CHAPTER VI 
DIOSCORIDE^E. 
Black Bryony (Tamus communis L.). The stem and foliage of 
Black Bryony are apparently harmless, being browsed by sheep and 
goats with impunity, but the scarlet fruits are decidedly poisonous and 
the starchy root is acrid and purgative. 
Toxic Principle. This is probably the glucoside Bryonin, which 
occurs in Bryonia dioica (p. 35). 
Symptoms. Cornevin, in citing experiments on animals, states that 
small quantities of the fruits cause uneasiness, somnolence, and difficult 
locomotion. Larger quantities cause vomiting, intestinal pains, and 
paralysis of hind quarters. Death is rapid. Miiller, however, remarks 
that paralysis of the hind quarters and convulsions may result from small 
quantities, large quantities causing in addition inflammation of the 
stomach and intestines. 
REFERENCES. 
73, 190. 
IHJACRX. 
Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia L.). Owing to its habitat damp 
woods it is unlikely that stock will eat this plant, but it may be possible 
where fields border open woods in which it grows. No records of stock 
poisoning have been met with, but cases of poisoning in man are 
recorded, one due to eating a considerable number (30 to 40) of the 
berries, and symptoms of poisoning in a child four years of age who had 
eaten a few berries. In smaller quantities they are very poisonous to 
poultry. All parts are stated to be poisonous, especially the berries. 
Fatal poisonings are nil, or very rare if recorded. 
Toxic Principle. Walz isolated the glucoside Paridin; and Esser 
states that the toxic property is due to a Saponin, the bitter irritant 
glucoside Paristyphnin (CggH^Ojg), which is convertible into Paridin 
7 + 2H 2 0) and sugar. 
