Cicuta maculata
Plant · Apiaceae
Cicuta maculata is suited to cases of severe poisoning or acute convulsive states resembling tetanus or epilepsy. The patient collapses unconscious with violent convulsions, profuse sweating, rigid jaws, and a bloated or discolored face.
Key symptoms
- Falls unconscious with tetanic or clonic convulsions
- Body covered with sweat during convulsions
- Dizziness; head hot
- Astonishing mobility of eyeballs and eyelids with widely dilated pupils
- Face bloated and deathly pale, or livid and even purple
- Jaws rigid
- Bloody foam from nose and mouth
- Spasm of muscles of deglutition when anything is presented to the mouth
- Nausea and vomiting of frothy, glairy fluid
- Pain in bowels with ineffectual desire for stool
Cicuta maculata. Water Hemlock. Spotted Cow-bane. Beaver-poison. N. O. Umbelliferæ. Tincture of root gathered in summer.
Clinical
Epilepsy. Tetanus.
Characteristics
The effects of the C. maculata are very like those of the Virosa, the most prominent symptom being: Falls unconscious, tetanic or clonic convulsions. Body covered with sweat. For comparisons see Cic. v.
1. Mind
Fell on their way, and were picked up unconscious.
2. Head
Dizziness.─Head hot.
3. Eyes
Astonishing mobility of eyeballs and eyelids with widely dilated pupils.
6. Face
Face bloated like that of a drowned person, deathly pale.─Face livid, even purple.─Jaws rigid.
8. Mouth
Bloody foam from nose and mouth.
Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
