poisoned by conium, all yielded evidence-odoriferous evidence of the presence of conia.1

The second process which I adopted for the detection of conia was as follows:-About one part of a saturated solution of oxalic acid was added to four parts of the warm urine, and the mixture allowed to evaporate spontaneously. The brown sirupy residue was separated from the crystalline matter, and both separately treated with excess of caustic potash, and washed with æther.

Of those two modes of determining the presence of conia in the urine I prefer the latter.

In

In order to assure myself that the conia was not decomposed or dissipated in these endeavours to isolate it, I conducted comparative experiments by adding 3ij. or 3iij. of succus conii to similar quantities of warm urine; and subjecting the mixture to the processes above described, I did not fail in any case to obtain a small quantity of conia. one experiment I exposed a mixture of 3 viij. of urine, 3iij. of succus conii, and 3ij. of a cold saturated solution of oxalic acid, in a flat dish, to the air for a month. At the end of this time I placed the dusty and moistish residue upon a filter, and washed it with 3iv. of water. On supersaturating the dark brown filtrate with potash an acrid odour of conia was evolved, and by means of æther I separated a minute drop of impure conia from the mixture.

Means of Resuscitation in cases of Poisoning by Hemlock.— Without indulging in speculations as to the manner in which conium acts upon the nerve centres, I will make a few observations on the subject of resuscitation from the poisonous influence of the plant. I have said that the effect of conium is inversely as the motor activity of the individual. I might have said with equal truth that it is inversely as the activity of the respiratory function, or, in other words, the more active the breathing the greater the resistance to the action of hemlock. One thing is clear, that a given dose of conium produces in the same individual, and, cæteris paribus, a greater effect in a state of inactivity, than when,

'Trans. Royal Medico-bot. Soc. of London, 1834-1837, pp. 143, 146.

by forced muscular exercise, he tries to ward off the influence of the drug. Now in poisoning dogs by prussic acid, I have as a matter of experience found it necessary to keep the mouth closed for a few seconds after pouring a drachm or two of the fluid into the pharynx. As often as animals have been able in their convulsions to get the mouth open, and inspire good volumes of air, they have recovered. There is something in common, I think, between the ultimate action of hydrocyanic acid and conium, the chief difference being that the former attacks at once the motor centres of organic life, while the latter expends the chief part of its power upon the motor centres of animal life, and only slowly and at a late period of its action paralyses the movements of organic life.

From these and the general considerations which the phenomena of hemlock poisoning suggest, it appears that the whole of our endeavours must be directed to excite and maintain the reflex action of the spinal cord, and of the medulla especially-in a word, to increase the quantity of oxygen taken into the lungs. The application of electricity to the upper part of the spine and chest walls simultaneously, will be the most hopeful means. More indirectly we may appeal to the vagus through the fifth nerve by applying ammonia to the nostrils, and sprinkling cold water on the face. The lower part of the spinal cord may receive an impression by the introduction of brandy or ammonia, well diluted in hot water, into the rectum. If deglutition be still possible, the peripheral branches of the vagus may be stimulated by the introduction of the same stimulants into the stomach. Brandy should be used sparingly, for we must bear in mind that large doses, in addition to an inebriant action, naturally depress the motor function of the craniospinal axis, and so assist, instead of restraining, the action of hemlock. Some persons will tell us in general terms that the symptoms produced by conium resemble those of alcoholic intoxication. This is true in a very limited sense, and those who know what the effect of brandy really is, will assure us that the effects of hemlock are peculiar and distinct, and such as they never experienced before.

That alcohol, in moderate doses even, does not counteract in the least degree the effects of hemlock, I have taken care to ascertain in female patients very susceptible of the action of both agents. Still, as a local stimulant to the stomach, and as a diffusible stimulant to the circulation, this approved antidote of the ancients may be of service when given in limited quantities.

Of some other questions relating to the Use of Hemlock. Tobacco. I have observed that persons who use tobacco freely usually require a large dose of conium to produce its physiological effects. And the reverse, that those cannot tolerate tobacco who are readily influenced by comparatively small doses of hemlock. This is what we should have concluded theoretically from a knowledge of the separate action of these two agents. Great care, therefore, is required in the simultaneous use of them.

Hydrocyanic Acid.-Large doses of conium should be carefully employed in conjunction with full doses of hydrocyanic acid.

