Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  \ 
Jan.,  1885.  j 
Nutmegs  are  Poisonous. 
23 
together  with  a  small  quaDtity  of  chlorophyll.  The  following  sum- 
mary shows  the  amount  of  the  most  important  constituents : 
Percent. 
10-25 
Wax  
2-70 
From  petroleum  spirit 
solution. 
1-54 
From  ether  solution. 
Besin,  tannin  and  chlorophyll 
5-14 
From^  alcoholic  solution. 
1-44  ] 
•55  1 
-  From  aqueous  solution. 
5-23  J 
1-00  1 
Phlobaphene,  etc  
5-95  J 
\  From  alkali  solution. 
Salts  and  a  small  amount  of 
6-00 
From  dilute  acid  solution. 
57-45 
97-25 
Separately  determined  :  tannin,  3-46  per  cent.  ;  ash,  7-40  per  cent. 
Philadelphia,  December  16,  1884. 
Nutmegs  are  Poisonous. — Early  in  December,  1884,  one  after- 
noon, a  lady  here  ate  one  and  a  half  nutmegs.  About  two  hours  after, 
she  became  drowsy,  and  remained  so  nearly  an  hour,  the  drowsiness 
amounting  almost  to  stupor.  'This  was  followed  by  an  excited  condi- 
tion, with  sharp  pain  in  the  brain,  then  involuntary  laughter,  wild 
fancies  and  incessant  talking,  without  loss  of  consciousness.  Presently 
pain  was  felt  in  the  region  of  the  heart,  with  cold  extremities  and  a 
depressing  sensation.  Her  face  was  very  pale  and  her  pulse  weak  and 
thready.  These  alarming  symptoms  lasted  more  than  an  hour,  during 
which  time  two  doses  of  ammonium  bromide  were  administered.  Next 
morning  it  was  necessary  to  repeat  the  dose.  Since  then  she  has  been 
unusually  nervous. 
I  publish  this  case  because  it  is  not  generally  known  that  nutmeg  is 
poisonous;  and,  being  regarded  as  a  valuable  domestic  remedy,  it  is 
well  to  remember  that  large  doses  of  it  are  dangerous.  This  patient 
took  about  135  grs.,  whereas  from  5  to  20  grs.  is  the  dose. 
J.  Dabney  Palmer,  M.  A.,  M.  D. 
MONTICELLO,  FlA. 
[The  narcotic  properties  of  large  doses  of  nutmeg  are  mentioned  in  Natl. 
Dispensatory,  p.  1007,  and  in  U.  S.  Dispensatory,  p.  969.— Editor.] 
