S A BIN A. 151 



On Man. — Oil of Savin, the active principle of the herb, is a 

 powerful local irritant ; when applied to the skin, it acts as a 

 rubefacient and vesicant. On wounds and ulcers its operation 

 is that of an acrid (not chemical) caustic. Swallowed in large 

 doses, it occasions vomiting, purging, and other symptoms of 

 gastro-intestinal inflammation. In its operation on the system 

 generally, it is powerfully stimulant. Savin, says Sundelin 

 (Heilmittellehere, bd. ii. 8, 180), operates not merely a 

 irritants generally do, as a stimulant to the arterial system, but 

 it also eminently heightens the vitality of the venous systnn, 

 the circulation in which it quickens. It next powerfully stimu- 

 lates the absorbing vessels and glands, the serous, the fib us, 

 and the mucous membranes and the skin. It operates as a 

 specific excitant and irritant on the kidneys, and yet mor< 

 obviously on the uterus. The increased secretion of bile, and 

 the augmented volume of the liver, both of which conditions 

 have sometimes been observed after the copious and long-con- 

 tinued use of Savin, appear to be connected with its action on 

 the venous system. Mohrenheim {Murray, App. to Mat. Med.) 

 mentions the case of a woman, thirty years of age, who swal- 

 lowed an infusion of Savin to occasion abortion. Violent and 

 excessive vomiting was induced. After some days she expe- 

 rienced excruciating pains, which were followed by abortion, 

 dreadful hemorrhage from the uterus, and death. On examina- 

 tion, the gall-bladder was found ruptured, the bile effused in 

 the abdomen, and the intestines inflamed. The popular notion 

 of its tendency to procure abortion leads, on many occasions, to 

 the improper use of Savin. Vogt states that it has a tendency 

 to induce an apoplectic state in the foetus. Chri.tison (op. cit.) 

 states that Savin acts as an irritant poison, and not as an abor- 

 tive ; that delivery can never be obtained by the use of this 

 plant without jeopardizing life, and it will destroy life without 

 producing the effect intended. Violent pain in the abdomen, 

 vomiting, and strangury are the chief symptoms of poisoning 

 by this plant. 



