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. Kamikhya Nath Acharjee (Indian Med. Gaz., 1866. vol. i., p. 218).
The Mahomedan 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. Pelikan 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 Chim, 1912, 5,108-116, all parts of the oleandar plant with the exception of the sap, contain a toxic glucoside i-strophanthin. This substance known formerly as neriin has the same composition as strophanthin, and is closely related to it. I. Ch. J. 29th Feb. 1912, p. 202.
The following active principles may be mentioned as described by Sohn (Dictionary of the Active Principles of Plants, p 65, 1894) :—
1. Oleandrine.— Alkaloid. ? [Neriodorin, (Schmiedeberg) ; identical with one
