iv] Ericacese 47 



have been used in Russia and Germany for rheumatism, has caused 

 poisoning in man. R. jninctatum and R. hirsutum appear to be not less 

 poisonous. 



Both leaves and flowers are narcotic, and even the honey in the 

 flowers is regarded with suspicion. The following quotations are not 

 without interest: — 



"In these regions (Timgu) many of my goats and kids had died 

 foaming at the mouth and grinding their teeth, and I have discovered 

 the cause to arise from their eating the leaves of Rhododendron cinna- 

 barinum (" Kema Kechoong," Lepcha ; Kema signifying Bhododendron) ; 

 this species alone is said to be poisonous, and when used as a fuel it 

 causes the face to swell and the eyes to inflame, of which I observed 

 several instances." (Hooker, Himalayan Journals, ii. p. 150). 



"Rhododendron arboreum becomes plentiful at 5000 to 6000 feet 



(East Nepal), forming a large tree on dry clayey slopes In 



the contracted parts of the valley the moimtains often dip to the river- 

 bed in precipices of gneiss imder the ledges of which wild bees build 

 pendulous nests looking like huge bats suspended by their wings ; they 

 are two or three feet long and as broad at the top whence they taper 

 downwards ; the honey is much sought for except in spring, when it is 

 said to be poisoned by Rhododendron flowers just as that eaten by the 

 soldiers in the retreat of the Ten Thousand was by the flowers of R. 

 ponticum." (I.e. i. p. 200). 



Toxic Principle. The leaves and flowers contain a bitter poisonous 

 glucoside, Andromedotoxin (C31H50O10), which has been regarded as 

 more poisonous than Aconitine. Other glucosides found ia Rhododen- 

 drons are Ericolin {C^^O^, Arbutin (CiaHjgO^), and Rhododendrin 

 (CigH^Oy), but it is not clearly shown whether these are poisonous 

 when ingested; Kobert, however, includes the two former among 

 cerebro-spinal poisons. 



Symptoms. In the case of goats Comevin records intense pain, 

 diarrhoea, discomfort, gritting of teeth, salivation, and frequently 

 vomiting ; while there is reduced lactation, trembling, spasms, vertigo, 

 loss of power, and death. Lander notes similar symptoms in cattle 

 and sheep. 



According to Eve {Veterinary Record, 1907), a reddish colour was 

 observed in the milk of a cow poisoned by Rhododendron. 



REFERENCES. 



4, 16, 53, 63, 73, 76, 81, 144, 161, 170, 203, 205, 



211, 212, 213, 231, 252, 264. 



