2-2b 



found 23 to 30 per cent, of it in them, and it appears to be veiy 

 similar in its proj^erties to physic nut oil, viz., drastic purgative. 



A veiy interesting point remains to be alluded to, viz., 

 Bitter Cassava poisoning and its reputed antidotes, which I espe- 

 cially mention as it seems a piece of research for both chemists 

 and medical men, offei'iiig great scientific inter'est to the 

 investigators, and a great probable benefit to the cassava 

 consuming jijblic. 



Last year Dr. Peckholt, in analysing bitter cassava, is 

 reported to have isolated, in addition to the already well known 

 prussic acid, manihotoxin, a second long suspected poison, as well 

 as a fei-mentation-hinderer, which he calls septicolytin, on which 

 probably depends the antiseptic effects of cassaripe. 



Persons or animals poisoned by eating the roots do not die 

 before twelve to twenty-four hours aftei- the effects of 

 manihotoxin. Persons or animals poisoned by diinking the 

 expressed (and fermented) water (which ferments very rapidly) 

 die almost instantaneously ; as suddenly, some of them, as if 

 struck by lightning — the effects of prussic acid. 



The treatment recommended by de Grosourdy in cases of 

 poisoning from eatin<j the roots is (1) evacuate the stomach by 

 means of emetics (2) give a purgative but not a weakening one, 

 and (3) tvy Kx\^\jiQ(Bixa frelJiana, L.) powder by the teaspoonful 

 — more or less — from hour to hour as required, or (4) repeated 

 doses of \ to 1 teaspoonful of grated Secua-nut (Fevillia cordifolia, 

 Sw.) in wine or rum, and if weakness follows, give several glasses 

 of rum or strong wine fortified with cinnamon, nutmeg, or other 

 stimulant : all the while the body should be rubbed all round 

 with warui flannels. 



Other reputed antidotes are (a.) mint water and salt of 

 ■ivonmvood mixed (Browne in Lunan.) The Guiana Indians are 

 said to give (b.) a mixture of red pepper bruised in rum. A Brazil 

 remedy is (c.) first a dose of ipecac, and then the juice or poxoder 

 of a, plant called Nhainhu (? Nhandiroba. Port. — secuaj (d.) the 

 exj)7'essed jnice of fresh arrowroot ( Maranta indica, Juss.) Avhilo 

 (e.) the venerable scientist, Dr. Mitchell, C.M.G., tells me he has 

 heai"d of the expressed juice of the tender shoots of the pigeon 

 pea Cajaiius indica, Spr.) being given by repeated cupfuls as au 

 antidote. 



These antidotes seem to merit a careful experiinental trial, 

 and I hope some medical or other member will investigate the 

 matter and give the public a reliable antidote, for this too common 

 source of poisoning accidents. 



E. D. EwEN. 



