742 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



Cinchona contains a large number of alkaloids of which the following are 

 more important: Cinchonin, C 19 H 22 N 2 O, quinamin, C 19 H 24 N 2 O 2 , quiniii, 

 C 20 H 24 N 2 2 , hydroquinin, C M H 26 N 2 O 2 , oricin, C 23 H 26 N 2 O 4 . Another alka- 

 loid belonging to this group is disinchonin, C 23 H 44 N 4 O 2 . Javanin, 

 C 23 H 26 N 2 O 4 , occurs in Galisaya bark. The Cuprea bark (Remijia pcdunculata} 

 from the U.S. of Colombia is also used in the manufacture of quinine and 

 contains cinchonanin, C 19 H 21 N 2 O. The partridge berry (Mitchella repens) 

 is a tonic. Gambier (Uncaria) of the East Indies is used for tanning. The 

 root of ipecac (Psychotria Ipecacuanha} of Brazil is a systemic emetic used 

 as a remedy in dysentery and contains emelin, C 15 H 22 N 2 O 5 and cephaelin, 

 C 14 H 2Q NO 2 . Madder (Rubia tinctorum) of the Levant and Southern Europe 

 is used for dyeing and contains a red coloring matter, alizarin. The Morinda 

 citrifolia contains a yellow coloring principle morindin. The cape jasmine 

 {Gardenia jasminoides) also contains a yellow coloring resembling crocin. 



Coffee obtained from the Coffea arabica and other species, contains the 

 chemical principle caffein C 8 H JO N 4 O 2 . This is the same as them. This sub- 

 stance occurs in a large number of plants including cocoa (Theobroma Cacao}, 

 cola (Cola acuminata}, yopan (Ilex Cassine), mate (/. paraguensis} , Sterculia 

 platanifolia, Paullinia Cupana. 



Green seeds of Coffee arabica contain 1.22 per cent of caffein or thein 

 C g H 10 N 4 O , the young leaves of Chinese tea 2.12 per cent. Caffeidin 

 C 7 H :2 N 4 O is obtained from caffein. Caffein causes the heart to beat more 



Fig. 432. Cinchona (Chinchona land folia). A 

 native of Peru and one of the species furnishing 

 the Peruvian bark of commerce. (From Stras- 

 burger, Noll, Schenck and Schimper). 



forcibly; it is a cerebral stimulant, producing wakefulness and restlessness; in 

 lower animals it produces excitement and mania. From a toxicological point it 

 is a spinal and muscle poison to the frog. In dogs and mammals it causes 

 restlessness, and in dogs it produces vomiting. The minimum fatal dose ac- 

 cording to Winslow is 1 gr. to 1 Ib. of live weight. 



