NAT. ORDER. MULtlSlLIQUiE. 
105 
and upon comparing Storeck's Aconitum with the Caramarum and 
Napellus, as described by more modern botanists, we have no hes- 
itation in referring it to the latter. In the Cammarum, the top of 
the flower rises much higher, and forms a more acute angle ; the 
flowers are of a fainter blue color, and the racemus is always 
shorter than that of the Napellus. 
Every part of the fresh plant is strongly poisonous ; but the 
root is unquestionably the most powerful ; and when first chewed 
imparts a slight sensation of acrimony, but afterwards, an insensi- 
bility, or stupor at the apex of the tongue ; and a pungent heat of 
the lips, gums, palate, and fauces are perceived, followed by a 
general tremor, and sensation of chilliness. Although this plant 
loses much of its power by drying, yet when the powdered root is 
put upon the tongue, it excites a durable sense of heat, and sharp, 
wandering pains, but without redness or inflammation. The juice 
applied to a wound, seems to affect the whole nervous system. — 
Even by keeping it long in the hand, or on the chest, we are told 
that extremely unpleasant symptoms are produced. That the an- 
cients considered the Aconitum to be the most destructive of 
vegetable productions, appears from their fanciful derivation of 
its origin. 
The deleterious effects of this plant, like those of most veg- 
etable poisons, are produced by its immediate action upon the ner- 
vous energy ; for of the different animals which have been de- 
stroyed by it, we can learn of but one instance wherein, upon dis- 
section, marks of organic disease were discovered ; and this, as 
well as those mentioned respecting the Belladonna, we attribute to 
the action of secondary causes. The fatal symptoms brouoht on 
by this poison, are thus stated by Haller : The juice was applied 
to a wound of the finger, which not only produced pains in the 
hand and arm, but cardialgia, great anxiety, a sense of suffocation, 
syncope, &c., and the wounded part sphacelated before it camo 
to suppuration. If this be admitted, it must be referred to a pe- 
