252 MATER i A MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



2. ACTION ON THE BLOOD. 



Conia is readily absorbed into the blood, whence it reaches 

 the tissues. 



3. SPECIFIC ACTION AND USES. 



Conia is found unchanged in many of the organs after 

 administration. Moderate doses cause a sense of weight in the 

 legs and weakness of the knees ; confusion of vision, with 

 slight drooping of the upper lids, and swollen appearance of the 

 eyes; giddiness, thickness of speech, and slight dysphagia. 

 The poisonous effects of the plant are well described in the 

 classical account of the death of Socrates. 



On analysis, the action of conium is found to be as follows. 

 The convolutions remain intact until asphyxia supervenes. The 

 corpora striata are said to be depressed. The motor parts of 

 the cord are but slightly affected, but their reflex excitability 

 is moderately reduced. The respiratory centre in the medulla 

 is finally paralysed ; but the cardiac and vascular centres are 

 not definitely influenced. 



The motor nerves are the parts specially attacked by 

 conium, being paralysed from their extremities upwards, 

 whence the heaviness and weakness of the limbs. The muscles 

 themselves remain irritable. 



Death occurs in hemlock poisoning by asphyxia due to 

 paralysis of the respiratory nerves and depression of the respi- 

 ratory centre. 



Conium, although of great interest to the pharmacologist, 

 is but little used in medicine. It has been recommended, as 

 large doses of the succus, in spasmodic and convulsive diseases 

 such as tetanus, chorea, and epilepsy ; in mania with muscular 

 excitement ; and in asthma, pertussis, and spasmodic affections 

 of the larynx. The vapour would appear to afford relief in 

 some of the last-named class of cases. Possibly the compound 

 pill may allay spasmodic cough. The extract is an adjuvant 

 vehicle of purgative powders such as calomel. 



4. REMOTE LOCAL ACTION. 



Conia is excreted unchanged, chiefly in the urine. 



Assafoetida ASSAFGETIDA. A gum-resin ob- 

 tained by incision from the living root of Narthex. 

 Assafoetida. In Afghanistan and the Puniaub. 



Characters. In irregular masses, partly composed of tears, 

 moist or dry. The colour of a freshly cut or broken piece is 

 opaque white, but gradually becomes purplish-pink, and 



