Notes on Indigenous Vegetable Poison Seeds of the Abrus Precatorius

ABRUS PRECATORIUS. By Surgeon C. J. H. Warden, Professor of Chemistry, Calcutta Medical College. [iConcluded from page 2Cj2?\ Tiie proximate analysis of the seeds was conducted as follows : several pounds were reduced to coarse powder in an iron mortar ; during pulverization a pungent pepper-like odour was noticeable, which caused a feeling of constriction about the chest, and sneezing ; the inference being that a volatile principle was present. The powder thus obtained was digested, and percolated with boiling rectified spirit, and the resulting tincture evaporated to a syrupy consistence on the water-bath. After 24 hours, an abundant crop of white microscopic needleshaped crystals were found adherent to the sides of the capsule, and a large amount of oil had also separated, which floated on the surface of the liquid. Water in small amount was now added