N. 0. SCR0PHULARINE.E. 931
to Roxburgh) Flor. Ind., vol. i. 141), the juice of the leaves, conjoined with petroleum, is used in India as a local applica- tion in rheumatism. Whatever benefit is derived from this formula is dobutless due to the petroleum (Ph. Ind.).
A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves given to infants suffering from catarrh or severe bronchitis gives relief by causing vomiting and purging. 'Dr. U. 0. Dutt, in Watt's Dictionary).
In Pondicherry It is considered to be aphrodisiac, and in Ceylon, under the name of Loonoowela, it is prescribed in fevers. Fop the analysis the whole plant was used, dried at a low temperature and exhausted with 80 per cent, alcohol. The alcohol freed extractive was then agitated with petroleum ether ; ether from an acid solution, and again with ether from an alkaline solution, and finally with chloroform from an alkaline solution. Operating in this manner, a trace of oily matter was obtained, soluble in alcohol with acid reaction ; two resins, one easily soluble in ether, the other soluble with difficulty, but both soluble in alkaline solutions and reprecipitated by acids ; an organic acid, and a tannin affording a green coloration with ferric chloride. An alkaloidal prin- ciple was also isolated, soluble in ether and in chloroform, and affording a cherry red coloratiou in the cold with Frehde's reagent. No other reactions were noted. (Pharmacographia Indica, III. 9).
890. Guranga Amara Juss. h,f.b.i. iv. 275.
Habitat — Sikkim Himalaya ; Asssami ; Mishmi ; Oachar ; Chittagong ; Tenasserim.
A glabrous, diffuse annual. Branches slender, straggling, divaricate, rooting at the lower nodes, 2-3ft. long. Leaves 2-2 Jin., obtuse or acute ; petiole iin., slender. Racemes short, few-fid ; pedicels J-Jin. Calyx in flower £in., in fruit Jin. Outer sepals broadly ovate-cordate, membranous, reticulate. Corolla red brown. Capsule -g-in. diam., compressed. Foliage very bitter.
Use. — It is used as a febrifuge.
The bitter febrifuge Curangin, C 43 H 77 O 20 , may be extracted by means of ethylacetate. This glucoside is easily soluble in ethyl or methylalcohol, or in acetone or ethylacetate containing water ; 100 parts of water dissolve 0-18 part. The solutions are neutral. When heated at 100°, curangin loses 7-10 per cent of water, but the residue regains this amount on exposure to air. By the action of benzoyl chloride and sodium hydroxide solution, it forms
