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Show 314 HEMLOCK WATER=DROPWORT. drensuffered greatly by eating this poison. In these casesgreat agony was experienced before the convulsions supervened ; vomitings likewise came on, which were encouraged bylarge draughts of oil and warm water, to which their recoveryis ascribed. The late sir William Watson, who refers to the instances here cited, also says that a Dutchman was poisonedbythe leaves of the plant boiled in pottage. It appears from various authorities that most brute animals are not less affected by this poison than man; and Mr. Lightfoot informs us, that a spoonful of the juice of this plant given to a dog, rendered him sick and stupid; but a goat was observed to eat the plant with impunity. The great virulence of this plant has not, however, prevented it from being taken medicinally. In a letter from Dr. Poultney to sir William Watson, we are told that a severe andinveterate cutaneous disorder was cured by the juice of the root, though not without exciting the most alarming symptoms. Taken in the dose of a spoonful, in two hours afterwards the head was affected in a very extraordinary manner, followed withviolent sickness and vomiting, cold sweats and rigors; but this did not deter the patient from continuing the medicine, in somewhat less doses, till it effected a cure. WATER HEMLOCK. CICUTA VIROSA. Class V. Pentandria, Order II. Digynia Esseyr. Gen, Cuan. Fruit subovate, sulcate. Spec. Cuar, Umbels terminal: Petals marginate, obtuse. EE DESCRIPTION. Risrs four feet in height. Leaves pinnated ; leaflets usually placed in threes, spear-shaped, serrate, serratures white at the point. Flowers in large compact umbels. Flowers all uniform, fertile. Fruit egg-shaped, divisible into two seeds. HLisSTORY. This poisonous plant grows onthe bordersof pools and rivers, and flowers in July and August. MEDICAL VIRTUES. It appears from Bergius, that water-hemlock, in its dried Mate, may be taken ina considerable quantity without producing |