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Teutsche Giftpflanzen
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Plants. LXXVI. Vol. IV. No. 7., GERMAN POISONOUS PLANTS., Fig. 1. The celery-leaved Crowsfoot. (Ranunculus sceleratus.), The celery-leaved Crowsfoot is a poisonous plant of about 2 feet high, and grows in wet ditches and marshy grounds. The juicy stalk divides itself into several branches, which form a kind of bush. The stalks of the leaves are short, close to the main stem; and branch out into three separate leaves, which are long pointed, and jagged at the sides. At the ends of the branches the small, yellow, five leav'd flower appears about May, and in the middle of this blossom an oval green fruit containing the seeds. The poisonous qualities of this plant are very great. Even the Effluvia arising from the plant when bruis'd occasions pain and stupefaction. The juice, when it touches the skin, occasions very virulent obstinate ulcers, which are difficult to cure. This juice taken inwardly occasions the most violent pain, and if taken in any quantity is even mortal. Water and Milk drunk copiously are the best antidotes. In some few cases it may be us'd in médecine, but always with the greatest precaution., Fig. 2. The Mezerion. (Daphne Mezereum.), The common Mezerion grows in many parts of Germany, in all shady woods except those of fir. It is a sbrup, which grows in its wild state only a few feet high; but in Gardens, where it is often transplanted on account of its agreable blossom, and useful bark, it atteins if attended to, the height of 12 and even 16 feet. Its peach-colour'd blossoms appear before the leaves in February and March, grow close to the branches without stalks, and have a very agreable odour. They bear oval red berries, which contain a stone, or seed, are ripe in July and then become blackish. These berries are poisonous. When eaten they occasion a violent looseness, which sometimes finalIy proves mortal. The Ianceolated leaves grow alternately on each side of, and close to the branches, and above the blossoms and fall off in Autumn. In Medecine the bark of the Mezerion is often us'd. It is laid externally upon the skin to excite blisters, being of a caustic nature; this is practis'd for inflammations of the eyes and for diseases arising from vicious humours. In Sweden the scrap'd bark is laid with success upon the wounds occasion'd by the bite of venemous snakes. The Painters prepare a red colour from the berries.
