28 
ABSTRACTS AND GLEANINGS IN BOTANY, ETC. 
general convulsion came up which seemed likely to end the scene. By dint of 
hard work he was again rallied, and the chloroform pushed until perfect insen¬ 
sibility was produced, and maintained for some time. On rallying from this, 
he soon commenced vomiting, and ejected from the stomach a quantity of apple 
he had eaten directly after taking the poison. After this, he began to exhibit 
evidence of improvement, the spasms being gradually lessened until 7 p.m. 
We were able to discontinue the medicine, which had been used almost without 
intermission for seven hours, consuming 1 lb. of chloroform. At this time a 
small quantity of urine was passed, the first that had escaped during his illness ; 
and again at 9 p.m. he had another evacuation, which was reserved for subse¬ 
quent analysis. This, subjected to the usual process of analysis, gave unequi¬ 
vocal evidence of the presence of strychnia. In regard to the agent to which 
we are indebted for a cure in this case, I think that while great relief from suf¬ 
fering was due, and also vomiting was indirectly due, to the chloroform, we 
should have failed utterly had not a portion of the poison been ejected from the 
stomach, and its absorption into the general circulation prevented. The subse¬ 
quent treatment of the case consisted in the use of anodynes and diuretics—the 
latter with the hope of hastening the elimination of the poison from the system 
through the renal secretion.” 
Poisoning’ by Strychnia treated with Indian Hemp. 
The ‘Medical and Surgical Reporter of Philadelphia-’ states that, “In 
a recent number we reported in our periscopic department a case of re¬ 
covery from strychnia poisoning by means of chloroform. We now add an¬ 
other, which recovered under the use of Cannabis indica , and tincture of camphor. 
The case occurred in the practice of Dr. S. A. M‘Williams, of Chicago, by 
whom it is reported in the ‘Medical Examiner.’ Patient, thirty-one years of 
age, took, suicidally, five grains of strychnia. Was seen by Dr. MTV. three 
hours and three-quarters afterwards, when he had extensive frequent and severe 
spasms, and with each a blowing of froth from the mouth. He lay upon his 
back, arms extending obliquely from his body, face flushed, perspiration rolling 
off him, pupils dilated widely, pulse 130 per minute, colour of lips natural, 
stiffness of muscles and inability to move limbs, mind perfectly clear. A drachm 
of the tincture of Cannabis indica was immediately given, and another in five 
minutes ; then two similar doses at intervals of ten minutes ; afterwards two 
such doses at fifteen minutes’ interval with a rapid amelioration of symptoms ; 
the next drachm was given in an hour and a half. The remedy, which after¬ 
wards was alternated with camphor, was continued as the urgency of the 
symptoms demanded, and the patient recovered, with uninterrupted conva- 
lescence, after forty-eight hours.” 
Note on the Culture of Saffron in Pennsylvania. 
The following observations on the Culture of Saffron, by Mr. Charles A. 
Heinitsh, are extracted from the Proceedings of the American Pharmaceutical 
Association for 1866 :—“ Saffron, until the last few years, was cultivated in 
Lancaster County, Pa., to considerable extent, particularly amongst the German 
portion of its inhabitants, for its use as a flavouring and colouring ingredient in 
soups and tea, and as a domestic remedy for measles and other febrile diseases, 
besides making an ornamental flower-bed in their gardens. Saffron requires a 
rich soil to grow it abundantly. The usual mode of cultivating it is to prepare 
the bed by digging deep and filling up with manure and rich soil, planting the 
corms or bulbs, after separating the young from the parent, about eight inches 
apart in rows (similar to onion sets), in the month of August. Care is neces¬ 
sary to keep the beds free from weeds. The flowering season commences about 
the middle of September, and continues until the beginning of October, accord- 
