HEMLOCK. 



23 



an acid. It possesses all the powerful properties of the plant in .a 

 highly concentrated degree. In fact, when pure, it is as subtle a 

 poison as prussic acid ; though m«ch of the aconite sold in the shops 

 is worthless. Its very high price forms an objection to its use. The 

 alcoholic extract of aconite, when well prepared, forms an excellent 

 substitute for the aconitia. The common extract of the pharmacopceia 

 is not good. 



Uses. — Internally in chronic rheumatism, gout, cancer, &c. ; but 

 it is more valuable as an external application, particularly in neural- 

 gia, when applied in the form of tincture. 



Dose, of the purest aconitia -^'oth of a grain (Pereira) ; but is very 

 seldom used ; of the tincture, 5 drops three times a day ; of the 

 alcoholic extract, Jth of a grain. The ointment is made by adding 

 the aconitia to fresh lard ; it is used in neuralgia. 



Hemlock. — (Conium, U. S.) 



Leaves and seeds of the Conium maculatum, a biennial umbelli- 

 lerous plant, a native 



of Europe, but natu- •f'ig- 1- 



ralized in the U. S. .,„.. 



It has a spindle-shaped 

 root, and a smooth 

 branching stem mark- 

 ed with purple-co- 

 loured spots. The 

 leaves are compound- 

 tripennate and bipen- 

 nate. Believed to be 

 the same plant as the 

 xwvtiov of the Greeks, 

 and the cicuta of the 

 Romans. 



The leaves should 

 be collected from 

 plants growing in 

 sunny situations, and 

 preserved in close ves- 

 sels. When well pre- 

 served they retain 

 their green colour and 

 narcotic odour. Taste 

 bitter and nauseous. 



Imparts its virtues to alcohol and ether. The seeds are small, and 

 have a slight odour and taste, but retain all the active properties of 

 the plant. The active principle is an alkali named coneia^ of a 



