THE ALUMNI JOURNAL. 



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been found to be poisonous only through 

 its volatile oil, and this only by inhala- 

 tion. Taken internally none of these 

 effects have been observed, except in the 

 case mentioned, where the condition was 

 chronic. The symptoms of poisoning 

 through inhalation of the volatile oil are 

 said to be vertigo, vomiting and a pecu- 

 liar shiver. 



Several roots or root-like bodies will 

 next be mentioned as unquestionably 

 poisonous, yet for one reason or another 

 not liable to become the occasion of acci- 

 dents. 



The effects of Sanguinaria Canadensis 

 L,., or Blood-root, are distinctly poison- 

 ous and Johnson definitely records that 

 fatal results follow over doses. Yet the 

 rhizome is not at all liable to be eaten, 

 on account of its peculiar blood red color, 

 which is forbiddingly suspicious, and more 

 especially because of an exceedingly 

 acrid taste which would render the chew- 

 ing and swallowing of a poisonous quan- 

 tity an act of heroism. It is exceedingly 

 common throughout the northeastern 

 United States, and in a number of locali- 

 ties within a few miles of this city. The 

 picture displayed by the lantern is more 

 effective than any description could be. 



A similar position is occupied by the 

 Podophyllum peltatum, L-, Mandrake 

 or May-apple, as regards its rhizone. Its 

 taste, especially when fresh, is very re- 

 pungent, and yet if eaten in quantities it 

 would unquestionably prove fatal, as 

 shown by the effects of over-dosage in 

 medicine. In the Philadelphia Medical 

 and Surgical Reporter, XIX, 308, a fatal 

 case is recorded in which the evidence is 

 perfectly clear that poisoning resulted 

 from continued large doses administered 

 by an ignorant and careless physician. 

 The poisonous symptons were allreferri- 

 ble to the bowels, those of enteritis. It is 

 also very interesting to note the peculiar 

 effects of poisoning of the external skin 



by the powder and by the resin of this 

 drug. It produces an ulcer of a very 

 peculiar character, closely resembling one 

 of venereal origin. Serious errors of 

 diagnosis, leading to the gravest injustice 

 to the reputation of the patient, have 

 been known to occur in reference to these 

 cases. A very serious ulcer upon the 

 eye-ball is among these recorded cases. 

 I shall have more to sav upon this sub- 

 ject when considering poisonous fruits. 

 The very greatly elongated rhizome of 

 Podophyllum, with its very long smooth 

 internodes, broadened nodes with their 

 very large, low, cup-shaped scars, and 

 sparse roots underneath, is doubtless well 

 known to all pharmacists. The plant is 

 not only very common, but extremely 

 abundant east of the Mississippi, and is 

 liable to be encountered almost anywhere. 

 The only locality known in the immedi- 

 ate vicinity of this city is at Franklin, 

 Essex Co-, New Jersey. 



Another rhizome whose acrid taste is 

 likely to prevent ingestion in poisonous 

 quantity, is that of the common Iris ver- 

 sicolor, L. Still, because this is com- 

 monly known as the Blue Flag, there is 

 some danger that it might be eaten in 

 mistake for Calamus, which is commonly 

 known as Sweet-Flag. If so, it would 

 prove seriously if not fatally poisonous, 

 as its well - known emetico - cathartic 

 properties, even when toned by drying 

 and keeping, are powerful, and in a fresh 

 state would be decidely violent. 



Some very contradictory evidence is 

 recorded concerning the poisonous prop- 

 erties of the common potato, Solanum 

 tuberosum, L,., and applying to all parts, 

 the tuber, herb and fruit. Farther on I 

 shall consider this subject, but note here 

 that direct evidence appears in literature 

 that small, young potatoes, as well as 

 those which have been exposed to the 

 light while growing, so as to take on a 

 green color, are poisonous, although the 



