WATER-DROPWORT. 399 



ceeded in dislodging the remainder of it by means of the stomach-pump and 

 an emetic of sulphate of zinc ; shortly afterwards she began to speak inco- 

 herently ; she was then ordered to be kept constantly in motion, and after 

 repeated draughts of vinegar and water she perfectly recovered. 



The same gentleman states, that a few days previous to the above occur- 

 rence, seven cows were destroyed by eating a quantity of the roots of this 

 plant, which had been thrown up by some labourers in clearing a water- 

 course. 



It is doubtful whether all the foregoing narratives of poisoning by the 

 Water-Dropwort are really to be attributed to it, for the resemblance be- 

 tween many of the umbelliferous plants is so great, that the casual observer 

 is apt to confound them ; in addition to this, some of the vernacular names 

 (and anciently, the scientific) are by no means explicit. With regard to 

 the case that occurred at Pembroke, Mr. Salisbury (Botanist's Companion, 

 Vol. II. p. 134) tells us he was informed that the CEnanthe does not grow 

 there, and that what the unfortunate French prisoners did actually eat was 

 the Wild Celery, which is plentiful in all the wet places near that town. 



Treatment. — The principal object in cases of poisoning by 

 this rapidly destructive plant, is the ejection of the offending 

 matter by the prompt administration of an emetic. Twenty 

 grains of sulphate of zinc, (white vitriol,) from thirty to forty 

 grains of ipecacuanha, or six or seven grains of emetic tartar 

 may be exhibited ; the first is preferable, but if in country 

 places none of these can be quickly procured, common table 

 mustard may be substituted. Blood-letting is necessary to 

 subdue the inflammatory symptoms. Mucilaginous and di- 

 luent drinks may be given freely ; and when the violence of 

 the primary symptoms has abated, the vegetable acids may be 

 exhibited. The affusion of cold water upon the head having 

 proved exceedingly beneficial in analogous cases, should not 

 be forgotten ; and the administration, or rather the inhalation 

 of dilute ammonia, deserves to be tried. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — We have introduced this 

 plant chiefly on account of its poisonous properties, its value 

 as a remedial agent being undetermined and uncertain. Still 

 it deserves, by skilful and judicious hands, to be essayed in 

 some of those rebellious and chronic diseases which defy the 

 power of ordinary remedies. If the axiom be correct, " ub'i virus 

 ibi virtus," the Water-Dropwort certainly deserves attention. 

 The only recorded case of its internal use is that given by Dr. 

 Pulteney *, of a man who, from the age of fifteen to forty, was 

 * Phil. Trans, vol. 62.— and Med. Commentaries, vol. ii. p. 31. 



