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Transactions of the Royal Society of South A frica, 
almost invariably caused an increase of urine, but large doses caused a 
decrease, in a few cases preceded by a slight augmentation of the flow. It 
is probable that the urine is diminished in those cases where the renal vessels 
are so constricted as to impair the blood-supply of the kidney. 
F. Action on Unstriped Muscle. 
The movements of the isolated uterus and intestine of the cat and rabbit 
were augmented by 1 in 500 tincture of slang-kop. 
Part II. — Discussion. 
From these results it will be seen that the action of Urginea Burhei is 
the same as that of the digitalis group of bodies. This group includes a 
number of substances of great medicinal value, the most important being- 
digitalis, strophanthus and squill. 
Squill is obtained from Scilla maritima, a plant of the same natural 
order as, and of similar appearance to, slang-kop. The action of the two 
plants is almost identical, and the toxicity to the frog is the same. Slang- 
kop would seem to be slightly more toxic to mammals. It is possible that 
Urginea Burhei might replace squill in South Africa, and in fact it may be 
found superior. How far the action is produced when slang-kop is given 
by mouth must be determined, and this is being investigated further. 
I beg to thank the Advisory Board of Industry and Science for bringing 
this subject to my notice as one suitable for research. 
Summary. 
The results of a large number of experiments show that Urgiiiea Burhei 
(Baker), the Transvaal slang-kop, has the same actions as the digitalis 
bodies, and suggest its possible use as a South African substitute for 
squills. 
