Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-08-04
TBeDtrutont 9Benit.
BRATTLEBoRo;
FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 4, 1876.



Our native flora is freer from violently
poisonous plants than those of most other
countries. Yet 1t contains greater num-
Der which may prove fatal ir their foliage
or berries are eaten than Is generally sup
posed, and their variety has been increased
by many foreign species, originally intro
duced for medicinal or ornamental purpos-
es, which have now become common in
gardens and on the roadsides. Although
the following list is far from containing all
those which are hurtful, 1t comprises many
of the more common and dangerous kinds.
Nature, however, appears TO have provided
against their improper use, for they have
proper uses, nearly all of them being val
liable as medicines, by giving 10 them acrld,
disagreeable flavors yet these properties
will not always hold good, and parents
should warn their children never to taste
leaves or berries with which they are not
we'll acquainted.
The deadly nightshade (Atropa beltddon-
nay has a branching habit, aud its leaves
are from four TO Ave inches in width, and
sometimes ten inches long. 1t produces
large, pedent, bell-shaped flowers in June
or July, whose color is of brownish pur-
pie, and in September it is covered with
beautiful, glossy black berries, larger than
wild cherries. The whole plant is covered
with a down, and it is more or less tinged
with purple. All parts of 1t are poisonous,
but the berries are especially so, and on
account of this quality its first Latin name
has been given, after AtropoS, one of the
. 10 cafA 10 hay l,oat, ballad hoIIo.
donna beautiful LADY, because visions of
lovely women float before the perturbed
senses of those who have been poisoned by
it. The juice of these berries, when APP
piled 10 the eye, has the effect of dilating
the pupil, and some ladies have been known
10 resort TO this most dangerous method of
increasing their personal charms. 1t is re-
lated by a Scottish historian that amer a
truce had been made with Sweyn, the
treacherous Scots mixed the juice of the
deadly nightshade berries with the provis-
ions they had undertaken to supply, and
destroyed hundreds OF the Danish army
while under its Supplying Influences.
When this poison has been taken, give a
strong emetic of mustard water, a teaspoon
full TO half a tumberful of warm water, or
apply the stomach-pump, and then give
weak vinegar, a wineglassful for an adult.
For cancers 1t is known TO give relief, and
it is a favorite medlcament with the homeo-
pathist
Woody nightshade (Soldnum dulcdridra)
has no resemblance to the deadly night
shade in its habit, being vine which COW
ers bushes, hedges and fences. 1t is very
common, and bears purple flower with
yellow centre. Its berries have somewhat
the appearance ofred currants, and would
often be mistaken by children for that fruit.
Their taste when eaten is first bitter, and
thon sweet, and they produce vomiting,
purging and commissions. The pleasing
appearance of these berries make them very
attractive, yet they are dangerous.
Garden nightshade (Soldnunl nigrun)
grows about rubbish and compost heaps,
and sends up a stalk about foot high, with
flowers little like the potato, while its
berries are round and black. It's fruit and
leaves contain a strong narcotic poison.
The thorn apple (Daturd strdmoniunl) is
of native growth, found chiefly upon rub
bsh heaps, and growing about two feet in
resembling the poppy, but its taste is bitter.
All parts ofthis plant are highly narcotic
and poisonous, speedy death ensuing If lis
seeds are eaten. But the root and stems
can be cut up, dried and smoked for the re-
lief of asthma.
The wolfsbanes (Acoaitum ndpelluS and
4. lyeoctonunp) are well known in our gar
dens. The stems rise from two to three feet
in height, with blue or yellow flowers.
Wolfsbane is accounted the most violent of
vegetable poisons, one drachm of the root,
it is said, will kill a strong man, while
even inhaling the odors OF the flowers has
been known TO cause fainting fits, and loss
of sight for day or two. Many deaths are
on record from its effects. The root when
first chewed has an acrid taste, then a tre-
NOR, chilliness and stupor will come on,
followed by terrible conVulsions, delirium,
violent purging and cold sweats, nearly al
ways ending in death. The chief use of
wolfsbane is for fevers and rheumatism,
and it is used by both schools of medicine
with good results.
The wild parsley or wafer dropwort
(ERdnthe croedtd), will, If taken in sufii
cient quantities, produce fatal lockjaw. 1t
is found on the banks of rivers and bitches,
and throws up stalk about two feet high,
of yellowish red hue. The flower resem-
bles that of celery, and Is produced in June
or July. Many serious instances of poison
ing by the roots of this plant are recorded.
The goat, however, can feed upon its leaves
without injury. In cutaneous diseases, the
juice has been found TO be of service, If TAX
en- in very small doses.
The water hemlock, cow-bane (Cicttd
UirOSa), produces tetanic commissions, and
death usually ensues on the third day. II
is found on the borders OF pools, bitches
and rivers, and resembles The common
hemlock, but has not, like it, a spotted
stem, nor nauseous smell, but is more like
parsley or smellage. 1t is much used for
ulcers, both externally and internally,
The common meadow saffron (C0lchicun
GutunlRdle), grows in meadows, and flow
ers in the autumn-its blossoms much re-
sembling the garden crocus in shape, while
its colors are both purple and white. The
bulb and its leaves are violent poison
which operate upon tho stomach an6
bowels but the doctors find it a valuable
remedy for govt, rheumatism aud dropsy
The bulbs and leaves OF the dafTodil, mar
cissus, and other plants of this class, are al
SO poisonous.
The four preceding plants are cassed a
bitter pOisOns, and the proper antidotes fo
them are spirits, wine, acids and astrin
gents.
The henbane (HyoSsydmus niger grow