1934-04-18 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 1934.

POISONOUS PLANTS OF THE TRIBUTE TO MR. DUDLEY

COLONY

Interesting Address By Rotarian G.A.C. Herklots

Members of the Rotary Club were entertained yesterday by one of their members, Rotarián G. A. C, Herklats, who gave them a delightful and instructive talk on "Poisonous Plants of the Co- lony," The speaker added a"great deal of interest to his talk by distributing among the audience many specimens of poisonous plants and seeds to be found in the Colony.

"Mr. T. B. Wilson,” who had been absent from the Club's lunch- eon for a fortnight owing to an Injured foot, once again presided over the meeting. He was given a ̋hearty welcome on rising to address the meeting,

Highly Poisonous Leaves

On Display

"

strychnine. Half a gram of stry- chnine will stupify a man, in a few

seconds. death taking place in ANNUAL

from 18 minutes to 8 hours later. There are two species of Strychnos In Hong Kong, one of which is very abundant. The fruits look like small oranges and each contains .one, two, or three curious flattened seeds. Both shrubs grow on the banks above Repulse Bay and the bay beyond and I advise parents to warn their children should they. be seen to play with these fruits.

The recognition of poisonous plants in the field is not easy un- less either one is acquainted with the species or one is a botanist and knows what familles of plants to suspect; but there are two signs which can easily be remembered. One is that all plants that possess a milky latex, or milky sap, should immediately be suspected and sec- ondly, any leaf or fruit that tastes bitter should not be consumed. Many poisonous plants have at- tractive flowers some of which are very fragrant, the flower gives no clue.-except in rare cases, to the character of the plant. Often in the Jungle when one is hot and tired a glass of water would be much appreciated but water is fre- quently difficult to find in the forest. Certain plants, however, yield a quantity of sap which is very refreshing to drink. If you remember these two rules you need never go thirsty for long. The Rattans yield a most acceptable drink and on several occasions in Malaya I have quenched my thirst by cutting through a coll of rate tan, holding up a length vertically and drinking the water that flows out from the lower cut surface. Climbing plants with a milky juice must never be looked to for a drink. Arrow Poisons.

In the course of his speech, Mr., ments pens poisoned in Mercuric Herklots said:-

chloride were provided and for Chinese residents for the most others the seeds of Ricinus part have a very good knowledge | communis the Castor oil, and of those plants growing in, the Co-it Was all I could do to lony which are good to eat and prevent the latter at any rate, those which are good for their en- from being consumed. I am in emies to eat. European residents formed that medical studenta have are less fortunate. I have, there-keen killed by eating the seeds of, fore, chosen this subject in the his plant. Only the Attest survive hope that I may be able to place in the struggle to pass the M.B., a few facts of Interest, and per- Ch. B. degree. I trust to the dis- haps value, before those to whom cretion of my fellow Rotarians but a knowledge of the Garden of Eden | I disclaim all responsibility for any and its trees of good and evills | post-prandial pains that may be at present denied. There is an al- experienced to-day. Blame the

Arrow Poisons are of interest and most of us can remember ternative method of acquiring this tiffin if you wish but not me..

the 'knowledge and that is. Adam's The Castor oil sced as well as magnificent film "The House of the method, but whereas Adam, aut possessing a large quantity of arrow" that was shown in Rong The fered and lived to tell the tale you valuable oil used for the lubrication Kong about two years ago. might not be so fortunate. The of machines includes a substance Polson refered to in Mason's book ability to dispose of ar. uncon-

is Strophanthus. called ricin which is an irritant and in the film genial neighbour, or of a wealthy poison possessing the property of very abundant in Hong Kong and Now Strophanthus divergens 1s uncle of whom one has expecta- coagulating tions, is only one side of the pic seeds form the minimum fatal the widely divergent seed pods that ture. The other is the ability to dose. in the preparation of the all look like protect oneself or one's children this substance is not extracted for from sudden, mysterious and pain tunately for a number of citizens from Southern Europe. The Castor By poisonous plants I do not re-all plant is common in Hong Kong, fer to those articles of food which e.g., near Repulse Bay and on some people find distasteful to the Stanley Peninsula. palate, for each has his likes and dislikes and truly what is one man's meat is another man's poison; nor am I going to mention strange fungi which and their way by un- known means. into an otherwise innocent collation of tasty mush- rooms.

ful death,

blood: the

Twa

KING

DINNER OF CHINESE POLICE RESERVISTS

Congratulations From H.E. Sir Thomas Southorn

H. E. the Officer Administering the Government, speaking at the annual dinner of the Chinese Company of the Hongkong Police Reserves, held last night, congratulated the company on its year of achievement. He took the opportunity also of thanking Mr." Dudley King for the work, he had done for the Police Reserve movement in Hongkong and at the same time welcomed Mr. C. Champkin, Mr. King's Successor...

