Symptoms.—Purging, vomiting, pain in the bowels, and cold sweats. Death is generally preceded by convulsions and insensibility.
Post-mortem Appearances.—Those common to the action of other irritants.
WHITE HELLEBORE
White Hellebore, Veratrum album (N.O. Melanthaceæ), acts very much in the same manner as the black hellebore, but is more powerful. The powder causes violent sneezing. The alkaloid Veratria appears to be the active principle. The symptoms and post-mortem appearances are analogous to those produced by black hellebore.
GAMBOGE
Gamboge is the gum resin of Garcinia Morella. It is an active ingredient in certain quack “vegetable pills.” One drachm has caused death by its irritant action. Owing to the imperfect pulverisation of gamboge in quack pills, they have caused violent irritation of the bowels, straining at stool, and prolapsus uteri, due to the irritating action of small pieces of this substance.
JALAP
Jalap, the powder obtained from the tubers of Exogonium Purga. The active properties of the drug reside in a resin. It is a drastic purgative; twelve grains have killed a dog.
SCAMMONY
Scammony is obtained from the dry root of Convolvulus Scammonia. Like the last mentioned, it is a powerful purgative, and may cause death if given in large doses to debilitated individuals.