68-4 
stalks, many there be who do eat it, both green and also boiled or stewed between 
two platters.” Notwithstanding all this, many children have been poisoned from 
eating the roots. 
Conium is officinal in the U. S. Ph., as Adstractum Conti; Extractum Coni 
Alcoholicum ; Extractum Conti Fluidum, and Tinctura Conti. In the Eclectic 
Materia Medica the preparations are: Extractum Conw Alcoholicum ; Unguentum 
Conii and Emplastrum Belladonne Compositum.* 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The entire fresh plant, with the excep- 
tion of the root, should be gathered while the fruits are yet green, and prepared 
as in the preceding drug. The resulting tincture should have a clear madder 
color by transmitted light, and give an odor somewhat similar to that of the 
bruised leaves, a taste at first sweetish, then similar to the odor, and an acid 
reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Conia,+ C,H,,N. This volatile alkaloid was 
discovered by Giseke in the leaves and fruit of this plant; Geiger, however, was 
first to purify it. Conia is a limpid, colorless, oily liquid, having the specific 
gravity of .89, and boiling at 163.°5 (328.°3 F.). It possesses a nauseous and 
sharp taste, and a disagreeable odor. It is soluble in cold water, in which solution 
it becomes turbid on the application of heat. 
Methylconine, C,H,NCH,. This alkaloid is also sometimes present in 
conium. It bears great resemblance to conia. 
Conydrine,t C,H,,ON. A crystalline alkaloid melting at 120.°6 (249° F.), 
and boiling at 225° (437° F.). 
Paraconine, C,H,,N. This fourth alkaloid, isomeric with conia, differs from 
it only in being atertiary base devoid of rotary power. Paraconine is liquid, and 
boils at 160°-170° (320°-338° F.).  (U¢ supra, Schorlemmer.) ; 
Oil of Conium, C,H,,N,O. A pale, yellow oil extracted from the seeds. This 
oil is also formed when nitrogen trioxide is passed into conia and the resulting 
liquid decomposed by water. 
Conic Acid.—This body, yet uninvestigated, exists in all parts of the plant 
and holds in solution the alkaloids present. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—No more fitting introduction to the action of this 
virulent spinal irritant cold be written than the description, in Plato’s “Phzdo, 
of the death of Socrates: “And Crito, hearing this, gave the sign to the boy who 
stood near; and the boy departing, after some time returned, bringing with him 
the man who was to administer the poison, who brought it ready bruised in a cup. 
And Socrates, beholding the man, said: ‘Good friend, come hither; you are expe- 
rienced in these affairs—what is to be done?’ ‘Nothing,’ replied the man, ‘only. 
when you have drank the poison you are to walk about until a heaviness takes 
ou 
* Rosin, Belladonna, Conium, and Iodine. + Conine, Conicina, Conein, Coniin, Conicin. 
¢ Conydrina, Conhydria, Conhydrin. 
