104 A Classification of Poisons [ch. 



2. Dbueiants.— jSympfoms ; Spectral illusions; delirium; dilated pupils; 

 thirst and dryness of the mouth; incoordination. Occasionally, though 

 rarely, there are paralysis and tetanoid spasms. 



British Plants included: Datura Stramonium, Hyosoyamus niger, 

 Solanum Dulcamara, Solanum nigrum, Atropa Belladonna, Lolium 

 temulentum. 



3. Inebeiants. — Symptoms: Excitement of cerebral functions and of the 

 circulation; loss of power of coordination and of muscular movements, 

 with double vision; leading to profound sleep and deep coma. 



British Plants induded : Pinus pinaater, Pinus larix, Artemisia 

 maritima, Artemisia Absinthium. 



B. — ^Poisons acting on the Spinal Cord. 



CoirvTrLsivBS. — Symptoms: Clonic (intermittent) spasms, extending from 

 above downwards. Opisthotonos very violent; but trismus (lock-jaw) 

 rare. Swallowing spasmodic. Death, usually, in less than three hours, 

 or rapid recovery. 



British Plants included : none. 



C— Poisons acting on the Heait. 



1. Depebssaijts. — Symptoms: Vertigo; vomiting; abdominal pain; con- 

 fused vision; convulsions; occasional delirium; paralysis; syncope; 

 sometimes asphyxia. 



British Phmts included : Conium maculatum, Cytisus Scoparius. 



2. Asthenics. — Symptoms: Numbness, and tingling in the mouth; ab- 

 dominal pain; vertigo; vomiting; purging; tremor; occasional de- 

 lirium; paralysis; dyspnoea, ending in syncope. 



British Plants indvded : Pmnus laurocerasus, (Phaseolus lunatns — 

 imported cattle food), Lathyrus aphaca, Rumex Acetosa, Aconitum 

 NapeUus, Actaea spicata, Delphinium consolida, Digitalis purpurea, 

 Convallaria majalis, Colchicum autumnale. 



D.— Vegetable Irritants. 



1. PuBGATiVBS. — Symptoms: Abdominal pain; vomiting and purging; 

 cramps; strangury and tenesmus, followed by coUapse, and sometimes 

 accompanied by drowsiness, and slight nervous symptoms. 



British Plants induded : Sambucus nigra, Sambucus Ebulus, Helle- 

 borus viridis, Helleboros f oetidus, Caltha palustris, linum catharticum. 



2. Aboehves. — Symptoms: Nausea; vomiting; stupor; polyuria; some- 

 times tenesmus. Abortion may or may not occur; coma. 



British Plants induded : Juniperus Sabina (cultiv. in Britain), Clavi- 

 ceps purpurea; Buta graveolens (cultiv. in Britain). 



3. Ibeita2»ts ■with Nervous Stmptoms. — Symptoms: Abdominal pain; 

 vomiting and purging; dilated pupils; headache; tetanic spasms; 

 occasional convulsions ; sometimes rapid coma. 



British Plants induded : Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe Phellandrium, 

 Oenanthe fluviatilis, Cicuta virosa, Aethusa Cynapium, Slum angnsti- 

 folium, TaxuB baccata, Cytisus Laburnum, Paris quadrif olia, Mercurialis 

 perennis. 



