Abstract:
Picrotoxin is the poisonous principle in the berries of East Indian plants of the coculus species, namely Mensiperum Coculus and Anamirta Coculus (1). It was first isolated by the French chemist Boullay in 1812. When pure, picrotoxin forms colourless crystals. It is a powerful central nervous system stimulant, and has been used for many years as an antidote to poisoning by barbituric acid hypnotics, and also as a fish poison. It has been used in acute cases of alcoholic poisoning, and, ironically enough, because of its intensely bitter flavour, it has been employed in the manufacture of beer.
