Katakar Oil Poisoning

red about three years ago in August, 1922. I intended to publish the reports of the cases, after ascertaining, if possible, something about the physiological action of katakar oil. But as I have not found this last to be possible I content myself with publishing the notes of these interesting cases from my note book, on the eve of my transfer from this district. Katakar oil is the oil obtained from the mustard-like seeds of an Ayurvedic medical herb known as Sialkata which has multi-lobed thorny leaves and produces bell-shaped bright yellow flowers. The scientific name of the plant, as ascertained from the Curator of the Royal Botanical Garden, Calcutta, is Argcmone mexicana Linn, an American weed that has run wild throughout the country, and is commonly known as the Mexican prickly poppy. The following is a brief account of the occur-