in] Umbelliferas 37 
In his description of the symptoms Esser states that swallowing is 
difficult, the tongue is stiffened, there is salivation, and death takes 
place after loss of consciousness and convulsions. 
REFERENCES. 
31, 73, 81, 123, 141, 151, 170, 190, 203, 205, 213, 233, 238. 
Water Parsnip (Sium latifolium L.). The leaves and especially 
the root of this species are regarded as poisonous, and the plant is 
described as "poisonous" by Strasburger. 
According to Miiller the symptoms resemble those produced by 
Chcerophyllum (p. 40). After eating the roots cows showed symptoms 
of excitement, leading, in some instances, very quickly to death. The 
milk, according to Cornevin, is of a disagreeable flavour. 
The related S. angustifolium has also been mentioned as objectionable. 
As regards the toxic principle these plants have not been closely studied, 
and it is not possible to give detailed symptoms. 
REFERENCES. 
73, 81, 190, 235. 
Water Drop wort (Oenanthe crocata L.). This weed of marshes, 
ditches, and similar wet spots, has been a frequent cause of loss of stock. 
Cases of fatal human poisoning have also occurred, owing to the leaves 
having been mistaken for celery and the rootstock for parsnips. Several 
cases of the poisoning of cattle have been recorded in the veterinary 
journals, and sheep and cattle died on a farm near Bristol (Jour. Roy. 
Agric. Soc., 1898). Horses have also been poisoned. Johnson and 
Sowerby (1861) record the poisoning of 17 convicts near Woolwich, 
the leaves and roots being eaten in mistake for celery and parsnips 
respectively. Nine suffered from convulsions and became insensible; 
one died in five minutes, a second in a quarter of an hour, a third in an 
hour, and a fourth a few minutes later, while two more died during the 
next few days. 
Cornevin says that this plant causes the poisoning of animals every 
year they eat it willingly, showing an enfeebled instinct owing to 
domestication. The plant is poisonous in all its parts, the root being 
the most toxic, and drying does not destroy the toxic property. Cornevin 
gives the following quantities of the fresh root as necessary to poison 
various animals: 
