124-2 
among American plants is doubtful; by some authors it is considered indigenous, 
by others as advanced from Europe; judging from its locations here, I am 
inclined to favor the latter idea. It is found in the greater part of Europe, in 
North Africa, and Asia Minor, and the northern parts of India and China. The 
genus Solanum is very interesting, containing as it does some of our most useful 
table vegetables, noxious weeds, and excellent remedies. Notably among the 
edible vegetables are the potato, Solanum (uberosum, the tomato, Solanunz lyco- 
persicon, and the egg plant, Solanum melongena, all extensively cultivated and 
having their origin doubtless in the tropical regions of South America. From 
the common names, Bittersweet and Nightshade, confusion has often arisen 
among the laity in mistaking it for Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade), and Ce/astris, 
the staff-vine, often called Bittersweet ; but Belladonna does not grow sponta- 
neously in this country, and Celastrus is too widely different to be confused with 
Dulcamara except in name. 
Dulcamara is still retained in the U. S. Ph, as Lxtractum Dulcamare 
Fluidum. \n the Eclectic Materia Medica its preparations are Decoctum Solani 
and Eatractum Dulcamara. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh, green branches that are 
still pliant, and their leaves, should be gathered just as the plant is budding to 
blossom, and chopped and pounded into a pulp, inclosed in a piece of new linen 
and pressed. The juice thus expressed should, by brisk succussion, be mingled 
with an equal part by weight of alcohol. This mixture should then be allowed to 
stand at least eight days in a well-stoppered bottle, in a dark, cool place, and 
filtered before using. 
Thus prepared it is by transmitted light of a pale chestnut color, having at 
first a decidedly bitter, then sweet taste, and an acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Solania, C,, H,, NO,,, fully described under 
Solanum nigrum, 125, is undoubtedly also a separate principle in this species. 
Wittstein claims it to be easily obtainable from the young shoots of the plant. 
Dulcamarin.*—C,,H,,O,,. This glucoside, extracted from Wittstein’s so- 
called alkaloid Dulcamarin, C,, H,,,N, O,,, is in the form of a permanent, slightly 
yellow powder, odorless, with at first an exceeding bitter, then a lasting sweet 
taste. It melts with heat, decomposing at 205° (401° F.), and is soluble in water, 
alcohol and ether, insoluble in chloroform and benzol. Dulcamarin readily sepa- 
rates in boiling with a mineral acid into dulcamaretin (C,, H,,O), and glucose. 
Pfaff’s analysis of 1co parts of the dried stems resulted as follows: 
Duleimarn, .-.. 
owe ae ce we SN Bry, | Resin contaiaing Renee Aca, 2.74 
Vegeto-animal matter, . . - . + « « + 3.125 Gum, Starch, and Salts of Lime, . , 200 
_ Gummy extractive, eae . 12929 | Extractive and Lime Salts, . -4.00 
“totes Wd orten Waa 6 eS i | Woody Fibre, 62.00 
(Excess, . ee 9.111) 
* Picroglycion, Dulcarin, 
