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nafex - Re: [nafex] Hemlock ... not to drink ... or to drink ... not

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  • From: Lucky Pittman <Lucky.Pittman@murraystate.edu>
  • To: nafex@yahoogroups.com
  • Subject: Re: [nafex] Hemlock ... not to drink ... or to drink ... not
  • Date: Tue, 08 May 2001 13:34:32 -0500

At 09:14 PM 05/07/2001 -0400, Joelwrote:
>I received an inquiry beyond my scope of knowledge of
>plants.
>The great scholars of ancient Greece talk about the use of
>hemlock as a *poison* potion.
>Question: what part(s) of the plant are used and how is the
>potion prepared?
Joel,
I went back and dug out my old poisonous plant notes from vet school.

Poison Hemlock - Conium maculatum - toxic principles are alkaloids &
resinoids: coniine and coniceine and others. In addition to the
classical toxicity, it also produces teratogenic effects in developing fetus.
Stems, leaves, and mature fruits are toxic. Leaves are more dangerous in
the springtime, and the fruits are most dangerous in the fall. Roots
contain lowest level of toxins.
Clinical signs: excessive salivation, nervousness, partial to total
paralysis of hind limbs; staggers, dilation of eye, slow respiration and
pulse - then rapid increase, coldness of extremities, coma and eventual
death due to respiratory paralysis. "Mousy" odor detectable in
rumen/stomach contents and urine.
Symptoms occur rapidly - within 12 minutes to one hour of consumption.

Water Hemlock - Cicuta maculata - very poisonous alkaloids & resinoids
(cicutoxin) found in all parts of plant, primarily in the roots. Piece of
root the size of a hickory nut(they don't distinguish whether shagbark or
shellbark!) is sufficient to kill an adult cow. Young shoots of plant are
toxic, but toxicity diminished over the course of the growing
season. Toxicity seen most commonly in spring, when cattle may pull up
freshly-sprouting plants by the roots and eat the early-vegetating(and most
toxic) parts.
Clinical signs appear within 15 min to one hour after
consumption. Excessive salivation, followed by intermittent episodes of
convulsions. Opisthotonos with 'running fits', bruxism(grinding of teeth),
abdominal pain/colic, pupils dilated, nausea, bloat, death can occur in 15
minutes. Root pieces in stomach smell like carrot/celery.
Louis L. "Lucky" Pittman, Jr., DVM
Veterinary Pathologist/Asst. Prof.
Murray St. Univ.-Breathitt Veterinary Ctr.
Hopkinsville, KY


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