112 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL 



gummy, extractive matter, albumen, fungin, and phosph. of 

 lime and potash. Ergot does not contain any alkaloid. Its ac- 

 tion on the uterus is due to the ^^ ergotine,^^ see M. Bonjean's 

 investigations, llichard, Elems. d'llist. Nat. Med. 1849. See 

 also, M. Robin's later investigations in 1853. 



Phallus hyudicus, J..) j^, c.toPa. Schw. 

 " fostidus, Sow. ) 



From a paper by Dr. Radley, in London Lancet, we learn 

 that the Phallus was an object of superstitious worship in the 

 earlier ages of the world, in Lidia and in Egypt; mentioned, 

 also, by O'Brien in his elaborate work on the " Round Towers of 

 Ireland." Dr. Radley desires to impress upon his readers that 

 the plant possesses " great remedial power to allay pain in the 

 lumbar region," which he considers equal to that of moi'phine. 

 To Mr. Ilele, sm'geon of Ashburton, he is indebted for the first 

 hint of the value of this species of fungus as a diuretic in dropsy, 

 which Mr. R,, upon experiment, could not confirm, though it led 

 him to ascertain its use in allaying renal and other pains in the 

 loins. He reports four cases in which he employed the tincture 

 of the plant, in teaspoonful doses, several times a day. The secre- 

 tion of ui'ine did not increase under its use. In case 2d, he gave 

 twenty grains of the powder made into as many pills, with thin 

 mucilage of ajeacia — one taken thrice a day — producing a good 

 deal of red gravel with the discharge, which he attributes to its 

 allaying spasms of the kidneys. In case 3d, there was no dimi- 

 nution of tlie anasarcous swelling, though a painful affection of 

 the nerves springing from the lumbar regions forming the ante- 

 rior crural was relieved, and afibrding the patient the most sig- 

 nal ease. 



In case 4:th, one half the same quantity taken in the same way 

 was equally serviceable. 



He advises that it be dried on an iron jilate, which deprives it 

 of the very disagreeable and nauseous odor. See paper in Lon- 

 don Lancet by W. C. Radley, M. D. 



Phallus fceUdus, Lain. j g^.^^^^ Horn-Stinking Morel. 

 " %m^Ld%cus^ Lmn. ) 



In curious structure, says Greville, in his Scottish Flora, iv. 

 213, it yields to none of its order. Bulliard afiirms tliat the volva, 

 in bursting, will break a glass vessel in which it is inclosed. In 

 six hours it attains an elevation of six inches. Flies are so fond 



