POISONS FROM JUNGLE PLANTS 157 



and who was promptly treated by lavage, passed into 

 " a drowsy, stuporous condition a few hours later with 

 paresis of the limbs and distension of the abdomen. 

 Recovery, however, took place in twenty-four liom'S or 

 so." These properties are well developed in the tropical 

 varieties and are made use of by Malays, who also 

 employ keladi as a contact poison. 



An example of this occurs in a conspectus of contact 

 poisons given to me by a Malay friend ; it is quoted in 

 its quaintness as written : " The follo^ving poisons when 

 given to a man cause verf severe itching sensation as if 

 the man is getting mad : 



(1) Ulat bulu hitam [which see, p. 128], 



(2) Ulat bulu laut [which see, p. 135]. 



(8) Buah kachang rimau [which see, p. 154]. 



(4) Buah merdin [which see, p. 144]. 



(5) Pinang kotek bukit (insect) [which see, p. 183]. 



(6) Pohun jelatang gajah [wliich see, p. 151]. 



(7) Miang rebong [which see, p. 140]. 



(8) Keladi birah [which see, p. 155], 



Each of the above things has to be dried first and then 

 fry. After frying they have to be pounded until they 

 turn into powders, but not to mix them with one 

 another. They have to be kept separately, Direc- 

 tions : — (1) Take the eight different powders of same 

 quantity and mix them together and put it in any food. 

 It is said that the man who takes it will feel very severe 

 itching inside his body and liis throat and also he feels 

 very hot. (2) If it is intended for rubbing over the 

 skin, the miang rebong and the keladi birah are not to be 

 dried, the fresh ones must be used. Take the juice of 

 the keladi birah and mix it together with the miang 

 rebong and then mix it with the six different powders of 

 same quantity. It is said that if this mixture is rubbed 



