Conium Maculatum POISON. Because of its peculiar sedative action on the motor centers, Hemlock juice (Succus conii) is prescribed as a remedy in cases of undue nervous motor excitability, acute mania, spasms of the larynx and gullet, teething in children, epilepsy from dentition cramp, in the early stages of paralysis agitans, etc. As an inhalation it is said to relieve cough in bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, etc. Hemlock has to be administered with care, as narcotic poisoning may result from internal use, and overdoses produce paralysis. In poisonous doses it produces complete paralysis with loss of speech, the respiratory function is at first depressed and ultimately ceases altogether and death results from asphyxia. The mind remains unaffected to the last. In the account of the death of Socrates, reference is made to loss of sensation as one of the prominent symptoms of his poisoning, but the dominant action is on the motor system. It is placed in Table II of the Poison Schedule.