The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-20

A Strife PoISoN-THE PLANT BY WHICH
THE EyrEEss CARLoTTA BECAME INSANE
GENERAL. LEsCA IS ALSO Poisoned
tclcpraphic dispatches it appears that Gen
raj Lesca has been poisoned. 1t is uncer-
tain whether the deed was pcrpetratcd BY
some OF the insurgents or by some Spanlard
who feared that Lesca was using too much
clemency toward the Cuban forces. Certain
, it is that Lcsca has been poisoned, ana tha'
his mind has become sadly injured. The
probability is that he will live, but become
insane. The decoction by which ne has
been put in this sad plight, it is certain,
was the same by which tie interesting
widow of the unfortunate Macmillan was
thrown from the domain Of reason into the
depths Of lunacy.
To us, this unfortunate widow has always
appeared like Shakspcarc's ''Ophclia," who,
with darkcned mind, strewcd flowers on the
stream.
This poison, which maddcns without
bringing death to its victim, is derived
from an herb which grows in Cuba, South
America, and few places in Mexico. The
plant is one of the most wonderful OF ma
lures productions. 1t resembles the cen
tury plant in many Of It's features. Like
the century plant, it is a member OF the
cactus family; still further, it blooms once
in many years, and AT regular intervals
The bud is large, and resembles that of the
horse-chcstnut in the peculiar gluten SUR
rounding it. From this the natives derive
the poison.
The flower is of gigantic size, and con-
tains a purple centre, surrounded by blue
In &c IpI H.
cious, but deadly, and the natives shun ap,
proach as the sailors Of old the songs OF
the sirens. To inhalc is sweet, but to re-
main is death. The sorcercrs, or medicine
men, take the buds of this singular plant,
and, first roasting, place them in pot with
swcet oil over fire, and dance around II
with strange ceremonies till the oil and the
Juice of the herb mingle, when they cease
their strange nominations, and pour the de-
coction, resembling honey, into shallow
plates. from which, after the lapse OF q few
days, it is again taken out and kept IL
miniature jars.
The robson, when taken in sufficient
quantity, first places the brain III a delight
full delirium resembling that produced by
fugel oil. This is succeeded in few days
by an uncomfortable apathy, in which tho
patient is at times extremely rational, then
wildly insane, and again rational, but
greatly cxhileratcd. This poison is not
destroyed by being mingled i'll Victuals be-
fore being subjected to heat, but its imInc-
diatc effects are somewhat dcadcnGd. They
arc sure to appear, however, in the lapse Of
time.
This is the manner in which the poison
is generally administered When the VIC
tim is of no great influence, and it is i'm
probable that he can turn on his posoncr,
the dccoctiou is administered III glass OF
wine or cup of cocoa. The poison mani
tests itself shortly, and i'll the course or a
week all the various phases Of the dclirium
appear. The sad fate Of the Empress Car
lotta il known 10 all; but this description
of the poison, from what it is derived, and
how it acts, may aid in forming more
correct appreciation of the horrible troubles
to which she is subject. General Lesca has
bceu poisoned by the same herb, and il
now subject to The same freaks Of insanity
as the Empress Carlotta.- aShingt0n Re
publican.