ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES 303 



418. Poisonous Plants. There are certain poisonous plants 

 occasionally eaten by children and others which often pro- 

 duce serious and sometimes fatal results. Children are 

 somewhat disposed to "dare" their playmates to eat of 

 plants which they find in their walks. 



We have space to refer to only a few of the most com- 

 mon poisonous plants. 



Water hemlock, commonly known as wild parsnip, cowbane, 

 etc., is poisonous. 



Aconite, otherwise known as monkshood and wolfsbane, 

 might be mistaken for horse-radish. It is a dangerously 

 poisonous plant. Several species of lobelia are poisonous, 

 as the large lobelia with its blue blossoms, the cardinal flower 

 with its tall spike of red flowers, and the well-known Indian 

 tobacco. 



Several varieties of toadstools are poisonous and are occa- 

 sionally mistaken for edible mushrooms. All parts of the 

 poison sumac (poison dogwood, poison elder) are dangerous. 



Children should be taught to know what particular fruits, 

 seeds, and flowers of plants are poisonous. 



Most persons are susceptible even to the touch of poison 

 ivy, all parts of which, especially its juice, are poisonous. 

 A few other plants, as poison dogwood and stramonium plant, 

 are also poisonous to the touch. 



Give emetics that will produce prompt and brisk vomit- 

 ing for poisoning from eating plants. Stimulating drinks 

 and purgatives are usually indicated. 



Inasmuch as most vegetable poisons act promptly and the 

 treatment is difficult in many cases, the services of a phy- 

 sician are usually needed without delay. 



