M. R. SUBRAMANIA SASTRY AND OTHERS                223

debittered seeds on the bullock. Besides, experiments on the goat with raw
powdered seeds with the husk intact and without in any way debittering them
have also been done and found to produce no harmful effects. It is left to
the stock owners to try the results of the latter experiments on bullocks and
other large animals and report their observations. Our findings indicate that
feeding with these seeds is bound to improve their health and general condition.
Investigations on the pharmacolog cal actions of the alkaloid are proceed-
ing and the results will be published in a subsequent paper.

                                             SUMMARY

(i) The alkaloidal content of the lupin seeds received from the Agricul-
tural Research Station, Nanjanad was found to be 0.1302 per cent.

(ii) The alkaloid lupanine has been isolated from the seeds in yields vary-
ing from 1.5 to 2 gm. from 8 kilogrammes of the material.

(iii) Debittered seeds fed to the goat did not produce any untoward symp-
toms.

(iv) Seeds fed with the husk intact and without being debittered also did
not produce any bad symptoms when given in quantities up to 12 ounces a
day ; but showed satiation on the 4th day after the feed was raised to
1 lb. a day.

(v) 25 to 50 milligrammes of the alkaloid, administered intravenously to
dogs weighing about 10 to 15 lb., caused a definite fall in the blood-pressure and
a dose of 100 to 150 milligrammes (1½ to 2¼ grains) proved lethal and it is
inferred that the alkaloid contained in 60 to 70 lb. or even more of the seeds
would be required to prove lethal to a bullock weighing about 300 to 350 lb.

(vi) The alkaloids of the seeds do not appear to produce any cumulative
effects.

(vii) Debittering of the seeds does not appear to be necessary and they
may, with safety, be fed raw (even with the husk intact)—powdered, crushed
or in any edible form—to the extent of 3 lb. a day for a bullock with an average
weight of about 300 lb. and in proportionately smaller quantities for smaller
animals.

                               ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was done at the laboratories of the Research Unit, Medical
College, Madras, under the auspices of the Imperial Council of Agricultural
Research who are financing the Scheme for research into the indigenous drugs
of India used in veterinary practice with special reference to their toxicology.
We are highly grateful for the impetus and the financial help given by the
Council.

Our thanks are due to the Curator, Government Botanical Gardens,
Ootacamund for the supply of the material necessary for the investigation and
also for the description and photographs of the plant.

We are deeply indebted to the Surgeon-General with the Government of
Madras, for affording all facilities for the working of the Scheme, and to the
Director of Veterinary Services, Madras, for the keen enthusiasm he has evin-
ced in the inauguration of the Scheme and for his direction and valuable
advice.

                                      REFERENCE

Wehmer, C. (1929). Die Pflanzenstoffe 1, 526