EUPEOBBIAOEJt:. 277 



According to Dr. H. Stillmark, the seeds contain Bicin, the 

 poisonous principle of Castor seeds (see Bicimis). 



Toxicology. — Christison (Poisons, p. 591) found from 12 to 

 15 drops to have generally the same effect as an ounce of Castor 

 oil. Stille and Maisch remark that it is more like Croton oil 

 in its action. The acrid emetic j^rinciple resides chiefly in the 

 embryo. It is stated that if the embryo is whoUy removed, 

 four or five of the seeds may be used as a purgative without 

 producing either vomiting or griping. This opinion is sup- 

 ported by experiments upon dogs. A nimiber of cases have 

 occurred of poisoning by eating the seeds entire. In one case, 

 a man who had eaten five of them soon complained of burning 

 in the mouth and throat, and the whole abdomen felt distended 

 and sore. In a few minutes vomiting occurred^ and was repeated 

 five times in the course of an hour, accompanied vrith active 

 purging. The pain continued; the patient complained of 

 feeling hot and giddy; he then became delirious, and afterwards 

 insensible. On regaining consciousness several hours later his 

 face was pale^ his hands cool, the pulse 110 and weak. Ho 



recovered. 



poisomn 



recorded in India, and Chevers mentions one in which, in 

 addition to the usual symptoms, muscular twitchings, deafness, 

 impairment of sight, and loss of memory were observed. 



Jatropha multifida, Liun., SalM. HoH. Paradis., 



t, 9], the Medicinier d'Espagne of the French, and Coral 



I 



tree of the English, is a common ornamental shrub in Indian 

 gardens ; it is not used medicinally, and only recLuires a brief 



w 



notice on account of its seeds, which arc powerfully purgative 

 and emetic, sometimes giving rise to accidents when eaten by 

 children. The plant is easily recognised by its multifid leaves 

 and beautifvil, red coral-like panicles of flow^ers. The fruit is 

 bright-yellow when ripe, as large as a walnut, six-angled and 

 three-celled, each cell contains a scabrous black seed resemblin<r 

 that of /, Ciircas. We have found limejuice and stimulants to 

 be the best remedies in cases of poisoning by the seeds. The 



