Poisoning With Water Hemlock
The Journal of the American Medical Association for October 16th contains an interesting report by Louis M. Gompertz, M. D., New Haven, Conn., of seventeen cases of poisoning with Cicuta maculata, water hemlock.
This is the American water hemlock as distinguished from Cicuta virosa, which is indigenous to Europe, Germany and France more especially. After citing certain historical facts and giving a description of the plant, the author presents the following:
“TOXICOLOGY.
Careful studies of the toxic principles of Cicuta have been made by several investigators. The poisonous component of this plant is a resin which was first isolated by Boehm, in 1876, who named it cicutoxin. Cutting the root stock causes an aromatic, yellowish, oil-like substance to exude, with an odor similar to parsnip.
Cicutoxin has been described as a clear, brown, sticky resin having an acid reaction. It was found to be soluble in ether, alcohol, chloroform and dilute alkalis. The root stocks are the most virulent, although the leaves, stems and particularly the basal parts of the plant, especially in the early stages of growth, contain sufficient poison to prove fatal when ingested. Judging from the case reports, the plant is most poisonous in the spring. The explanation made by some observes is that during the growing season the stored material of the root stock is absorbed in the development of the plant, which is thereby rendered less virulent later in the year. This observation, however, seems to be open to question.
REPORT OF NECROPSIES.
Observations at necropsy, made by different observers, may be thus summarized:
1. Noncoagulation of the blood after twenty-four hours.
2. Widely dilated pupils.
3. Multiple hemorrhages of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum.
4. Emphysema and edema of the lungs.
5. Generalized congestion of the central nervous system.
REPORT OF CASES.
June 16, 1925, I was called to attend seventeen boys, inmates of the New Haven County Home, who had been taken suddenly ill. The boys ranged in age from 9 to 13 years. All of the children in the institution had been dismissed from their classrooms at 3.30 P. M., apparently well, and immediately adjourned to their playground. At 5.15 the boys were in the dining-room at their evening meal. The matron in charged observed that several of them refused their supper and appeared pale and sickly. Two of the children asked permission to leave the room, complaining of nausea, but before going very far fell to the floor in violent convulsions.
About twenty minutes later, when I arrived, five children were in convulsions; twelve others were vomiting and appeared seriously ill. It was evident that the children were suffering from some form of poisoning, and I soon learned that they had partaken of a plant, the nature of which was unknown to me at the time. It later appeared, however, that in a plot of swamp land adjoining their playground water hemlock grew in abundance. While some of the boys had eaten the roots, the majority had partaken only of the leaves or flowers. It is noteworthy that the five boys who had eaten the root stock were very sick with accompanying convulsions, while the other twelve, who had eaten leaves or blossoms but no roots, did not have convulsions.
Without relating in detail all of the cases, that of Clarence D. aged 13 years, is illustrative of those of the convulsive type. He was totally unconscious, manifesting violent tonic and clonic convulsions, frothing at the mouth and protruding eyeballs. The froth was slightly blood-tinged, probably from biting the tongue. There was a marked internal strabismus with pupils widely dilated, the iris being scarcely visible. Cyanosis was extreme. The corneal reflexes were entirely absent. The jaws were firmly set, with violent twitching of the facial muscles–a horrible spectacle. In our necessarily hurried examinations, nothing of importance was noted in the abdomen. The hands were tightly clenched and the finger nails cyanotic. Respiration was rapid, and during the convulsion it seemed as if the boy was about to die from suffocation.
The convulsions lasted on an average about ten minutes, gradually diminishing in severity and being followed by a state of exhaustion, the patient remaining unconscious and cyanotic. During the convulsion the pulse rate was increased, but slowed down considerably during the quiescent state. The patellar reflexes were present, but diminished. The greatest number of convulsions noted was in this patient, with a total of six, the least being two. After the last convulsion the lad, apparently exhausted, fell into a deep sleep. On awakening in the morning he was as well as ever, with no recollection whatever of his illness. This was characteristic in all instances.
All of the boys who had eaten of the blossoms or leaves complained of faintness, nausea and general weakness. In some instances, there was slight cyanosis and nervous twitchings. Dizziness was a prominent symptom. Coldness of the extremities and general collapse were present. After treatment there was a prompt recovery in these cases.
