Asteracantha (Barleria) longifolia.
Nees.
Talmakháné, Gokshura (Hind.), Kolsí (Duk.), Kánta-koliká (Beng.), Tálmakhánáh (Punj., Kash.), Nir-mulli (Tam.), Niru-gobbi (Tel.), Vayal-chulli (Mal.), Kolava-like (Can.), Tál-makháná (Mah.), Ikkiri (Cing.), Súpadán (Burm.).
39. The whole of this plant, common in moist sites throughout India, but especially the root, which in the dried state is sold in the bazaars, enjoys a high repute amongst the natives as a diuretic in Dropsical cases, which European experience has, in a great measure, tended to confirm. It may be given in the form of decoction, prepared by boiling one ounce of the root in a pint of water for ten minutes, straining, and taking the whole in divided doses during the day. The following is advised by Baboo Kanny Lall Dey: Take of freshly dried Asteracantha leaves, two ounces; Distilled Vinegar, 16 ounces; macerate for three days; press and strain. Of this, the dose is from one to three tablespoonfuls in water thrice daily.
40.
Atis, or Atees.
The root of Aconitum heterophyllum, Wallich.
Atís (Hind.), Atviká (Duk.), Atis, Batis, Patis (Punj.), Mohand-i-guj-saféd, Hong-i-saféd (Kash.), Ati-vadayam (Tam.), Ati-vasa (Tel.).
41. Atís, as met with in the bazaars, occurs in the form of small tuberous roots, tapering towards a point, from one to one and a half inches or more in length, and from three-eighths to a quarter of an inch in thickness; grey externally, slightly wrinkled longitudinally, and marked here and there with rootlet scars, easily friable; internally white, farinaceous, inodorous, and of a pure bitter taste, devoid of acidity or astringency. This last character serves to distinguish it from all other roots sold under the same name. Every root should be broken across, and all which are not pure white, with a short, starchy fracture and pure bitter taste, should be discarded. Further, if on placing a small piece on the tongue it cause a feeling of tingling or peculiar sensibility, followed by even the smallest degree of numbness or altered sensibility, it should on no account be used. Mr. Boughton discovered in it an alkaloid to which he gave the name of Atisine.
42. The chief use of Atís is in the treatment of Intermittent Fever and other periodical fevers, and in these it often proves most valuable. It should be given in doses of half a drachm (30 grains), mixed with a little water, every four or six hours during the intermissions, commencing its use during or towards the close of the sweating stage. For children the dose may be reduced one-half, or three-fourths, according to age. For combating the Debility after Fevers and other diseases, Atís is an excellent tonic, in doses of five to ten grains thrice daily.