98 



producing some local anresthesia. It acts as a heart poison, and also as a 

 powerful'stimulant to the spinal cord (in frogs), causing a tonic spasm somewhat 

 resembling that produced by strychnine. 



A 2-5 per cent, solution (in almond oil) produced no anresthetic effect when 

 rubbed on the skin, and it has been found generally to possess but little penetra- 

 tive power, at all events in the form of this solution. When, however, the same 

 solution is applied to the tongue, moderate local anresthesia is produced, accom- 

 panied by a feeling of numbness and coldness, and much salivation. 



In attempting to utilise the local anaesthetic effect of piperovatine, the want 

 of penetrating power, the temporary character of its action, and, above all, its 

 property of causing salivation, have interfered with its successful employment in 

 the minor operations of dentistry. The solution of piperovatine in almond oil 

 has, however, given promising results in affording temporary relief in painful 

 superficial lesions. 



It would therefore seem to be worth while to follow up in therapeutic trials 

 the analogies, suggested by these preliminary experiments, of the physiological 

 action of piperovatine to that of strychnine, cocaine, pilocarpine, and pipeline. 

 It is also clear that the action of piperovatine is very similar to that of the 

 medicinal pellitory, the Anacydus Pyrethrum of the Fharmacopceia, and it 

 might be useful to determine how far this similarity can be traced, and also 

 whether Piper ovatum or its alkaloid piperovatine could be used medicinally in 

 the place of pellitory. 



Research Laboratory, 



Pharmaceutical Society, London, 



Imperial Institute Road, 



London, S.W., 



25111 July, 1895. 



Sir, 



I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 10th July, 



and of a sample of Sisal fibre. 



I have sent some of the fibre to our Expert for Fibres, and shall 



have much pleasure in communicating to you his opinion,, when 



obtained, together with the results of its chemical examination in the 



Research Laboratory of the Imperial Institute. 



I am, 



Yours faithfully, 



F. A. ABEL, 

 J. 11. Hart, Esq., F.L.S., Secretary <t Director. 



Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, 

 Trinidad. 



Imperial Institute Road, 



London, S.W., 



th August, 1895. 



Sir, 



The sample of fibre prepared from the leaves of Ayave rigida var. sisalana, 

 to which your letter of the 10th July refers, has been submitted to thorough 

 chemical examination in the Research Department, according to the method 

 adopted for determining the value of fibres, and I send you herewith the 



