24 BULLETIN 69, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
bridging over the period of convulsions, and doubtless a purgative 
would help in carrying off the effects of the poison. Most cases, 
however, are hopeless, and to reduce the losses attention should be 
paid to the obvious methods of prevention rather than to any remedies. 
SUMMARY. 
(1) The poisonous properties of Cicuta have been recognized since 
the middle of the seventeenth century, and a large number of cases 
of poisoning of men and animals have been reported. 
The toxic principle has been separated and its properties deter- 
mined. ‘This toxic principle is probably common to all species and 
there is reason to think that all species are equally poisonous. 
(2) There is a definite train of symptoms, marked by nausea, pain, 
and violent convulsions, which makes it easy to diagnose cases of 
Cicuta poisoning. 
The prominent lesions, as found in autopsies, are congestion of the 
lungs, kidneys, and central nervous system, with inflammation of the 
alimentary canal. 
(3) So far as known, all the higher animals are poisoned by Cicuta. 
_ (4) The quantity necessary to poison is very variable, depending 
probably on the stage of growth. The plant is very poisonous at all 
times. 
(5) The toxic principle is largely confined to the rootstock. The 
tops under ordinary circumstances are not poisonous, and neither the 
tops nor the seeds when found in hay are a source of danger. 
(6) The best remedy is an emetic. Very little can be done for 
poisoned live stock. 
LITERATURE CITED. 
The following bibliography includes only the titles of articles 
cited in this paper. A full bibliography of Cicuta has been prepared 
and is filed for reference in the Office of Poisonous Plants. 
BIGELOW, JACOB. 
1817. American Medical Botany, v. 1, Boston, p. 125-132, pl. 12. 
BLANKINSHR, J. W. 
1903. The loco and some other poisonous plants in Montana. Montana Agricul- 
tural Experiment Station, Bulletin 45, p. 89-91, fig. 3. 
Boerum, R. 
1876. Ueber den giftigen Bestandtheil des Wasserschierlings (Cicuta virosa) 
und seine Wirkungen; ein Beitrag zur Kenntniss der Krampigiite. 
Archiv fiir Experimentelle Pathologie und Pharmakologie, Bd. 5, Heit 
4/5, p. 279-310. 
Branpt, J. F., Poorsus, Puiirr, and RatzeBurRG, J. T. C. 
1838. Abbildung und Beschreibung der in Deutschland Wild Wachsenden und 
in Girten im Freien Ausdauernden Giftgewichse nach Natiirlichen 
Familien Erlautert, Abt. 1, Berlin, p. 109-111, pl. 29. 
? 
