70

MATERIA MEDICA

       "Examined under the microscope by polarized light, cacao butter is
seen to consist of minute crystals. It is dissolved by 20 parts of boiling
absolute alcohol, but on cooling separates to such an extent that the liquid
retains not more than 1 per cent. in solution. The fat separated after
refrigeration is found to have lost most of its chocolate flavor.

       "Cocoa butter in small fragments is slowly dissolved by double its
weight of benzol in the cold (10° C.), but by keeping partially separates in
crystalline warts."

‡Sterculia fœtida, Linn. 125.

      Habitat.—There are several plants in the gardens of Madras.
Pretty common in Travancore.

     Parts Used.—The seeds (No. 125) and oil.

     Synonyms.—Of the seeds-Pínári-káy-virai, Pínári-virai, Kuddu-
rai-pudduku-káy-virai, Tam Gurapu-bâdam-chettu-vittulu, Tel. Of
the oil—Kuddurai-puddaku-káy -enney, Pínári-káy-enney, Pínári-
enney, Tam. Gurrapu-bádam-chettu-núne, Tel.

     Local Sources.—Neither the seeds nor the oil is sold in the bazaar,
but the former are procurable in some gardens at Madras in November
and December, and the latter can be extracted from the kernel of the
seeds

     Physiological Actions, Therapeutic Uses, Doses, and European Drugs
for which, they may be substituted.—Similar to those of the kernels of
Terminalia catappa.

     Remarks.—The seeds are black and oblong, about one inch in
length, and about the same in circumference. The kernel is generally
grey and sweetish in taste. The oil is of a pale yellow color, inodor-
ous, with a faintly sweetish taste. The seeds afford as much as 40
per cent of fixed oil which contains a large quantity of stearic acid.

‡Helicteres Isora, Linn. 126.

     Habitat.—Pretty common in Madras.

     Part Used.—The fruit or capsule.

     Synonyms—Marór-phallí, Hind. Marórí-kí-phallí, Duk.Valim-
bari-káy, Tam. Nuliti-káya, Syamili-káya, Ada-syamili-káya, Kávin-
chi-káya, Valimbari-káya, Tel. Valampari-káya, Malyal. Gasht-bar-
gasht, Pers.

     Local Sources.—Sold in some bazaars of Madras.

     Price.—Wholesale, Rs. 3 per maund; retail or bazaar, As. 2 per
pound.

     Physiological Actions.—Demulcent and mild astringent.

     Therapeutic Uses.— With other drugs in the griping of bowels and
flatulence of children.

     Preparation.—Simple powder prepared in the ordinary way.

     Doses.—From one to two drachms, two or three times a day.