44.0 ASCLEPIADEA. 
» A re-examination of the drug by one of us (D. H.) shows 
that both the leaves and root contain an alkaloid, Tylophorine, 
which is crystalline and forms a crystalline hydrochlorate. 
The solution of the alkaloid is precipitated by tannin, iodine 
in potassium iodide, potassio-mercuric iodide, perchloride of 
mercury, picric acid, volatile and fixed alkalies. The alkaloid 
in a free state is very soluble in ether and alcohol, but only 
partially in water. With sulphuric acid it dissolves with a 
reddish colour changing to,green and indigo. With HNO® it 
dissolves with a purplish red colour. Fréhde’s reagent gives a 
deep sap-green solution. Sulphuric acid and K*Cr*O’ a dirty 
violet. The leaves afford 15 per cent. of mineral matter. 
Tylophora fasciculata, Ham. Wight Ic., t. 848, Bhui- 
dodi (Mar. ), is abundant in the Southern Concan, and is used 
as a poison for rats and other vermin. Lyon (Med. Juris. for 
India, p- 453) records the following ease in which it proved 
fatal to man:—* A Mahometan family, consisting of six adults 
and a servant-boy, at. about fourteen, were attacked'soon after 
a meal with symptoms of poisoning, the servant-boy died in 
about two. hours. The others were seen the next morning, 
when they complained of dryness of the throat, great thirst, 
and a feeling of soreness over the whole body. Their pupils 
| were dilated, and pulse full and slow. They stated that soon 
after taking their mid-day meal on the previous day, they felt 
- some tingling sensation in the mouth, followed by dryness of 
es the tongue and throat and giddiness, and loss of power over. 
: - the extremities. After this they became insensible. Three 
“ of them vomited aud recovered consciousness at about 8 P. M.; 
the other three remained insensible till midnight. On post- 
inortem examination of the body of the boy, the following 
ces were noted :—Face bloated, tongue and eyes 
slightly protruding, veins of the neck turgid. Lungs engorg- 
ed; right side of the heart full, left empty- Slight conges- 
r. ‘A'small patch of redness on the mucous 
ch. ~ Accabell 1 in this case, it was ——— ye: 
