v] Aroideas 77 
smell when bruised. In Gerarde's Herball the following passage occurs : 
" The most pure and white starch is made from the rootes of the Cuckow- 
pint; but most hurtfull for the hands of the laundresse that hath the 
handling of it, for it choppeth, blistereth, and maketh the hands rough 
and rtfgged, and withall smarting." In Dorset the tuber-like corms 
have been macerated in water, dried and powdered, and eaten under 
the name Portland Sago or Portland Arrowroot, the poisonous property 
being dissipated. 
Toxic Principle. The Cuckoo Pint does not seem to have received 
much attention in this connection, but the poisonous principle is believed 
to be a Saponin. 
Symptoms. The juice acts as an irritant when in contact with 
the mucous membrane. When a pig has eaten several roots rich in 
sap, the mouth and tongue redden and tumefy, there is salivation, and 
swallowing is difficult on account of the inflammation at the back of the 
mouth. Introduced in small quantity into the digestive tract it acts 
as an irritant and purgative, and sometimes causes vomiting. Severe 
intestinal pains, excitement, some muscular contraction of the limbs, 
rocking of the head, and superpurgation with tenesmus are also symptoms 
which have been observed. The intestinal pains continue for some days 
and the appetite is small. Cornevin states that animals never take a 
sufficient quantity to cause fatal poisoning, but according to Lander, 
if a dangerous quantity is taken, convulsions, exhaustion, and death 
from shock may possibly follow the foregoing symptoms. 
A case in which a horse was poisoned through a wound being washed 
with a decoction of arum leaves is cited by Miiller. There was much 
local swelling, trembling, and rapid breathing, and the heart beat 
strongly ; the animal died on the third day. 
REFERENCES. 
73, 81, 130, 141, 170, 190. 
