Badania właściwości leczniczych i toksycznych bobu kalabarskiego /Physostigmavenenosum Balf./ w świetle wybranych zagranicznych i polskich czasopism medycznych i farmaceutycznych w XIX w.

Research on the Calabar bean (Physostigma venenosum Balf.) in 19^th century medical and pharmaceutical journals

The Calabar bean (Physostigma venenosum Balf.) is both a poisonous and medicinal plant. Its toxic properties were investigated by William Freeman Daniell (1817-1865), a British surgeon and botanist. He reported that a water extract, milky in colour obtained from the seeds of a certain plant was used in the 'judgements of god' as the poison of test in Old Calabar. This drew the attention of Robert Christison (1797-1882), a Scottish physician, toxicologist and professor of materia medica in Edinburgh, who conducted experiments using the Calabar bean extract on animals as well as on himself. There were also publications on the Calabar bean in Polish journals authored, among others, by Maryan Barcz, the prowizor of pharmacy [professional degree obtained by pharmacy staff after graduation from university and professional practice].