is also stated that the milky juice of the plant is applied locally to the os uteri, with the view of inducing abortion. Facts in support of the alleged emmenagogue properties of the papaw are still wanting. It is not within the scope of this work .to consider the alleged power of the juice of the papaw to lessen the cohesion of the muscular fibre, or, in homely language, to render tough meat tender. The subject, which is discussed in extenso
by Sir W. J. Hooker (Bot. Mag. Nos. 2998 and 2999), Dr. Wight (Illust. vol. ii., p. 34, et seq.), and Dr. John Davy (Edin. Med. Phil. Mag., Oct., 1855) must still be regarded as sub-judice. (Ph. Ind.).
Papaw leaves contain an alkaloid Carpaine, which has been used as a heart tonic and febrifuge.
From Papaw juice is extracted Papain, which is a white, or whitish, amorphous powder, possessing a solvent action on animal proteids.- A five per cent, solution of Papain is stated to dissolve false membrane in diphtheria, and to be a good application to warty epitheliomatous growths.
Injections of -2 grains and upwards have been successfully used in scirrus and other malignant tumours (B. M. J. 1906, Vol. L, p. 1439 et seq., also 1907, Vol. I. p. 135).
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Carpaine does not react with benzoic chloride or acetic chloride, but, on treatment with acetic anhydride, a compound is formed which has not yet been investigated. Ammonia and an acid free from nitrogen are formed by the oxidation of carpaine with sulphuric acid and potassium permanganate. —J. Ch. S. LX1V. at I. 1893, pp. 740-741.
On methylation, carpaine yields methylcarpaine, crystallising from dilute alcohol in small colourless prisms, melting at 71°, benzoylation of nitrosocar-
- The alkaloid is contained in leaf epidermis and to a lesser extent in the underlying parenchyma, epidermis of leaf stalk.
