802 
INDIAN MEDIOINAL PLANTS. 
and other works on Indian Materia Medica, that it is prescribed 
in leprosy and other diseases. It is mentioned here chiefly with 
the view of enforcing caution in any trials which may be made 
with it, as in over-doses it is productive of serious and even 
fatal effects. Two interesting cases of poisoning with it are 
recorded, one by Dr. J. Broughton ( Bombay Med. Phys. Trans., 
vol. iv., N. S. p. 4, in Appendix), and the other by Dr. A. Greig 
( Indian Annals of Med. Science, vol. ii., p. 295). In the 
latter, which proved fatal, death, according to Dr. Grieg, 
was due to the directly depressing influence which the drug 
exercised on the nervous system. A case in which tetanic 
symptoms followed, the exhibition of the root-bark is recorded 
by Mr. Kamikkya Nath Aeharjee ( Indian Med. Gaz., 1866. 
vol. i., p. 218). 
The Mabomedan physicians describe the root as the most 
powerful resolvent and attenuant, only to be used externally ; 
taken internally, it acts as a poison upon men and animals. A 
decoction of the leaves is recommended to reduce swellings, 
and an oil prepared from the root-bark in skin diseases of a 
scaly nature, and in leprosy (Dymock). 
The bark of the root, and the sweet-smelling leaves of this 
shrub, are considered by the Vytians as powerful repellents, 
applied externally. The root itself, taken internally,* acts as a 
poison, and is but too often resorted to for the purpose of self- 
destruction, by the Hindoo women, when tormented with 
jealousy (Ainslie). 
The active principles of N. odorum are powerful heart 
poisons. Prof. E. Pelikau suggested that the drug, owing to 
its depressing influence on the heart, might be given as a 
substitute for digitalis (Watt’s Dictionary). 
Nereium Oleander, is hardly different from the Indian plant. According to 
the examination of the sap, bark and seeds of the Oleander by — A Lenhar. 
J. Pharm Chiin, 1912, 5,108-116, all parts of the oleandar plant with the 
exception of the sap, contain a toxic glueoside 1-strophanthin. This substance 
known, formerly as neriln has the same composition as strophanthin, and is 
closely related to it. I. Ch, J. 29th Peb. 1912, p. 202. 
The following active principles maybe mentioned as described by Soku 
(Dictionary of the Active Principles of Plants, p 05, 1894) 
• 1. Oleandrine.— Alkaloid. ? [Neriodorin, (Schmiedeberg) ; identical with one 
