Hemlock
The hemlock, conium maculatum, is a tall umbelliferous plant common in the British Isles.
Preparations are made from the leaves and young branches collected when the seeds are beginning to ripen, and from the unripe fruits.
The plant contains the alkaloids coniine, coniceine and conhydrine. Coniine, a propyl-piperidine, is an oily liquid with a strong mouse-like smell.
It depresses the medulla and the motor nerve endings, and paralyses the ganglion cells of the symphathetic nervous system, but has little or no effect on the brain itself.
After an overdose death takes place from respiratory failure. The best known description of hemlock poisoning is the account of the death of Socrates.
The British Pharmacopoeia formaly contained a number of preparations, but lately the drug has fallen into disuse.
Dry and liquid extracts, a tincture, a juice and a pill were given for chorea, paralvsis agitans, tetanus, strychnine poisoning, whooping-cough, astma and bronchitis.
A vapour was inhaled for spasmodic coughs.
Ointments were applied for pruritus ani and piles.
Salts of the pure alkaloid, coniine hydrobromide and hydrochloride were also made.