DICOTYLEDONS 89 



parsley are white. Note also the pendulous 

 bracts. 



The symptoms it produces on man are heat in 

 the mouth and throat, nausea and vomiting ; with 

 headache, giddiness, stupor, convulsions, and lock- 

 jaw. Convulsions and stupor occur in all animals 

 poisoned by it. 



No fatal case appears to be caused from the 

 fool's parsley before 1845, when a little child 

 ate the roots, which resembled radishes. Sick- 

 ness and a tendency to lockjaw followed, death 

 terminating the seizure in an hour. The leaves 

 have been eaten in soup in the place of parsley 

 with similar results, death in that case taking place 

 in twenty-four hours. 



In the numerous cases of poisoning with this 

 plant, by far the majority were not fatal ; but in 

 one case the root was boiled in soup under the 

 impression it was parsley. One child who partook 

 of it died. 



Other cases have proved that the root contains 

 a very energetic poison.^ 



^ Dr. Tanner recommends emetics, castor-oil and stimu- 

 lants to be resorted to in poisoning by Foots Parsley. Cold 

 affusions will often be found useful, more especially if there 

 be much stupor. Another writer suggests after the poison 

 has been ejected, citric or some other vegetable acid should 

 be administered ; besides the cold affusions mentioned, 

 mustard poultices may be applied to the feet ; together with 

 small doses of sulphate of magnesia during the cure. 



