CiNCHONALES.] 



CINCHONACE^. 



respiratory passages as an irritant, protlucing spasmodic asthma. In some cases the 

 mere odour of the root seems sufficient to excite difficulty of breathing, with a feehng of 

 suffocation. Similar properties are found in the roots of other Cinchonads of the sjune 

 country, as in Richardsonia rosea and scabra, Gcophila reniformis, Bon-erias, Sperma- 

 coce fenniginea and Poaya, &c. The Raiz Preta, which is celebrated for its power in 

 curmg dropsy, and in destroying the dangerous consequences of bites of serpents, is 



said to be related to Ipecacuanha. The spurious barks called Quinquina Piton are capa- 

 ble of exciting vomiting. The powdered fruit of Randia dumetonim is a powerful emetic ; 

 an infusion of the bark of the root is administered to nauseate in bowel complaints. 

 The bark of the root of Manettia cordifolia is esteemed in Bi*azil a most valuable remedy 

 in dropsy and dysentery. It is given in powder in doses of i to l^ di'achm, and acts 

 as an emetic. The fruit of Gardenia campanulata is regarded in India as a cathartic and 

 anthelmintic. The foetid leaves of Psederia foetida are used to medicate baths, and in 

 decoction are administered internally in retention of urine, and in certain febrile com- 

 plaints. According to Roxbm'gh, the root is used by the Hindoos as an emetic. The 

 roots of Chiococca anguifuga and densifoha, the one a Brazilian trailing herb, the other 

 a woody bush, are employed with confidence by the natives of Brazil as a certain remedy 

 for serpent bites. The infusion of the bark of the root produces the most -violent emetic 

 and drastic effects. In the words of Von Martins : — "iEgi'otus scihcet, e veneno languidus, 

 soporosus, \ix sui compos, ex quomedicinam sumserit,primum eructationibus creberrimis 

 et tantis motibus con\'ulsiA'is excruciatur, ut, licet exsanguis et quasi cum facie hippocra- 

 tica, sub summa virium labe in lectulum coiTuisset, ne imicum quidem temporis mo- 

 mentiun quietus maneri possit. Tandem post plm-imos et visu terribiles spasmos uni- 

 versales et corporis volutationes, in enormes rapitur vomitus, quibus salivam, bilem, 

 ch}Txium, immo foeces larga copia edit. Tunc accedunt subitanere alvi excretiones fiecum 

 quasi succo \ascido involutarum quae, si continua per aliquot temporis serie scse excipi- 

 ant, cum visibili segroti levamine, boni exitus pro indiciis habentur." Copious perspira- 

 tions follow, and these are succeeded by a gentle sleep. The violent action of these roots 

 renders them dangerous to employ, except in cases of poisoning, or in such maladies as 

 require a prompt and complete evacuation of the intestines. 



It may easily be supposed that secretions producing such powerful action as that just 

 described would, if a httle modified or augmented in force, become dangerous poisons, and 

 accordingly we find several species of Cinchonads included in the class of deleterious 

 agents. Sir R. Schomburgk assures us that Indians have been poisoned by using the 

 wood of Evosmia corymbosa to make .spits for roasting meat upon. — Jlool-cr's Journal, 3. 

 219. According to Roxburgh, the root of Randia dumetomm, bruised and thrown into 

 ponds where there are fish, intoxicates them like Cocculus indicus. Psychotria noxa, and 

 Palicourea Marcgraavii, both called Erva de rata, are accounted poisonous in Brazil, 

 where they and other species of the same genera are employed for the destruction of 

 rats and mice. Cephaelis ruellisefolia is venomous, and used for the same purpose. 



Fig. DVI.* — Richardsonia scabra. 1. an ovary with its calyx 

 seed, with an erect embryo in copious albumen. 



2. a corolla ; 3. a vertical section of a 



