32 
president’s ADDRESS — SECTION B. 
properties. Gastrolobiums , both in Western Australia and Queensland* 
have been the cause of* the death of a very large number of sheep for 
many years past. Species of Oxijlobium and Tephrosia are also in bad 
repute. Kummel* finds a glucoside (Gastrolobiu) in Gasfrolobium 
bilobum — the ITcart-leaf poison bush of Western Australia. It is 
hygroscopic, and has a saffron odour. Guthrief has examined 
Swainsonia galegifolia , It. Br., and finds that the only substance 
contained in it likely to be poisonous is an oily body extracted by 
alcohol. I understand that he is continuing his experiments. 
1 know no subject in the whole range of stock-poisons that is 
calculated to bring more kudos to the chemist than an investigation of 
this group. The question may be truly said to be a burning one. 
The disease known as “rickets” (not rachitis) ,or “ wobbles,” has 
been a source of great loss to stock-owners for many years past. In 
Queensland Dr. T. L, Bancroft has investigated the subject, but the 
most recent and ample report J is that by Mr. H. IT. Edwards, Govern- 
ment Veterinary Surgeon of Western Australia, in which that gentle- 
man, confirming the observation that the disease is owing to the eating 
of Mncrozamia plants, gives a full account of the disease and its 
effects, and suggests remedies. A thorough chemical i investigation 
remains, however, a desideratum, and the toxic substance will probably 
prove to be a proteid. Until we can isolate and examine these toxic 
principles, our treatment of animals which have assimilated them must 
necessarily be more or less of an empirical character. 
Complaints are made in New South Wales that cattle eating the 
young shoots of Xanfhorrhaa (Grass-tree) are affected in a somewhat 
similar manner to animals which have eaten Macroznmia. The plants 
might be studied simultaneously. 
Other real or supposed stock- poisons worthy of investigation by 
the chemist are Stypandra glaum , K. Br., which bears a bad name in 
Western Australia; Fimelea luema tost achy a, F. v. M., and perhaps 
F. triehostachi/a, Endl. ; several plants belonging to the Campanu- 
laceso ( Isotom a , Lobelia ), and perhaps some Velleius (Goodeniaceie). 
This does not, of course, by any means exhaust the reputed poisonous 
plants of Australia frequently oaten by stock. G rat iola officinalis is. 
said to poison cattle in Swiss pastures ; our species of Graliola should, 
therefore, be kept in view. 
In this connection the matter of indigenous plant- vermifuges for 
stock is worthy of the chemist’s attention. Species of Boronia y 
Frenela (Call ibis), Zygophyllum i and the ripe fruits of Fetalostigma 
qiiadril ocular e, F. v. M., have been used amongst others. The chemist 
could decide whether they are of real use or not. 
SUBSTANCES REPUTED MEDICINAL-DRUGS. 
At one time a drug and a nauseating substance were convertible 
terms, and hence it has come about that anything in our indigenous 
vegetation of a particularly nasty flavour has had medicinal properties 
ascribed to it. The number of such plants is very large indeed, and 
it has been the work of scientific men to considerably reduce the list. 
What the ultimate result of investigations in this direction will be, no 
* J. Chim. Min., 1880, 1032. t Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., iv., 86 (1893) 
$ Journ. Bureau Agric. W.A., i., 225 (27th Nov., 1894). 
