Jatámásí, Bal-chír (Hind., Punj.), Jhatá-mansí (Duk.), Játámámsí (Beng.), Bhút-jatt, Kúkil-i-pót (Kash.), Jatámáshi (Tam., Tel.), Jetá-mánchi (Mal.), Jetá-mávashí (Can., Mah.), Jatamánsi, Jaramánsi (Cing.).
183. These roots, met with in most bazaars, occur in the form of short pieces of an underground stem, about the thickness of a goose quill, covered towards its tapering extremity, or almost entirely, with coarse, dark, hairlike fibres; odour, peculiar and fragrant; taste, aromatic and bitterish. In selecting specimens for medical use, care should be taken that they are fresh and of good quality; much of the drug sold in the bazaars being old, worm-eaten, and worthless.
184. Jatamansi is held in high repute by the natives as an antispasmodic, and trials made with it by Europeans tend to show that in this character it is a good substitute for the officinal Valerian; hence it is worthy of trial in Hysterical Affections, especially in Palpitation of the Heart, Chorea, Flatulence, &c. It may be given in infusion (2 drachms of the bruised root to half a pint of boiling water, macerated for an hour and strained), in doses of a wineglassful twice or thrice daily. A Tincture was ordered in the Bengal Pharmacopœia (5 ounces of bruised Jatamansi, Proof Spirit, 2 pints), of which the dose is from 1 to 2 drachms. In all cases it may be advantageously combined with camphor, ammonia, and other remedies of the same class.
185.
Kala-dana.
The seeds of Pharbitis Nil, Choisy.
Kálá-dánah (Hind., Punj.), Kali-zirki-ká-bínj (Duk.), Kálá-dáná, Nil-kolomi (Beng.), Hub-úl-níl (Punj., Kash.), Kodi-kakkatán-virai, Jiriki-virai (Tam.), Jiriki-vittulu, Kolli-vittulu (Tel.).
186. Kala-dana seeds are black, angular, a quarter of an inch or more in length, weighing on an average about half a grain each, having the form of the segment of an orange; of a sweet and subsequently rather acrid taste, and heavy smell.
187. The powdered seeds, in doses of from 30 to 50 grains, act as a safe and effectual purgative, forming an excellent substitute for Jalap, though not quite so active in its operation. When the ingredients are available, the following powder is preferable to the powdered seeds by themselves: Powdered Kala-dana seeds, 7 drachms; Rock Salt, or Cream of Tartar, 7 drachms; powdered Ginger, 1 drachm. Rub them well together in a mortar, and pass the powder through a fine sieve. Of this, the dose, as a purgative for an adult native, is from 60 to 90 grains. Somewhat smaller doses suffice for Europeans.
188.