TOXIC GASTRO-ENTERITIS. 



237 



which, indeed, is entirely absent when hellebore is used externally. 

 The principal symptoms are : nausea, violent vomitings, salivation, 

 colic ; clonic and tonic (even tetanic) contractions ; intense excita- 

 tion, and later paralysis. 



Autopsy. Lesions of asphyxia. 



Treatment. Symptomatic. 



Poisoning by veratrine is almost always the consequence of 

 blunders occurriug in the use of this agent or plants containing 

 it. Poisoning may be observed after the preparation of lotions 

 with a decoction of rhizome of veratrum. Veratrine is extracted 

 from the seeds of a melanthacea, the Veratrum SabadtUa officinalis. 

 The white hellebore contains several active principles : first, pseudo- 

 jervine; second, jervine ; third, veratralbine ; fourth, veratrine (very 

 small amount). Official veratrine is a mixture of the various 

 alkaloids, but mainly of cevadine (principal alkaloid), veratrine, 

 and cevadilline. 



9. Poisoning by Crow-foot {Ranunculus acris, R. arvensis, R. 



sceleratus). 



Symptoms. They are nauseas, vomitings, salivation, colic, 

 diarrhea, albuminuria ; staggering, stupefaction, trembling, falls, 

 apoplectiform death. 



Autopsy. Lesions of gastro-enteritis and of asphyxia. 



Treatment. Symptomatic. Tannin is advisable. 



10. Poisoning by Aconite (Aconitum napellus). 



Symptoms. Stomatitis, salivation, nauseas, vomitings, grind- 

 ing of the teeth, diarrhea, violent colic, meteorism ; weakness, 

 paralysis, trembling ; mydriasis, loss of consciousness, falls. Death 

 occurs within a few hours, during convulsions. 



Autopsy. Lesions of gastro-enteritis ; cerebral hyperemia. 



Treatment. Symptomatic. Stimulants, especially camphor ; 

 tannin. 



Poisoning by aconite is observed in the goat, and is due to 

 Aconitum napellus. Toxic alkaloid : acouitine. 



11. Poisoning by Poisonous Hemlock: Water Hemlock: Cowbane 



{Cicuta virosa). 



Symptoms. Violent gastro-enteritis ; vertigo, stupefaction, stag- 

 gering gait or immobility, weakness, paralysis ; muscular spasms 



