No. 86. SOLANUM. ST 



3. Otilix. Raf. Calyx appendiculated* Stamens five, 

 not connivent. Seeds osseous. S. Ucioides^ &c. 



4. .^nrfrocera. N. Calyx swelled, caducous* Corolla 

 subringent- Stamens unequal, anthers free, hornlike. 

 Style declinated. Berry dry. Jl, lobata or S. heteranthum 



ofPursh. 



The S. dulcamara is a true Solanum. It is a native 



of Europe, Asia, and North America/where it grows in 

 the Eastern and Northern States, from New England to 

 Ohio, 6s. c. in shady fertile grounds, blossoming from 

 June to August. "^The berries stand on the vme till 

 very late. There are many varieties of this plant, such as, 

 l.Heterophylla, common kind. 2.IsopIiyUa^ledL\es consi- 

 milar not auriculated. S.Maritima^ with pubescent leaves. 

 4. Hepens, stem procumbent and creeping. 5. Pandnratay 

 leaves lyrate, pandurate. These two last most frequent 

 in the wild state in America. It is a handsome vine, 

 often cultivated in gardens. 



PROPERTIES. The whole plant is used as a depu- 

 rative, deobstruent, antiherpetic, narcotic, diuretic, ano- 

 dyne, repellent, &c. The taste is sweetish and bitter, 

 whence tlie name ; the smell is somewhat nauseous, but 

 much less so than in 5. m^rwm and other species. Its 

 active principles are the solanic acid, a peculiar sub- 

 stance, called Solania, a mucous extractive, &c.: they 

 are more soluble in water than in alcohol. A very be- 

 neficial article in many diseases, now neglected by the 

 chemical school, but adequate to produce nearly all the 

 good effects of sulphur, antimony, and mercury, in 

 chronic rheumatism, ^out, secondary syphilis, incipient 

 phthisis, asthma, jaundice, herpes, lepra, and all cutaneous 



affections. It has also been used in pleurisy, peripneu- 

 monia, dyslochia, amenorrhea, and scrofula. While ex- 

 temallv, it is very useful in contusion, the itch, herpetic 

 sores, sore nipples, schirrous swellings, nay, even the 

 cancer, and the wprst kinds of ulcers. The common 

 way to use it is in decoction ; but the American varie- 

 ties are very powerful j Bigelow states that a few grains 

 of the fresh*' leaves, or a small cup of the decoction have 

 been known to vomit. A great difference in stren^h 

 is observed in the various parcels kept in the shops ; the 

 plants growing in a dry soil and warm climates are 



