150 DATURA. No. 31. 



-carbonate of ammonia, nitrate of potash, malic acid, 

 and a peculiar alkaline principle called Datuririy to 

 which most of its activitjJ' is ascribed. Daturin cris- 

 talizes in quadrangular prisms, and is only soluble 

 in boiling alcohol : yet the plant yields its properties 

 to Water and Alcohol, because the Daturin is com- 

 bined with the acid and forms a soluble mallate of 

 Daturin. 



PROPERTIES— This loathsome weed is one of 

 those bounties of nature scattered almost every where, 

 andpossessingenergetic medical powers. Itis narcotic, 

 phantastic, antispasmodic, anti-epileptic, anodyne, 

 sedative, &c. and externally refrigerant, detergent, 

 resolvent, &c. It has been recommended by Physi- 

 cians in Asia, Europe and America, in Epilepsy, 

 rheumatic pains, tic douleureux, Gout and all kinds oi 

 pains, Mania, Convulsions, Asthma, Chorea, Sciatica, 

 &c., and externally for burnings, scaldings, tumors, 

 ulcers, cancer and piles. It is now a common article 

 of Materia Medica every where; but it fails some- 

 times and requires care in the exhibition, owing 

 its noxious qualities when taken internally in too 

 great quantity. It produces then Vertigo, confusion 

 of mind, dilatation of the pupil, loss of sight, head 

 ache, tremors of the limbs, loss of motion, dry throat, 

 nausea, anxiety, faintness, delirium, convulsions, 

 lethargy and death. Vinegar neutralizes the Datu- 

 rin, as Well as all vegetable acids; but an emetic is 

 always serviceable when poisoned by narcotics* 



The effects of this narcotic when administered in- 

 ternally for medical purposes, and in proper doses, i5 



to 



