the treatment of malignant growths was founded on the use of wild Violets, at least as far back as James I, and that it is therefore desirable that in any inquiry into the subject wild Violets should be used, such as have been used for centuries, and not a recent cultivated Violet, as employed at the present time. In the light of the above remarks, the varieties officinal in the Continental Pharmacopoeias will be of interest. It will be noted that wild violets are officinal in the German and Swiss Pharmacopœias, and cultivated Violets in the Austrian.
(Peter Squire's Companion to the British Pharmacopœia, 18th edition (1908), pp. 1235-1236).
A syrup is made from the petals which is a favourite remedy for infantile disorders.
The root is a powerful emetic, and is frequently used to adulterate ipecac. A dose of from forty to fifty grains of the powdered root acts powerfully.
A principle called violine is present in all parts of the plant, analogous in external characteristics to the emetine of ipecacuanha, and possessing the same emetic properties. It is an alkaline substance, and forms salts by its union with acids; it is soluble in alcohol, but hardly so in water.
The flowers were used in olden times as remedies in many disorders, and were supposed to be especially serviceable to the eyes and in ague.
The seeds were formerly believed to counteract the effect of a scorpion's sting.
Syrup of violets is a favorite medicine for cough and hoarseness. The French make great use of violets in their confitures and household remedies ; and we have seen and partaken of a delicate sweetmeat composed simply of the violet flower prepared with sugar, yet retaining its delicious perfume. (Sowerby's English Botany).
101. V. cinerea, Boiss, h.f.b.i, i. 185.
Vern. : — Banafsha (Sind. and Pb.)
Habitat:— Dry hilly region of the Punjab and Sindh.
