176 POISONOUS PLANTS 



away by a tradesman in Covent Garden market, 

 and taking them to be onions, ate them, and died 

 immediately. In another case a man swallowed 

 some seeds, which proved equally fatal. 



It is a member of the British Pharmacopoeia, and 

 has caused several accidents through careless use ; 

 for less than half a grain of the active principle. 

 Colchicine, has proved fatal to adults.^ 



Hellebore,^ White and Black {Veratrum 

 album and V, nigruui). These two species are 

 sometimes grown in gardens, being natives of 

 Central and Southern Europe. They bear tall 

 spikes of greenish-white or purplish flowers, and 

 oval-ribbed leaves, like those of the common 

 Plantain. 



All parts of the plants are poisonous. Drying 

 does not remove the deleterious properties ; which 

 are indeed said to contaminate other plants when 

 made into hay together with them. 



^ Dr. Tanner gives emetics, purgatives, and stimulants 

 as the means employed to prevent death in poisoning by 

 Colchiciim. Dr. Brunton adds Tannic or Gallic acid. 



For poisoning by Colchicuiti, Meadow-Saffron, Colchicum 

 wine, tincture, pills, etc. — Mr. Blyth suggests emptying the 

 stomach by pump or emetics, such as sulphate of zinc, 

 mustard, ipecacuanha : give strong tea or coffee ; keep the 

 extremities warm, apply hot fomentations to the abdomen ; 

 stimulants may be used ; and give plenty of water and 

 demulcent drinks. 



2 This name properly belongs to the genus Helleborus, 

 described under Ranunculacece. 



