OF MADRAS.3
a therapeutic agent. It is, however, much cheaper and more common
than all other varieties.
A few years ago I took the white variety of Bachnádg myselfi n
small quantities, and found that its internal use is not attended with
more danger than that of the European aconite root (Aconitum
Napellus). Since that period I have employed it very extensively in
my practice, and do not hesitate in saying that it is one of the most
useful medicines in India. Its beneficial influence over diabetes is
very remarkable, the immoderate flow of urine beginning to diminish
from the very day of its use with a proportionate decrease in the
saccharine matter. Its control over spermatorrhœa and incontinence
of urine is equally great. It has lately been found useful in some
cases of paralysis and leprosy. The advantages of this drug over all
other varieties of the Indian aconite root are that it is not only much
milder, but also more certain and uniform in its actions. The white
and hard variety, which I am speaking of, and which has just been
described, is quite different from the white and spongy variety men-
tioned in some books.
(b) The reddish-brown variety of the Indian aconite root (No. 2)
is the cheapest and most common, and is generally imported to Madras
from Calcutta. The price marked in the text is applicable to this
variety alone. It does not differ from the white variety in any res-
pect, except in its strength and internal color. It is stronger in its
action and taste, and I think contains more aconitine. The color of its
internal substance is generally reddish-brown, but sometimes deep grey
or yellowish-brown. I have also used this root very extensively, and
with almost the same results. Its doses are smaller as already ex--
plained. In consequence of the reddish hue of its internal substance,
it is often known in the bazaars of Madras as the red aconite root,
as follows :—
Lál-bachuág, Duk. Sen-nábhi or Shivappu-máblii, Tam. Erra-
nábhi, Tel.
(c) The Kálá- bachnág or black aconite root (No. 3) is dark-brown
externally, and shining black and horny internally. When it is very
dry and hard in the hot weather, it breaks with a shining fracture, but
the fracture is very rough and resinous in the wet and cold seasons.
The roots in this variety are generally smaller, thinner, and smoother ;
and some of them bear a great resemblance to a horn of a deer or goat.
The latter are, therefore, called the sînghyá-bis or horny aconite root.
The black variety is very rare and dear, and is not to be found at
present in Madras. The five roots of this variety in my Collection are
from Hyderabad, and their price is Rs. 2.
(d) The .Mīthá-zahar or sweet aconite root is the dearest and rarest
of all the large varieties of Bachnág. The only root of this variety
(No. 4) I was able to procure for the Collection is from Calcutta, and
its price is As. 8. I received it, however, under the name of Suféd-
bachmág, but on cutting and examining a small portion of it, I found
it to be a very good specimen of Mī t h á - z a h a r .
T h e w h i t e n e s s o f t h e
prominent portions of this root seems to have given rise to the above
mistake, as it does often, as already explained under the white variety
(a). The root, under consideration (Míthá-zahar) is generally more
shrunken, shrivelled, and depressed irregularly ;a n d
i s
s o m e w h a t s o f t