BITTER SWEET. — 475 
of the powdered leaves, and by a small cup of the 
decoction. The strength of the plant seems to 
vary in some degree with the time of gather- 
ing, and mode of preserving. Dr. Cullen found 
different parcels of the article to exhibit yery dif- 
ferent degrees of strength. Writers are not 
agreed as to its immediate effects on the head and 
stomach, probably from the different age and con- 
dition of the medicine employed by them. From 
my own observation I am induced to consider the 
appearance of slight narcotic symptoms, as an ey- 
idence of the goodness of the medicine, and as a 
criterion for regulating the dose. The formula of 
Dr. Crichton for the decoction appears to be a 
good one, but in the case of delicate constitutions, 
the commencing dose should not exceed an ounce, 
which may be afterwards increased according to 
‘circumstances. The addition of a little cinna- 
mon renders the decoction less apt to offend the 
stomach. a 
| BOTANICAL REFERENCES. 
Solanum dulcamara, Linn avs, Sp. pl.—WoopviL.1E, t. 33.— 
Smrrn, Engl. Bot. t. 565 .—Pursn, i, 156.—Solanum scandens, 
seu dulcamara.—Tournerort, a 43. ee sive 
amaradulcis, J. BAUHIN, ii. 109. ee 
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