There are several other umbelliferous plants which are poisonous. The
water hemlock (_Cicuta virosa_) produces symptoms not unlike those of
hemlock; it has been mistaken for parsnip and celery. It contains an
active principle, _cicutoxin_, which in some respects is allied to
strychnine and picrotoxin. The fool's parsley, or lesser hemlock
(_AEthusa cynapium_), is another member of this group, although doubt has
been expressed as to whether it is really poisonous. The water dropwort
(_Oenanthe crocata_) is undoubtedly poisonous, especially to cattle. In
man it produces abdominal pain with diarrhoea and vomiting; dilated
pupils, slow pulse, and cyanosis; delirium, insensibility, and
convulsions. The post-mortem appearances are not characteristic, but the
stomach and intestines should be examined for portions of the plant.
=Calabar Bean or Physostigma.=--The bean of _Physostigma venenosum_
contains the alkaloid physostigmine or eserine, with the antagonistic
alkaloid calabarine.
_Symptoms._--Vomiting, giddiness, irregular cardiac action, contraction
of the pupils, paralysis of lower extremities, and death from asphyxia.
_Treatment._--Emetics; hypodermic injection of 1/50 grain sulphate of
atropine, repeated if necessary.
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