SPERMATOPHYTA— RANUNCULACEAE 453 



Bartholow of Jefferson Medical College, it is a paralyzer of mobility, but does 

 not impair the contractility of muscles or the irritability of the motor nerves. 

 Death is caused by paralysis of respiration, the heart continuing its action some 

 time after respiration has ceased. The Aconitum Napellus, affects the heart 

 in opposite ways. Prof. Chesnut says in regard to the poison of this plant: 



All of the parts of the west American aconite are poisonous, but the seeds and roots 

 are the most dangerous. The active principle is not well known, but chemical and phys- 

 iological experiments point to the existence of one or more alkaloids which resemble 

 aconitin. The effect of the poison is characteristic. There is first a tingling sensation on 

 the end of the tongue which gives rise shortly to a burning sensation, and is rapidly 

 followed by a very pronounced sense of constriction in the throat. The choking thus pro- 

 duced is made the more alarming by the retarding effect which the poison has upon the res- 

 piration. The tingling and prickling over the entire body is also characteristic. Besides 

 these symptoms, there are generally severe headache, abdominal pains, confused vision, 

 vomiting, and diarrhoea. Delirium is usually absent. Death ensues from a stoppage of the 

 respiration in from one to eight hours. 



Mr. R. Schimpfky, in his Important Poisonous Plants of Germany, makes this 

 statement upon the authority of a physician : He tried the nectar of the 

 European aconite by chewing the flower. After chewing a little while, the same 

 was thrown away and an hour later, he felt upon the end of the tongue, a dull 

 pain as though he had burned it. This sensation remained for three days. 

 In Europe it is not unusual to mix the leaves of this with other salad plants. 

 Frequently the plant is cultivated to be used in destroying insects. 



Dr. Chesnut says : 



No specific antidote is recognized, but physicians have used atropin, oT digitalis and 

 nitrite of amyl, with good effects. The ordinary emetics and stimulants must be given. 

 Artificial respiration should be maintained for a couple of hours, if necessary, and a re- 

 cumbent position must be maintained throughout the treatment. 



Aconitum uncinatum L. Wild Monkshood 



Plant smooth; stem slender and somewhat reclined; root thickened; 

 leaves 3-5 lobed, petioled, lobes ovate-lanceolate, with coarse teeth; large blue 

 or pale flowers with erect helmet ; found in rich shady woods along streams. 



Distribution. Eastern North America extending into Iowa. 



Poisonous properties. Contains the same active principle as the other 

 species of aconite. 



4. Anemone 



Erect perennial herbs; root leaves lobed, divided or dissected; stem leaves 

 forming an involucre either remote or near the flower; sepals few or many, 

 4-20 petal-like ; or in one section, petals stamen-like ; stamens numerous ; pistils 

 numerous; achene pointed or tailed, flattened; single seeded. About 80 species 

 in temperate regions. Several as Pulsatilla are medicinal. 



Anemone patens L. var. Wolfgangiana (Bess.) Koch 



A perennial herb, with radical leaves, appearing after the bluish or purplish 

 flowers have blossomed, villous with long silky hairs ; flowers erect, coming from 

 a simple stem, which is naked except for the involucre ; petals wanting, or abor- 

 tive, stamen-like; sepals petal-like, about lYz inches long; leaves ternately di- 

 vided with the lateral divisions 2-parted; stamens numerous; pistils numerous 

 in a head with long, hairy styles, in fruit forming feathery tails. 