The Hon. Dr. B. W. Tso, who proposed the toast of "The Guesta," paid special tribute to Sir Thomas and Lady Southern for the part they played in helping to raise funds for the Chin- ese Company a few years ago.

King,

The activities of the company were recounted by Mr. Dudley

This

be going on leave in about a week's and keeness and brought the Force into a state of efficiency. He will time and we wish him and Mrs. King every happiness and enjoy- ment in their well earned holidays and to return to the Colony much invigorated and in good health.

In addition to HE the Otce Headquarters and a Club, the lat- Administering the Government. ter being most essential for the there were present, His Honour Mr. ↑ well being of our members socially, Justice MacGregor. Mr. Justice Lindsell, Sir Henry Pollock, Sir

Mr. D. L. Klos. William Shenton, the Hon. Mr. Ed- win Taylor, the Hon. Mr. N. I The Follca Reserve Force was or- Smith, Mr. T. H. King, Mr. D. Bur-ganized in February, 1927. lingham. Mr. C. G., Perdue, Mr. C. is the eighth year of its existence. Champkin,. Mr. B. C. Randall, Mr. During this period of seven years, Kwok Siu Lau, Mr. Mok Kong Sang. the Chinesa Company has not been Mr. Kwok Chan, Mr. Chan Lim entirely free from troubles which Pak, Mr. Tang Shiu Kin. Mr. Chau in the vicissitude of all raman af- Tung Sang. Mr. Ngan Shing Kwan, fairs seem to be unavoidable....... But Mr. Wong Hak King and Mr. Peter thanks to Mr. D. L King, the Ad- Sin.

jutani, who kindly took over the two our Company The Hon, Dr. 8. "W. Tso in pro-command of Dosing the toast of "The Guests" years ago, matters have greatly said:-Your Excellency and Gen- improved and the spirit of our members has been in the ascen- temen: "

dant ever since. Through his We feel greatly honoured by thei keen knowledge of men and by his gracious presence of Your Ex- cellency and the other guests of with those under his command, he firm but gentle manner in dealing the evening at our annual gather- has inspired them with confidence ing here to-night. I made a sug- Company that the meeting should gestion to the members of our be held at some place where there Cow's horns must be is plenty of elbow room. But I familiar to all The Chinese name was reminded by them that "here" ignau kok ahue, cow's horn the Headquarters and Club is the tree. The seeds contain the al- home of the Company and that be kalold strophanthine which in mo- it ever so humble, there is no place dern medicine is used in minute uke home. I was much pleased quantities extensively as a heart with the pride they take in their Both Croton and Jatropha are stimulant The South American Headquarters where they carry out poisonous members of the Castoroural!" are obtained by soaking me the keen interest they take in arrow poisons "curare" and their duties and that pride shows

the minimum fatal dose and death the bark of a species of Strychnos their work, Although the space may take place in as short a space in water and using the decoction here is somewhat limited. I can as 4 hours.

thus obtained Another arrow pól assure you that the heartiness of son plant with almost world wide our welcome to you is unbounded. tropical distribution is the climber

This is not the first time that Your Excellency has honoured our Company. In 1928, when the Company tried, for the first time, Your Excellency and Gentlemen, to raise funds by giving a Chinese on behalf of the Officers and men Theatrical performance at the Kau of the Chinese Company, I thank Fong Theatre, Your Excellency you once more for the great-hon- and Lady Southorn kindly gave us our you have conferred on us to- your patronage at the perform- | night by your presence. ance. Quite recently, when the Before asking Your Excellency to Company tried to raise funds for kindly address 'us, I will, first ask the second time, His Excellency Sir Mr. D. L. King to read his re- William and Lady Feel also pa- port. tronized the Chinese Entertain- Now, "Officers and men, please ment which we gave at the King's dil up your glasses and rise and Theatre. On both of these oc- drink with me to the health, DIO- casions, the result of these per sperity and success of our guests formances WES a great financial coupled with the name of His Ex- success. I take this opportunity, čellency, Bir Thomas Southoin. therefore, to express our hearty thanks to Your Excellency and Lady Bouthern and also to His Excellency, Sir William Peel and Lady Peel for the great interest you and they took and are taking in the welfare of pur Company.

