THE KOSSO, OR BRAYERA ANTHELMINTICA. 323 
water, which is done with that of the drug, probably to 
volatile oil of which, how T ever, Wittstein makes no mention, 
It is possible that the anthelmintic properties may depend 
in part on this oil, as Schimper states that in Abyssinia the 
fluid is considered to have lost its anthelmintic powers in the 
third year after its collection. In Europe, however, it retains 
its powers for a longer period (on account of the cooler 
climate?); for the flowers which have been used for all the 
recent experiments have been collected more than four years, 
and we are told in the shop bill of a Parisian pharmaceutist, 
that they will keep for an indefinite period. 
Medicinal properties, Neither the botanical characters, or 
sensible properties, or chemical composition of Kosso leads 
to the suspicion that it possesses its valuable anthelmintic 
properties. 
Our confidence in the virtues of Kosso therefore, rest 
entirely on experience, and the evidence on this point is very 
strong. All modern travellers in Abyssinia are agreed on 
the great success of the remedy on the natives of that 
country ; and the experience of physicians in France. 
England, Germany, and Switzerland, confirms the favourable 
reports made by those who have seen the Kosso used in its 
native country. 
The physiological effects of Kosso, are in general, not 
very great. Sometimes it excites a slight sensation of heat, 
nausea, or even vomiting, creates thirst, and frequently, per- 
haps usually, a gentle action on the bowels. But the latter 
is commonly so slight, that in a considerable number of 
cases, it is necessary to follow its administration by a mild 
purgative. It is obvious therefore, that the efficacy of kosso 
as an anthelmintic, does not depend on its purgative or 
evacuant influence, but on its poisonous or toxic action on 
the worm ; in fact it is a true vermicide. In one case, that 
of a woman in France, it brought away ten worms, of which 
only one manifested evidences of vitality, and that only for 
a few minutes. 
