Flora Medica

APOCYNACE.S:.fevers.Blume considers that several different kinds of Strychnos arebrought into the market, under the name of Lignum colubrinum, to representthis ; especially that of S. Ntu; vomica, and probably of S. minor.1116. S. potatorum Linn, suppl. 148. Roxb. carom. i. 8. t. 5.ind. i.fl. 576. As. res. xi. 178. Mountains and woods of India.(Clearing Nut.)Leaves opposite, from ovate to oval, smooth, pointed. Corymbsfrom the extremities of the last year's shoots, small, bearing in ternaryorder many small, erect, fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers. Filamentsrather longer than in S. Nux-vomica. Ovary and contents as in thatspecies. Berry shining, black when ripe, 1-seeded. The ripe seedsare dried, and sold in every market, to clear muddy water. The nativesnever drink clear well water, if they can get pond or river water, whichis always more or less impure according to circumstances. One of theseeds is well rubbed for a minute or two round the inside of the vessel,generally an unglazed earthen one, containing the water, which is thenleft to settle ; in a very short time the impurities fall to the bottom,leaving the water clear, and so far as I have been able to learn perfectlywholesome. These seeds are constantly carried about by the moreprovident part of our officers and soldiers, in time of war, to enablethem to purifytheir water. They are easier to be obtained than alum,and are probably less hurtful to the constitution. Roxb. The nativesof India eat the pulp of the fruit when Dr. ripe. Roxburgh found itdisagreeable.1117. S. Ignatia Berg. mat. med. 149. JR. and S. iv. 548.Ignatia amara Linn, suppl. 149. Ignatiana philippinica Lour.fl. cock. i. 155 Philippine islands. (St. Ignatius' Bean.)A branching tree, with long, taper, smooth, scrambling branches.Leaves ovate, acute, stalked, veiny, smooth, a span long. Hooks none.Panicles small, axillary, 3-5-flowered ;with short, round, rigid pedicels.Flowers very long, nodding, white, smelling like Jasmine. Fruit smooth,pear-shaped, very small, the size of a Bonchretien Pear. Used successfullyin India as a remedy for cholera, under the name of Papeeta,but giddiness and convulsions are known to follow its exhibition, if givenin an over dose.1118. S. toxifera Schomb. MSS. Guayana.Stem climbing, densely covered with long, spreading, ferruginous,harsh hairs ; attaching itself to other plants by means of the hooked orgyrate ends of its young shoots. Leaves rough with coarse hairiness,quintuplenerved, roundish and obtuse, or ovate-oblong and shortlyacuminate. Fruit large and round. This plant has been ascertainedby Mr. Schomburgk to furnish the basis of a celebrated poison, calledWooraly, Woorari, Ourari, or Urari, in Guayana. According to Dr.Hancock, the bark, applied externally, is a good remedy for foul ulcers ;in his opinion it is one of the most potent sedatives in nature, and,could it be safely managed, would no doubt become a valuable remedialagent in the treatment of convulsive and spasmodic disorders. Med.Gaz. xx. 281.1119. S. Tieute Lesch. in ann. mus. xvi. 479. t. 23. BlumeRumphia i. 66. t. 24. Java. (Tshettik or Tjettek.)A large climbing shrub. Root woody, as thick as a child's arm,530