The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-09-03
THE DANGEROUS oLEANDER,
The Buds and Leaves of the Popula
pI..e A -. M ua.1tT, e., = ~, t.,,,, - ma

The Buds and Leaves of the Popular
Plant Are Not Healthful Things to Eat.
II wonder If it is q mere matter of
fancy, or does that tree affect my
health" queried very delicate look
ing woman, as she broke some large
punches of exquisite pink and white
blooms from tall and wide spreading
oleander which stood in large tub in
her room. Sometimes l feel perfectly
certain that the odor of the blossoms
hurts me-makes my eyes burn and
causes an irritation in my throat. lam
more satisfied about the latter, how
ever, and am going to have the plant
taken out of my room, although it is
one of which, for several reasons, / am
very fond"
II think you are wise in doing So"
replied her friend. II am certain that
continuous breathing of the atmosphere
laden with the odor of that tree is
capable of producing the most serious
consequences. l have not the slightest
doubts that the deaths of at least two
friends of mine are traceable to this
cause, and l know of several cases
where throat affections have been
caused and aggravated by living in the
same room with large plants of this
sort. In one instance there was at first
a slight swelling in the throat, then a
long period of gradually increasing
pain and Inflammation, then malignant
symptoms and death, with very
marked disturbance of the hearts
Sction toward the last.
1.-THE dispensatories and other au-
thorities tell us that the oleander con-
tains a principle which is an active
heart poison. 1t seems remarkable
that no investigation of its actual effect
on human life has been made. In some
countries it is in general use as the
principal ingredient of a compound for
destroying rats, mice and many sorts Of
insects. An armful of boughs cut from
a number of trees on a gentleman's
lawn was thrown into a pond where
cattle went to drink, and several valu-
able animals died from drinking there.
"a gentleman one day rode his horse
up to the porch of house where he
desired to call, tied the animal to one
OF the rails and went indoors. Return
ing after few moments stay, he found
the horse in state of violent agitation
trembling and scarcely able to stand
A few moments later he fell, and dice
almost instantly. Investigation re
vealed the fact that he had reached
over the rail and eaten several large
branches from an oleander which stood
on the porch. Members of the family
who CHANGED to be aware of the deatf
OF the cattle from drinking the poi
soned water, and also of other corrob
orative evidence, had no hesitation il
declaring that the oleander shoots tina
the horse had eaten were the cause O
his death.
in view of these facts, it seems quit,
important that some qualified individ
ual should investigate the subject anc
give to the public the results. A lad,
of some experience and considerable
medical knowledge gives it as her opin
ion that enlargement of the glands O
the throat, goiter and various forms O
heart disease are either produced or ag
gravated by inhaling air charged wit
/ the odors of this plant. Especially
this likely to occur in winter, wheI
plants are kept in living rooms in hig
temperature, or where the air is charge
with moisture. Certain it is that wit
my observation and experience of its et
fects I would have it removed withou
delay, beautiful as it is."-New Yor
: Ledger.