Lolium Temulentum.
Lolium temulentum. Darnel. N. O. Gramineć. Trituration of seeds. Tincture
of ripe spikelets. Tincture of ripe seeds.Clinical.─
Delirium tremens. Paralysis. Paralysis
agitans. Tremor. Writer’s cramp.
Characteristics.─
The name Darnel means stupefied, and the plant’s evil reputation is of
very ancient date. The symptoms are the result of observations made on persons poisoned by
eating meal containing an admixture of Lol. tem. Allen
mentions an assertion that Lolium is much infested with ergot, and that it is to this that the poisoning symptoms are
due, the unaffected grain being inert; and Allen notes in support of this that the
poisonings have been most frequently observed in low, wet districts, and during wet seasons.
Provings are needed to decide this. The chief symptoms are: Confusion of mind, at times
delirium; very great depression. Nausea and vomiting of the bread containing it and mucus
with it. Paralysis, tremors, and convulsions. Cold rigors, internal chilliness; cold sweat.
A very characteristic symptom is: Tightness in the calves; violent pain in the calves as if
bound with cords. This tightness affects the rest of the legs in less degree. Bonino has
cured a carpenter, 29, who had had trembling of the hands eleven years, < morning. Latterly the legs also began to tremble. His father
and brother were similarly affected. Merc. v. and Agar. only relieved temporarily. Lot.
tem. cured.
Relations.─
Compare:
Ananth., Secale; Lath. (paralysis; < wet seasons).
Op. (sleep).
SYMPTOMS.
1. Mind.─
Mania.─Slight
delirium.─Depressed spirits.─Anxiety and general
uneasiness.─Comprehension slow and difficult; distraction; confusion and
stupefaction.
2. Head.─
Vertigo; >
closing eyes; with shaking in head.─Dizziness, nausea, loss of speech.─Intoxication.─Violent
sticking in head, esp. forehead and temples.
3. Eyes.─
Pupils widely dilated.─Vision:
dim; blindness in some cases; scintillation before eyes.
4. Ears.─
Deafness.─Roaring
and tingling in ears.─Noise like drums and cymbals.
5. Nose.─
Epistaxis.
6. Face.─
Face: red, hot, puffy; or pale.
8. Mouth.─
Tongue: first white; then black;
tremulous.─Burning in mouth and throat.─Speech:
difficult; very imperfect; or lost.
9. Throat.─
Deglutition: difficult; impossible,
cannot pronounce a whole word.
11. Stomach.─
Nausea.─Vomiting.─Inflammation
of gullet, stomach, bowels, with fever.─Vomiting every half-hour, all
night, portions of bread and colourless mucus, leaving disagreeable taste.─Uneasiness
in epigastrium, with eructations of peculiar taste.─Pains in stomach,
esp. a pressure in stomach-pit and abdomen.
12. Abdomen.─
Distension.─Severe
colicky pains.
13. Stool.─
Severe purging.─Diarrhśa;
with great colic; obstinate constipation.
14. Urinary Organs.─
Copious micturition.
17. Respiratory Organs.─
Difficult breathing.
18. Chest.─
Sticking pains in sides.
19. Heart.─
Small irregular pulse.
21. Limbs.─
Gait unsteady; trembling in all limbs;
unable to hold a glass of water.─Spasms of arms and legs.
22. Upper Limbs.─
While attempting to write, hand
refused its service and he became stupid.
23. Lower Limbs.─
Attempting to rise from a seat
he began to stagger, was obliged to steady himself on walking along the room.─Great
pain and tightness in legs, esp. calves, extending to ankles, with redness, swelling, and
itching of skin.─Legs excessively tight and painful, swollen, inflamed,
itching much for nine days, followed by a small collection of gelatinous fluid inside foot,
terminating in gangrene, followed by sphacelus.─Violent pain in calves
as if bound with cords.
24. Generalities.─
General tremors.─Paralysis.─Restlessness.─General
malaise for several days.─The action of Lolium
is apt to be manifested in very wet seasons.
26. Sleep.─
Drowsiness.─Sleep
unusually heavy.─Sopor.
27. Fever.─
Great internal chilliness.─Cold
rigors all over, esp. in limbs.─Fever.─Cold sweat.® 2000
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