the
cases are in children. Treatment consists of stomach-pump or emetics,
stimulants freely, artificial respiration, warmth and friction to the
surface of the body.

=Yew= (_Taxus baccata_) contains the alkaloid _taxine_. The symptoms are
convulsions, insensibility, coma, dilated pupils, pallor, laboured
breathing, collapse. Death may occur suddenly. Treatment as above.
Post-mortem appearances not characteristic, but fragments of leaves or
berries may be found in the stomach and intestines.

=Arum= (_Arum Maculatum_).--This plant, commonly known as 'lords and
ladies,' is common in the woods, and the berries may be eaten by
children. It gives rise to symptoms of irritant poisoning, vomiting,
purging, dilated pupils, convulsions, followed by insensibility, coma,
and death.

Many plants have an intensely irritating action on the skin, and when
absorbed act as active poisons.

=Rhus toxicodendron= is the poison oak or poison ivy. Poisoning by this
plant is rare in England, though not uncommon in the United States. Mere
contact with the leaves or branches will in many people set up an acute
dermatitis, with much oedema and hyperaemia of the skin. The inflammation
spreads rapidly, and there is formation of blebs with much itching.
There is often great constitutional disturbance, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhoea, and pains in the abdomen. The effects may last a week, and
the skin may desquamate.

=Primula obconica= is another plant which, when handled, gives rise to
an acute dermatitis of an erysipelatous character. The face swells, and
large blisters form on the cheeks and chin.

XXIX.--OPIUM AND MORPHINE

=Opium.=--The inspissated juice of the unripe capsules of the _Papaver
somniferum_. As a poison it is generally taken in the form of the
tincture (laudanum), which contains 1 grain opium in 15 minims. Opium is
found in almost all so-called 'soothing syrups' for children, and in
Godfrey's cordial, Dalby's carminative, and Collis Browne's chlorodyne.
Laudanum contains 1 per cent. morphine, and it, along with all other
preparations (_e.g._, paregoric) which contain 1 or more per cent.
morphine, are included in Part I. of the Schedule of Poisons, and come
under the Dangerous Drugs Regulations.

The most important active principles of opium are the alkaloids morphine
and codeine.

_Symptoms_ usually commence in from twenty to thirty minutes: Giddiness,
drowsiness and stupor, followed by insensibility. Patient seem