Curare - a poison that can kill or temporarily immobilize

Curare - the generalized name of the strongpoisons, obtained by evaporation of aqueous extracts from certain tropical plants. These poisons have long been used by natives residing in South America, for poisoning the arrowheads in military operations and during hunting. They knew the dosages necessary for instant death or temporary immobilization if the enemy was needed alive.

Poison curare, hitting the blood, exerts on the bodynerve-paralytic effect. First, nerve impulses are blocked, muscle paralysis occurs. Then the respiratory system breaks down, the skin turns blue, the liver becomes inflamed - and as a result, death occurs. When meat comes into contact with a lethal potion in the stomach, there are no consequences, that is, animals killed by a poisoned arrow can be eaten. Moreover, their meat, according to the aborigines, becomes more tasty and delicate.

The composition of this deadly poison for Europeanslong remained a mystery. The mention of him caused awe. Different tribes of poison curare are obtained from different plants and even compositions. There are several varieties of a deadly potion that has a different effect on the body and is stored in different conditions. For example, curare - the poison from Chondrodendron tomentosum - acts very quickly. It was stored in hollow tubes of stems. The poison from Strychnos toxifera acts more slowly, similarly to strychnine. It was stored in clay pots.

Chondrodendron tomentosum - liana, related toThe Loganiev family is widespread in South America. Its lignified stem can reach a cross section of 10 cm. The leaves are large (up to 20 cm), serrate, with well-visible streaks. The upper side of the leaves is smooth, and the bottom is covered with light pile. Flowers are dioecious, small, greenish-cream, collected in inflorescences. Fruits are small (up to 2 mm), oblong, tapering downwards.

The first mention of the plant is found inthe records of the Spanish priest d’Akunya that he made in 1693. The samples of poison and manufacturing techniques were brought to Europe by the French scientist Charles de la Cordamen (from an expedition to Peru). The Indians, of course, did not give curare themselves. Poison scientist had to steal and spy on how the natives do it.

The leaves, roots and stems of Chondrodendron tomentosum were ground, flooded and

on low heat cooked for a whilemass did not thicken. At the same time she was constantly stirred. Sometimes poisonous frogs or other animals were added to the brew. Less strong poison had a light color, it was used for hunting. More effective and deadly was a thick sticky poison with a smell of tar. It was used against enemies, processing the spines, which were then blown out of the tubes. Only the shaman of the tribe had the right to produce curare-poison, for disobedience death was presumed.

The active substance of curare-poison isD-tubocurarine is an active alkaloid. If it is used in microdoses, it can have a therapeutic effect. This substance is used in the treatment of dropsy, urolithiasis, insanity, fever, etc. You can use it externally in case of severe injuries in the form of compresses. Indian shamans have long known about this and skillfully used and continue to use curare-poison.