POISONING FROM OPIUM 63 



of the saponin found in Entada scandens proved that it was highly toxic for 

 rabbits and guinea pigs. 



When diluted with normal salt solution to a concentrated form 1-200 and injected into 

 the peritoneal cavity, 2-5 mgrms. of saponin to 100 grms. of animal was uniformily fatal, 

 while a quarter of this amount killed in several cases. Where smaller quantities were used 

 and animals living for a longer period of time localized peritotinitis was found. 



"The saponin is powerfully haemolytic" 0.005 cubic cm. of l / 2 of \% solu- 

 tion (0.025 mgrms.) completely dissolved one cubic cm. of a 5% suspension of 

 rabbits corpuscles which were freed from serum and the half of this amount 

 produced haemolysis of the serum of the free corpuscles of the guinea pig. 

 "Saponin, however, loses its haemolytic power after the addition of serum." 

 Immunity could not be produced in rabbits or guinea pigs recently treated with 

 intraperitoneal doses of saponin or saponin serum mixture. 



Blyth has studied the general action of saponin on kittens. He states that 

 when 13 to 22 mm. (1/5 to l /2 gr.) is injected underneath the skin of a kitten 

 immediately symptoms of local pain occur, in 5 to 10 minutes the respiration 

 is quicker and the animal falls into a lethargic condition with signs of muscular 

 weakness; just before death breathing became rapid with all the signs of 

 asphyxia. The appearances after death were fullness in the right side of the 

 heart and congestion of the intestinal canal. In man the taking of saponin 

 causes an increase of mucus secretion and nausea. 



Saponin or saponin-like substances occur in the following families : 



Phytolaccaceae, (Phytolacca abyssinica) ; Caryophyllaceae, (Gypsophila 

 struthium, Agrostemma Githago, Lychnis, Saponaria officinalis, S. rubra, Herni- 

 aria) ; Berberidaceae, (Caulophyllum thalictroides) ; Leguminosae, (Entada 

 scandens, Gymnocladus dioica, Gleditschia, Enterolobium) : Oleaceae, (Chio- 

 nanthus virginica, Syringa vulgaris) ; Amaryllidaceae, (Agave) ',Liliaceae, (Yucca 

 glauca?, Chlorogalum pomeridianum) ; Rosaceae, (Quillaja Saponaria) ; Sapin- 

 daceae, (Sapindus trifoliatus, S. saponaria, Pometia pinna-fa, Magonia) ; Hip- 

 pocastanaceae, (Aescula Hippocastanum, A. Pavia) ; Theaceae, (Thea Sasan- 

 qua, T. assanica) ; Sapotaceae, (Omphalocarpum procerum) ; Polygalaceae, 

 (Poly gala Senega). 



In all more than 200 species of plants contain saponin. 



See Chapter XIV, and Pt. II, for a list of others. 



