. Observations on recent cases of mushroom poisoning in the District of Columbia. Mushrooms. 18 nature of which is not yet fully known, also occur in the plant. The symptoms and treatment are thus described by Mr. V. K. Chesnut, assistant in charge of investigations of poisonous plants: The symptoms of poisoning from the fly amanita, as deduced from a number of cases, are varied. In some instances they begin only after several hours, but usually in from one-half to one or two hours. Vomiting and diarrhea almost always occur, with a pronounced flow of saliva, suppression of the urine, and vario
. Observations on recent cases of mushroom poisoning in the District of Columbia. Mushrooms. 18 nature of which is not yet fully known, also occur in the plant. The symptoms and treatment are thus described by Mr. V. K. Chesnut, assistant in charge of investigations of poisonous plants: The symptoms of poisoning from the fly amanita, as deduced from a number of cases, are varied. In some instances they begin only after several hours, but usually in from one-half to one or two hours. Vomiting and diarrhea almost always occur, with a pronounced flow of saliva, suppression of the urine, and various cerebral phenomena beginning with giddiness, loss of confidence in one's ability to make ordinary movements, and derangement of vision. This is suc- ceeded by stupor, cold sweats, and a very marked weakening of the heart's action. In case of rapid recovery the stupor is short and usually marked with mild delir- ium. In fatal cases the stupor continues from one to two or three days and death at last ensues from the gradual weakening and final stoppage of the heart's action. The treatment for poisoning by Amanita muscaria consists primarily in remov- ing the unabsorbed portion of the amanita from the alimentary canal and in ganate of potash may then be administered, in order, in the case of the former substance, to absorb the poison, or, in case of the latter, to decompose it. This should be followed by oils and oleaginous purgatives, and the intestines should be cleaned and washed out with an enema of warm water and turpentine. Experiments on animals poisoned by the fly amanita and with pure muscarine show very clearly that when the heart has nearly ceased to beat it may be stimu- lated to strong action almost instantly by the use of atropine. Its use as thus demonstrated has been the means of saving numerous lives. We have in this alkaloid an almost perfect physiological antidote for muscarine, and therefore in such cases of poisoning its use should be pushed as heroically a
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