occasionally suspected that insane persons have been 
given Latua by an enemy or sorcerer. This belief arises 
in great part from superstitions associated with the use 
of the plant in magical practices. 
It has been frequently stated that the ingestion of the 
Juice of the leaves and fruits of Latua causes death 
(Guajardo, 1890; Urban, 1934: Mariani, 1965). We 
have not, however, encountered any actual cases of fatal 
intoxication. Latua has also been credited with aphro- 
disiac properties (Myerdam, 1958, herbarium label; Mari- 
ani, 1965) and has been employed as an ingredient in love 
potions (Bodendorffand Kummer, 1962). Although this 
use has not been confirmed, it is interesting to recall that 
the seeds of Datura Metel 1.., containing the same alka- 
loids as Latua, were commonly utilized in India for the 
identical purpose (Safford, 1920). 
Latua was employed formerly as a fish poison by the 
native Chileans. Pomar (1901) wrote that the juice of 
Latua, as well as that of Drimys Wintert Forst., was 
placed in the still water of rivers and caused fish to be- 
come torpid and easily caught. 
Local inhabitants in Llanquihue Province informed 
Plowman of the common methods of preparing Latua. 
This knowledge seems to be rather widespread among 
native farmers. Padre Leandro Serna (1969) of Rio Frio 
mentioned the following method of taking the plant, 
stating that the bark of a young branch with plenty of 
sap is placed in hot water. The resulting liquid is served 
inacup of wine, coffee or soup, or ina cigarette. Another 
informant asserted that the leaves or stem are boiled for 
two hours before drinking. One-half cup of this decoc- 
tion supposedly will produce intoxication. 
The effects of taking Latua are still rather poorly 
known. Those symptoms which have been recognized 
closely resemble a characteristic belladonna intoxication. 
| 7+ | 
