STRAMONIUM. 195 



ensued twenty-four hours after swallowing the seeds. The 

 blood was found to be semi-fluid throughout the body. The 

 few coagula met with in the auricles of the heart and large 

 veins were very fully formed and easily broken down. A slight 

 unusual blush pervaded the pharynx and oesophagus to about 

 one-third of its extent; the larynx was similarly injected. The 

 rima glottidis was thickened, and very turgid. The stomach 

 and intestines presented an extremely healthy appearance 

 throughout {Lancet, April, 1845, pp. 11)5, 196). 



Vogt (Pharmakodyn, Bd. i. s. 164) says, "Stramonium is 

 probably distinguished from Belladonna by the following pecu- 

 liarities : 



i€ 1 . Its effects are more similar to those of acrid vegetables, 

 especially of Helleborus. 



" 2. It operates more strongly, but more in the manner of the 

 acrid substances on the nervous system, especially on the cen- 

 tral organs, viz., the ganglia, spinal cord, and brain. 



"3. Its secondary effects on the irritable system are not so 

 marked, for most observers have failed to detect any alteration 

 of pulse, and a slow pulse is more frequently mentioned than a 



I 



quick one. 



" 4. It operates on the organic life more strongly. It more 

 strongly and directly promotes all the secretions, especially the 

 secretion of the skin. 



c * 5. Marcet and Begbie have inferred, from numerous obser- 

 vations, that it possesses an anodyne property, which it frequently 

 evinces where Opium and Belladonna fail." 



Medical Uses (Homceopathic). — Hahnemann's observations : 

 " During its premature action Stramonium produces no pain, 

 properly so called, for the term " pain" cannot be applied to 

 the very disagreeable sensations which it causes to him who 

 tries its effects on himself. Actual pain is manifested only 

 during the subsequent effect of the reaction of the organization, 

 which opposes to the influence of the Thorn-apple a morbid state 

 of excitement proportionate to the dose. 



