1814.] Prisonous Qualities of Meadow Saffron. 



281 



Barometer .. . 

 raioweter 



f Highest, 30-36 

 \ Lowest, 2958 

 f Highest, 74 

 ' \ Lowest, 42 



Wind Var. ") „. n n . n 



ESE Mi,ty/ Mean ' 29 ' 95!? 



Article IX. 



On the Poisonous Qualifies of Meadow Saffron. By Mr. John 

 Want, Surgeon to the Northern Dispensary, and Editor of the 

 Medical and Physical Journal. 



1 have just seen in a morning paper a statement of some year- 

 lings having been poisoned l>y the eating of meadow saffron. That 

 tlii- assertion is a mere fabrication will he obvious, when it is con- 

 sidered that at this season of the year no part of the plant is above 

 ground, and consequently it is not within their reach. I am in- 

 debted for ibis fact to Sir Joseph Banks, and Mr. Andrew Knight, 

 the President of the Horticultural Society, and to the latter of 

 these gentlemen for some particulars on this subject too important 

 to be withheld from, the public. Cattle are affected by this plant 

 only at the spring of the year, when the seed-vessel is fully matured. 

 It appears thai the seed if swallowed adheres to the coat of the 

 Sti mach, producing at the several points of adhesion spots of in- 

 flammation, which occasion the death of the beast. The account 

 of the coagulates] state of the blood found iii the stomach is also 

 incorrect, as no such effect is witnessed where the poison has ac- 

 tually been taken. It is a curious fact, that cattle are affected by 



