Some Notes Regarding South African Pharmacology . 121 



Grahamstown, by whom the above investigation was conducted. It 

 is hoped that some physiological tests may also be made. 



The bulb commonly known amongst the Dutch-speaking portion 

 of the inhabitants as " gift-bol," called " In-Cwadi " by the Kaffirs, 

 and scientifically termed Bicphane toxicaria, Herb., was examined in 

 connection with the fatal poisoning of two Kaffir women. This plant 

 is stated by Smith * to be used for the disease known as red-water 

 in cattle. It grows on the Elandsberg in Tembuland and near 

 King Williamstown, and Bushmen are reported to have used the 

 bulb as an arrow-poison. This bulb, cut up, air-dried, and ground 

 ina mill, was treated with absolute alcohol for several days and the 

 filtrate evaporated ; the residue so obtained, freed from all colouring 

 and resinous matter, was dissolved in acidulated water. From this, 

 by alkalisation and shaking up with a mixture of ether and chloro- 

 form, an uncrystallisable residue was obtained, which yielded very 

 characteristic results with the usual alkaloidal reagents and solvents 

 as detailed below : — 



Solubility Insoluble in distilled water ; very 



soluble in alcohol, in chloroform, 

 and in water slightly acidulated 

 with hydrochloric or sulphuric 

 acid ; less soluble in ether or 

 benzene. 



Bromine water Nil. 



Ammonia and fixed alkalies Precipitates. 



Picric acid . . . Yellow precipitate. 



Platinum chloride White cloudy precipitate. 



Gold chloride White cloudy precipitate. 



Phospho-tungstic acid White precipitate. 



Sonnenschein's reagent Curdy white precipitate. 



Wagner's reagent Faintly violet precipitate changing 



into deep chocolate. 



Fronde's reagent Permanganate violet colour, per- 

 manent. 



Concentrated sulphuric acid Permanganate violet colour, evan- 

 escent. 



Concentrated sulphuric acid and 



potassium dichromate Violet colour, almost immediately 



evanescent. 



Concentrated nitric acid Bright yellow colour. 



The active principle appears to be an alkaloid, and is contained in 

 the fresh bulb to the extent of nearly "4 per cent., imparting to it a 

 slightly bitter taste. One drop of the acidulated aqueous solution 

 killed a young mouse in three minutes, a much larger mouse being 

 killed by two drops in five minutes. The symptoms observed were — 



* " South African Materia Medica," 3rd ed., 1895, p. 158. 



