What to do in cases of poisoning / by William Murrell.

  • William Murrell
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: What to do in cases of poisoning / by William Murrell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ABRUS PRECATORIUS. Jequirity Seeds—Prayer Beads—Jumble Beads. These are the seeds of the Indian liquorice plant (Abrus Precatorius) which grows wild in most parts of India. There are several vari- eties, but those most commonly met with in this country are of a bright red colour, with a black spot or eye. They are often sent over as presents and are given to children to play with, so that they may have an opportunity of swallowing them. They have been used in the form of an infusion in the treatment of granular lids and other eye affections. They are said to be poisonous when swallowed, but this probably is a mistake, as they are eaten as an article of diet in Egypt. In India they are used illegitimately for killing cattle, especially by the chamar or skinner caste. The seeds are powdered, moistened with water and then rolled into little pointed cylinders or needles called “ suis.” The “ sui ”—or “ sutari ” as it is sometimes called from its resemblance to a cobbler’s awl—is dried and fixed into a wooden handle. The animal is stabbed with