144

SECT. XIII.----POISONOUS PLANTS.

laneholy instance is related in the Philosophical Transactions, Nnmbeicciil, of its pernicious effects upon a family who ate at supper theherb boiled and fried. It produced at first nausea and vomiting, andcomatose symptoms afterwards ; two of the children slept twenty-four hours; when they awoke, they vomited again, and recovered.The other girl could not be awakened during four days; at the expi-ration of which lime she opened her eyes and expired.

Planter affines.

It appears that the different species of Chenopodium have been mis-taken for this plant. I do not see myself any very near likeness: butas all the species of Chenopodium have been called English Mercury*it is possible that the name may have been the cause of its mistake.

649. MERCURIALI3 annua. Annual Dog's Mercury. — Personswho are in the habit of gathering wild herbs to cook, should be carefulof this. It grows plentifully in all rich grounds, and is common withFat Hen and the other herbs usually collected for such purposes in thespring, and from which it is not readily distinguished: at least, lean-not describe a difference that a person ignorant of botany can distin-guish it by.

650. PERIPI.OCA graca. —This is an ornamental creeping plant,and commonly grown in gardens for covering verandas, and otherplaces for shade.

I once witnessed a distressing case. A nurse walking in a gardengathered a flower of this plant, and gave it to a child which she had inher arms. The infant having put it to its mouth, it caused a consider-able swelling and inflammation, which came on so suddenly, that,had it not been that one of the labourers had met with a similar ac-cident, no one would have known the cause. The child was severaldays before it was out of danger, as the inflammation had reached thethroat.

651. VERATRUM alium. AYhite Heixeeoee.— The roots of thisplant, and also of the Veratrum nigrum, have been imported mixedwith the roots of yellow gentian, and have proved poisonous.— Lewis'*Materia Medica.

POISONOUS FUNGI.

The deleterious effects of these generally show themselves soon after

they are in the stomach. Fbmiting should he immediately excited, and

then the vegetable acids should lie given; either vinegar, lemon-juice, or

that of apples ; after which, give ether and antispasmodic remedies, l"