375 
Facts and Observations. 
POISONOUS EFFECTS OF THE LEAVES OF THE YEW-TREE. 
That the leaves of the yew are of pernicious influence was 
known to the Greeks and Romans, and confirmed by later 
authorities. The yew-tree itself may cause vertigo, lethargy, 
and even drunkenness, by the narcotic exhalations which it 
emits. We read, in the Journal des Landes , that three horses 
belonging to the squadron of cavalry stationed at Mont de 
Maison died there suddenly a few days ago, and that, on dis- 
section, it was found that they had been eating plentifully of 
the leaves of some yew-trees : the coats of the stomach 
evinced marks of the deleterious effects produced by this 
food. — Lancet . 
HORSE-FLESH AS FOOD. 
The practice of eating horse-flesh has of late years in- 
creased considerably in the north of Germany and Denmark. 
It is said that in the city of Hanover alone, in the course of 
Whitsun-week, about 2000 lbs. of horse-flesh were consumed. 
The number of horses slaughtered for eating in that city is 
between 200 and 300 a year. — Lancet . 
PAINLESS CAUSTIC. 
M. Picdagnel, after various trials, has succeeded in pro- 
ducing a caustic that may be employed, causing little or no 
pain. It is formed of three parts of the Vienna caustic in 
powder, and one of hydrochlorate of morphia, intimately 
mixed together, and then made into a thick paste by means 
of chloroform, alcohol, or water. It is applied to the skin on 
diachylon. A black eschar is produced in fifteen minutes, 
increasing in thickness with the duration of the application. 
The morphia mixed in the same proportions with powdered 
cantharides, prevents pain during the rising of a blister. M. 
Picdagnel, who at present has only used this means for the 
production of issues and blisters, states that the action of the 
morphia is merely local. — Gaz. des Hop., No. 39. 
