A. Diaphoretic, 19, 2; 78

C. It has been given with great advantage in syphilis, lepra, and other cutaneous eruptions, and has been found very efficacious in that species of cancer, so common among the natives of India, called lupus, Playfair, 173, '25, 1: 85.

Leprosy, Voss, 173, '26, 2: 409; Macnamara (Ind. Med. Gaz., '66), 135, 1: 410; 46,93.

Syphilis, obstinate ulcerations and skin diseases arising from the abuse of mercury, 46, 93.

Psoriasis. Duncan, 127, July, '29, 65.

I am prepared to agree with Mr. Playfair most fully as to the virtues of asclepias, called in Hindostan, mudar. I can also bear witness to its powerful effects as a sudorific in almost all cutaneous eruptions arising from obstructed perspiration and an apathy of the extreme vessels. Its action is quick and decided, causing a sense of heat in the stomach, which rapidly pervades every part of the system, and produces a titillating feel upon the skin from the renewed circulation through the minute vessels. It does not appear to be useful, or indeed admissible, where the affection is inflammatory, or the eruption pustular. The great and rapid determination it causes to the skin has an obvious tendency to in-crease those diseases. I have tried it frequently in lues venerea, but cannot venture to recommend it as a substitute for mercury; it will enable you to heal a chancre, but does not eradicate the poison. In the secondary symptoms, however, it is an admirable ally, superseding, by its certain efficacy, the exhibition of meze-reon, sarsaparilla, and other vegetables of doubtful utility. Where mercury has been used, but cannot be pushed safely any further, madar rapidly recruits the constitution, heals the ulcers, removes the blotches from the skin, and perfects the cure. Robinson, 147, 10: 32 The clinical experiments of Mr. Playfair, Dr. Duncan, and Dr. Royle, leave no doubt of the bark of the root being really efficacious in leprosy and in numerous diseases of the skin, O'shaughnessy.* The bark of the root, and the dried milky juice are the most efficacious parts, 19, 2: 78.

Remarks

The testimony in favor of Calotropis, called also Ascle-pias gigantea is certainly quite strong, and it is surprising that if it possesses even a portion of the virtues ascribed to it, that it is not better known and more generally used. I have used it to a slight extent, but not sufficiently to speak with confidence concerning it. The usual dose of the bark of the root is from one to three grains, two or three times a day. In overdoses it nauseates.