VEGETABLE POISONS. 243 



ered unsafe and dangerous ; bearing in recollec- 

 tion, that the smallest dose mentioned may, in 

 some instances, prove too powerful; and that the 

 largest proportion, should never be administered, 

 but in cases of great urgency, and should always 

 be subjected to such management as will guard 

 against the possibility of accidents. The exact 

 quantity, that would certainly prove fatal to the 

 human subject, could we ascertain the fact, it 

 would answer no useful purpose to mention. 

 Fortunately it often happens, that a very large 

 proportion cf laudanum, by occasioning imme- 

 diate and active vomiting, proves its own cure; 

 and thus frequently saves the life of the patient 

 before medical aid can be obtained. When this 

 effect is not produced, or when the vomiting 

 occasioned by the poisoning is not sufficient to 

 afford the desired relief; so far from sleep and 

 exemption from pain being the result, the most 

 distressing and the most afflicting train of symp- 

 toms generally supervene. Perpetual nausea, 

 constant and unavailing retching, pain and great 

 uneasiness at the region of the stomach, excessive 

 giddiness, with weight and excruciating pain in 

 the head, much bodily anxiety, and alarming 

 mental depression, followed in a few hours by 

 delirium, convulsions, stupor, apoplexy,and death, 

 are the fatal consequences of an over dose, or of a 

 wicked administration of this poison ; effects which 

 cannot be too strongly impressed on the minds of 

 those, who, from not possessing the resolution to 



