67-2 
The specific name macudata is badly chosen, as the stems, as far as I have — 
observed, are never spotted, nor do I find any record of such a marking having 
been noticed; Dr. Bigelow modestly offers the name Fasciculata, which is true of 
the roots, and should be adopted, being much less like that of conium. Great 
similarity is said to exist between this species and the European C. virosa. Not 
having had an opportunity to examine the latter, 1 am at present unable to differ- 
entiate between them. According to descriptions, C. vtrosa has nota fasciculate 
root, and its umbels are larger in every way and much denser. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh roots, chopped and pounded 
to a pulp, are treated as in the preceding drug. The resulting tincture has a clear 
yellowish-amber color by transmitted light, the peculiar odor of the fresh root, a 
sweetish taste, and an acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Dr. Bigelow’s examination of the root is the 
only attempt so far made toward an analysis; he procured a volatile oil and a 
yellow, inflammable resin. Mr. J. E. Young succeeded in obtaining a volatile alka- _ 
loid from the fruits, which he regarded as identical with conta, A glance, however, 
at the chemistry of C. vivosa will not be out of place here: 
Cicutina.—This volatile alkaloid found in all parts of the plant by Wittstein, 
Polex, and others, remains as yet very imperfectly investigated; it is simply men- 
tioned by Wittstein as having been obtained in an aqueous solution. 
Oil of Cumin.—This compound of several hydrocarbons, first obtained from — 
the fruit of Cuminum cyminum, Linn., is proven by Trapp to be identical with the 
oil of this species. Two of the hydrocarbons are identified as follows: Cicuten, 
C,,H,, (Van Ankum), boils at 166° (330.8° F.), is dextrogyrate, sp. gr. at 18° 
(64.4° F.), 0.87038, and is soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform ; Cymol, 
C,,H,,, a colorless oil of great refractory power and the odor of lemons, having a 
sp. gr. at 15° (59° F.) of 0.86, and a boiling point at 172° (341.6° F.). 
Cicutoxin.—This amorphous, resinous body, in all probability identical with 
that found by Bigelow in the root-juice of C. maculata, was ‘solated and named by | 
Trojanowski. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Many cases of poisoning from the root of this 
‘species have been reported, all showing, by the symptoms, that cicuta produces — 
great hyperemia of the brain and spinal cord. oe 
‘The following case, reported by letter to Dr. Bigelow by Dr. R. Hazeltine - 
(1818),* gives all the symptoms noted by observers in other cases: A boy had 
eaten of certain tuberous roots, gathered in a recently-ploughed field, supposing 
them to be artichokes, but which were identified as the roots of Cicuta maculata. 
His first symptom was a pain in the bowels urging him to an ineffectual attempt 
at stool, after which he vomited about a teacupful of what appeared to be the 
* Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot., vel. iti., 181. 
