The non-bacillar nature of abrus-poison : with observations on its chemical and physiological properties / by L.A. Waddell.

  • Waddell, L. A. (Laurence Austine), 1854-1938.
Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The non-bacillar nature of abrus-poison : with observations on its chemical and physiological properties / by L.A. Waddell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    the investigation of the influence of this supposed bacillus upon the organism as a whole, and they allege as the results of their investigatiolis that the poisonous action of the abrus-seeds is due to a specific bacillus—“ the bacillus of jequirity.” This bacillus they believe to be derived from the seeds, and, developing primarily at the seat of the injection of the infusion, ultimately pervades all parts of the organism, and is the cause of the death of the animal. These startling observations of #M.M. Cornil and Berlioz, if confirmed, would naturally tend to upset existing views on germ pathology, and would stimulate to experimental research in an almost unlooked-for direction. The Lancet is not slow to accept M. Cornil’s results, and devotes a leader to their consideration, remarking that an argument of much validity is hereby afforded for the doctrine of specificity of disease (1). The importance therefore of these alleged results in their relations to general pathology rendered the subject deserving of further study. The present series of observations had, however, the further object of ascertaining definitely the true mode of action of a poison which was of much medico-legal importance in this country. Our inquiry at the outset will lead us to test the accuracy of M. Cornil’s observations, which credit abrus-seeds with the possession of such remarkable properties — so opposed to all pre- vious experience of the action of vegetable poisons ; and the first question which will present itself for consideration is whether or not bacillar formation is necessarily associated with the local action and toxic manifestations of the abrus-seeds. If this is found to be really the case, then we will have to consider the significance of the bacillus. Is it a variety special to these seeds ? Or, is it a known form of pathogenic bacillus; or, is it one of the ordinary non-infecting bacilli which has taken on special qualities due to a special kind of disturbance excited in the tissues by the abrus-seed infusion ? But if we find that the local action and poisoning symptoms are due neither to the presence of bacteria nor to the products resulting from their growth, then we shall have to resort to a more extended chemical (1) Page G01, Volume II, 1883.