On the action of fool's parsley (Aethusa cynapium) / by John Harley.

  • Harley, John, 1833-1921.
Date:
[1873?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the action of fool's parsley (Aethusa cynapium) / by John Harley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    ON T ACTION OF FOOL’S (2ET1IUSA CYNAPIUM)} By JOHN HARLEY, M.D. Bond., &c. Synonyms.—Lesser Hemlock. L. Cicutaria fatua, Cicuta minor. G. Oleisse, Hunds-petersilie, Kleiner Sckierling. F. La petite Cigue. A correct knowledge of the action of our indigenous plants on the human body, is a want which the Coroner’s Court from time to time reveals to the discredit of scientific medicine. Between the well-known poisonous plants, with the properties of most of which we are fully acquainted, and the harmless ones, there is a class suspected but not proved to possess noxious qualities. So long as our knowledge of these is imperfect we shall be liable to form wrong conclusions, under shelter of which the poisoner may successfully elude justice. Society is already largely indebted to her medical members for numberless safe- guards, and when the personal safety is still further ensured by the knowledge of the class of plants to which I have referred, we shall again deserve her thanks. In the endeavour to set forth the true character of one of our reputed poisonous plants, the following observations will, I trust, be received as a contribu- tion to this knowledge. I was led to the investigation by the hope that I might find qualities that could be turned to medicinal use. How far my expectations have been satisfied, will be apparent from the sequel. Fool’s Parsley early obtained a place amongst the poisonous umbellifers, and has maintained it, unquestioned, for more than 300 years. Thus Lobcl gave it the specific appellation 1 Some portions of this paper were read in abstract at tlie Meeting of the British Association, July, 1873.