TUTU POISONING.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 467, 18 February 1869, Page 3

TUTU POISONING.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times.) Sib,—l saw in one of your issues last week a report of an inquest on the body of a man who had been poisoned by eating the tutu or toot berries, and of the narrow escape from death of his mate, who, it seems, ate a less quantity, and took the very wise precaution of making himself sick by irritating his throat with a feather. Perhaps a word of advice to your readers on this subject may not be out of place just now, especially as there are at present a more than ordinary number of persons travelling up the Nelson road, where this poisonous shrub grows in great abundance, and which is especially the case where the two unfortunate men I have referred to partook of the berries. For a mile or two on that part of the road the shrubs grow on each side of the track so as to meet in its centre, and these luscious-looking berries hang down like grapes, offering a tempting bait to weary travellers. The poison is, without doubt, in the seeds which the berry contains, for if the latter are collected and strained through a piece of thin calico, a wine-glass-fulof the jam, when diluted with water, [makes a pannican-ful of a Tery wholesome and refreshing beverage. Or the berries may be sucked in the mouth with safety, if care be taken to spit out the seeds. I often do this when travelling and have never suffered the least from the practice.. If, however, I have been for a long time without food I always refrain • from taking them in large quantities, for I know that cattle and sheep are generally tutued when they eat the shrub on an empty stomach, while those that have an abundance of other food may eat it with comparative safety. Here it is found that the most damage is done with cattle among working-bullocks when turned out after a day's work, or with sheep when travelling. But the plant, altogether, is so dangerous in its nature that it should not be trifled with. A well-known miner on the Lyell a few weeks ago—well knowing the poisonous nature of the plant—yet without thought chewed a small piece of the pith of a stick

that accidentally came in his way; he did not swallow a particle of it, but in a few hours he had decided symptoms of poisoning which soon became very alarming. On enquiry it was discovered that the pith be had been chewing was from a stick of tutu. This man was several days before he recovered during which time he suffered much pain, principally in the kidneys, which seemed to be the most directly affected. It will hardly be believed fbat a white flannel applied to that part with hot water to relieve the pain was found, when removed, to be marked with two large black or dark blue spots corresponding with the two kidneys, but such was the case, which proves to me (although no doctor) the potency of the poison. The man (a very intelligent person) firmly believes that if he had swallowed a piece of that pith as big as a pea he must, without remedy, have died. I think it very likely that if a tutu stick were used to stir food in a pot for some time.sufficient poison would be extracted from it and mixed with the food, to kill several persons ; and this may happen any day, through ignorance or carelessness. The sticks being straight and of a suitable size are very likely ones to be used for such a purpose. T think what I have said is sufficient to show that there is danger to be avoided, and to be excuse enough for my having troubled you at so great a length.—l am, Sir, Tour Digger Friend. P.S.—ln the absence of any better directions I should advise any of your readers, if they should see either man or beast under the influence of this poison, to lose no time but if possible bleed them at once under the eye or on the temple or both; I should do so. This is the treatment used with cattle and sheep.