USES OF SABADILLA SEEDS. 9 
CHAPTER L 
Medicinal Properties of Sabadilla Seeds. 
ConsIDERABLE difference of opinion exists, as to the precise 
plant which yields the Sabadilla seeds. Some authors are of opin- 
ion that they are the produce of different species of Veratrum ; 
the V. Sabadilla, V. Ovbilia, and V. Officinale—others, of the 
Vellozia Squamata ; and lately the plant has been considered as a 
species of Xerophyllum, the X. Sabadilla. It is a native of Mex- 
ico; it has been placed amongst the Colchicacex, but in some of 
its properties it appears more nearly allied to the Ranunculacee ; 
very little that is certain, however, is known regarding its history. 
The seeds are dark-coloured, rugous and slightly curved, and are 
contained in a light brown capsule about half an inch in length. 
They are without smell, but have an acrid burning taste. When 
given to animals in sufficient quantities to produce poisoning, their 
effects are marked by great irritation in all the mucous membranes, . 
particularly in the intestinal canal, in the mucous membrane of 
which they excite inflammation by whatever manner the poisonous 
matter may have been introduced ; and along with this effect, great 
disturbance of the nervous system comes on before death. 
They have been used medicinally in the form of powder, ointment, 
and infusion for destroying pediculi, and internally for removing 
teenia, and for the cure of hydrophobia.* : 
I have employed two preparations ; the tincture and extract, 
made from Sabadilla seeds, with considerable advantage in some cases. 
The tincture made use of is a saturated one, prepared by digesting 
for ten days a quantity of the seeds, freed from their capsules and 
bruised, in as much strong alcohol as will cover them. It forms a 
useful rubefacient in chronic rheumatism and paralytic cases, and 
has a tendency to bring outa slight eruption on the skin after it 
has been rubbed for some days. It produces, in a very marked 
degree, a tingling sensation, similar to that caused by Veratria; and 
friction with it ought always to be continued until this effect is 
brought about at each application. | 
- When rubbed over the heart, this tincture has in some instances 
the effect of reducing the frequency and force of the pulse, in a 
marked degree, and has often appeared useful in cases of nervous 
palpitation. 3 : 
The extract is prepared by evaporating the saturated tincture made 
as above directed, with a very gentle heat, to a proper consistence. 
When given internally in small doses, it has nearly the same effects 
* Hardy’s Travels in Mexico. 
JANUARY, 1838.—B 2 
