854 
ABSTRACTS AND GLEANINGS IN BOTANY, 
preparations required in the work of dispensing. Over the whole length of the 
dispensing counter is a skylight, and gas for nightwork. At one end of it, in 
the best lights is a poison cupboard, with lock and key. In it I keep a small 
supply of each of the potent alkaloids, acids, etc. etc. etc. The more dangerous 
of these are each, not only in a purple bottle, but the bottle in a cylindrical 
cardboard case^ made to hold a ^ij phial, both bottle and case fidly labelled. 
This gives ss distinctive character to the more deadly poisons, without in any 
way hindering the work. In addition to this, every bottle in the back shop that 
can be considered dangerous has a bold plain paper label “ Poison ” on it. As 
there is a partial screen between the front and back shop, this cannot be seen by 
customers. All stores of poison are kept in a distinct cupboard, under my own 
sole care. 
A sense of gratitude for preservation from accident constrains me to send my 
quota of experience for the benefit of all whom it may concern. 
Yours faithfully, 
John C. Pooley. 
Bath, Nov. 15th, 1866. 
ABSTEACTS AND GLEANINGS EEOM BEITISH AND FOEEIGN 
JOUENALS IN BOTANY, MATEEIA MEDIOA, AND THEEA- 
PEUTICS. 
Than-mo, a Vermifuge Kemedy of the Burmese. 
Under the name of Polyporus anthelminticus, M. J. B. has recently described, 
in the ‘ Gardeners’ Chronicle,’ a species of Fungus which is reputed to possess 
valuable anthelmintic properties. It is indigenous in the neighbourhood of 
Tavey, in the Tenasserim Provinces of the Burman Empire, where it is known 
under the names of Wa-mo (Bamboo Mushroom), or Than-mo (Worm Mush¬ 
room). Its supply is very limited, and can only be obtained in small quantities 
at a high price. It was first brought into notice in 1840, by Dr. Packman,* 
and in that journal are the details of four cases, three by Dr. Eichmond and 
one by Dr. Shaw, which prove that its character as an anthelmintic, in cases of 
lumbrici, is worthy of further attention. It produces no sensible effect on the 
system, but if followed on the third morning hy a purgative, the entozoa are 
expelled in a lifeless state, proving that the reme'dy has exercised a specific in¬ 
fluence on them. Being without taste or smell, children take it readily. In 
case of the first dose not producing the desired effect, it may be repeated at 
intervals of two or three days, and the quantity may be increased to three or 
even four drachms; no injurious effect appears to be produced, however large 
the dose (Packman). It seems well worthy of further trial, though it is to be 
feared that it never could be obtained in sufficient quantity ever to come into 
general use. 
This hitherto undetermined species of Polyporus is very closely allied to 
Polyporus rufescens, a British species, which, upon trial, will probably be found 
to possess similar properties; indeed, the Polyporus officinalis, another British 
species, has long had a reputation as a vermifuge, and may be occasionally 
found at the present day in some of our herb-shops. 
Bconomic Value of the Common Brake. 
In the ‘ Gardeners’ Chronicle ’ Mr. John E. Jackson has directed attention 
to the economic value of the common Brake or Bracken (Pteris aquilina), the 
commonest and best-known of the British ferns. According to him, the Brake, 
^ “Eemarks on the Use of a Vermifuge Remedy of the Burmese, called Than-mo or 
Wah-mo,” ‘Madras Quarterly Medical Journal,’ vol. v. p. 146. 
