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Aconite (Aconitum napellus), Monkshood, or Wolfsbane, 1856. Creator: Unknown
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Aconite (Aconitum napellus), Monkshood, or Wolfsbane, 1856. Creator: Unknown
Aconite (Aconitum napellus), Monkshood, or Wolfsbane, 1856. Mr. Maciver [of Dingwall in Scotland], had a private dinner party, consisting of [four gentlemen]... and several ladies. After dinner Mr. Gordon complained of a parched mouth, and he and Mr. McDonald, who felt the same inconvenience, retired to the drawing-room...medical aid was called for; but the two priests, after violent vomiting and other painful symptoms of poisoning, expired. Mr. Mackenzie also died...This calamity is attributed to the ignorance of a servant. It appears that the cook had had orders to serve up horseradish with the roast beef at dinner, and directed a young man-servant where to find the root in the garden. Instead of bringing horseradish, however, he had dug up the root of monkshood - a most poisonous herb, which was thus incautiously grated down and added to the sauce used with the roast beef'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856
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Media ID 36319060
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Accident Deaths Dinner Party Fatal Incident Party Poison Poisonous Aconite Aconitum Monks Hood Monkshood Wolfs Bane
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken in 1856, showcases the enchanting beauty of Aconitum napellus, commonly known as Monkshood or Wolfsbane. The image, of unknown origin, captures the plant's striking tall stature and bell-shaped, hooded flowers, which earned it the moniker 'Monkshood'. The haunting history behind this photograph is as intriguing as the plant itself. The scene is set in Scotland, where a tragic incident unfolded at a private dinner party hosted by Mr. Maciver. The gathering consisted of several gentlemen and ladies, and after an enjoyable dinner, two priests, Mr. Gordon and Mr. McDonald, complained of a parched mouth. Retiring to the drawing-room, they were attended by medical aid, but both men succumbed to violent vomiting and other painful symptoms of poisoning. Tragically, Mr. Mackenzie also died from the mysterious substance. The cause of this calamity was later attributed to the ignorance of a servant. It transpired that the cook had ordered horseradish to be served with the roast beef at dinner. A young man-servant, however, mistakenly dug up the root of monkshood instead, which was then incautiously grated down and added to the sauce. The poisonous properties of monkshood were not well-known at the time, leading to this unfortunate turn of events. This chilling tale serves as a reminder of the importance of botanical knowledge and the potential consequences of mistaken identity. The allure of Monkshood's beauty, as captured in this photograph, belies the danger it poses, making it a fascinating subject for study and reflection.
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