308 ON KAVA OR AVA. 



aid to enable them to continue tippling it, winch they persist in. Different 

 effects attend the drinking of Kava when made from the root grown in 

 damp soils — the drinkers then remain plunged in a deep torpor, and become 

 irritated by the least noise. 



The effects of Kava have some analogy to those of opium, and the 

 drinkers of it, like the Meriakis, may be seen borne down by the weight of 

 their bodies. 



A peculiar kind of skin disease, called at Tahiti Arevareva, results 

 from the daily use of Kava. In old drinkers, the vision becomes obscure, 

 the conjunctivas very red, the teeth acquire a deep yellow colour, their 

 skin is dry, scaly, cracked, and ulcerated, especially where it is thick, as on 

 the hands and feet, and they finish by falling into a state of complete 

 emaciation and decrepitude. 



The Nukahivians drink Kava as a remedy for phthisis, and they find 

 it valuable for bronchitis, taking a small dose before going to bed at night. 



A chemical examination of the root shows it to contain an essential oil 

 of a lemon-yellow colour, combined with a balsamic resin. It is to this 

 oleo-resin tbat some of the therapeutic effects described by Lenon are no 

 doubt due. It also contains a large quantity of small rounded grains of 

 fecula, and a neutral principle KavaJiine. It is probably to this substance 

 that the stupify ing and intoxicating effects of Kava are to be attributed. 



Kavahine may be prepared by treating the powdered root with alcohol, 

 in a displacement apparatus, filtering the yellow liquor thus obtained, and 

 • concentrating it by distillation : the Kavahine then crystallises out on 

 on cooling. When recrystallised from alcohol, and decolorised by animal 

 charcoal, it is obtained in white tufts : these, on analysis by M. Roux, 

 yielded — 



Carbon 65.847 



Hydrogen - - 5.643 



Oxygen 28.510 



100-000 

 It may be distinguished from Piperine and Cubebine by the colour tests 

 which it gives with acids. Hydrochloric acid colours it red, which passes, 

 by exposure to the air, into a bright yellow ; concentrated sulphuric acid, of 

 a rich purple violet colour. This beautiful colour disappears at the end of 

 some minutes, upon exposure to the air, and becomes greenish. Upon 

 the addition of water, the mixture turns instantly to green. The results of 

 experiments upon its remedial effects will be made known at a future 

 period. 



