ON THE PEEPARATION OF CONIUM. 
603 
No. 1. Taking the same quantity of the leaf-stalks, viz. ^ii, I obtained as 
nearly as possible the same quantity of oily matter as from the leaves. Its 
physical and chemical properties were identically the same as those of the 
oily fluid obtained from the leaves. 
it will be observed that I have not followed the usual process (that of dis¬ 
tillation) for the extraction of conia in the above experiments. I have been 
induced to adopt the above method in order to prevent that decomposition of 
the alkaloid which takes place by prolonged heating with potash. If I had 
followed the prescribed processes, I should no doubt have been led to the 
same conclusion as Geiger, viz, that the dried leaves are destitute of conia. 
I am now brought to the inquiry, What is the value of the Cataplasma 
Conii, P.B. ? According to the most liberal computation it contains only half 
a grain of conia, and, as far as this principle is concerned, it may therefore 
be considered valueless. It is stated in Wood and Bache’s ‘Dispensatory of 
the United States ’ that two or three drops of conia may be given in the form 
of enema. 
Siicciis Conii .—I now turn to another preparation of conium, the Succus 
Conii. This is, indeed, a most worthy representative of the famous hemlock, 
as I have most satisfactoril}'' proved by its effect upon myself and others. 
The drug with which I commenced my experiments was prepared by 
Mr. C. F. Buckle, of 77, Gray’s Inn Boad, W.C. He has kindly furnished 
me with the following particulars respecting the herb and the preparation of 
the juice:— 
“June I, 1866.—Received from Mr. Gaines 56 lbs. of Conium. macvlatiim 
grown in Essex. The plants were fresh and line, and just coming into bloom. 
The process of pulping between finely-grooved iron rollers was commenced 
at once; when complete, the pulp was subjected to the pressure of a very 
powerful hydraulic press, and 75 per cent, of juice obtained. This was im¬ 
mediately mixed with the proportion of spirit prescribed by the British 
Pharmacopoeia, and the mixture set aside in a cellar. The whole of the 
process occupied ten hours, and was completed in one day. The mixture 
was subsequently filtered as directed, and bottled off,” The resulting pre¬ 
paration was of a dark sherry-colour, possessed a delicate and agreeable herby 
taste and odour without acridity, and an acid reaction. Sp. g. 1002. f^j 
yielded 30 grs. of extract, and 0'42 grs. of pure conia. Heated with a little 
caustic potash, it evolved suffocating fumes of conia. Heat, alcohol, nitric 
acid, all precipitated albumen. The boiled and filtered juice gave reactions 
indicating the presence of sugar (in considerable quantity), soda, magnesia, 
lime, phosphoric acid (in considerable quantity), sulphuric acid (a minute 
proportion), chlorine. Bichloride of platinum gave a muddy molecular yel¬ 
low deposit; tannic acid, a fine ffocculent precipitate ; perchloride of iron 
caused a precipitate, but neither the per- nor proto-salts produced any dis¬ 
coloration. 
Dec. 10 .—At 11.30 a.m. I took f 5 ii with a little water. I remained quiet, 
and was engaged in close study all the rest of the day. No effect followed. 
Dec. 11.—At 8.30 a.m. took 3 ! of bicarbonate of potash in a large draught 
of water. At 10.30 a.m. took f 5 iii of the succus, and went by railway into 
the City. On walking back again, about three-quarters of an hour after 
taking the conium, I suddenly felt a heavy clogging sensation in my heels, 
and as I went along I was satisfied that this was due to impairment of mus¬ 
cular power. After walking about a mile up-hill this sensation was very 
decideef, and on putting a foot upon the scraper at the door of the hospital 
the other leg felt hardly sufficient to support me. It was a dark, foggy day, 
and I could not test my vision for distant objects with any certainty, but 011 
looking at a blazing fire at the distant end of the ward I felt giddy, and I 
