The Coriaria myrtifolia is also supposed by some to possess the properties of the present group, and is sufficiently important from its energy, and its occasional injurious effects on man, to claim some notice here.
Its toxicological action has been investigated by Professor Mayer of Bonn, who found that it excites in most animals violent fits of tetanus, giving place to apoplectic coma; and that in the dead body the brain is seen gorged with blood, the blood in the heart and great vessels fluid, the heart not irritable immediately after death, and the inner membrane of the stomach yellowish and shrivelled. A drachm of the extract of the juice killed a cat in two hours when swallowed; half a drachm applied to a wound killed another in eighty-five minutes; and six grains in the same way killed a kitten in three hours and a half. A drachm swallowed by a young dog killed it in two hours and a half. Ten grains of the extract of the infusion applied to a wound killed a kitten in six hours; and three grains another in three hours. A buzzard was killed in three-quarters of an hour by half a drachm of the extract of the juice. Frogs are also soon killed by it. Rabbits, it is remarkable, are scarcely affected by this poison, either administered internally, or applied to a wound,—a drachm in the former way, and half as much in the latter, having produced no effect at all. A grain, however, injected into the jugular vein occasioned in about five hours a single convulsive paroxysm, which proved immediately fatal.[[2393]]
Instances of poisoning with this substance have occurred in the human subject,—generally in consequence of its having been taken in various parts of the continent with senna, which it is employed to adulterate. Sauvages has recorded two cases of death occasioned by the berries. In one, a child, death took place within a day under symptoms like epileptic convulsions; and in the other, an adult, who swallowed only fifteen berries, convulsions, coma, and lividity of the face were produced, ending fatally the same evening, though the greater part of the berries were discharged by emetics.[[2394]] In recent French journals various similar cases are recorded. M. Fée describes five cases, one of them fatal. In this instance, a male adult, death occurred within four hours after he took an infusion of senna adulterated with the coriaria; and the symptoms were violent convulsions, locked-jaw and colic.[[2395]] M. Roux has noticed a great number of cases in the fullest paper yet published on its effects on man, and gives the details of three which came under his own notice, and of which one proved fatal. In the fatal case, that of a child three years and a half old, who took between eighty and a hundred berries, the symptoms were heat and pricking of the tongue, sparking and rolling of the eyes, loss of voice, locked-jaw, and convulsions recurring in occasional fits of eight or ten minutes in duration. Death ensued in sixteen hours and a half.[[2396]] Roux refers also among other instances to those of no fewer than ten soldiers, who were attacked at the same time in consequence of eating the berries, and of whom two died. In Roux’s fatal case there was injection of the membranes of the brain, and no other particular appearance; in that mentioned by Fée, there was inflammation of the stomach and bowels; and in one of Sauvages’s cases no morbid appearance at all was discovered.
Considering these very pointed proofs of the poisonous qualities of the coriaria, it is not a little singular that doubts have lately arisen whether it is a poison at all. Peschier of Geneva says he has ascertained that tanners, who use it in their trade on account of the powerful astringency of the leaves, also take it internally for gleet, and that he gave a decoction of an ounce to chickens, dogs, and men, without witnessing any ill effect.[[2397]]
Of Poisoning with Yew.
The leaves and berries of the Taxus baccata, or yew, are known to be poisonous; but their effects have not been investigated with care. I have arranged it in the meantime with the present group.
M. Grognier, as quoted by Orfila, ascertained that a decoction of eight ounces of berries without seeds had no effect on a dog; that a pound and a half of seeds had no effect on a horse; that three ounces of the juice of the leaves given to a large dog merely caused vomiting; and that a decoction of twelve ounces of leaves, confined in the stomach of a dog by a ligature on the gullet, had also no effect. But two ounces of the juice of the leaves killed a small dog; and Orfila himself ascertained, that thirty-six grains of extract of the leaves, injected into the jugular vein, caused giddiness, stupor, and death.[[2398]]
Accidents have repeatedly happened to children in this country from yew-berries. Mr. Hurt of Mansfield has given the particulars of an interesting case. A child, three years and a half old, two hours after eating the berries, was observed to look ill at dinner, and became affected with lividity and heaviness of the eyes, as if he was about to fall asleep. Vomiting followed, without any pain; and he died before a medical man, who was sent for, could arrive. Four other children, somewhat older, who had eaten the seeds, were made to vomit by emetics, and got well. The dead body of the first child presented many livid spots, redness of the villous coat of the stomach, and gorging of the brain and membranes with blood. A mass of berries, seeds, and potatoes was found in the stomach.[[2399]]—Dr. Hartmann of Frankfort mentions that a girl, who took a decoction of the leaves to produce abortion, died in consequence, but without having miscarried.[[2400]]—Dr. Percival has related other cases in his essays.[[2401]]
CHAPTER XXXIX.
OF THE POISONOUS FUNGI.
A fourth group of poisons possessing narcotico-acrid proper ties, includes the poisonous fungi or mushrooms.