On the Seeds of the Cerbera Thevetia. 87 



then (as is common in those climates) in full bearing, loaded 

 with blossoms and fruits, both ripe and unripe. I gave some 

 of the milky juice to a lizard, and being frequently in the habit 

 of examining poisonous plants, immediately discovered that it 

 was not deleterious. 



I gathered about an ounce of the milky juice, and gave it 

 to a young dog,- which did not appear to be much incommoded 

 by it. I gave the pulp of three of the fruits to another dog. which 

 experienced no bad effect from it. Being much occupied at 

 this time, in making experiments with other noxious plants, I 

 determined to try the seeds of the C. Thevetia on some future 

 occasion. 



I re-commenced these experiments a few days ago in this 

 city. Having pounded in a mortar the kernels found in one 

 of the C. Thevetia, weighing 14 grains, I made an emulsion 

 with distilled water. This emulsion had a bitter and soapy 

 taste. At twenty-five minutes past ten o'clock in the morning, I 

 gave this dose to a robust young dog, fasting. For about a 

 minute, he made considerable exertions to vomit, having a dry 

 cough, as if he had swallowed some substance, which was car- 

 ried directly to the lungs. This continued until eleven o'clock, 

 when the animal vomited at several different times, a whitish 

 frothy matter ; he foamed at the mouth in a manner similar 

 to what I have observed when I have exhibited the seeds of 

 the Mammea americana. He was much agitated, and ran about 

 in different directions ; his brain was affected, his mouth was 

 covered with foam, and his posterior extremities stiff, accompa- 

 nied by a staggering motion. At twenty minutes after eleven, 

 there was great irritation of the stomach, and frequent incli- 

 nation to vomit. At twelve o'clock, these symptoms were 

 much abated. His respiration was agitated ; but I judged, 

 from previous experience in these cases, that the animal would 

 recover. At three o'clock he was out of danger, as the dose 

 h;\<\ been too small to produce fatal consequences. 



