VERONAL, PARALDEHYDE

These are dangerous drugs. The ordinary _symptoms_ of the group are
noises in the ears, headache, vertigo, inability to stand or to walk
properly, insensibility, and cyanosis.

The most interesting point is the condition of the urine. In cases of
poisoning it is dark or reddish-brown in colour, due to the presence of
_haematoporphyrin_. It contains albumin and casts, but no red corpuscles.
In cases of haematoporphyrinuria the prognosis is bad, and it is said
that these cases invariably end fatally.

_Treatment._--In an ordinary case emetics, strong coffee, hypodermic
injections of strychnine, saline injections, and transfusion.

Cases of chronic poisoning from the 'als' are not uncommon, and are
increasing in frequency. Hypnogen is apparently identical with veronal.

All the above-named aniline derivatives are included in Part I. of the
scheduled poisons.

XXXIX.--CONIUM AND CALABAR BEAN

=Conium Maculatum= (Spotted Hemlock).--All parts of the plant are
poisonous, often mistaken for parsley. Contains the poisonous principle
_coniine_, a volatile liquid alkaloid with a mousy smell; insoluble in
water; soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform. It also contains
methyl coniine.

_Symptoms._--Dryness of throat, headache, dilated pupil, dysphagia, loss
of muscular power, passing into complete paralysis. Delirium, coma, and
convulsions, occasionally.

_Post-Mortem Appearances._--Congested brain and lungs; redness of the
mucous membrane of the stomach. The stomach and intestines should be
examined for fragments of the leaves and fruit, recognized by their
microscopical appearances.

_Treatment._--Emetics, tannic acid or gallic acid. Diffusible
stimulants.

_Method of Extraction from the Stomach._--Use Stas-Otto process.

_Tests._--The mousy odour. Deepened colour and dense white fumes with
nitric acid. Pale red, deepening, with hydrochloric acid.

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, especial