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HEMLOCK.
369
CONIUM—HEMLOCK.
Derivation.—Hemlock is the fruit of the Conium Maculatum^
or spotted (not the common) hemlocic, which is an umbelliferous
plant. The principal one of its three alkaloids is coninejCgHjjN,
which is very powerful.
Medical Properties and Action.—Conium is a depressing a2;ent
producing motor paralysis, first causing, as the effects of a large
dose, nausea and vomiting with a general weakness of the volun-
tary muscles, but with no direct action on the heart. In fatal
cases of poisoning death follows from paralysis of the respiratory
muscles causing asphyxia. The antidotes are nux vomica, picro-
toxin, and active muscular exercise. It is quickly decomposed
by heat.
Therapeutic Uses.—Conium is employed in mania, chorea,
tetanus, hydrophobia, whooping-cough, asthma, laryngismus,
stridulus, diseases of the eye and strychnine poison. For nerve-
pain with muscular spasm, the best results may be expected from
the combined administration of morphine and conine, subcuta-
neously applied, as the effects of conine are greatly heightened by
morphine. Conium is also used in dislocations to relax muscles.
Dose.—Of Abstractum conii, gr. ss to gr. ij ; Extractum conii
alcoholicum, gr. ij to gr. iv; Extractum conii fluidum, Ulij to
ITlv ; Tinctura conii, TTlx to f5j ; Conine, TIIto to Tllij.
Dental Uses.—Conium is employed in neuralgia, locally ap-
plied ; inflamed dental pulps; also in cases of artificial teeth
lodging in the oesophagus, to produce relaxation of the muscles.
CORYL.
Derivation.—Coryl is a mixture of chloride of methyl and
chloride of ethyl. It is kept liquid under a pressure of three at-
mospheres in a recipient called a " Coryleur," which is a small
nickel-plated metallic tube, easily managed with a stop-cock,
which allows the regulation of the escape of the vapor of the
compound. In using it, the tube must be kept in a horizontal
position. It is a colorless liquid of an ethereal odor and taste,
and is obtained by a methylation of chloride of ethyl.
Therapeutic Action.—Coryl is a refrigerating local anaesthetic,
less powerful -than chloride of methyl, and not so liable to cause
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