Description

A tree to 26 m high with a straight bole to 16 m long by 1.60 m girth, in freshwater swamp-forest and on river-banks, from Ivory Coast to S Nigeria, and in Gabon, Cabinda and Príncipe.The wood is white and soft (2). It is a good firewood (9).Latex is present in all parts of the tree, and is most abundant in the bark. It is very caustic and may cause blindness (7, 8, 9), though this may be temporary (1). Ophthalmia caused by latex is said to be treatable by instillation of human milk (6, 8). The latex is a drastic purgative, two or three drips being a dose for a large person in Gabon (8, 9) and to 3–9 drips according to weight of the patient and his resistance in Congo (Brazzaville) (3). It is not prudent to give to pregnant women, nor to children (3). Toxicity appears to be confined to the fresh state (5), but it is taken in a coagulated state in Congo (Brazzaville) at a ‘thumbnail piece’ with tapioca or ripe banana for a dose (3). The fresh latex is used to purge and to obtain diuresis in generalised oedemas in Ivory Coast (5).In Benin (Nigeria) the latex is applied to sores (7).The seeds are also purgative (8, 9).The bark is used in Gabon as a fish-poison (9).Tannin has been reputed to be present in the leaves but no other active principle has been recorded (4).

Description

A tree to 26 m high with a straight bole to 16 m long by 1.60 m girth, in freshwater swamp-forest and on river-banks, from Ivory Coast to S Nigeria, and in Gabon, Cabinda and Príncipe.The wood is white and soft (2). It is a good firewood (9).Latex is present in all parts of the tree, and is most abundant in the bark. It is very caustic and may cause blindness (7, 8, 9), though this may be temporary (1). Ophthalmia caused by latex is said to be treatable by instillation of human milk (6, 8). The latex is a drastic purgative, two or three drips being a dose for a large person in Gabon (8, 9) and to 3–9 drips according to weight of the patient and his resistance in Congo (Brazzaville) (3). It is not prudent to give to pregnant women, nor to children (3). Toxicity appears to be confined to the fresh state (5), but it is taken in a coagulated state in Congo (Brazzaville) at a ‘thumbnail piece’ with tapioca or ripe banana for a dose (3). The fresh latex is used to purge and to obtain diuresis in generalised oedemas in Ivory Coast (5).In Benin (Nigeria) the latex is applied to sores (7).The seeds are also purgative (8, 9).The bark is used in Gabon as a fish-poison (9).Tannin has been reputed to be present in the leaves but no other active principle has been recorded (4).