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ed doses." (Dr. A. J. Amadeo, in Pharmaceut. Jour. Ap. 28. 1888.)
According to Muhammadan writers, the milky juice is a good application to offensive sores ; a poultice of the leaves with salt cures scabby affections, and without salt may be applied to bruises, etc. In the Konkan, the root rubbed down with rice water is given as a remedy for monorrhagia. (Dymock.)
Regarding the chemical composition of this and of P. urinaria, Linn., the authors of the Pharmacographia Indica write : —
Chemical composition.— The alcoholic extract from the whole plant was mixed with water acidulated with sulphuric acid, and agitated first with petroleum ether,then with ether, and finally rendered alkaline and re-agitated with ether.
The petroleum ether extract was dark-coloured, and soft, with a tea-like odour, and extremely and persistently bitter. It was mixed with 3 per cent, caustic soda solution and re-agitated with petroleum ether, which removed the bitter principle contaminated with traces of oil and colouring matter. This extract gave the euphorbon colour reaction when treated with sulphuric and nitric acids. For the bitter neutral principle, we propose the name of pseudochiratin.
The acid ether extract contained green colouring matter, and was partly soluble in water with acid re-action, the solution giving a dirty bluish-green coloration with ferric chloride, slightly precipitating gelatine, but affording no re-action with cyanide of potassium.
The alkaline ether extract contained an alkaloidal principle, which, after purification, was obtained in white feathery crystals without any special taste. With Frohde's re-agent it gave a light yellowish-red coloration, changing to blue on heating ; with concentrated nitric acid, yellowish. No re-action with dichromate of potassium and sulphuric acid.
1135. P. distichus, Muell. Arg., h.f.b.i., v. 304.
Syn. :— P. longifolious, Jacq. Roxb. 684.
Sans. : — Lavani.
Vern. : — Harfarauri, chalmeri (H.) ; Noari, loda, fruit— hariphûl (B.) ; Narkulî (Uriya) ; Cherambola (Goa) ; Arunelli (Tam.) ; Râcha usirike (Tel.) ; Kirnelli (Kan.) ; Nelli (Malay).
Habitat : — In gardens throughout India.
A deciduous tree. Bark, says Gamble, grey ; smooth, very rough, says J. D. Hooker. Wood light-brown, moderately hard, 20-30ft., quite glabrous; with very robust branches and slender leafy branchlets, l-2ft., terete below, angular above, mostly