So far back as 1849, Mr. Alexander Ure investigated the purgative
properties of the oil of anda. The specimen with which the experiments
were tried had not been freshly prepared, and had indeed been long
regarded as a curiosity. Twelve ounces were alone available, and it
was a yellowish oil, quite bright, about the consistence of oleum
olivæ, devoid of smell, and free from the viscid qualities of castor
oil. There was a small supply of anda fruits differing a good deal in
appearance one from the other, but we are not aware whether these were
utilized and the oil expressed; as far as our recollection serves, the
subject was abandoned. It was known that the natives of Brazil used
the seeds as an efficient purgative in doses of from one to three, and
it was in contemplation to introduce this remedy into England, though
it was by no means certain that under distinctly different climatic
influences equally beneficial results might be expected. Mr. Ure
determined, by actual experiment, to ascertain the value of the oil in
his own hospital practice. He found that small doses were better than
larger ones, and in several reported cases it appeared that twenty
drops administered on sugar proved successful. Oil of anda-açu, or
assu, therefore, would stand mid-way between ol. ricini and ol.
crotonis. These researches seem to have been limited to the original
sample, although the results obtained would appear to justify a more
extended trial. M. Mello-Oliveira. of Rio Janeiro, has endeavored to
bring the remedy into notice under the name of "Huile d'Anda-Assu,"
and possibly may not have been acquainted with the attempt to
introduce it into English practice. He describes the anda as a fine
tree (_Johanesia princeps_, Euphorbiaceæ), with numerous branches and
persistent leaves, growing in different parts of Brazil, and known
under the name of "coco purgatif." The fruit is quadrangular,
bilocular, with two kernels, which on analysis yield an active
principle for which the name "Johaneseine" is proposed. This is a
substance sparingly soluble in water and alcohol, and insoluble in
chloroform, benzine, ether, and bisulphide of carbon. Evidence derived
from experiments with the sulphate of this principle did not give
uniform results: one opinion being that, contrary to the view of many
Brazilian physicians, this salt had no toxic effect on either men or
animals. Local medical testimony, however, was entirely in favor of
the oil. Dr. Torrès, professor at Rio Janeiro, using a dose of two
teaspoonfuls, had been successful. Dr. Tazenda had obtained excellent
results, and Dr. Castro, with a somewhat larger dose (3 ijss.), was
even enthusiastic in its praise. It might, therefore, be desirable at
a time when new remedies are so much in vogue, not to abandon
altogether a Brazilian medicament the value of which is confirmed both
by popular native use and by professional treatment. M. Mello-Oliveira
comes to the conclusion that oleum anda assu (or açu) may be employed
wherever castor oil is indicated, and with these distinct advantages:
first, that its dose is considerably less; secondly, that it is free
from disagreeable odor and pungent taste; and thirdly, being
sufficiently fluid, it is not adherent to the mouth so as to render it
nauseous to the patient. In this short abstract the spelling of the
French original has been retained. As this therapeutic agent claimed
attention thirty years ago, and has again been deemed worthy of notice
in scientific journals, some of our enterprising pharmacists might be
inclined to add it to the list of their commercial ventures.--_Chemist
and Druggist._
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