41 



Assuming that these figures are correct, it is very evident that 

 pound for pound, to say nothing of price, the mushrooms used do 

 not compare with some of the commonest meats and vegetables in 

 either of the following functions: 



1. To form the material of the body and repair its wastes. 



2. To supply energy for muscular exertion and for the main- 

 tenance of the body heat. 



There is, however, according to Mr. Mendel and others, a very 

 important office performed by mushrooms that cannot properly 

 come under either of these two functions, and whi:h cannot be 

 measured by them, and that is to act as relishes and helpers of di- 

 gestion. That this function of mushrooms is not to be slighted, 

 is proved by the fact that these plants are welcomed on the tables 

 of rich and poor alike, and that they have been proved by many 

 years, nay centuries, of experience a very valuable adjunct to the 

 bill of fare, when used alone or in connection with other foods to 

 impart a relish. And this value, it may be remembered, is one 

 which can be measured but poorly, if at all, by chemical analysis. 



The second topic of this heading, the poisonous principles of 

 certain mushrooms, will be touched upon, though in all cases of 

 mushroom poisoning the best thing to do is to call in a good phy- 

 sician, where this is possible. The three worst principles or 

 poisons obtained from mushrooms are Muscarine, Phallin and 

 Helvellic Acid. Muscarine is the most dangerous alkaloid to be 

 ound in mushrooms. It is found in several of the Amanitas, and 

 in a few Boleti and Russulas. A dangerous dose for a man is 

 merely .03 to .005 of a gram, equivalent .06 of a grain. The 

 worst feature about poisoning from these alkaloids is that they 

 are not at once evident, but only after a lapse of several hours. 

 Vomiting and diarrhoea generally occur, with flow of saliva, gid- 

 diness, and derangement of vision. This is succeeded by stupor, 

 cold sweats, and weak heart action. If the stupor lasts for one or 

 two days, death ensues. The treatment for this poison consists 

 in carrying off all unabsorbed fragments of the mushroom from 

 the alimentary canal, and in strengthening the weak heart action. 



