200 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS. 
122. Zanthoxylum veneficum, Zazley, N.O., Rutacez. (Suppt. to 
Queensland Flora.) — 
The bark possesses a peculiar tingling, hot taste, like aconite. 
Numerous experiments were made with extract of the bark upon 
dogs, cats, rats, frogs, and grasshoppers. It acts upon the spinal 
cord, increasing the reflex excitability, and finally paralysing the 
cord. It poisons grasshoppers, while strychnine has no action 
upon them. It tetanises frogs, even when applied to the skin. In 
its physiological action it resembles strychnine. The following 
may be taken as a typical example of the effect of this substance 
upon warm-blooded animals :— 
Four grains of the alcoholic extract suspended in five minims 
of water and five of spirit were injected under the skin of a large 
cat. Immediately afterwards, the cat was uneasy, would lie down, 
then raise itself, walk a little, and lie down again. In eighteen 
minutes a tremor of the head and ears was noticed, the pupils were 
dilated, locomotion. was affected ; the animal could only walk a 
yard or so, in astiff, awkward way. In twenty minutes the tremors 
were frequent, and power to walk almost gone. In thirty minutes 
there were convulsive contractions of the fore limbs and muscles 
of the chest ; a strong light would not alter the iris. In thirty- 
three minutes the lips were livid, and tetanic convulsions com- 
menced; during one of these attacks the respiration is very 
laboured, inspiration stertorious, the head hangs down, and the 
cat jerks itself. backwards ; directly after, the spasm goes off, the 
cat lies down exhausted. In forty-five minutes there was a tetanic 
spasm every minute, and the animal was expected to die every 
convulsion. In fifty-five minutes tetanic spasms last about a 
quarter of a minute ; inspiration extremely laboured and prolonged, 
with wheezing. At times no air can be inspired, and the chest 
becomes collapsed. In sixty minutes the cat jumped and fought 
for breath in a frightful way, and died. The heart could be felt to 
beat regularly for two minutes afterwards. Four hours after death 
there was rigor mortis, the right side of the heart was empty, and 
the left ventricle firmly contracted ; the intestine was bloodless and 
_ contracted. 