The Police Max's" Lot,

oll family. Four Croton seeds is

are

Another Poison. 'There are a number of other plants of foreign origin growing in

We take this opportunity of wels, coming Mr. Champkin, who has been appolated by the Government absence from the Colony as Ad- to succeed Mr. King during his

jutant of the Police Reserve. By his vast experience in Volunteer Forces and by fils brilliant wit for which he is well known, I feel sure

Champkin will. that Mr. brightness, cheerfulness and suc- cess to the Police Reserve Force.

A...

fi

MR. D. L. KING

bring

Mr. D. L. King said:-Your Ex- cellehey and Gentlemen.

The seeds of Croton tiglium are gathered principally In Szechuan There is one curious aspect of and exported from Hankow and Abrus precatorius. The seeds are the distribution of poisonous plants Canton. The ornamental Crotons powdered and mixed with water to which calls for comment and that (Codlaceun varlegatum) grown so, form a paste with which the arrow is their universality. Many of the extensively in the Colony are pro- points are smeared. Death from poisonous plants found in the Co-bably not so poisonous but 'still

a scratch from such an BITUW lony do not belong here, the com- the leaves are not to be recom- takes place within 24 hours. This mon Datura alba is probably not mended as a substitute for spinach climber la abundant in the Colony native nor is Ricinus communis, Jatropha the Physic Nut is grown and as the seeds are very attrac- the Castor oil, Isotoma longiflora, by villagers in the Colony as a tive, children gather them. Only Asclepias curassavica and many hedge plant, the fruits look very a few days ago a lady asked me others. Why? The answer I sug- much like those of the Castor all what they were as her children gest is. Pigs. Or rather Pigs and plant but are not prickly and the had been playing with them. The Hens. Grain imported for animal seeds are larger. One species of minimum fatal dose for an adult consumption occasionally contains Jatropha is called the Bellyache is three seeds; one seed if well some poisonous seeds and these in Bush. The Oleander (Neriam masticated would probably prove the course of time become es-oleander) is well known to be sufficient for a child. The poison- tablished in the vicinity of native poisonous and is widely cultivated ous principles are ahrin and abric villages. The pig is an omnvore in Hong Kong, the principle is acid both of which are present in but even an omnivore may possess nerlin, 8 leaves form the minimum the seed" coat. These seeds discrimination and the pig is a fatal dose. The leaves of Azaleas used for several purposes, they are discerning quadruped. "He, at any❘ (Rhododendron sp.) contain a often threaded together to form & rate, can distinguish between good polson -called · andromedotoxin so necklace or a matury and they are and evil, he eats the good and called from Andromeda the plant, used as goldsmiths weights; the leaves the evil. The poisonous in the same family, from which it average weight of a seed is 1.75

The Honorary Commissioner has plant, thus being under the pro-was first isolated.

grains.

just given you a general survey of tection of the pig and the hen, Strychnos In Repulse Bay

the history of the Chinese Com- survives and multiplies and in con- Datura aiba contains the drug

pany of the Hong Kong Police Re- sequence the flora of every village atropin which is principally ex-

serve," to date-from which you will compound in the Colony is enrich-tracted from the Deadly Night- the Colony which are more or less In a Voluntary Force," especially have realised that it has survived ed by the addition of poisonous, shade, a native of Europe, rare in poisonous e.g. Isotoma longifiora, that of the Police. It is very dif-many changes in constitution and alien, Americans. This is the sec- England. Hyocyamine the active Asclepias curassavica, Plumbago, ficult indeed to keep its members adminstration. ond point that calls for comment. principle of Henbane is also pre- Jasminium Sarrbac, Wistaria, in a constant state of keeneas in I have been asked to give a re- Why are so many of our weeds and sent in Datura seeds. Chew up a Cannabis indica and the Camphor their work; as the humourous port on the activities of the Unit poisonous plants of American ort few of these seeds that are con- tree but I shall conclude by refer- Gilbert says, "the policeman's lot and of its training, and in doing gin? By American of course I do taked in this thorny capsule, ring to a truly local plant. There is is not a happy one." To sustain so I wish first to endorse the Honor- not refer to the United States which from which the came Thorn ap-a climbing plant growing in the such "an interest among members ary Commissioner's remarks on the occupy but a small area, and that ple has been derived, and you may Tai Po and Sheung Shui districts of such a Force, the existence of difficulties which normally beset relatively unimportant, (botanical not live to drink a cup of tea this which is well known to the Chinese necessary. The conditions are that teer organization of this nature.

