Part 5

The poisonous hemlock juice was employed by ancient Greeks as a means of capital punishment. Socrates and other celebrities are said to have met death by this means. Accidental poisoning has occurred in modern time by mistaking the conium for parsley, parsnip, or anise plants.

=Antidote=: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage as soon as possible. Treat for alkaloid poisoning and maintain respiration.

POISON-IVY

Rhus Toxicodendron--ANACARDIACEAE]

=Description=: Probably no other plant has caused as much suffering and distress as has the poison-ivy. Poison-ivy, with its characteristic three-leaf appearance and prominent veins is a woody vine, climbing by aerial rootlets, or taking a tree-like appearance. Poison-oak is more of a low, branching shrub. Each leaflet is shaped somewhat like an oak leaf. Both are found abundantly in woodlands, along fences, walks, and roadsides. During the fall their showy red and yellow leaves are frequently mistaken for those of the harmless trees of the woods.

The flowers are yellowish green to white in color and formed in clusters attached to the stems, or in the stem forks. Fruits are smooth globular structures, sometimes remaining on the branches until spring.

=Poisonous Parts=: All parts of the plant are poisonous, even the tiny plant hairs and the smoke from burning the leaves in the fall. This plant produces a severe dermatitis upon contact causing inflammation, blistering, and vesicles. As the skin breaks, a liquid exudes and scabs or crusts form.

The poisonous principle is a reddish-brown, oil-resin containing =urushiol=. This can produce irritant effects within 24 hours upon contact with the skin.

=Antidotes=: Numerous remedies are available in pharmacies for poison-ivy. After contact, or suspected contact, hands, face, and affected parts should be first washed freely with soapy water using laundry soap of the alkali kind; lather abundantly. Soaps containing oil or greasy components should not be used. The poison is soluble in them and will spread over the skin. In severe or persistent cases of dermatitis, consult your physician.

Physicians treat itching, severe inflammation, and pain when dermatitis becomes evident.

POKEWEED

Phytolacca americana, P. decundra--PHYTOLACCAEAE]

=Description=: A perennial weed, growing up to about 4 feet, with a large fleshy root system. Stems are rather thick and leaves have a light green appearance with prominent ribs (veins) and somewhat curled edges.

Flowers are greenish-white and borne on a spike in the upper part of the plant. As the many berries form in clusters in late summer and early autumn, they are at first green then reddish-purple, later purple to black, and contain a red juice which has also given the plant the name red-ink plant. Birds frequently feed on them. The plant is found in many areas.

=Poisonous Parts=: All parts are poisonous, particularly roots, shoots, and unripe berries. As the berries ripen, their poisonous properties lessen but, nevertheless, if many are eaten, they too can be harmful. Toxic materials include a resinous material and a water-soluble =saponin=. No alkaloid has as yet been found in pokeweed.

Poisoning generally is slow (1 to 2 hours) after ingesting the plant but then becomes violent for a long time. Following a period of nausea and vomiting, drowsiness and impaired vision results. Large amounts can cause purgation and narcosis followed by coma and death.

=Antidote=: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat for circulatory and respiratory depression.

WATER HEMLOCK

Cicuta maculata--UMBELLIFERAE]

=Description=: A perennial herb reaching to 5 feet, or more, in height and found in swampy or moist areas. At least eight species of Cicuta are known to be poisonous.

As in the Conium hemlock, the roots of Circuta resemble those of the parsnip but in addition, frequently possess many tuberous rootlets which resemble small sweet potatoes. When cut open, these yield a yellowish aromatic oil. Stems are shiny, hollow, and often have purple spots. Leaf bases clasp around the stem and the leaves are coarsely divided into smaller leaflets.

Flowers are white and the small fruits are formed on umbrella-like stalks. Each fruit possesses several prominent corky ribs.

=Poisonous Parts=: Mostly the roots. However, above ground parts are also very poisonous and should be avoided. The similarity of roots to parsnip and sweet potato has led to accidental poisoning in children and adults. The poison principle is a resin-like substance called =cicutoxin= and a small quantity of this can cause death.

Poisoning is characterized by severe stomach pain, great mental excitation and frenzy, vomiting, and frothing at the mouth. The frothing can be at times bloody. Breathing becomes irregular followed by convulsions and death in a short time.

=Antidote=: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform stomach lavage before the contents of the plant are absorbed, treat for =pierotoxin= poisoning since =cicutoxin= is related to it. This includes a judicious use of barbiturates and morphine.

YEW

Taxus canadensis, Taxus baccata--TAXACEAE]

=Description=: The yew, also known as English, Irish, and American yew, is an evergreen tree or shrub often used as a hedge and found growing in many gardens or as a decorative plant around homes. Its fruits are bright red fleshy “berries” borne on the twigs and they frequently attract children. A large hole sometimes appearing in their ends gives an appearance of a deep red cup.