The old vegetable neurotics : hemlock, opium, belladonna and henbane; their physiological action and therapeutical use, alone and in combination being the Gulstonian Lectures of 1868, extended and including a complete examination of the active constituents of opium / by John Harley.
- Harley, John, 1833-1921.
- Date:
- 1869
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The old vegetable neurotics : hemlock, opium, belladonna and henbane; their physiological action and therapeutical use, alone and in combination being the Gulstonian Lectures of 1868, extended and including a complete examination of the active constituents of opium / by John Harley. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![MEDICINAL USJEJ OF HEMLOCK. That alcolio], in moderate doses even, does not counteract in the least degree the effects of hemlock, I have taken care to ascertain in female patients very susceptible of the action of both agents. Still, as a local stimulant to the stomach, and as a diffusible stimulant to the circulation, this approved antidote of the ancients may be of service v^hen given in limited quantities. Of some other questions relating to the Use of Hemloch. Tobacco.—I have observed that persons who use tobacco freely usually require a large dose of conium to produce its physiological effects. And the reverse, that those cannot tolerate tobacco who are readily influenced by comparatively small doses of hemlock. This is what we should have con- cluded theoretically from a knowledge of the separate action of these two agents. Great care, therefore, is required in the simultaneous use of them. Hydrocyanic Acid.—Large doses of conium should be care- fully employed in conjunction with full doses of hydrocyanic acid. Alkalies and Acids.—The effects of conium juice are neither increased nor diminished by the copious addition of alkalies or of either of the mineral acids. The effects of conium, when combined with henbane, belladonna, and opium, respectively^, will be duly considered in the succeeding chapter. The Medicinal Use of Conium.—Having now completed my account of the physiological action of hemlock, I come now to practical inquiries respecting its value as a therapeutical agent. The use of inert preparations of conium has rendered, with very few exceptions, all previous statements concerning the medicinal value of this plant almost worthless ; and it is necessary, I believe, to begin this inquiry anew. The fol- lowing examples are given as a small contribution to this inquiry. It is all that I can offer at present. In perusing these cases I would ask the reader to bear in mind these two necessary facts : First—That they are not picked ex- amples, showing success to the exclusion of cases in which](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b20411510_0037.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
