CAPRIFOLIACEÆ.
Common Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) and Dwarf Elder (S. Ebulus L.). These two plants are usually avoided by stock, no doubt in view of their odour, more particularly in the case of the latter species. The bark, leaves and berries of both species were noticed by Cornevin as having pronounced purgative properties, and the berries of S. Ebulus as having poisoned turkeys. Esser remarks that the use of S. Ebulus by country folk as a purgative has caused fatal poisoning. The leaves of S. nigra have caused severe irritant poisoning in a child.
Toxic Principle. Some doubt exists as to the poisonous principle of the Elders, the leaves of which contain Sambunigrin (C14H17O6N), a cyanogenetic glucoside; the alkaloid Sambucine; and a purgative principle. According to Cornevin drying reduces the toxicity but does not destroy it.
Symptoms. The symptoms are not very definite, but small quantities cause purgation, while large quantities induce depression and violent emetic and cathartic effects, with diarrhœa, abundant diuresis and acceleration of pulse. The leaves of S. Ebulus have caused vomiting, obstinate constipation and enteritis in a boy, and in the case of another boy the flowers caused vertigo and headache.
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