48 



that there is not any one of the substances contained in this infusion 

 tb at arrests the excretion of sugar, but evidently a combination of 

 thfm have this efPect, i.e., there seems no alkaloid in it which, when 

 given alone, has the power of influencing the amount of glucose in di- 

 abetic urine. Then how and why the fresh infusion act so 

 promptly ? The writer thinks that, just as a newly infused cup of tea 

 is an enjoyable beverage, not on account of the action of its alkaloid 

 theine alone, but because it contains, in addition, a mixture of a vola- 

 tile oil and tannin, so does tea from eucalyptus (which we know has 

 antiseptic properties) act in checking tissue metamorphosis, which is 

 80 active in this disease. 



The causation of glycosuria is still wrapped in mystery, but it is 

 prob ibly produced by a variety of causes, such as gout, cold, nervous 

 exhaustion, and over indulgence in food and drink In fact, any con- 

 dition which tends to limit or prevent the appropriation of sugar in 

 the blood, must lead to an excess of sugar in the blood, and thus to 

 glycosuria. In these cases, it seems that in the earlier stage the eu- 

 calyptus treatment will prove beneficial ; but where the disease has 

 been inherited, or where the patient's antecedents or immediate rela- 

 tives are neurotic (in which case the probable cause is a progressive de- 

 generation of the vaso-raotor centres of system which will disturb the 

 equilibrium of the blood- supply to the hepatic cells), this treatment, 

 like others, will be of no avail. And such has been the author's ex- 

 perience, for in 41 cases treated with eucalyptus, 11 came from talented 

 families or were neurotics; 7 were hard brain -workers, and 4 inherited 

 the actual disease. In these last 22 the eucalj^ptus treatment had no 

 effect. Add to these, 4 cases in which the disease had gone to the stage 

 of approaching coma before the treatment had been commenced, and we 

 get the total number of unsuccessful cases. The remaining 15 showed 

 a total disappearance of the disease and, so far as can be judged, are 

 completely cured. — Medical Annual, 1903. 



ANTIDOTE CACOON.* 



Note by Dr. Keid Hunt, of Johns Hopkins University. 



I find that the seeds contain a volatile oil which gives them pro- 

 perties similar to those of the balsams,— the famous Friar's Balsam, 

 for example, which was at one time used so much in treating wounds. 

 They also cause vomiting, which will explain in part at least, their 

 antidote properties. Whether these seeds possess these useful pro- 

 perties to a greater degree than other plants alrea-iy used in medicine 

 or not, it is impossible to say. It is certainly interesting to have them, 

 and if I find an opportunity I shall make a further investigation. 



* Fevillea cordifolia. 



[Issued 9th Feb., 1904.] 

 Printed at the Govt. Printing Office, Kingston, Jam. 



