470) LOGANTACEA. 
Toxtcology.—Nux-vomica is seldom used as 2 poison in India, 
probably on account of the difficulty experienced in powdering 
it. In Bengal, from 1880 to 1887, out of a total number of 
1,766 cases of poisoning investigated by the Chemical Analyser 
to Government, only 3 were from nux-vomica. In the N.-W. 
Provinces and Oudh, during the same period, one case was 
observed in a total of 1,529 viscera examined. In the Punjab no 
case was recorded in a total of 1,871 viscera examined during the 
same period. In Madras, during the seven years from 1882 to 
‘1888, three cases of poisoning with nux-vomica were recorded, 
all three occurred in 1886, and in all the nux-vomica had been 
mixed with orpiment. In Bombay Dr Lyon remarks that poison- 
ing by nux-vomica is occasionally met with, the cases being 
pebialieally suicidal or accidental; in the ten years ending 1834 ° 
he records one.case of cattle poisoning by this drug. Among 
the causes leading to accidental poisoning may be mentioned 
the practise of nux-vomica eating, which many authorities state 
to be commonly practised in certain parts of India on account 
ofits stimulant and aphrodisiac properties. (See Ohevers’ Med. 
Juris. p. 241.) Nux-vomica has been found. by the Chemical 
Examiner at Madras to be sometimesadded to arrack to increase 
its intoxicating effect. Accidental cases of poisoning with nux- 
vomica bark have also been recorded owing to its substitution 
for Holarrhena bark by ignorant druggists. In a case which 
occurred in Calcutta in 1882, the death of a child was traced to 
Lo this substitution, and in a subsequent case, on a vendor’s stock 
cs of ecerekens bark being seized, about eo of it was 
1 to consist of nux-yomica bark. 
hue the introduction of Strychnine into India a asa medicine 
| i“ Europeans, it has been not unfrequently used as a poison, 
In Bengal the Chemical Examiner reported its detection in 
human viscera three times in 1880-81, once in 1881-82, | 
once in 1882-83, twice in the remaining nine months of 1883; _ 
three times in 1885, ‘and twice in 1886. In 1884 and es no ies 
¢ases occurred, makin : of 
ing in t 766 viseors 
