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Rh " . . . I have generally used the medicine during the period of the menses, commencing from two days before its appearance (when the pain precedes the flow) three days during the flow and two days after its cessation. In case of no premonitory pains, the medicine is given from the first day of the flow for seven days successively with equally good results.

'A single administration daring the menses generally cures the disease and brings on conception in young married women

"Attempts have been made to administer the drug in the more acceptable forms of tincture, pill or powder, but none prove so efficacious as the fresh viscid sap in substance, in which form I have used it with wonderful results.

"Menstrual disorders, and notably the varieties of dysmenorrhœa, are very prevalent in this country, and it seems nature has supplied it with a simple efficacious medicine by endowing the roots of an indigenous plant with such singular virtues. It is noteworthy that the roots branch out in numerous tender offshoots, superficially under the ground, and can be easily taken out in abundance."

Dr. J. H. Thornton considers that it is useful in the congestive and neuralgic varieties of dysmenorrhea, and that it regulates the menstrual flow and acts as an uterine tonic. It should be given during menstruation, with black pepper. The dose is said to be half a drachm of the fresh viscid juice of the root-bark (Am. Journ. Med. Sci., p. 276, 1873).

The infusion of fresh leaves and stems in cold-water is demulcent, and very efficacious in gonorrhœa (Surgeon Meadows, in Watt's Dictionary.)

Vern. : — Nipal tunth (Beng.) Of the bark : — Bandoq-ke- jhár-ki chhal (Dec.) ; Tain-pûchli-pattai (Tam.) ; Udrik-patta (Tel.) ; Rudrakshi (Kan.).