626 SAVIN 



organs. Large doses produce gastro-enteritis. Excretion 

 occurs, to a slight extent, by the skin and pulmonary 

 membrane, but especially by the kidneys. Savin resembles 

 the turpentine yielding coniferae, and especially the other 

 junipers. 



Toxic EFFECTS. Hertwig gave horses half a pound twice 

 daily for six or eight days without effect. Rose records the 

 poisoning of five horses, of which one died immediately, and 

 two after five days ; the others recovered, after suffering 

 from diarrhoea, intense thirst, quickened pulse and breathing, 

 with great prostration. Two drachms kill rabbits in a few 

 hours, producing extreme congestion of the intestines, 

 kidneys, and bladder. Orfila records that four drachms 

 destroyed dogs in thirteen hours, when the gullet was tied 

 to prevent vomiting ; and similar effects followed when 

 powdered savin was applied to a wound or introduced under 

 the skin. Vomiting, purging, gastro-intestinal inflamma- 

 tion, and collapse were produced. The kidneys and bladder 

 were irritated, usually causing copious discharge of bloody 

 urine. 



The uterus is also irritated, and savin has been ignorantly 

 used to produce abortion and hasten parturition. Two cases 

 of abortion in mares heavy in foal have been recorded. In 

 these cases the continued use of savin destroyed both foals, 

 and, being still persevered with, caused their expulsion 

 apparently ten or twelve days later. 



MEDICINAL USES. Savin cannot be safely used to produce 

 abortion or hasten parturition. Unlike ergot, it does not 

 directly contract the muscular fibres of the uterus. It 

 stimulates the uterus, and expels its contents only as a 

 result of irritation of the intestines and urinary organs. It 

 is occasionally used chopped with fodder for the destruction 

 of intestinal worms ; but other remedies are safer and more 

 certain. If used at all, the best form is the essential oil. 

 Infusions of the tops in an alkaline ley, and the essential oil, 

 are occasionally applied as antiseptics and stimulants to 

 warts and indolent wounds. 



DOSES, etc. Of the volatile oil as an anthelmintic the 

 only purpose for which savin is administered horses or 

 cattle, f3 n J' to f3i v - \ dogs, TT[iii. to JT|v. dissolved in any 



