lS2 POISONOUS PLANTS 



the use of Darnel in his day (1597), says : — "The 

 new bread wherein Darnell is, eaten hot, causetli 

 drunkenness ; in like manner doth beere or ale 

 wherein the seede is fallen, or put into the mault." 

 It was also used for the same purpose that Ergot 

 is employed medicinally at the present day. 



Dr. Taylor observes that rye-bread is not much 

 used in this country, but the accidental presence of 

 the Ergot (which particularly affects rye, supplying 

 the Secale cormttuin of druggists) may sometimes 

 account for the symptoms of poisoning which have 

 been observed. 



Cryptogams. 



Toadstools, etc. {Fungi). — These are familiar 

 to every one, and the one general recommendation 

 is \.o forbid cJiildren to toiich any toadstool they may 

 find growing in the garden^ or wild^ as many are 

 deadly poisonous ; and it is impossible for any one 

 except an expert to know which are harmless and 

 which are not, beyond a very few species.^ 



1 Antidotes to poisoning hy fimgt^ generally, are given by 

 Mr. Blyth as follows : — Empty stomach by stomach-pump or 

 tube ; or administer by the mouth either mustard or zinc 

 sulphate. Give a dose of castor-oil, and use an emetic to 

 remove the remains of the fungi from the intestines. Stimu- 

 lants may be given, and the body kept warm. 



