Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/88

838 larger in the false than in the genuine seed. The longitudinal, rod-like thickenings, which form the wall of the hair in each case, show a slight difference. In the genuine seed these thickened parts usually remain coherent at the tip of the hair, but in the false they frequently separate and show a slight curvature at the extreme end. These insignificant differences, of course, are of no value in the examination of the powdered drag, and if the seed is entire it is easily distinguished by its lighter colour and the ridge round the edge, as well as the complete lack of any bitter taste. Since there is no significant difference in microscopic characters, a short series of experiments was made to try to find a chemical test whereby the false seed could be detected. Since it was required to distinguish the false seed, the positive tests for strychnine were, of course, valueless, since a mixed powder would give these reactions. Transverse sections were cut and examined under a simple lens and also under the microscope while being treated with various reagents. The reagents used included strong nitric acid, a mixture of strong nitric and sulphuric acids, 50 per cent, sulphuric acids, 50 per cent, sulphuric acids with potassium dichromate, potassium hydroxide solution, B, P. strong solution of iron perchloride, and solution of iodine and potassium iodide. No difference was observed in Aie reactions of the two seeds with these reagents.

As the published accounts of the genus Strychnos give very meagre details with regard to the seeds, it has not yet been possible to assign the false seed to its species, although its structural identity with that of Strychnos Nux-vomica leaves no doubt that it is a species of Strychnos."

Uses : — Acording to the authors of the Pharmaeographia Indica Vol. II p. 459), " no mention of Nux- Vomica can be found in the older Sanskrit medical works. + + We can hardly suppose that a plant having such marked poisonous properties can have escaped the notice of the earliest settlers in India, and there can be no doubt that the wood has been in use from a very early date as one of the kinds of Mushadi in Southern and Western India. We also find that in the Indian Archipelago, which was colonised at a very early date by the Hindus, the wood is used as a popular remedy for dysentry, fevers, and Dyspepsia." " Nux Vomica seeds produce a sort of intoxication, for which they are habitually taken by some natives as an aphrodisiac. Those who do so gradually become so far accustomed to this poison that they often come to one seed daily, which is cut into small pieces and chewed with a packet of betel leaf. Medicinally, the seeds are used in dyspepsia and diseases of the nervous system" (Hindu Mat. Med.) The author of Makhzan-ul-Adwiya recommends great caution with regard to the medicinal use of Nux Vomica, and says that it is very useful