Poison hemlock

Even today, accidental human poisonings occasionally occur however most current reports involve ingestion by livestock species. An incident of human poisoning was reported by Frank et al. (1995) in which a six-year-old boy and his father were successfully treated for accidental poison-hemlock poisoning. After ingesting young poison-hemlock leaves, the boy became unresponsive and was then hospitalized. After identification of the plant and appropriate hospital treatment, the boy recovered completely. 

Coniine Coniine or (5 )-2-propylpiperidine, molecular formula CgHnN, is a poisonous alkaloid found in the hemlock poison and the yellow pitcher plant (Sarracenia flava). Coniine contributes to the foul smell of hemlock. It is a neurotoxin, causes respiratory paralysis and is toxic to all classes of livestock and humans. In 399 BC, Socrates was put to death hy this poison. 

The symptoms of hemlock poisoning are effects on the nervous system (stimulation followed by paralysis of motor nerve endings and nervons system stimulation and later depression), vomiting, trembling, difficulty in movement, an initially slow and weak and later a rapid pulse, rapid respiration, salivation, urination, nausea, convulsions, coma, and death (15). 

Synonyms Conium maculatum, Umbelliferae family Spotted hemlock Deadly hemlock Poison parsley Poison stinkweed... 

There is no antidote to hemlock poisoning. Death is generally due to paralysis of respiratory muscles. After assessment of airway, breathing, and circulation with necessary supportive care, decontamination of the gastrointestinal tract should be undertaken for substantial recent ingestions. Oxygen and benzodiazepines should be administered as needed for patients experiencing seizures. 

All parts of the plant are considered toxic, with the root being the most toxic portion. In a typical case of water hemlock poisoning, severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain begin within 5-90 min post-ngestion. These symptoms are rapidly followed by seizures and profound CNS depression. Excess salivation, diaphoresis, flushing, and dizziness are also commonly seen. The major toxicity is related to... 

Landers D, Seppi K, and Blauer W (1985) Seizures and death on a white river float trip - Report of water hemlock poisoning. The Western Journal of Medicine 142 637-640. 

Hemlock, Poison, Page 496, Michael Wahl SummaryPlus Full Text + Links PDF (48 K)... 

See also Arsenic Hemlock, Poison Nerve Agents Strychnine. 

See also Aconitum Species Castor Bean Hemlock, Poison Jimsonweed Oleander Proteomics. 

See also Ancient Warfare and Toxicology Notorious Poisoners and Poisoning Cases Hemlock, Poison Toxicology, History of. 

Sweeney, K., Gensheimer, K.F., Knowlton-Field, J. and Smith, R.A. (1994) Water hemlock poisoning—Maine, 1992. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports. 43, 229-231. 

Common Names Cowbane, Wasserschierling, Water-Hemlock Poison Cicutol... 

Common Names Bunk, California Fern, Fern, Poison Hemlock, Poison Parsley, Poison Root, Snake Weed, Spotted Hemlock, Spotted Parsley, Winter Wode Whistle... 

Triclopyr is absorbed by leaves and roots and is rapidly translocated in the whole plant. Important weeds controlled by triclopyr are pines, sassafras, hemlock, poison oak, maples, ash, blackberries, willows, rose, and many other perennial weed and brush species (Ryder, 1975). 

Comum Fruit, Hemlock poison hemlock spotted hemlock poison parsley spotted cowbane, Full-grown, but unripe, carefully dried fruit of Conium maculatum L., Um-belUferae. Habit. Europe, Asia, naturalized in U.S. Constit. 0.5 15% coniine, conhydrine, pseudoconhydrine, methyl-coniine, ethylpi peri dine, comic acid, volatile and fixed oil. Has antispasmodic activity. 

Panter KE, Keeler RF (1988) The hemlocks poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum) and water hemlock (Cicuta spp.). In James L, Ralphs M, Nielsen D (eds) The ecology and... 

Rizzi D, Basile C, Di Maggio A, Sebastio A, Introna F Jr, Rizzi R, Scatizzi A, De Marco S, Smialek JE (1991) Clinical spectrum of accidental hemlock poisoning neurotoxic manifestations, rhabdomyolysis and acute tubular necrosis. Nephrol Dial Transplant 6 939-943... 

Scatizzi A, di Maggio A, Rizzi D, Sebastio AM, Basile C (1993) Acute renal failure due to tubular necrosis caused by wildfowl-mediated hemlock poisoning. Ren Fail 15 93-96... 

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