3" 



received have contained residues varying from o'i to o'6 per cent. 

 This variation would be expected, when the empirical manner in 

 which the drug is prepared, and the variation in the age of the 

 leaves and the amount of extractive matter taken from them in 

 the process of boilirrg, is taken into consideration. 



Preliminary observations have not shown the presence of 

 any alkaloidal, glucosidal or other bitter principles. The organic 

 matter consists principally of tannin, which is probably the active 

 constituent, but I have been unable to estimate the latter owing 

 to lack of apparatus and chemicals till recently. The explanation 

 of the physiological action of the drug as an anti-opium cure is 

 somewhat difficult. Tannin is a precipitant of morphine and 

 other opium alkaloids, but very small quantities of these alkaloids, 

 if any, are absorbed into the system when opium is smoked. The 

 effect of the drug on an opium eater might be as a precipitant of 

 the alkaloids in the stomach before absorption, thus rendering 

 them insoluble. If this explanation is valid, any other tanning 

 solution, e.g., strong tea, or solution of gambier, cutch, etc., 

 might be substituted for this drug. 



Hydrocyanic Acid in Plants. 



Some preliminary experiments have been carried out to 

 ascertain whether the cyanogenetic glucoside known to be present 

 m the seeds of the Para rubber plant (Hevea brazihensis) was also 

 Present in the leaves and other parts of the plant. 

 . Leaves and twigs were examined separately by maceration 

 m cold water and by hydrolysis with dilute mineral acids. In 

 each case, appreciable quantities of prussic acid were obtained 

 from both leaves and twigs by decomposition of the glucoside, 

 one specimen yielding 0'o8 per cent, of prussic acid. The plants 

 Irom which the leaves were obtained were planted in 1905- 

 , ^ is proposed to continue the experiments with young plants 

 °f different ages to ascertain the variation in the amount of 

 ^coside at different stages in the plant's growth. 



These glucosides have now been insolated from a number of 

 SV nd their Presence indicated by the production of prussic 

 ^ hydrolysis from many other plants from which the 

 S^coside have not yet been actually isolated, 

 j An excellent resume of the subject is given in ' the ■ " Bull, 

 Vnal Institute," Vol. IV, No. 4, 1906, which cantons the 

 val uabl e investigations of Dunstan and Henry and of Treub. 



B. J. EATON, 

 Government Chemist, F.M.S. 



