CORIARIA RUSCIFOLIA.
C. ruscifolia, Linn. Nat.
order, Coriarieæ (between Anacardiaceæ and Rutaceæ). Common names, Toot-berry, Tupa-kihi or Tutu
(New Zealand species). Preparation,
Tincture or trituration of the berries.
Authorities.
1,
W. Lander Lindsay, M.D., F. R. S., Br. and For. Med.-Chir. Rev., 1868,
2, 163, general effects of eating the berries; 2,
Mr. Martin ate 1/2 pint of the berries, ibid.; 3,
a young man ate old beries, with the seeds, ibid.; 4, a man ate a large quantity of the berries,
including the seeds, ibid.; 5, a
girl nearly lost her life by eating the berries, ibid.; 6, effect of swallowing the berry with the
small stalk adhering to it, ibid.; 7,
M. H. Rev., 9, 278, general effects; 8,
J. Giles, M. H. Rev., 10, 187, effects on a man.
MIND.
►
Emotional. ► Sometimes
there are symptoms like those of brain fever, [1]. ► The
symptoms differed greatly in different individuals. Some became excited
or violent; they laughed or they raved outrageously, or their conduct
was simply grotesque in the extreme; the results, indeed, closely
resembled those producible by “laughing gas.” Others appeared
as if under the influence of alcoholic stimulants, [1]. ►
Occasionally the delirium resembles that of alcoholic intoxication, or
delirium tremens; at other times it rather approximates that of acute
mania, being marked by great muscular excitement, the patient requiring
restraint of the most powerful kind, in some instances the assistance of
several strong men, for several hours, [1].
► It is called “Tupa-kihi”
by the New Zealanders, because persons under its influence resemble in
their actions “drunken Europeans,” [7]. ► During
the night he was seized with delirium,
accompanied by great muscular excitement, resembling that of acute
mania, necessitating the assistance of several men to restrain him, [4]. ►
Felt as if he had been newly born into the world, and was overwhelmed
with wonder at the novelty of all his surroundings (third day), [2]. ►
Intellectual. ► One of the
characteristics of the convalescent stage is loss of memory, with or
without a vertiginous condition, [1].
► On emerging from the comatose
condition, loss of memory was the chief or only peculiarity observable.
For about half a day he remained in a semi-stupid state, not able to
remember where he was or what he had been doing for the previous
forty-eight hours, or how he had come there (third day), [2]. ► When
convalescing from the stupor, resembled a person emerging from a brain
fever. Was utterly oblivious of the particulars of his illness, denying
even that he had eaten the berries, [3].
[10.] ►
The next day he was pretty well, but had entirely lost his memory of all
recent occurrences. He could not tell me even to what detachment of the
regiment he belonged, or at what post he had been stationed. This loss
of memory seems to be a characteristic effect of this plant, [8]. ►
Total loss of consciousness, [8]. ► When he attempted to get out of bed, at
about 6 A.M., he got on his clothes partly, but suddenly lost all
consciousness till about 11 A.M. (second day). He was conscious for a
minute or two, but almost immediately relapsed into stupor, which
continued for about twenty-four hours, [2].
► Stupor, [1]. ► State
of stupor continuing all the next day, following the convulsions, [3]. ►
Coma, with or without convulsions or delirium, [1].
HEAD.
►
Giddiness, [1]. ► It seems to act principally on the
intellectual or parietal portion of the brain, producing great
excitement, followed by congestion. Its action is rapid, [7].
STOMACH.
►
Retching, [5]. ► Vomiting, [5].
GENERALITIES.
[20.]
► Convulsions, [5]. ► Seized
with convulsions, which speedily became so violent that it required two
strong men to hold him. These convulsions were severe for about forty
minutes, when they gradually diminished, and the patient passed into a
state of stupor (after five hours), [3].
► Tetanic convulsions. From his
appearance I should have certainly supposed that he had taken strychnia.
The convulsions were very violent and the opisthotonos complete, [8]. ►
Attack similar to epilepsy (from swallowing berry with small stalk
adhering), [6]. ► A peculiar form of nervous irritability
not observable prior to the Toot poisoning (after several years). It is
questionable, however, whether this sequela is a “propter hoc,” or a mere “post hoc,” [5].
SUPPLEMENT: CORIARIA RUSCIFOLIA.
Authority.
9,
H. G. Hughes, Pharm. Journ., Third Ser., vol. ii, 1871, p. 281, ate
about 1 1/2 grains of the resin.►
Disagreeable irritating sensation in
the throat, extending to the stomach, with pain across the region of the
stomach, accompanied by nausea (in five minutes). In a quarter of an
hour vomiting came on, which continued more or less for two hours. Very
unpleasant sensations continued for two hours more, when, after great
flushing of the face, with all but intolerable heat, the effects passed
away, [9].® 2000
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