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INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.

in it from the minute traces of berberine which the plant is supposed to contain. I think also that this drug is useful where there is an acid diarrhœa, due to an acidity of the intestinal canal or acid dyspepsia. It is useful in relieving the symptoms of rheumastism. There is another preparation of this plant—the succus (juice), fresh prepared from the fresh plant. It acts as a powerful diuretic. It is prescribed by ancient Hindu physicians in gonorrhœa with advantage. Considering that in the earlier stages of gonorrhœa we now try to reduce the acidity of urine by alkaline mixtures, it is probable this drug acts by reducing the acidity of urine in gonorrhœa. Dose of the succus 2-3 drams in water, milk or honey, thrice daily." (See Congress Proceedings, Melbourne p. 947. 1889).

In the Bombay Druggists' shops the starch of Gulwel is found not unoften adulterated. "I was supplied not once, but several times, with the English-made powder of Zea Mays—our common Makâ (corn-flour) for the Satwa of Gulwel. Sometimes I was given masses of the common Attah (wheat flour)." (See K. R. Kirtikar's Presidential Address 5th All-India Ayurvedic Conference, Muttra, 1914, p. 14).

Speaking of its employment as an antiperiodic, Waring states, that he employed it in twenty cases of ordinary quotidian fever in Burma; and in each case it prevented the accession of the cold stage, but it did not appear to diminish the severity, or prevent the regular return of the hot stage, a peculiarity, he adds, not observed by him in the use of any other remedy of the same class. Gulancha is also regarded by the natives in certain parts of India as a specific for the bites of poisonous insects and venomous snakes.


41. Anamirta Cocculus, W. and A. h. H. F.B.I., I. 98.

Syn. A. Paniculata, Colebr. Menispermum cocculus, Linn.

Habitat:—Eastern Bengal; Khasia hills; Assam; and from Concan and Orissa to Ceylon, up to 2,000 ft.

Sansk.:—Kâkamâri.

Vern.:—Kâkamâri (H. and B.); Kâkaphala; Vâtoli (Bomb.);