34 MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 



Hayashi and Muto failed to obtain crystalline andromedotoxin 

 from Pieris japomca by using Plugge's method. 



So it can not be said that the active principle from mountain laurel 

 has been actually isolated in a pure state. Using Plugge's method, 

 the writer failed to obtain active crystals from mountain laurel, but- 

 obtained crystals by a different method, namely, from the filtrate 

 after ether precipitation. Plugge's principle is precipitated by ether. 

 In no case has the writer found the ether precipitate physiologically 

 active, and an ether extract of the crude plants possessed the toxic 

 action of the plant. Full details as to the chemical and pharmaco- 

 logical investigations will be made later. 



Laboratory animals, as guinea pigs and rabbits, after subcutaneous 

 injection show tearing, retching, convulsions, and later paralysis. 

 This physiological reaction can be used as a guide in the isolation 

 of the active principle. Before death in males there is an ejection of 

 semen. 



REMEDIAL AGENTS. 



The fact that sheep which have diarrhea have recovered from toxic 

 doses of mountain laurel would suggest purgative treatment. 

 Farmers very commonly administer lard in this condition, and this 

 no doubt acts by hindering absorption. The use of lard in laurel 

 poisoning has been substantiated by the experiments of Thomas, who 

 found that the animals were less likely to become poisoned if lard 

 was administered. In case vomiting and purgation do not occur, 

 this result should be encouraged by the usual agents. 5 To induce 

 vomiting, 60 milligrams of apomorphine hydrochlorate may be given 

 subcutaneously and purgation may be encouraged by giving 2 to 6 

 ounces (60 to 180 grams) of epsom salts dissolved "in water as a 

 drench. The treatment is purely symptomatic and no true antidote 

 is known. 



It seems of interest to ascertain whether the action on the glandular 

 secretion noted can not be obtained free from great toxicity by a 

 change in the chemical structure of the active principle. 



MEDICINAL ACTION. 



Thomas treated one case of diarrhea by means of a decoction of 

 Kalmia latifolia, and the leaves have also been used empirically in 

 the treatment of certain stages of fever. Locally an ointment has 



a Hayashi, H., and Muto, K. Ueber Athinenversuche nrit einigen Giften. 

 Arch. f. exper. Path. u. Pharm., vol. 47, p. 220, 1902. 



6 Remarkable Instance of the Absence of Animal Instinct. Penny Magazine, 

 vol. 7, p. 283, 1838. 

 121—n 



