THE ACTION OF URGTNEA BURKEI (BAKER). 
By J. W. C. CluNN. 
(From the Dejiartinent of Pliarniacoloo'y, University of Cape Town.) 
Urginea Burkei (Baker), a plant of the Natural Ordel:* of Liliaceae more 
commonly known as the Transvaal slano^-kop, is responsible for many fatal 
cases of poisoninc;- amonq- sheep and other stock in certain parts of Africa. 
Poisoning is usually due to animals eatinjj,- the youn^' shoots and leaves. 
The symptoms are vomiting and diarrhoea, and, in fatal cases, paralysis and 
coma. Several investigators have recorded similar effects when animals are 
fed experimentally with the bulb, ])ut I am unaware of any experimental 
work done to test the precise pharmacological action of the drug. The 
present research was performed to elucidate this action. 
In the experiments to be described I used preparations from the bulb, 
for a supply of which I am indebted to J)v C. F. .Iuritz,of the Agricultural 
Research Department. I have not yet l)een al)le to obtain any of the 
leaves. 
Part I . — E x p e r i ]\ i e n t a t . , 
A. Preparation of Tincture and Extract. 
The dried bulb was powdered, macerated in 60 per cent, alcohol for three 
days, and then strained through three folds of linen. The marc was per- 
colated with two further lots of 60 per cent, alcohol. 
The extract was prepared from the tincture by heating it to dryness over 
a water-bath. 
In the experiments, except where stated, a tincture, of which 10 c.c. were 
equivalent to 1 grm. of the dried bulb, and an extract, of which 1 grm. 
was equivalent to 5-93 grm. of the bulb, were used. No attempt was made 
to isolate any pure principle. 
B. Local Action. 
The powdered bulb is very irritating, and inhalation of small quantities 
produced sneezing, lachrymation and coughing. 
A solution of the extract applied to the frog's mesentery induced a 
marked inflammatory reaction in a few minutes. 
Administration of 0*1 grm. of the extract to a cat through a stomach - 
tube was followed by vomiting and diarrhoea. Inflammation of the stomach 
and intestine was found on post-mortem examination. 
