Vol. III. No. 71. 



THE AGRICULTUKAL NEWS. 



423 



CASSAVA POISONING. 



The following correspondence in reference to 

 cassava poisoning has been published in the Barbados 

 Ojtfir'ud Gazette of December 19, 1904:— 



The Governor directs the publication for general infor- 

 mation of the following cori-espondence with reference to 

 a case of cassava poisoning which recently occurred in 

 Barbados. 



By command, 



(Sgd.) S. W. KNAGOS, 



Colonial Secretary. 



Colonial Seen'tary, Barhnilos — to the Imperial Commis- 

 sioner of Affrieultitre. 



November .3, 1901. 



Sir, 



With reference to the previous correspondence on the 

 subject of cassava poisoning, and to your letter No. B. 1,018 

 of March 27, 1903, I am directed by the Governor to forward 

 to you the enclosed copy of a minute made by the Coroner of 

 District ' A ' on the proceedings at an inquiry into a recent 

 death from that cause. 



His Excellency will be glad to be favoured with your 

 observations on the minute of .Mr. Coroner Biiggs. 

 I have, etc., 



(Sgd.) S. W. KNAGGS, 



Colonial Secretary. 



Ifote made hij Mr. K. F. Briggs, Coroner, Diatriet ' A,' 

 on the x>^'oeeedings of an inqvest into the came of death of 

 a lot/, Theo2:ihilns Taijlor— Verdict, ^ Accidental Death' — 

 Came of death, 'Cassava foisoninrj.' October 21, 190Jf. 



Note:— It is frequputly stated by witnesses when 

 deaths occur from eating roasting cassava (always when not 

 thoroughly cooked) that if roasting and poison cas.sava grow 

 closely side by side, the roasting cassava takes up some 

 of the poison from the poison cassava. Again, it is stated 

 that the roasting cassava gets a ' spring in it ' and that 

 makes it poisonous. I notice in the Hints and Information 

 ■in regard to Cassava Poisoning, * issued by the Imperial 

 Department of Agriculture for the West Indies, that no 

 allusion is made to these probably mistaken notions, and 

 1 would suggest that some authorized experiments might be 

 carried out to test the truth or falsehood of this. 



(Intld.) N. F. B. 



October 28, 1904. 



Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture — to the Colonial 

 Secretary, Barbados. 



December 12, 1904. 

 Sir, 



I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your 

 letter No. 1,-586 of November 3 last, in which you enclose 

 copy of a minute made by the Coroner of District ' A ' on 

 the proceedings at an inquiry into a recent death from 

 cassava poisoning. 



In reply to the request contained in the 2nd. paragraph 

 of your letter under reply, I may mention that I have given 



*A copy of the Leaflet (Nu. 7) on Cassava Poisonhig 

 liu!)lished by the Imperial Department of Agriculture, which 

 alsii contains hints as to the immediate treatment of sufferers 

 nntil medical aid is available, may be obtained //re on appli- 

 cation to the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, Head 

 Clflice, Barbados. 



careful consideration to the minute made by Mr. Briggs. 

 There are apparently no grounds for the supi)osition ' that 

 if roasting and poison cassava grow closely si<le by side 

 the roasting ca.ssava takes up some of the poison from the 

 poisonous cassava.' There can be no direct connexion 

 between the two plants, and it is imiio.ssible that the poison 

 can pass through the soil from the poisonous cassava to the 

 sweet. 



It is well known, as the result of actual experiment, that 

 if roasting cassava is planted under favourable conditions the 

 amount of prussic acid contained in the roots may be 

 increased. For instance, an experienced planter at Jamaica 

 states : ' The soil has a great effect on cassava. I have seen 

 sweet cassava turn quite bitter in .some lands, the variety 

 called " Mexico " being especially apt to change in this way.' 



The second point noticed by Mr. Briggs is that the 

 roasting cassava gets a ' spring in it ' and that makes it 

 poisonous. If by the ' spring in it ' is meant that the plant 

 starts into second growth after heavy rain, it is probable that 

 certain changes may take place inducing an increase of the 

 poisonous quality. 



What probably happens when persons die from eating 

 sweet or roasting cassava is that it is either too old or it has 

 been removed from the fire before the whole of the acid has 

 been driven off; in consequence it produces symptoms of 

 poisoning more or less acute accorcling to the amount of 

 cooking it has received. Usually those who die from cassava 

 poisoning in this island are ill-fed and neglected children. 

 This class is most difficult to reach, and I can only suggest 

 that the sympathy and co-operation of all who^ are in 

 a position to bring the necessary information within reach 

 of those concerned may be fully enlisted. This was the 

 object of the Leaflet No. 7 recently published by this Depart- 

 ment. Several thousand copies of this leaflet were distributed 

 in Barbados and other parts of the West Indies. 



The important point to dwell upon is that sweet or 

 roasting cassava is only really wholesome when the roots are 

 not too old and when they have been cooked until they are 

 quite soft. If the exterior portion only is soft and the 

 centre is hard, the probability is that the latter is more or 

 less poisonous and should not be eaten. Further, it is 

 important to bear in mind that cassava after it has become 

 cold, or is allowed to stand for some time after it is cooked, 

 may become unwholeso)ne and not fit to eat unless it is 

 cooked a second time. 



I suggest that it might be useful if a copy of your letter 

 and enclosure and also of this letter were published in the 

 Official Gazette and that slips be struck ott' and distributed 

 through the Educational Department to all the schools in 

 the colony. 



I have, etc., 



(Sgd.) D. MOKBIS, 



Commissioner of Agriculture. 



Coin/ of a minute hy the Governor. 



Hon. Colonial Secretary. 



Correspondence to be published and my obligation 

 expressed to the Commissioner. 



The great point to emphasize in this matter is thorough 

 cookinc. °This is well understood in West Africa where large 

 quantifies are consumed and its poisonous properties under 

 certain conditions well understood. 



(Intld.) G. T. C. 

 December 12, 1904. 



