Conium, or "poison hemlock" (not "hemlock"), contains the volatile liquid alkaloid, coniine. It is not official, but the fluidextract is employed, dose, 3 minims (0.13 c.c.). There is some medullary depression and slight sensory depression, but the main effect is a curare-like but mild depression of the motor end-plates. For this it has been used somewhat in certain spasmodic nervous affections, such as chorea and whooping-cough, but has been found of little value. It was by conium that Socrates, the philosopher, was put to death; and as his mind remained clear until near the end, he wrote a description of his condition. There was paralysis with slight numbness, beginning in the toes and gradually ascending until it involved the trunk. Death from conium is due to respiratory paralysis, either of the respiratory center or of the terminals in the respiratory muscles.