Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-08-28
THE oANeERous oLEANoER.

The DANGEROUS oLEANOER.
me Buds and Leaves of the Popular
Plant Are Not Healthful Things to Eat.
II wonder If it is a mere matter Of
fancy. or does that tree affect my
healthf' queried a very delicate look
ing woman, as she broke some large
punches of exquisite pink and white
blooms from a tall and wide spreading
oleander which stood in a large tub in
her Don Sometimes | 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 70 have the plant
taken out of my room, although it is
one of which, for several reasons, l am
very fond"
Il think you are wise in doing so, "
replied her friend. Il am certain that
continuous breathing of the atmosphere
laden with the odor Of that tree is
capable of producing the most serious
consequences. have not the slightest
doubts that the deaths Of at least two
friends of mine are traceable TO this
cause and | know Of several eases
where throat affections have been
caused and aggravated by living in the
same room with large plants Of this
sort. In n 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
action toward the last.
THE dispeusatories 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 il 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
q number Of trees On a gentleman's
lawn was thrown into a pond where
cattle went 10 drink. and several valu-
able animals died from drinking there.
"A gentleman one day rode his horse
up 70 the porch Of a house where ne
desired TO call. tied the animal 10 one
of the rails and went indoors. Return
ing after a few moments STAY. he found
the horse IN a state of violent agitation.
trembling and scarcely able 20 stand.
A few moments later he fell. and died
almost instantly. Investigation re-
vealed the fact that he had reached
over the rail and eaten several large
branches from an oleander which stood
OF the porch Members Of the family
who Glanced to be aware of the death
Of the cattle from drinking the poi
sOned water, and also Of other corrob-
orative evidence, had no hesitation in
declaring that the oleander shoots that
the horse had eaten were the cause Of
his death.
In view Of these facts. il seems quite
important that some qualified individ-
ual should investigate the subject and
give to the public the results. A lady
of some experience and considerable
medical knowledge gives il as her opin-
ion that enlargement of the glands of
b throat, gOiter and various forms Of
heart disease are either produced or a.
gravated by inhaling air charged with
the odors Of this plant. Especially is
this likely 70 occur in winter. when
plants are kept in living roomsin a high
temperature, or where the air is charged
with moisture. Certain it is that with
my observation and experience Of its eff
fects ! would have it removed without
delay, beautiful as it is."-New York
Ledger.