The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-19 00:00:00

ACONITE AND ACONITINA.

(From the .Medical Circular.)
As these substances, although pretty well known
in medical practice, have not been much employed
for the purposes of poisoning, and as they have been
brought into prominent notice by a recent event,
we have thought it expedient to offer a few remarks
upon these very powerful agents. Aconite, or
monkshood, is a well known and ornamental plant
in gardens, and is indigenous in Europe. The whole
of the plant possesses poisonous properties, but the
root, especially after the leaves have fallen, is the
most poisonous part, and has sometimes proved fatal
from being eaten in mistake for horse-radish. The
medicinal preparation is the tincture of the root,
but the fluid known as Fleming's tincture, which
was probably employed in the late case of suicidal
poisoning, is by far the most poisonous preparation,
being about as strong as prussic acid. The effects of
aconite are dais to the presence of an alkaloid,
named sconitina, but the properties of this latter
vary much according to the condition of the root
from which it is obtained, the locality in which the
plant is grown, the period when it is gathered, and
other circumstances. In offering the present remarks
upon aconite and aconitina, we have availed our-
selves of the information kindly supplied to us by
Mr. Morson, the principal, and we believe the only
manufacturer of aconitina in this country, who has
allowed us to inspect the various costly specimens
of aconitina in his possession. Aconitina, possesses
in a concentrated degree the properties of aconite,
and is used in medicine chiefly as an external pre-
paration. Its dose for internal administration is not
very accurately fixed, but it may perhaps be stated
at between the 1-100 and 1.50 of a grain. The
amount of a poisonous and fatal dose in the human
subject is not exactly known, but it is probably
about one-tenth of a grain. We have heard of a case
in which a highly respectable pharmacutist was re-
quested to make up a grain of aconitina into
twelve pills, and on remonstrating upon the great-
ness of the dose, he was informed that the patient
had often taken the same pills before. The latter,
however, was induced to have the grain of aconi-
tina divided into 24 doses, and the first dose, which
probably contained :the alkaloid i❑ a purer form
than he had previously taken, produced very well
marked toxical symptoms, and the dose was there-
fore subsequently further divided into the 48th of a
grain. To remave any misapprehensions that 'may
arise upon the subject, we may state that the opi-
nion expressed by the medical witness at the recent
inquest on the body of the man Hunt, that :one-
fiftieth of a grain of aconitina was a fatal dose is
incorrect. Dr. Puckle, the witness alluded to, is
also reported to have stated that he discovered the
presence of aconitina in the contents of the stomach
by the application of sulphuric acid and the bi-
chromate of potash. These reagents acting upon
aconitina will cause a green colour, owing to the
development of the green oxide of chromium, but
the test is by no means characteristic of the pre-
sence of aconitina, as morphia, and probably other
alkaloids, produce the same reaction. If, also, Dr.
Puckle has observed this test in a small quantity of
the tincture of aconite, mixed with the contents of
the stomach, he is we believe the first toxicologist
who has succeeded in doing so, and it is to be hoped
that ho will publish the details of the process
hi c ,
employs. The only test for aconite
hitherto, any reliance can be placed is theill
ue when a
of aconite, or aconitina, on the tong
.!
ced.
There
gical one of applying a small portion of theP tincturehYVVSi°l-
produced. sen-
sation of numbness and tingling is d
is
apcutiievueu.o.fthtahne
ja: e
crystalised,tw ofo rm s oaf aconitinand
the
e t
hwhicher areh hydrated and
prepared—sue
the greater solubility of
ct
Irvyus.t a 1
Ai s ee du
u,
iatni
ud thea
is latteroories them
powerfuloyre
sot rey
former.chnia, partly owing

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