'42 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



Cinchona contains a large number of alkaloids of which the following are 

 more important: Citichon'm, CjgH,,N,0, qtdnamin, C^gH^^N^O.,, quinin, 

 ^20^24^202' hydroquinin, Q^^U^^iip/ arkin, C^gH^gN^O^. AnoUier alka- 

 loid belonging to this group is disinchonin, Q^^H^^li^O^. Javanhi, 

 C, H„gN,0^, occurs in Calisaj'a bark. The Cuprea bark (Remijia pedunculata) 

 from the U.S. of Colombia is also used in the manufacture of quinine and 

 contains cinchonanin, C^gH„^N20. The partridge berry {Mitchella repens) 

 is a tonic. Gambier (Uncaria) of the East Indies is used for tanning. The 

 root of ipecac (Psychotria Ipecacuanha) of Brazil is a systemic emetic used 

 as a remedy in dysentery and contains emetin, C^j-H^gNgO. and cephaeliu, 

 Cj^Hj^NO.,. Madder (Rubia tinctorum) of the Levant and Southern Europe 

 is used for dyeing and contains a red coloring matter, ali::arin. The Morinda 

 citrifolia contains a yellow coloring principle inorindin. The cape jasmine' 

 (Gardenia jasminoides) also contains a yellow coloring resembling crocin. 



Coffee obtained from the Coffca arabica and other species, contains the 

 chemical principle caffein C^H^qN^O^. This is the same as thein. This sub- 

 stance occurs in a large number of plants including cocoa (Theobroma Cacao), 

 cola {Cola acuminata), yopan (//c^ Cassine), mate (/. paragueusis), Sterculia 

 platani folia, Paullinia Cupana. 



Green seeds of Coffee arabica contain 1.22 per cent of caffein or thein 

 CgHjpN^O^, the young leaves of Chinese tea 2.12 per cent. Caffeidin 

 C_H.„N.O is obtained from caflFein. Caffein causes the heart to beat more 



7*2 4 



Kig. 432. Cinchona (Chiiicliotin Imicifolm). A 

 native of Peru and one of tlic species furnisliing 

 the Peruvian hark of commerce. (From Stras- 

 hurgcr, Noll, Sclicnci< and Schinipcr). 



forcibly; it is a cerebral stimulant, producing wakefulness and restlessness; in 

 lower animals it produces excitement and mania. From a toxicological point it 

 is a spinal and muscle poison to the frog. In dogs and mammals it causes 

 restlessness, and in dogs it produces vomiting. The minimum fatal dose ac- 

 cording to Winslow is 1 gr. to 1 lb. of live weight. 



