Lolium Temulentum

Darnel. N. O. Gramineæ. 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).

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. Diarrhœa; 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.