SAVIN
The leaves and tops of this plant, Juniperus Sabina (N.O. Coniferæ), yield an acrid volatile oil, to the presence of which the poisonous properties are due. The oil is colourless or pale yellow, with a peculiar terebinthinate odour. It is used in medicine both internally and externally, and is supposed to possess emmenagogue properties. The dried powder is less active than the fresh tops. Savin is seldom used as a poison, more frequently to procure abortion. Its use for this purpose is mentioned in the old ballad of “Marie Hamilton”:
- “The King has gane to the Abbey garden,
- And pu‘d the savin tree,
- To scale the babe from Marie‘s heart;
- But the thing it wadna be.”
Symptoms.—Those of irritant poisoning. Violent pain in the abdomen, followed by vomiting, and in some cases salivation and strangury. Purging is not always present. When taken to procure abortion, death often takes place before the object for which it was taken is attained.
Post-mortem Appearances.—The stomach, gullet, and intestines are found congested and inflamed. The stomach may in places be seen corroded, and a green powder adherent to its coats. The powder washed and dried, and then rubbed, gives off the odour of savin.
Chemical Analysis.—When an infusion or decoction of the leaves has been taken, chemical analysis is of no assistance. The oil may be separated from the contents of the stomach by subjecting them to distillation, and then shaking the distillate with ether, when the oil is dissolved out. On the evaporation of the ether, the oil is left for examination. When the powder is taken the contents of the stomach are not unlike green pea-soup. If a small portion of the green liquid be taken, and diluted with water, the green chlorophyll, being insoluble, will sink; but if the colour be due to bile, the liquid will remain of a uniform green colour. If a portion of the green matter be collected, dried, and then rubbed in a mortar, the characteristic odour of savin will be given off. The microscope may detect bits of the twigs.
The oil, on the addition of strong sulphuric acid, gives a brown colour. On diluting the coloured liquid with water, a dense white precipitate forms.