23 



poisoning arise from an ignorant or excessive use of the European 

 aconite in medicine. Its root has, however, been mistaken for horse- 

 radish and the leaves for parsley. Horses and cattle have been seri- 

 ously poisoned by eating small portions of the flowering tops. 



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 physiological experiments point to the 

 existence of one or more alkaloids which resemble aconitine. 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 con- 

 striction in the throat. The chok- 

 ing thus produced is made the 

 more alarming by the retarding 

 effect which the poison has upon 

 the respiration. The tingling and 

 prickling over the entire body is 

 also characteristic. Besides th ese 

 symptoms there are generally 

 severe headache, abdominal 

 pains, confused vision, vomiting, 

 and diarrhea. Delirium is usually 

 absent. Death ensues from a 

 stoppage of the respiration in 

 from one to eight hours. 



Antidotes. — No specific antidote 

 is recognized, but physicians 

 have used atropine or 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 main- FlG - 8 — Aconite (Aeonitum columbianum) : a, flow- 

 , . , , , , , . , , ering plant ; b, seed capsule — both one- third natural 



tamed throughout the treatment. 9ize , 



LARKSPURS. 



Delphinium. 



Description. — Erect herbs, with palmately lobed leaves, and an elon- 

 gated cluster of showy flowers. These are commonly blue, and are 

 further characterized by the absence of green parts, and the presence 

 of a peculiar spur- like appendage. 



