CICUTA, OR WATER HEMLOCK. 19 
The observation of the cases at Mount Carbon added little to what 
was already known in pepand to the symptoms, but gave a more 
complete picture. 
Excessive salivation, ‘‘frothing at the mouth,’ was generally the 
first symptom noted, and this occurred in the mild cases. It was 
followed or accompanied by uneasiness and pain. The animal soon 
fell in a violent convulsion. Peculiar spasmodic contractions of the 
diaphragm occurred before and after fallmg. The convulsions were 
most violent. The animal would kick, sometimes extending the legs 
rigidly. It would throw back the head, sometimes with marked 
opisthotonos, and would bellow and groan as though in great pain. 
The pupils were dilated and the eyes sometimes turned in or down. 
The pulse was weak and rapid, running as high as 180, and respira- 
tion was noticed as high as 62. 
Gnashing of the teeth and convulsive closing of the jaws were 
noticed in the Mount Carbon cases. 
The convulsions were intermittent and increased in violence in the 
fatal cases. 
In those that recovered there was a gradual slowing of the pulse 
and respiration. ; 
So far as the observations went there was no change in temperature. 
This train of symptoms isso pronounced and so different from those 
produced by any other poisonous plant in the temperate regions that 
a diagnosis of Cicuta poisoning is positive and easily made. 
AUTOPSY FINDINGS. 
A considerable number of autopsies upon man and the lower 
animals have been reported. Nearly all reports agree as to finding 
-a hyperemia of the brain and central nervous system. Several 
-found inflammation of the walls of the stomach and a fluid condi- 
tion of the blood. This lack of coagulation of the blood was re- 
ported by Wepfer, 1687, and has been noticed repeatedly since that 
time. ‘Trojanowsky, 1874, says that the poison is antiseptic, as 
evidenced by the delayed process of decay. 
Velten, 1839, found inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and 
proven “ies and French, 1897, and Nevermann, 1912, reported 
congested lungs. 
Some writers have reported more or less inflammation’ of the 
mucous membrane of the stomach. 
Three autopsies were made at Mount Carbon—two upon cattle 
and one upon a sheep. These autopsies confirmed the reports of 
previous observers, and some additional facts were noted. The left 
ventricle was contracted and the right dilated, while the walls of the 
heart were more or less congested. The most marked feature was 
the extreme congestion of the venous blood vessels. The lungs, 
