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a single nodding white flower in their axil. The leaves are dark green, 

 sometimes a foot across, deeply lobed and notched, with the stalk arising 

 from a point within the margin. The wax-like flower somewhat resembles 

 a single white rose. The frtiit is about two inches long, green at first, 

 gradually turning yellow, lemon-shaped, and claimed to be edible, although 

 ill effects have arisen from the consumption of it in any quantity. The 

 rootstock is greatly elongated, with very long spaces between the scars 

 which remain from each year's upper growth. The scars are large, low, 

 and cup-shaped. The plant is in flower during May. 



Distribution: The may apple is a native of Canada, and is found in 

 the woods or on the borders of woods from Quebec to southern Ontario. 

 In some parts of southern Ontario it grows in great abundance. 



Poisonous Properties: The same bitterness of the blue cohosh is 

 found in the may apple except in the ripe fruit. The ripe fruit or "lemon" 

 is rather pleasant and sweetish, but one is usually sufficient for the 

 ordinary appetite. Schaffner says, "roots, stem, and leaves drastic and 

 poisonous, but the ripe fruit less so. Leaves, when eaten by cows, 

 produce injurious milk. The ripe fruit may be eaten in small quantities." 

 The rootstock contains a resinous substance to which the name podophyllin 

 has been given. Podophyllin is used largely for medicinal purposes, and 

 occasionally fatalities have occurred from over-dosage. In relation to 

 the effect of the root upon the skin, Lloyd writes: "Our employees 

 experience great trouble in working this, owing to the irritating action 

 on the skin. We have in numerous instances had our men cease work for 

 several days owing to its action, which causes very painful inflammation 

 of the skin, especially of the eyes." 



Symptoms: Millspaugh says in regard to its action on man, the 

 symptoms of disturbance caused by the drug in doses varying from one- 

 quarter to one-half grains of podophyllin and in persons working in the dust 

 of the dried root, are substantially as follows: inflammation of the eyes; 

 soreness and pustulation of the nose; salivation and white-coated tongue; 

 extreme nausea, followed by vomiting; severe pains in the transverse 

 colon and abdomen, followed by an urgent call to stool; thin, offensive, 

 copious stools; weak pulse, prostration, drowsiness, and cold extremities. 



