154 PHYTOTOXINS AND ZOOTOXINS 



effects of histamine injection.*^ Hemolysis is produced both in vitro 

 and in vivo with all sorts of blood, but to very different degrees, thus 

 resembling spider toxin. The hemolytic action is greatly increased 

 by the presence of lecithin, forming a toxolecithid like "cobra lecithid."^^ 

 Locally bee poison causes necrosis, with marked h3'-peremia and edema. 

 A 4500 gm. dog was killed by intravenous injection of 6 c.c. of a 1.5 

 per cent, solution of pure poison (Langer).^^ 



Immunity is undoubtedly possible, for bee-keepers frequently show 

 a great decrease in susceptibility. On the other hand, abnormally 

 great susceptibility is frequently seen, some cases of fatal poisoning 

 having been observed. ^^ Dold***^" was unable to secure experimental 

 immunity to bee poison. 



Wasps and Hornets presumably produce poison-s similar to those of the bees. 

 A study by Bertarelli and Tedeschi*'' establishes this for a species of wasp (Vespa 

 crabro L.). 



Ants also produce formic acid, a fact so well known that it has come to be 

 considered that this is the source of their toxicity.*^" Von Fiirth, however, sug- 

 gests the probability that ant poison, like that of the bees, owes its chief effects 

 to other more complex, unknown poisons.^* 



Lice. — Persons bitten by large numbers of lice maj'- exhibit a distinct intoxica- 

 tion, accompanied by an eruption resembling measles.^* The nature of the poison 

 is not known, but it does not produce a severe local urticaria like the sting of bees 

 and wasps. 



Poisons of Dermal Glands of Toads and Salamanders 



It has been known for centuries that toads produce poisonous sub- 

 stances, Pare in 1575 having discoursed interestingly, if inaccurately, 

 on this topic. Numerous studies have been made of these poisons, 

 which are secreted by the dermal glands and therefore cannot be used 

 for poisoning either prey or enemies (except those that feed upon 

 them) ; the most extensive study being that of Faust. ^° He isolated 

 two constituents, apparently the same in different species of toads; 

 one, which he called bufotalin, is very active, resembling the digitalis 

 group; the other, hufonin, is much less active. Bufonin is neutral in 

 reaction, soluble in warm alcohol, but slightly in cold. Analj^sis in- 



83 See Eppinger, Wien. klin. Woch., 1913 (26), 1413; SoUmann and Pilcher, 

 Jour. Pharm., 1917 (9), 309. 



8^ Morgenroth and Carpi, Berl. klin. Woch., 1906 (43), 1424. 



85 Arch. exp. Path. u. Pharm., 1896 (38), 381; Arch, internat. Pharniac. et 

 Ther., 1899 (6), 181. 



8» irospitaLstideude, 1905, No. 27. 



8«" Zeit. Iiniiuinitiit., 1917 (26), 284. 



8' Cent. f. Jiakt., 1913 (68), 309. 



8'"The sting of nettles is said to be due to formic acid. (See Dobbin, Xatur 

 Sept. 18, 1919.) 



88 An attempt by Barratt ( Ann. Trop. Mi-d. and I'arasitol., 1910 (4), 177) to 

 obtain a poison from culex mosciuitos was unsuccessful. The l)odies of "black 

 files" contain an aiitive poi.son that could not !>(> ithMitified by Stokes (Jour. Cut. 

 Di.s., 191 I (32), 830), Ijcyond thai it is insolul)l(' in alcohol, which does not in- 

 activate it, and tiiat it is destroyed by trypsin. 



8" IJirschleldcr and Moore, .Vrcli. Int.'lMed., 1919 (23), 119. 



»» Arch. f. exp. Path. u. Pharm., 1902 (47), 279. Complete Ijihliugraphy and 

 review. 



