VEGETABLE POISONS. 225 



effects on the stomach and nervous system, 

 similar to other narcotic substances. As a re- 

 medy, the cicuta has been usefully administered 

 in cancer, scrofula, chronic rheumatism, obsti- 

 nate coughs, slow inflammatory affections of the 

 lungs, and in some convulsive disorders. This 

 vegetable, therefore, notwithstanding its poison- 

 ous qualities, may be considered a valuable ac- 

 quisition to the materia medica. 



The JEthusa Cynapium, Lesser Hemlock, or 

 Fool's Parsley, is sometimes mistaken for garden 

 parsley, by which accidents have not unfrequently 

 been occasioned. It may be distinguished by 

 the following character : the upper surface of 

 the leaves is shining, and of a darkish green 

 colour, diffusing no odour when entire, but when 

 rubbed between the fingers, producing a smell 

 which is extremely offensive. The lesser hem* 

 lock is very poisonous; it causes vomiting, intox- 

 ication or delirium, numbness of the extremities, 

 and often death. 



The Cicuta Virosa Aquatica, or Water Hem- 

 lock, is a much more active poison than either of 

 the above two species, and, in the opinion of 

 Dr. Male, is the strongest of the vegetable tribe 

 peculiar to Great Britain. It is often eaten by 

 mistake for the wild smallage, or wild celery, as 

 both grow in the same places, and are frequently 

 to be met together in rivulets, and in wet marshy 

 grounds. But the two plants may be thus dis- 



