802 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



and other works on Indian Materia Medica, that it is prescribed 

 in leprosy and other diseases. It is mentioned here chiefly with 

 the view of enforcing caution in any trials which may be made 

 with it, as in over-doses it is productive of serious and even 

 fatal effects. Two interesting cases of poisoning with it are 

 recorded, one by Dr. J. Broughton (Bombay Med. Phys. Trans., 

 vol. iv., N. S. p. 4, in Appendix), and the other by Dr. A. Greig 

 {Indian Annals of Med. Science, vol. ii., p. 295). In the 

 latter, which proved fatal, death, according to Dr. Grieg, 

 was due to the directly depressing influence which the drug 

 exercised on the nervous system. A case in which tetanic 

 symptoms followed, the exhibition of the root-bark is recorded 

 by Mr. Kamikhya Nath Acharjee (Indian Med. Gaz., 1866. 

 vol. i., p. 218). 



The Mahomedan physicians describe the root as the most 

 powerful resolvent and attenuant, only to be used externally ; 

 taken internally, it acts as a poison upon men and animals. A 

 decoction of the leaves is recommended to reduce swellings, 

 and an oil prepared from the root-bark in skin diseases of a 

 scaly nature, and in leprosy (Dymock). 



The bark of the root, and the sweet-smelling leaves of this 

 shrub, are considered by the Vytians as powerful repellents, 

 applied externally. The root itself, taken internally, acts as a 

 poison, and is but too often resorted to for the purpose of self- 

 destruction, by the Hindoo women, when tormented with 

 jealousy (Ainslie). 



The active principles of N. odorum are powerful heart 

 poisons. Prof. E. Pelikan suggested that the drug, owing to 

 its depressing influence on the heart, might be given as a 

 substitute for digitalis (Watt's Dictionary). 



Nereium Oleander, is hardly different from the Indian plant. According to 

 the examination of the sap, bark and seeds of the Oleander by — A Lenhar. 

 J. Pharm Chim, 1912, 5,108-116, all parts of the oleandar plant with the 

 exception of the sap, contain a toxic glucosidc i-strophantiiin. This substance 

 known formerly as neriin has the same composition as strophanthin, and is 

 closely related to it. I. Ch. J. 29th Feb. 1912, p. 202. 



The following active principles may be mentioned as described by Sohn 

 (Dictionary of the Active Principles of Plants, p 65, 1894) :— 



1. Oleandnne.— Alkaloid. ? [JNeriodorin, (Schmiedeberg) ; identical with one 



