CICUTA, OR WATER HEMLOCK. 19 



The observation of the cases at Mount Carbon added little to what 

 was already known in regard to the symptoms, but gave a more 

 complete picture. 



Excessive salivation, "frothing at the mouth," was generally the 

 first symptom noted, and this occurred in the mild cases. It was 

 followed or accompanied by uneasiness and pain. The animal soon 

 fell in a violent convulsion. Peculiar spasmodic contractions of the 

 diaphragm occurred before and after falling. The convulsions were 

 most violent. The animal would kick, sometimes extending the legs 

 rigidly. It would throw back the head, sometimes with marked 

 opisthotonos, and would bellow and groan as though in great pain. 

 The pupils were dilated and the eyes sometimes turned in or down. 



The pulse was weak and rapid, running as high as 180, and respira- 

 tion was noticed as high as 62. 



Gnashing of the teeth and convulsive closing of the jaws were 

 noticed in the Mount Carbon cases. 



The convulsions were intermittent and increased in violence in the 

 fatal cases. 



In those that recovered there was a gradual slowing of the pulse 

 and respiration. 



So far as the observations went there was no change in temperature. 



This train of symptoms is so pronounced and so different from those 

 produced by any other poisonous plant in the temperate regions that 

 a diagnosis of Cicuta poisoning is positive and easily made. 



AUTOPSY FINDINGS. 



A considerable number of autopsies upon man and the lower 

 animals have been reported. Nearly all reports agree as to finding 

 a hyperemia of the brain and central nervous system. Several 

 found inflammation of the walls of the stomach and a fluid condi- 

 tion of the blood. This lack of coagulation of the blood was re- 

 ported by Wepfer, 1687, and has been noticed repeatedly since that 

 time. Trojanowsky, 1874, says that the poison is antiseptic, as 

 evidenced by the delayed process of decay. 



Velten, 1839, found inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and 

 bronchial tubes, and French, 1897, and Nevermann, 1912, reported 

 congested lungs. 



Some writers have reported more or less inflammation of the 

 mucous membrane of the stomach. 



Three autopsies were made at Mount Carbon^ — two upon cattle 

 and one upon a sheep. These autopsies confirmed the reports of 

 previous observers, and some additional facts were noted. The left 

 ventricle was contracted and the right dilated, while the walls of the 

 heart were more or less congested. The most marked feature was 

 the extreme congestion of the venous blood vessels. The lungs, 



