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Haag (181) in 1937 discussed the toxicity of rotenone to humans* 
The acute oral toxicity of a sample of cube containing 4.7 percent rotenone 
and 21.4 percent total carben tetrachloride extractives was determined and 
the lethal dose (smallest quantity that proved fatal to about 70 percent of 
the experimental animals) , expressed as mg. per kg. of body weight, was 
found to be: guinea pigs 200; white rats 200; rabbits 1,000. 
G-obcl (167) in 1937 found that an aqueous solution of timbo extract 
(30)$ rotenone) killed Oxyuri s vermicular is L. and Ascari s_ l unbricoide s L, 
at a concentration of 1:5000. Dogs without food were not affected by 250 
ng. per kg. of this extract. Three experiments xrerc nadc on nan. Pure ro- 
tenone 0.1 gran and timbo extract 0.25 gran " r hcn fallowed by castor oil, 
glycerin or sweetened water had no injurious effect on human beings when 
taken on an empty stomach and all intestinal worms (Gxyaris) were -killed. 
Gc'bcl suggested that rotenone and timbo extract should be effective 
against Ancylo stoma duode nr.le Dubini; Necator anericonu s , Stillcs solitaires , 
and .also against the infective organises of yellow fever, malaria., etc., 
either by mouth or by injection. 
. . Taken shortly after a meal, timbo extract caused a strong indisposi- 
tion accompanied by a painful anxiety, a state that lasted about 3 hours. 
The Indians of the Amazenas in order to punish a criminal force him to take 
timbo. In order to avoid any consequences in nan, it is necessary to give 
rotenone or timbo extract on an enpty stomach with castor or mineral oil. 
The Journal of the Anerical Medical Association (9) in 1937, in an- 
swer to an inquiry, stated that as judged from animal (and to some extent, 
human) experimentation there is no clanger of acute poisoning as a result of 
ingestion of vegetables sprayed with rotenone, cube or derris. The problem 
of a possible chronic intoxication following the prolonged use of vegetables 
treated with derris or rotenone has been studied on animals and, while fur- 
ther work is desirable, results of these observations also lead one to be- 
lieve that the human health hazard here is also low. Reference is made to 
the publications of Haag', Ambrose, Mathews and Lightbody, 
Bally (14) in 1937 summarized information on native medicinal plants 
of East Africa. The root of Loncho carpus bussei Harms is used as a galacta- 
gogue and a remedy for gonorrhoea; the root of L. erio calyx Harms is used to 
cure eruptions on the skin. 
CHEMISTRY OF LONCHOCARPUS 
The occurrence of indigo in the leaves of Lonchocarpus cyanescens 
Benth, has been recorded by several writers. In 1383 Dyer (123) called at- 
tention to the plant called West African indigo or Elu in the Yoruba dialect 
and stated that it had been conjccturally referred to Lonchocarpus by Bcntham 
and it may be closely allied to L. cyanescens . The young leaves are pounded 
into paste in a mortar and nado into balls. One ball to 1 gallon of water 
imparts a fine deep blue to cloth soaked in it 4 days. The dye is fixed with 
potash. Moloney (285) in 1887 gave the same account. The Kew Royal Botanic 
Gardens (238) in 1886 reprinted this information and referred to the plant as 
