186 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS. 
thicker, and they have an oily savour joined to slight astringency 
and acidity, not at all disagreeable. If you cut or tear them 
there issues a little white, thick juice, which is without acridity.” 
Dr. Marsset then gives, in more or less detail, reports of 
twelve cases, and adds: ‘‘Of the twelve patients who were the 
subjects of the above reports, eleven suffered from crises of 
dyspnoea, with or without euphysema and chronic bronchitis. In 
some the respiratory distress followed pulmonary disease, in others 
it preceded all other symptoms. All these patients derived the 
greatest benefit from the Euphorbia; some of them seemed to be 
radically cured under its use.”’ 
I now quote Dr. Marsset’s conclusions, and commend the — 
whole of his paper to the consideration of my readers :— 
1. The active principle of Z. prlulzfera is soluble in dilute 
alcohol and water, insoluble, or but little soluble in ether, 
chloroform, bisulphide of carbon and essence of turpen- 
tine. 
2. It is toxic in doses to small animals, killing them by arrest of 
the respiratory movements and cardiac pulsations, which 
are first accelerated, then slowed. 
3. Its effects are not cumulative. 
4. It seems to act directly on the respiratory and cardiac centres. 
It leaves intact the other organs. 
. It seems to be eliminated by the liver. 
. Locally, it is without action on the skin and mucous mem- 
branes, except the gastric mucous membrane, which it 
irritates. 
7. It gives good results in attacks of dyspnoea caused by 
spasmodic asthma, emphysema or chronic bronchitis. 
It ought to be employed in daily doses, corresponding at the 
most to one gramme of the dried plant, and should be taken well 
diluted with water at meal-time. 
These conclusions are based upon reports which are given at 
fairly full length. Whether the conclusions are fair deductions 
Nn vi 
from the reports is purely one for medical men to decide; asa 
layman, I do not presume to offer an opinion. 
Queensland and Northern Australia. 
