Gymnema

Gymnema sylvestre.

Authority.

Dr. Falconer read to the Linnæan Society a communication which he had received from Capt. Edgeworth, Pharm. Journ., vol. vii, 1847-8, p. 351.

Captain Edgeworth chewed some of the leaves, and was surprised at not perceiving the acrid taste of the plants of this order; but about two hours afterwards, when taking some tea, he was greatly surprised to find that, although he could fully appreciate the aroma of the tea, he was perfectly unable to appreciate the taste of the sugar. He obtained some preserves and other substances containing sugar, and upon putting them upon the tongue, he found he was still quite unable to appreciate the saccharine quality; he then obtained some powdered sugar, and it appeared only like so much sand in his mouth. This effect lasted altogether nearly twenty-four hours, when he recovered the power of tasting sugar. Mrs. Edgeworth afterwards tried the effect of the plant, and with precisely the same result.