99-4 
in large doses is a decided narcotic poison, producing effects on animals generally, 
bearing great similitude to somewhat smailer doses of tobacco; and /odelina in 
like manner to zcotia. Its principal sphere of action seems to be upon the 
pneumogastric nerve, and it is to the organs supplied by this nerve that its toxic 
symptoms are mainly due, and its “physiological” cures of pertussis, spasmodic 
asthma, croup and gastralgia gained. Its second action in importance 1s that of 
causing general muscular relaxation, and under this it records its cures of stran- 
gulated hernia (by enemata), tetanic spasms, convulsions, hysteria, and, mayhap, 
hydrophobia. Its third action is upon mucous surfaces and secretory glands, 
increasing their secretions. 
The prominent symptoms of its action are: great dejection, exhaustion, and 
mental depression, even to insensibility and loss of consciousness; nausea and 
vertigo; contraction of the pupil; profuse clammy salivation; dryness and prick- 
ling in the throat; pressure in the cesophagus with a sensation of vermicular 
motion, most strongly, however, in the larynx and epigastrium; sensation as of a 
lump in the throat; incessant and violent nausea, with pain, heat, and oppression 
of the respiratory tract; vomiting, followed by great prostration; violent and 
painful cardiac constriction; griping and drawing abdominal pains; increased 
urine, easily decomposing and depositing much uric acid; violent racking parox- 
ysmal cough with ropy expectoration ; small, irregular, slow pulse; general weak- 
ness and oppression, more marked in the thorax; violent spasmodic pains, with 
paralytic feeling, especially in the left arm; weariness of the limbs, with cramps in 
the gastrocnemii; and sensation of chill and fever. Death is usually preceded 
by insensibility and convulsions. 
Post-mortem.—The stomach is found congested and filled with fluid, and the 
brain engorged with blood. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 99. 
x. Whole plant, Chemung, N. Y., September gth, 1879. 
2. Flower. 
3. Fruit. 
4- Seed natural size and magnified 100 diam. 
(2-3 enlarged. ) 