TREATMENT
The treatment consisted of gastric lavage and high enemas. In the children who were unconscious lavage was difficult, as the jaws were so firmly set that it was necessary to use metal mouth gags in order to pass the stomach tube. In the cases of those who were able to swallow, hot water containing salt was given, followed by lavage. After the stomachs of all were evacuated it became necessary, in three instances, to administer morphine hypodermically. When indicated, stimulants were administered to the children; active purgation was initiated in each one. In other words, they were treated symptomatically. Normal conditions were thus brought about, as the seventeen patients all made a complete recovery.
SUMMARY
1. The poisonous properties of water hemlock ( Cicuta maculata) have been recognized since the middle of the sixteenth century.
2. The toxic principles have been separated.
3. A definite train of symptoms prevails in man and animals when the root stock, blossoms or leaves have been eaten.
4. The plant is very poisonous at all times.
5. Eradication of this plant should be advocated.
6. In cases of poisoning by water hemlock, prompt action by the use of emetics, the stomach tube and purgatives can save lives.
I have failed to find another record of so many cases of Cicuta poisoning of simultaneous occurrence. IT is not unlikely, however that intoxication by this plant has been widespread in many places. As the single experience here put on record has demonstrated the readiness with which no less than seventeen children were simultaneously affected, in an environment by no means unusual, the problem of prevention emphatically presents itself. The menace of water authorities wherever this plant grows. The possibility of poisoning by Cicuta maculata will be reduced to a minimum.
The report emphasizes the knowledge already possessed by homoeopaths and obtained from the original provings by Hahnemann and others, of Cicuta virosa. It seems too bad that Dr. Gompertz did not refer to the homoeopathic provings, which are so full of evidence of the dangerous toxicity of this plant. It is likewise unfortunate that he did not glimpse the homoeopathic relationship and possibilities.
Syphilis of the Third Generation.- “The history of Cornaz patient is as follows: Her father had contracted syphilis eighteen months before she was born. Twice she was treated for keratitis, and now presents corneal opacities, with evidences of dystrophic disturbance in bone and teeth from unmistakable congenital syphilis. Married at 29, she gave birth to two apparently healthy children within six years. Then came a third infant, stillborn. Necropsy disclosed congenital syphilis with spirochetes in the organs. Syphilis, cornaz says, was positively excluded in the husband. The case shows how ineffectual is local treatment in congenital syphilis. Only intensive and prolonged general therapy should be employed, even if the Wasserman test is negative.” J.A.M.A.
Yes, and this intensive and prolonged general therapy is best pursued along strictly homoeopathic lines.
Drug Treatment of Epilepsy a Failure. – “Clark emphasizes the fact that the drug treatment of epilepsy at best fulfils little; least of all does it promote an enduring arrest of the seizures in epileptic patients. This is especially true if a sedative plan solely is followed, but combined with other supportive treatment the picture is less gloomy.
The maximum of drug advantage is secured if they are employed as adjuvants to an otherwise more embracing therapy. The greatest and surest permanent benefits are obtained when sedation is held to the minimum and supportive and restorative remedies are mainly employed.” J.A.M.A.
Well, well ! Was ist? Give the restorative remedies a chance and let them be selected in accord with the law of symptom similarity, as friend Krauss, of the great American Hub, would say. We really believe that homoeopathic therapy has the better of it in this trying disease, especially now that Clark admits orthodox therapy to be a failure.
Allan D. Sutherland was born in Northfield, Vermont in 1897, delivered by the local homeopathic physician. The son of a Canadian Episcopalian minister, his father had arrived there to lead the local parish five years earlier and met his mother, who was the daughter of the president of the University of Norwich. Four years after Allan’s birth, ministerial work lead the family first to North Carolina and then to Connecticut a few years afterward.
Starting in 1920, Sutherland began his premedical studies and a year later, he began his medical education at Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia.
Sutherland graduated in 1925 and went on to intern at both Children’s Homeopathic Hospital and St. Luke’s Homeopathic Hospital. He then was appointed the chief resident at Children’s. With the conclusion of his residency and 2 years of clinical experience under his belt, Sutherland opened his own practice in Philadelphia while retaining a position at Children’s in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.
In 1928, Sutherland decided to set up practice in Brattleboro.