followed by an acrid burning sensation, accompanied with a profuse salivation ; and if an extract of them 
be given without the greatest caution, it acts first on the stomach and then on the nervous system; pro- 
ducing vomiting, hypercatharsis, vertigo, cold sweats, delirium, and convulsions which terminate in death. 
If placed on the eyelids it causes tears to flow, but it produces no sensation of heat, and when the powder is 
sprinkled upon an ulcer, it causes neither heat nor pain.” 
It is asserted, that the effluvia arising from the herb in full flower, have so overpowered some persons 
as to produce loss of sight for a day or two; attended by faintings, swooning fits, and other untoward 
symptoms : and the juice, according to Snqdder, applied to a wounded finger, affected the whole system ; 
not only producing pains in the hand and arm, but cardialgia, great anxiety, sense of suffocation, syncope, 
&c. The wounded part sphacelated also, prior to suppuration taking place. 
But although such are said to be the effects of the leaves and exhalations from the flowers, the roots 
are unquestionably the most powerful part of the plant ; and as a new root is formed each year by the side 
of the old one, the properties of which are very much diminished, if not entirely destroyed, by the ex- 
haustion of growth, great care should be taken in the selection. 
Linneeus says, the A. napellus is fatal to kine and goats, especially when they come fresh to it ; but 
that it does no injury to horses, who eat it only when dry. He also relates in the Stockholm Acts that an 
ignorant surgeon having prescribed the leaves, and who, on his patient refusing to take them, took a dose 
himself, died in consequence. The following case is a further example of similar ignorance being similarly 
fatal to another surgeon, and they are curious, as medical men are not proverbially famous for taking physic. 
A person having eaten some of the leaves of the A. napellus, became maniacal and the surgeon who 
was called to his assistance declared, that the plant was not the cause of his disorder ; and to convince the 
company that it was perfectly innocent, he ate freely of its leaves, and soon after died in great agony.— 
(Mordus in K. Yet. Acad. 1739, p. 41.) 
Dr. Willis, in his work, De Anima Brutorum, gives also another instance of a man who died in a few 
hours from eating the young leaves of this plant in a salad. He likewise exhibited all the symptoms of mania. 
Dissection throws no light on the effects of Aconite. 
The native Indians use it to poison the water tanks, in order to impede the progress of an army. An 
attempt of this kind was made at Hotoura during the Napal war, but it was discovered in time to save the 
soldiers. They also use it for poisoning spears, darts, and arrows. Among other characteristic traits of the 
iron age, Ovid tells us that 
Lurida terribiles miscent aconita novercse : 
“ Terrible stepmothers mingle the lurid wolf’s bane.” 
Medical Properties and Uses. — The Aconite thus invested with terror, has, however, as Don 
observes, been so subdued, and reduced to such a manageable state, as to have become a very powerful 
remedy in some of the most troublesome disorders incident to the human frame. It is to Baron Stoerck 
that we are principally indebted for our knowledge of this potent medicine ; which, according to his account, 
is diuretic, as well as diaphoretic, and narcotic. He administered it for intermittent fevers, chronic rheu- 
matism, gout, exostosis, paralysis and schirrous, and narrates many well-marked cases of these diseases, in 
which it was eminently successful. He appears to have been well acquainted with the potency of the drug 
he was administering; and therefore recommended small doses to be given at first, which were very gradually 
increased. His observations led to its employment in other diseases, and it has been found useful ; but in 
consequence of its uncertain powers, alarming symptoms have been produced, which have caused it to fall 
into general neglect. Dr. Davy, however, in a letter to Dr. Paris, says: <f In some cases of chronic rheu- 
matism, and in some of intermittent fever, it has had a beneficial effect not to be mistaken ; the dose has 
been from one to two grains.” Its diaphoretic effect he did not observe. We have had no experience of 
the internal administration of Aconite, but the extract applied as a plaster, is a very useful application to 
rheumatic affections. It is usual to combine either the powder or the extract, with some antimonial pre- 
parations, calomel, camphor, ipecacuanha, guaiacum, &c. The extract is most certain in its effects ; and as 
well as the powder must be given in small doses at first. 
Doses. — Of the extract, from half a grain to two. 
Of the powder, from two to ten grains. 
Off. prep. — Extractum Aconiti. L. JE. 
In Flower Language, Monk’s Hood denotes Knight Errantry. 
By all those token flowers that tell, 
What words can ne’er express so well. Byron. 
