Aconitum columbianum Nutt.
Annotated by Eli Wilson, 1906.

British Columbia: Armstrong.
Mountain top. All of the parts of the west American aconite are poisonous, but the seeds and roots are the most dangerous. The active principle is not well known, but chemical and physiological experiments point to the existence of one or more alkaloids which resemble acontin. The effect of the poison is characteristic. There is first a tingling sensation on the end of the tongue which gives rise shortly to a burning sensation, and is rapidly followed by a very pronouced sense of constriction in the throat. The chocking thus produced is made the more alarming by the retarding effect which the poison has upon the respiration. The tingling and prickling over the entire body is also characteristic. Besides these symptoms, there are generally severe headache, abdominal pans, confused vision, vomiting an diarrhoea. Delirium is usually absent. Death ensues from a stoppage of the respiration in from one to eight hours. No specific antidote is recognized, but physcians have used atropin, or digitalis and nitrite of amyl, with good effects. The ordinary emetics and stimulants must be given. Artificial respiration should be maintained for a couple of hours, if necessary, and a recumbent position must be maintained throughout the treatment.

Eli Wilson 935, 1906 Aug 20
UBC, Accession: V063244