The fresh leaves and young branches of Conium maculatum; gathered from wild British plants when the fruit begins to form.

Characters. - Fresh leaves, smooth, arising from a smooth stem with dark purple spots; dried leaves of a full green colour and characteristic mousy odour. The leaf rubbed with solution of potash gives out strongly the odour of coniine.

Composition. - The fresh leaves and branches contain the same alkaloids as the fruits, coniine and methyl-coniine (q.v.), although in smaller proportion, while the coniine is sometimes accompanied by a third alkaloid, conhydrine. These principles are lost when the leaves are dried or heated, both being highly volatile.

Dose. - Of the powdered leaf, 2-8 gr.

Preparations

B.P.

Dose.

U.S.P.

Cataplasma Conii (from succus) .........................

For external use.

None.

Extractum Conii (green extract) ........................

2-6 gr. or more.

Succus Conii (juice of hemlock) .........................

30 min. to 2 fl. dr. or more.

Pilula Conii Composita (vide p. 522) .................

vide infra.

Pilula Conii Composita (vide p. 522)...................

5-10 gr.