360 
Wassi Poison. 
(2) That Urari iu conformity with its chemical composition produces none of the effects 
of strychnine. 
(o) That Urari does not belong to the tetanus class of poisons, while it acts as a 
torporific similar to opium in big doses ; it' a few signs of convulsions are seen in cats 
they at all events constitute neither tetanus nor trismus. 
(4) That Urari far rather causes paralysis i.e., inhibition of voluntary muscular movement 
with the voluntary muscles (heart, intestines) continuing their function. 
(5) That Urari does not appear to kill by absorption if applied externally, but chiefly 
only if absorbed when there is a rupture in the continuity of the living animal tissue. 
(0) That after poisoning by Urari, rigor mortis and coagulation of the fibrin takes place in 
the same way as with an animal killed by mechanical means. Our opinion is that death is not 
so much due to the direct action of the poison as to the cessation of respiratory movements, 
Ur Virchow. Dr Julius Munter. 
1)07. Attention has already been drawn to Wassi poison, and to its 
being found especially among the Akawais, who receive it from the 
Serekongs, a tribe occupying the sources of the Mazur uni; the latter 
alone understand how to make it. 
908. In Von Sack’s “Reise nach Surinam,” mention is made of an 
extremely poisonous Arum which is called Punkin there. The plant 
.(Arum venenatum Surinamense Woelfers) is said to be so poisonous that 
a dog, to which ten grains of the juice were administered, died shortly 
after. It is quite possible that the Serekongs manufacture their poison 
also from a species of Arum with which the description of the root of the 
latter plant tallies. Could not the effects of the pulverised bulb be more 
slow than that of the juice? On our subsequent journeys many cases 
presented themselves where Indians, affected with the symptoms 
specified, hastened to us to seek assistance and recovery. Each one 
maintained that he was poisoned with Wassi. Although cases of real 
poisoning do actually take place, it is not to be denied that the ever- 
lasting suspicion and continual terror of the one having in some way 
injured another, who now might step forth as Kanaima and make an 
attempt on his life, is the cause of many a death. As a matter of fact, 
this dread and mistrust becomes an absolute certainty immediately an 
individual suffers from the symptoms of any complaint hitherto unknown 
to him, which he now regards as the effect of a. poison that he probably 
never even tasted, with the result that, worried day and night by his 
lively imagination, his anxiety is at last roused to such a pitch that, 
unable longer to withstand the mental strain, his body falls a sacrifice to 
fear and fright.* 1 
969. After a further stay of several days I returned with my friends 
to Nappi, where I found letters from my brother recalling me 
to Pirara owing to the expedition wanting to leave for the sources of 
the Takutu. Richly laden witli spoil and contented in every respect 
with my trip, I started on my return journey to Pirara, where I 
found everything satisfactory. I brought with me some Indians, who 
were anxious to engage with us as carriers on the Takutu trip. 
970. During my short absence the settlement, under the fostering 
care of Mr. Youd, had almost become unrecognisable owing to the 
* — In the cases coming under my own personal notice there was no question of fear or 
fright, but a deliberate intent to lie down and die: imbued with the idea that his time is 
come, the Indian stoically awaits the end. I have met with the same mental condition 
amongst the North Queenland savages, where I have described it as Thanatomania. (Ed.) 
