Icaja. Hither vomiting or death preceded by convulsions 
was the result. 
Although Strophanthus hispidus A. P.DC. of the Apo- 
cynaceae grew in many of the western countries, as well 
as in the Congo and Gabon, it was used primarily as an 
ordeal only in the latter regions. It was the inée or onage 
of the Gabon natives. 
The poison in this plant was contained in the seeds, 
which were ground up and added to water, the resulting 
decoction being fed to the accused person. 
Its active principles, the cardiac glycosides strophan- 
thin and ouabain produced effects somewhat similar to a 
combination of digitalis and curare. There was an intro- 
ductory irregularity of the heart and respiration followed 
by a gradual slowing of both until the heart finally failed. 
Convulsions immediately before death were frequent. 
Although Securidaca longipedunculata Fres. of the 
Polygalaceae grew in most of the western and coastal 
countries, it was used as an ordeal poison primarily in the 
Congo. 
The active principles are methyl] salicylate (CgsHgOs) 
and a saponin. They cause damage to the bone marrow 
and engender haemolysis in the blood. 
The general effects on the person were similar to the 
action of other ordeal poisons, except for the fact that 
certain people were more highly susceptible to it than 
others. This factor was undoubtedly highly influential 
in its retention as an ordeal poison. 
Present-day natives of the same area have established 
an interesting link with the days when this poison was 
in constant use. They now give it to persons possessed 
of evil spirits to cause the vomiting and purging which 
supposedly drives those spirits from the body. 
Several other plants which found use in the Congo as 
ordeal poisons are Combretum confertum Laws. of the 
[ 296 ] 
