226 THYMEL^ACEM 



The bark consists of an outer suberous portion which is of 

 a light-brown colour and divided by numerous transverse and 

 longitudinal fissures, so that it can be easily separated, and of an 

 inner layer which is white, tough, and silky like Mezereon. The 

 wood-cells are easily separated and form pretty microscopic 

 objects, as they are beautifully transparent. The taste is acrid. 



Chemical comiJosition . — The fresli bark was beaten into a 

 paste in -a mortar, and the mass divided and placed m two 

 bottles, one containing ether and tlie other spirit of wine ; tney 

 were both shaken occasionally and the mixture allowed to 

 macerate for 24 hours. The ether extract was filtered off and 

 evaporated at a very low temperature until a thick, green, 

 greasy substance was left. This was washed with warm water 

 and a small piece placed upon the skin of tke arm and spread 

 so as to cover a space the size of a rupee. In about two hours 

 irritation of the skin was produced, and, on removing the 

 co\eringof the arm, it was found that several small blisters had 

 formed under the extract and -extending beyond it. J-"® 

 alcoholic tincture was then removed by Alteration and carelully 

 evaporated at a gentle heat. The residue contained very bttle 

 of the green- coloured resinous matter, but a large quantity o 

 saccharine substance, which was non-cryStalline. This extrac 

 was applied to the skin as in the previous experiment, but the 

 application was followed by only a slight reddening due to tne 

 small amount of resin in the dried extract. The resin appears 

 to be the source of the vesicating principle of the bark. 1* ^ 

 an acid reaction in neutral solvents, is soluble in ammonia 

 with a yellowish-brown colour, and is associated in the etherea 

 extract with a fatty base which facihltates its use as a blistering 

 agent. 



The roots of Daphne oleoides, Schreh., Eoyle Bly i^ »!' 

 are used in Afghanistan as a purgative. Aitchison {'Flora of 

 Kuvam Valky) says : '* Camels will not eat this shrub except 

 when very hungry. It is poisonous, producing violent 

 diarrhoea. I feel certain that much of the mortaUty of camels 

 in the Kuram Division was due to the prevalence of thii 

 shrub." 