certain conditions seems to be the successful career of any Volun- ly speaking) of the American con-afternoon. tinents, No, I refer to the sub- Close relatives of some of our | Man-tang. The scientific name their services should be appre The fact that the principal.objéct tropical and tropical portions of poisonous plants yield well known is Gelsemium elagans and as it clated; that their needs should be of such a force is to be of assist- central and south America. But Ordeal pakkobs. In certain un- has a very attractive flower, many fully supplied and that there mustance in times of troubles, and that this is too big a subject for present civilised countries to this day and yellow flowers are produced, I have exist & harmonious co-operation until such an occasion arises it can discussion.

formerly in most countries, per- cultivated it as an ornamental. between the Regular and Reserve take no very active part in the Rotarians And Rich Uncles! | Bomb "zuspected of witch craft or All parts of the plant contain a

Forces.

life of the Colony, makes the work I have with me here specimens crime were made to swallow por- spinal poison called gelsemidine, I am happy to say that the of training and of becoming "em- of a number of poisonous fruits and tions of poisonous plants, or al twelve grams of leaf form the Chinese Company has received, clent one of extreme dificulty, leaves but am rather diffident ternatively to confess their gulit. minimum fatal dose, death taking from the Hon: L G. F. every con- There is the natural tendency to about distributing them amongst If the suspected person died he place in from 4 to 8 hours. Apparsideration to its needs. Eplendid wonder whether frequent attend- such- a - distinguished gathering, was considered to be guilty, it he ently this is the plant chosen when harmony and co-operation exists ances at parades and at classes of Are Rotarians to be trusted? Do vomited the poison and survived he a country person wishes to .com- between the Regular Force and Instruction is really worth" while; Rotarians possess wealthy uncles was held to be innocent. A very mit suicide and on enquiry I find our Company. For this state of and--unless the programme of from whom they have expecta- | convenient method, for if the man that it is locally believed that 'at "goodwill among them special training is made interesting and tions? Birds of a feather do flock recovered he thus established his least three leaves must be eaten thanks are due to the Hon: I. G. the work is made to be of real together and those who take a innocence, if he died his relatives, for death to take place.

P. and the Officers of the Regular value," the spirit of keeness which delight in nibbling tend to follow had no cause of complaint for the Through the courtesy of my friend Police, of whom, if I may mention is the one essential factor in work the same profession. I observe man in dying had proved himself Rotarian R.P. Dunlop, I have had names, Chlef Inspector Clark and of a voluntary nature, is likely to some doctors present. I apologise if guilty. A tree which grows by the access to the laboratory notes of Sub-Inspectors Hunt and Hopkins die an early death. I say anything disrespectful of seaside abundantly in this colony the late Mr. E. B. Dovey. Governare perhaps most outstanding for It is most satisfactory to report. their profession." At Leeds I had possesses seeds from which a ment analyst in Hongkong for 15 the keen interest they took in the however, that the general spirit the privilege of instructing medical famous ordeal polson was prepared, years. His notes supplied me with training of our men. I hope that and esprit-de-corps of the Chinese students in the subject of Biology. The local plant is Cerbern Odollam weights of poison required and when the Hon; I. G. P. shall have Company has shown steady im- They were inquisitive students, the one used in Madagascar to C. length of time for death to occur occasion to sak for more money provement during recent years, and proper spirit, but chose Adam's Tangin. The name Cerbera is de-In conclusion may I add that at from the Government Coffers for that the exective strength of the method, which in their state of rived from Cerberus, the mytho- a post mortem examination most the needs of the Police Reserve, unit has grown from 35 in 1930 to ignorance was deplorable. They logical three headed dog which of these plant poisons can be re- the Government will not hold its 95 at the end of 1933, with a high- were for ever eating their spect guarded the entrance, to Hadea coguised fairly easily so if any Ro- purse strings too tightly, safe er percentage of attendances at mens--no they were not cannibals, Cerbera for breakfast and Cerberus tarian present doen wish to dispose⠀⠀⠀ I must also give our hearty regular parades, When given an apple in order to at lunch!

of a weally uncle 1 advise him thanks to members of our thance. This situation reflects great cre- study the microscopic structure of Another well known ordeal pol- to chose some other method than committee who have never failed dit on the members, and is also

peasants under the name of Fu

:

its cells, it was the core-cells that son is prepared from the seeds of those I have outlined here, us in our need for financial sup- largely due to the generous and were examined. Raw potatoes, | various species of Strychnos; this | At the conclusion of the address, port, Through their own tencios- ungrudging support which has at peas and other vegetable matter was employed and probably stil the speaker was thanked by Ho- supplied for study vanished at A is in the wilder regions of tarian E Cock on behalf of the remarkable rate. For some experi- ! Africă." The poisonous principle is Rotary Club.

fty and, by their assiduous, issis-Fall times been given by the Hong- tance in raising funds for us, our Company is able to maintain our

(Continued on Page 11);

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