VEGETABLE POISONS. 233 



the stem, from which they hang in a pendulous 

 form, and often in clusters. The medicinal effects 

 of digitalis, are a diminution in the frequency of 

 the pulse and in the irritability of the whole 

 system, and an increase in the action of the 

 absorbents and in the secretions in general. 

 Hence it has been a most useful remedy in in- 

 flammatory complaints, pulmonary affections, 

 hsemorrhagy, scrofula, dropsy, and in some cases 

 of mania. In too large doses, it produces great 

 pain in the stomach, vomiting, cholera, impaired 

 vision, vertigo, delirium, hiccup, a cessation of 

 arterial action, convulsions, aad death. It has, 

 therefore, deservedly been ranked among the 

 active poisons, and when taken to excess, is to 

 be treated in the same manner as an over dose 

 of opium to be hereafter detailed. 



Aconitum, Monk's Head, or Common Blue Wolfs- 

 bane, though used by some physicians as a me- 

 dicine, is in reality a very active poison, possess- 

 ing a caustic and suffocating quality, by which 

 swallowing is immediately affected, and the 

 stomach is corroded. We have, therefore, already 

 ranked it among the acrid poisons ; but as it 

 possesses narcotic qualities also, we have deemed 

 it necessary to notice it more particularly in this 

 place. 



This plant though a native of France, Germany, 

 and Switzerland, has been introduced into our 

 gardens for ornamental purposes. It is perennial, 

 having many stalks arising from one root, with 



