BULLE TIN, OF . LAE 
cg) USDEPARINENT OFACRCULIURE Sse 
O. 
Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Wm. A. Taylor, Chief, 
and the Bureau of Animal Industry, A. D. Melvin, Chief. 
March 28, 1914. 
(PROFESSIONAL PAPER.) 
CICUTA, OR WATER HEMLCCK. 
By C. Dwient MarsH and’A. B. Ciawson, Physiologists, Drug-Plant and 
- Poisonous-Plant Investigations, Bureau of Plant Industry, and Hap.LEIcH 
Marsu, Veterinary Inspector, Bureau of Animal Industry. 
INTRODUCTION. 
HISTORICAL SUMMARY. 
Among poisonous plants the genus Cicuta is of especial interest, 
as it is probably the most violently toxic of all the plants growing in 
temperate regions. Since the middle of the sixteenth century the 
genus has been definitely known, and the symptoms produced by it 
have been accurately described many times. Before that time, if 
recognized at all, it was not distinguished from Conium. The term 
Cicuta occurs frequently in Latin literature, but without any doubt 
was used as the equivalent of the Greek Kwvecov. Whether the hem- 
lock used by the Greeks and Romans for the punishment of criminals 
and for suicidal purposes was an extract from a single plant or a com- 
pound extract of several plants, as thought by some, may never be 
known, but in any case it 1s evident that plants of the genus Cicuta as 
recognized to-day were not used. The symptoms produced by the 
hemlock are described in detail by Plato in connection with the death of 
Socrates and are very different from those produced by Cicuta. There 
seems to be little doubt that Conium was the principal constituent of 
the hemlock and perhaps the only substance used. 
Albert Regel, 18767 has gone into great detail in discussing the 
history of the “hemlock” and ‘water hemlock,” with copious quo- 
tations from ancient authors. Inasmuch as Cicuta is not found in 
any abundance in Greece and Italy, it may, perhaps, fairly be ques- 
tioned whether the Greeks and Romans had any knowledge of the 
1 For complete titles of works cited in this bulletin, see list on pages 24 to 27. 
Notr.—This bulletin describes water hemlock and its toxic effect upon animal life when taken into the 
system; it points out the distinction between it and other umbelliferous plants, particularly conium, 
with which it is most likely to be confounded. As the toxic principle is largely confined to the rootstock, 
the tops and seeds if they become mixed with hay are not a source of danger. The subject is of general 
interest, as cicuta is found in nearly all parts of the United States. 
24138°—Bull. 69—14_1 
