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Physiology. — “On the physiological effects of derrid.” By E. H. 
vAN HasseLt, Surgeon in the Dutch Colonial Army, Assistant 
at the Pharmacological Institute at Utrecht. (Communicated by 
Prof. H. ZWAARDEMAKER). 
(Communicated in the meeting of November 26, 1910). 
Toebo, also called toeha or toewa, is a collective name for several 
vegetable poisons '); it is also called akar djenoe*). The toeba we 
mean here is derived from Derris elliptica Benth., a tropical climbing- 
plant belonging to the family of the Papilionaceae, the roots of which 
ave very poisonous. In an illustrated work ® of his, Gresnorr has . 
given a picture and a description of this plant. It grows in British- 
India, Indo-China, and the Indian Archipelago, and is also culti- 
vated there (e.g. in Western Java). The roots are especially used for 
catching fish. They are bound together in large bundles and taken 
down the river in boats by men, women, and children ; at a favourable 
spot the roots are squashed and thrown into the water and soon 
after this the fishes rise to the surface intoxicated and ave caught 
with the hand, in nets or also by means of harpoons *). The savage 
tribes of Malacca use as an arrow-poison *) the toeba, which has 
been decocted together with parts of various kinds of antiaris and 
strychnos; often arsenic is added to this decoction. Then the arrows 
are dipped into it, dried and shot from a blowpipe. Among the 
Dajaks these arrow-poisons are known as fpoe or Siren‘). A watery 
extract of the roots is used for exterminating insects. 
About this remarkable plant Grusnorr tells us as follows *): 
“At first the taste of the roots of this plant is slightly aromatic 
and astringent; afterwards remarkably anaesthetic, reminding one of 
cocaine, but with this difference tbat the taste has not entirely 
disappeared and that a peculiar feeling of cold is observed in the 
palate; moreover, on account of the diminished sensitiveness of the 
mucous membranes, it is as if one has a swollen tongue, which 
feeling is also experienced when speaking. This sensation continues 
for hours, sometimes for days. In the beginning there is an increased 
1) Dr. G. L. v. p. Bure. De voeding in Ned. Ind. Amst. 1904. p. 78. 
2) Indische Vergiftrapporten, den Haag 1902. p. 25. — De Cierca. Nieuw 
plantk. woordenb. voor Ned. Ind. Amst. 1909. p. 219. 
3) Gresuorr. Schetsen van nuttige Ind. planten. 3e Afl. No. 25. 
4) Dr. A. W. Nrsuwenuuts. Quer durch Borneo. J. Leiden 1907. 
5) Lewin. Die Pfeilgifte, Berlin 1894. p. 98. 
6) Geneesk. tijdschr. v. Ned. Ind. VII. 1859 p. 332. 
7) Gresnorr. Mededeel. ’s Lands Plantentuin VIL. Batavia 1890 p. 12 
