2 
POISONING BY VEGETABLES. 
likely to have undergone the same change that it has in the 
former. But if we have to search for it in the intestines, 
then the difficulty becomes still greater; and after having 
obtained the vegetable matter we must proceed to develop 
its alkaloid by certain methods laid down, which are often 
very operose, while they call for a familiarity with chemical 
manipulation not possessed by all. 
Further, there is the fact to be borne in mind that, when 
the quantity of the poisonous vegetable is but small and 
mixed with the animaPs provender, the digestive process 
will cause its assimilation to take place, in part or wholly, 
and then we have to look for its influence upon remote 
organs. This, too, is often even more unsatisfactory than the 
former, unless it be that the larger organs, as the liver, or the 
kidneys, or the brain, be those to which the active principle 
is determined. We are aw 7 are that to produce its effects it 
must exist in the blood ; but to search for it there would add 
immensely to our labours. 
Another circumstance must also be taken into consideration, 
namely, that disease frequently modifies the action of most 
agents. This, in all probability, is often the cause of the 
variable effects produced by the same agent; nor must it be 
forgotten that the same substance will not produce the like 
action, even in animals of the same class, at all times : of 
which we have an illustration in the present number, recorded 
by Mr. Howell, respecting the influence of the hollyhock. 
We must, however, be permitted to add another reason 
why difficulties present themselves in knowing if animals be 
poisoned by vegetables, although the subject is a delicate 
one, namely, the want of due and careful observance on our 
part of every peculiarity in the action produced, likewise of 
the changes effected in the tissues and certain organs of 
the frame, a recording of the same, and then giving to the 
whole publicity. Yet we think we see an improvement taking 
place here, and we hope it will continue. We have alluded 
to it elsewhere, that during the past year several interesting 
cases of poisoning were communicated to us by Mr. Fuller, 
Mr. Litt, and others, which will hereafter be referred to with 
confidence by the profession. Other isolated cases may like¬ 
wise be found in the pages of our Journal that are full of in¬ 
struction ; still we are quite sure that these, from time to time, 
could be added to, were each to do his duty; and then might 
a classification be attempted, which would redound to our 
credit. 
Oftentimes during life a considerable difficultypresents itself 
in tracing out the true plant or vegetable that has been pro- 
