ACONITE. (-nite). Syn. Acon′itum, L.; Aconit, Fr.: Akonitum, Eisenhut, Sturmhut, Ger. Monkshood; wolfsbane. In botany, a genus of exogenous plants. Nat. ord., Ranunculaceæ; Sex. syst., Polyandria Trigynia. They are characterised by showy purple or yellow helmet-shaped flowers growing in panicles, deeply cut leaves, and perennial (usually) tap-shaped or tapering roots. The whole plant is highly poisonous, the roots being more poisonous than the leaves. In medicine and materia medica, the plant Aconitum Napellus (which see).
Symptoms. Numbness and tingling in the mouth and throat, which are parched; followed by giddiness, dimness of sight, and (sometimes) delirium, but seldom complete coma; there is numbness and tingling of the limbs, a loss of power in the legs, (in some cases) frothing at the mouth, severe abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhœa; tremors or twitchings of the voluntary muscles, (sometimes) convulsions (in animals, but not in man); sharp cries; pupil (generally) dilated, very rarely contracted; pulse fitful and sinking; skin cold and livid; difficulty of breathing; general prostration; loss of sensation or feeling, insensibility, general trembling, fainting, and sudden death. The eyes are often glaring; and, in some cases, the patient is completely paralysed, yet retains consciousness to the last. The case generally proves fatal in from 1 to 8 hours. If it last beyond this period there is hope of recovery. (Fleming.)
Antidotes. Ammonia, or brandy, with artificial respiration if necessary: cold affusion and friction, with warm towels to the back and limbs. See Alkaloids.
ACONITE LEAVES (B. Ph.). Syn. Aconiti folia, L. The fresh leaves and flowering tops of aconitum napellus, Linn., gathered when about one third of the flowers are expanded, from plants cultivated in Britain.
Char. Leaves smooth, palmate, divided into five deeply cut wedge-shaped segments; excizing slowly, when chewed, a sensation of tingling. Flowers numerous, irregular, deep blue, in dense racemes.
Prep. Extractum aconiti.
ACONITE ROOT. (B. Ph.). Syn. Aconiti radix, L. The dried root of aconitum napellus. Imported from Germany, or cultivated in Britain, and collected in the winter or early spring before the leaves have appeared.
Prep. Aconitia, the active principle; Linimentum Aconiti, 1 ounce to 1 fluid ounce; Tinctura Aconiti, 541⁄2 grains to 1 fluid ounce.
Char. Usually from one to three inches long, not thicker than the finger at the crown, tapering, blackish-brown, internally whitish. A minute portion, cautiously chewed, causes prolonged tingling and numbness.
ACONITI FOLIA. See Aconite Leaves.