ARROW POISONS 



These genera are Acocanthera, Strophanthus, and Adenium. 



Acocanthera Arrow-Poison.- — ^The genus Acocanthera supplies the 

 most important arrow-poisons of East, Central, West, and South 

 Africa. The poison, which is called waba, wabajo, or ouabaio, 

 was first fully described by Burton in 1856. It is prepared from 

 the tree A. schimperi (Dec) in Abyssinia and throughout the greater 

 part of East Africa, being used by the Wataita, the Wakamba, and 

 probably other tribes. The special Fra-Fra arrow-poison of the 

 Gold Coast is probably derived from some species of Acocanthera. 

 In Erythrsea and Yemen A. deflersii Schweinfurth is used, and in 

 Somaliland A. ouabaio Cathelineau. These trees are 4 to 5 metres 

 in height, with dark green foliage, white or red flowers, and violet- 

 red fruit. The poison is usually prepared by making a decoction of 

 the wood, and evaporating it down until it becomes a thick tar- 

 like extract, which contains the active principle. This principle, 

 which is a glucoside called ouabain, acocantherin, or wabain, is a 

 powerful cardiac poison. In addition, the natives generally add 

 snakes' heads and gall-bladders to the tar-like mass; but it is 

 doubtful whether these reall}^ increase its virulence, though it must 

 be admitted that sometimes there are symptoms analogous to 

 snake-poisoning. 



The thick extract of the wood containing any other additions, 

 which individual peculiarity may consider necessary, is now painted 

 upon the arrow-heads. 



The action of the freshly prepared poison is very rapid, death 

 taking place in a few minutes through stoppage of the heart, after 

 a preliminary quickening of the respirations and convulsions. 

 Sometimes pain is complained of in the lumbar region. The 

 symptoms can be readily prevented by a 3 per cent, solution of 

 permanganate of potassium. The native remedy is believed to 

 consist in eating some of the poison. 



Another important Acocanthera poison is A. venenata Thunberg, 

 which is employed by the South African Bushmen, and is said to be 

 made from a decoction of the bark. The symptoms are rigors, 

 without convulsions, and loss of muscular power, followed by death 

 in a few minutes. 



Strophanthus Arrow-Poison. — Livingstone was probably the first 

 to draw attention to a Strophanthus arrow-poison called kombi, 

 used in Central Africa. Strophanthus hispidus De Candolle is a 

 very common plant in many parts of West and Central Africa, and 

 is a common arrow-poison, but not nearly so deadly as that of 

 Acocanthera. The other varieties used are S. glabris, S. kamhe, 

 S. lanosus, S. ciabe, S. harika. 



The poison is obtained by cooking the seeds in water, and adding 

 snakes' heads and leaves and roots of other plants. The injured 

 man falls to the ground, and his breathing and pulse become 

 gradually slower and slower, until the heart-beats suddenly cease, 

 and death ensues, preceded by a convulsion in about ten to fifteen 

 minutes. The heart stops in systole, and will not conttract on 



