CON It' M MACU LATUM. 
145 
iaroth. * An instance of its fatal effects in this country, is related by 
Dr. Watson in the Philosophical Transactions, in which it is fully 
as^certained by him, that two Dutch soldiers, at Walthain "Abbey, 
were killed in a very short time by eating this plant. 
For the treatment of persons suffering under the influence of this poi- 
son, we refer our readers to the article Atropa Belladonna, page 133. 
Sensible and Chemical Properties'. Hemlock leaves, when 
fresii, have a disagreeable odour, compared by some to the smell of 
pice, or the urine of a cat ; taste bitter and nauseous ; both these 
qualities are much diminished by drying, t The infusion is limpid 
and thin, with a slight smell of the plant, the sulphate of iron pro- 
duces no change. The expressed juice evaporated to the consistence 
of an extract, is bitter, foetid, and somewhat salt ; in summer, saline 
prystals separate from it. Ether and diluted alchohol extract all the 
imedicinal properties of the plant. We are told by Dr. Paris, the 
medicinal properties reside " in a resinous element, which may be 
obtained in an insulated form, by evaporating an ethereal tincture 
made with the leaves on the surface of water. It has a rich dark 
green colour, and contains the peculiar odour and taste of hemlock 
in perfection. A dose of half a grain will produce vertigo and head- 
ache. It may be distinguished by the name of Conein." Accord- 
ing to the analysis of Schrader, hemlock contains the following con- 
stituents ! — gummy extract, resin, albumen, green fap.cula, extractive, 
and also various earthy and alkaline salts. Various sentiments 
prevail respecting the qualities of the Root of hemlock, some asserting 
that it is highly, acrimonious, whilst others maintain that it is per- 
fectly mild, and devoid of all deleterious properties. Storck says 
Jlhat the milky juice is so extremely acrid and deleterious, that a 
^j^ll drop or two applied to his tongue, produced great pain and 
swelling of that organ, and for some time deprived him of the power 
of speechi The following instances are in direct opposition to 
Baron Storck. Ray relates, in the Philosophical Transactions, vol. 
xix, p. G34, that Mr. t*etiver ate half an ounce of the root, and that 
Mr. Henly swallowed three or four ounces, without experiencing any 
remarkable effect. Mr. Ctirtis says, " Mr. Alchorne assures me that 
he has tasted the root in every season of the year, and in moSt parts 
* Journal de Medicine, torn, xxviii. p. 107. 
f Hemlock should be gathered when in full flower, at which time its peculiar smell is 
most powerful, and its properties most energetic ; the leaves should be picked from 
their footstalks, and immediately dried before a lire, and when powdered should be 
kept in close vessels, and carefully excluded from the light, Ed. 
VOL, I. V 
