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

ACONITE AND ACONITINA.

(From the Medical U.) cular .)
much employed
f
As these substances, although pretty well known
in medical practice, have not been
n or
tpo prominent
o es o
notice by a recent event,
f poisoning, and as they have been
broughto
we have thought it expedient to offer a few remarks
r the
Pi
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-radiah. 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 due to the presence of an alkaloid,
named aconitina, 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 te upplied 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. llre 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 tho 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 in 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 witr.ess 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 0f
the stomach, he is we believe the first toxicologist
hoped
who has succeeded in doing so, and it is to )
that he will publish the details of the process he
which,
employs. The only test for aconite
physiolo-
gical in
hitherto, any reliance can bo placed the
one of applying a small portion is
of the tincture
aof aconite, aconite, or aconitina, on the
tongue,
when
roduced. There
sation of numbness and tingling‘hieti are prepared—one ls
p
are two forms of aconitina which
is crystalised, and the
other is hydrated and un-
's the more active of the
crystalised, and the latter
two. Aconaipowerful
• •na is a more poison than
partly owing to the greater solubility of
strychnia, part
the former.

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