4, 16, 73, 76, 81, 128, 129, 130, 132, 170, 205, 232, 254, 255.
CUCURBITACEÆ.
=Bryony= (_Bryonia dioica_ L.). This widely distributed hedge climber,
which produces large quantities of scarlet berries, is a highly irritant
plant, with an unpleasant odour and a nauseous juice. The large fleshy
tuberous rootstocks have caused the poisoning of whole families who have
eaten them in mistake for turnips and parsnips. The berries may tempt
children, and cases of poisoning have occurred. Cornevin estimated that
15 berries would cause the death of a child and 40 that of an adult. No
deaths of domestic animals have been observed in searching the
literature, but animals may possibly eat it along the hedgerows at times
when grass is scarce. Pigs might possibly eat sufficient of the
rootstock, or poultry of the berries, to cause poisoning.
_Toxic Principle._ The plant contains the bitter and poisonous glucoside
_Bryonin_ (C_{34}H_{48}O_{9}).
_Symptoms._ The symptoms are those resulting from inflammation of the
stomach and intestines, together with convulsions. According to Cornevin
consumption of the plant promotes sweating, and causes a livid hue,
nausea, diuresis and abundant painless, watery defæcation, to which are
added in cases of poisoning nervous symptoms of stupor and tetanic
convulsions. There may be superpurgation or a suppression of defæcation.
Lander states that 2 lb. of fresh or 6 to 8 oz. of dried root given to
_horses_ did not cause purging, but there was abdominal pain, loss of
appetite, accelerated breathing, fever, dullness and copious urination.
Cases may end fatally.
REFERENCES.
73, 76, 81, 141, 170, 233.
UMBELLIFERÆ.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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