| Show from honey the old baying that every sweet haa its bitter might be accentuated by the statement that honey sometimes contains the most active and dangerous poison A case in point is related in a medical review as follows A man and his wife ate honey they took but a lettla as they observed a burning sensation of the mouth and throat as soon as the honey was swallowed within a few minutes both were taken ill thero were nausea severe pain and vomiting then a loss of consciousness coldness of the extremities feeble action of tho heart and collapse no pulse could be detected the wife remained insensible for several hours but the husband was not entirely restored until the following day even then strength returned very slowly and there was every indication of extreme exhaustion A portion of tha honey was treated chemically and an extract was given to two cats to one a small dose and to the other a large dose was administered the small one produced partial exhaustion ha relaxation of the voluntary and general depression the large one took effect almost immediately producing relaxation vomiting purging prostration and almost complete loss of control over the voluntary muscles the cat did not regain its normal condition for 34 hours A fairly thorough examination of tha honey was made in order if possible to discover the nature of the poisonous element no positive conclusion was arrived at but the chemists were reasonably satisfied that the rhododendron and a few other plants of that class contained the objectionable substance it is also stated that plants belonging to the heath family have been by bota looked upon with apprehension for the reason that they have been suspected of harboring the toxic qualities which accounted for the cases of honey poisonings poison ings new york ledger |
