being found in waste places and rubbish heaps). The natives use it in congestive headaches : a piece of cotton is saturated with the expressed juice and inserted into each nostril, relieving head symptoms by causing hæmorrhage from the nose. The powder of the dry leaves is used in bed sores and wounds attacked by worms. In asthma and bronchitis T have employed it with benefit both in children and adults.
" Mode of preparation. — Macerate 3 oz. of the fresh leaves, stalks, and flowers, with a pint of spirits of wine, in a closed jar for 7 days, occasionally agitating the same. Strain, press, filter, and add sufficient spirits of ether to make one pint.
" Physiological effects. — In small doses it is expectorant and nauseant : in large doses emetic.
"Dose. — Minims 20 to 60, frequently repeated during the day in honey," (Surgeon-Major E. H. R. Langley, Bombay.) "One drachm of the expressed juice of the fresh leaves is an easy and rapid emetic in children. The bruised leaves are useful as an application to maggot eaten sores." (Surgeon W. D. Stewart, Cuttack)
" The root, bruised in hot water, is employed as a cathartic, and the leaves as a laxative in decoction mixed with common salt. The leaves are used in scabies, and mixed with chunam in other cutaneous diseases (Drury)."
Chemical composition. — The whole plant of A. Indica was dried at a low temperature, reduced to powder, and exhausted with 80 per cent alcohol. The alcoholic extract was mixed with water, acidulated with sulphuric acid, and agitated with petroleum ether, and ether ; the solution was then rendered alkaline and agitated with ether. During agitation with petroleum ether, a quantity of dark matter separated, which was partly soluble in ether, and in alkalies, and contained much colouring matter. The petroleum ether extract
