POISONS. 1 93 



Hyoscyamus and Belladonna are obtained by accidental 

 ingestion or overdose, but the fresh hyoscyamus herb is 

 said to be eaten with impunity by Herbivora. The sym- 

 ptoms induced are dilatation of the pupil ; falling to the 

 ground, due to loss of power over the hind extremities ; 

 convulsions and delirium ; relaxations of the various sphinc- 

 ter muscles, with diarrhoea ; coma sets in, and then death. 



Treatment comprises ruminotomy, with complete removal 

 of contents ; stimulants ; bleeding and cold applications 

 to the head. Poisoning by Solanum dulcamara is also on 

 record. The conditions are similar to those just described. 



Sedative Poisons comprise hydrocyanic acid, aconite, 

 conium, colchicum, and yew. They produce death by 

 asthenia and syncope. In large doses they cause gid- 

 diness and convulsions, which supervene rapidly, and 

 death takes place in a very short time. On post-mortem 

 examination no very marked lesions can be noted ; the 

 vessels are full of dark blood, and there may be the 

 peculiar smell of the agent. Testing for the active prin- 

 ciple is not always satisfactory, but a careful examination 

 of the contents of the rumen will generally show the 

 presence of portions of the poisonous plant. 



Hydrocyanic Acid. — Poisoning results from overdose. 

 The patient, some little time after the administration, falls, 

 breathes quickly, and is convulsed ; the pupils are dilated. 

 After death there may be observed a slight reddening of 

 the lining membrane of the stomach, and the blood smells 

 strongly of the poison. 



Treatment : stimulants and iron salts. Detection in 

 recent cases results from its characteristic odour and 

 chemical reaction s^ 



Aconite {Aconitum napeUus), the monkshood or wolfs- 

 bane, is a plant grown in gardens, and wild in some parts 

 of this country. It is easily recognisable by its peculiarly 

 dark-green pedatipartite leaves and its blue irregular calyx. 

 This agent produces numbness of the surface of the body, 

 excites vomition and tympany ; the pupil is contracted ; 

 over-dose causes hiccough ; ammonia is the best antidote. 



Conium {Conium maculatum), the hemlock, is a white- 



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