Alkalies and Acids.-The effects of conium juice are neither increased nor diminished by the copious addition of alkalies or of either of the mineral acids.

The effects of conium, when combined with henbane, belladonna, and opium, respectively, will be duly considered. in the succeeding chapter.

The Medicinal Use of Conium.-Having now completed my account of the physiological action of hemlock, I come now to practical inquiries respecting its value as a therapeutical agent.

The use of inert preparations of conium has rendered, with very few exceptions, all previous statements concerning the medicinal value of this plant almost worthless; and it is necessary, I believe, to begin this inquiry anew. The following examples are given as a small contribution to this inquiry. It is all that I can offer at present. In perusing these cases I would ask the reader to bear in mind these two necessary facts: First-That they are not picked' examples, showing success to the exclusion of cases in which

no benefit was obtained. They represent the whole of the cases in which I have used hemlock as a therapeutical agent. Secondly-The treatment has consisted in the administration of hemlock alone, and I have rigidly avoided altering the condition of the patient by any other means, medicinal or hygienic. If in any case additional treatment has been required, this will always be mentioned. I must preface my remarks on this topic by the following conclusion. It is the result of a good deal of close observation, and I am thoroughly convinced of its truth:-That hemlock given in doses which fall far short of producing its proper physiological action is useless in the treatment of diseases for which it is adapted.

The mode of action of the neurotic poisons is an unsolved problem, involving as it does a complete knowledge of the nature of nerve force-of its development, its affinities, and its mode of radiation or conduction throughout the body. The influence of hemlock in particular is truly marvellous. We have some clue to the action of its opposite or complement strychnia, for we not only see it repeated in some of the commonest morbid states of the body, but we can induce it by electrical or other irritation of the motor portion of the nervous system. But the action of hemlock is quite beyond our comprehension. The power of the drug is so direct and simple, and at the same time so exclusive, that it resolves, as if by electrolysis, nervous action into its chief constituents; and, leaving untouched the one portion, suddenly and sometimes almost with the rapidity of lightning, depresses or altogether suspends the other.

Deprived of all voluntary movement, the patient resembles one who has been suddenly stricken with ordinary palsy; but, an hour hence, his power of motion will return, and no trace of this powerful influence will remain. Such is the simplicity and certainty of the action of hemlock that I believe there are morbid conditions of the nervous system in which it may be used to analyse the diseased action and point out its cause (see p. 29 et seq.).

Nor can disease be said to furnish us with any clue to the action of hemlock. Functional paralysis is more, I be

lieve, of a name than a reality. But even granting such a condition, the paralytic influence is only partial, and the recovery therefrom slow, even when progressive. The paralysis of hemlock is, as I have said before, a sleep-a sleep from which there is a speedy and complete awakening. Hemlock is the complete realisation of our ideas of a medicine. Over natural function no medicine has so strictly limited and transient an influence. Upon the morbid conditions to which its action is suited, no drug exercises a more powerful influence or leaves a more enduring impression. But to act beneficially-and I cannot too strongly insist upon the factit must be given in doses sufficient to produce an impression. To give hemlock in doses that fail to produce an appreciable effect upon the motor system is to give repeatedly the hundredth of a grain of morphia to one dying for want of sleep, or a grain of quinine to cure an ague fit.

In selecting hemlock as a remedy in the treatment of nervous diseases, we must dissociate from it all notions of a deliriant, hypnotic, or convulsive action; all ideas of a sedative power over the heart, or of any influence upon the secretions. We must be guided by that simple view of its physiological action which I have now so fully stated, and then the only question to be proposed will be, Is there irritation, direct or reflex, of the motor centres? If there be, conium is the appropriate and hopeful remedy.

In treating of the medicinal use of hemlock, I will take first the convulsive diseases of children. Hemlock is essentially a children's medicine. It has often appeared to me that in the early development of the body, motor activity, from a variety of exciting causes, is liable to a disproportionate development, and that thus a tendency to convulsive disease often arises. Anyhow, whenever that tendency exists, it may be readily subdued by the judicious use of conium.

I. Undue excitement of the motor centres occurring at or near the time of dentition, and producing general irritability of the system with strong tendency to convulsion, and in many cases resulting in actual convulsions. I have treated eleven such cases, and they have presented every variety and