= Poet 
ROTANIC PHYSICIAN, — —" 
A : = 
WEED, OR 'T'HORNAPPLE. Datura Stramonium. 
= and seeds. 
Also ca a Yaindtown weed, Jimson, &c. The root of stramos oy 
mm is annual, white and crooked; stem erect, from one to eight 
eet high, branched by forks, round, "often. hollow, smooth pe 
ves alternate at the forks, petiolate, oval oblong, ase 
end shar} forming in its outlines a triangle, edges deep 
flowers axillary, single, on short stems, erect, large white 
fruit a large fleshy head, thorny, with four ‘valves opening at top, 
containing many black seeds. it is a wandering plant, common to 
: of the world, and spreads with rapidity. It is an exotic, 
‘appeared first in Jamestown, Va. whence its name. ‘The whole 
- plant has a fcetid, lurid and narcotic smell, causing headach and 
stupor, it has a bitter and nauseous taste. It yields its properties 
oathsome weed is one of those bounties of nature scattered 
ry where, and sessing energetic medical powers. It 
sdic, antiepileptic, anodyne, sedative, &c. and 
nally, rigerant, detergent, resolvent, &c. It has been strong- 
ly recommended in epilepsy, rheumatic pains, tic douloureux, gout 
and all kinds of pains, mania, convulsions, asthma, St. Vitus’s dance, 
sciatica, &c. and externally for burnings, scaldings, tumors, ulcers, 
cancers and piles. It sometimes fails from want of care in its ad- 
ministration, or from too great a quantity; it then produces vertigo, 
confusion of mind, dijatation of the pupil, loss of sight, headach, 
_ nausea, faintness, delirium, convulsions, Jethargy and death. Vine- 
gar neutralizes it, preceded by an emetic. _ 
“ ‘The effects of this narcotic when administered internally for medi- 
di er doses, is to lessen sensibility and pain, to 
ck, attended with some nausea, cae 
ocation, to have little influence on the pulse 
to relax the bowels, &c. followed by a sensation of ease and quiet, 
which induces sleep. 
In asthma, it is seldom more than a palliative, but very useful in 
the paroxysms. It may be smoked like tobacco; or, which is pre- 
, the leaves may be burned in a crucible, and the smoke in- 
haled. It adds greatly to their efficacy in relieving asthmatic spasms, 
to have them previously prepared by saturating them with salt petre 
in solution, and then drying them for use. The seeds may alsobe 
emoked in the same manner. An infusion or decoction of the leaves. 
or seeds has the same effect. In madness it is frequently of service. 
alpitations it is a tolerably certain remedy. In epilepsy a: 
convulsions, it cures the periodical fits, and frequently quells the 
den fits. Itis highly serviceable in chronic acute diseases, | such as 
sciatica, syphilitic pams, disease of the spine, cancer, uterine pains, 
gout, rheumatism, mercurial pains, &c. and in all cases where an 
anti is required. In tic douloureux, although not an infal- 
lible cure, it has proved itself superior to rie other remed Ys fore 
ly curing, and always relieving. 
= y, it isa safe and certain rested for burns tumors = 
te oh 
