200 ORD. XII. Solanacew, sew Luride. DATURA STRAMONIUM. 
known in eastern countries,* and if we can credit the accounts of 
some authors, have been converted into purposes the most licentious 
and dishonourable.! The internal use of Stramonium, as well as 
that of several other deleterious plants which we have had occasion 
to notice, was first ventured upon and recommended by Baron 
Stoerck, who gave an extract prepared of the expressed juice of 
the plant, with advantage, in cases of mania, epilepsy, and some 
other convulsive affections.? But as the success of this plant, even 
in the ‘hands of the Baron, was not remarkable enough to claim 
very extraordinary praise, his account of the efficacy of the Stra- 
monium probably would not have procured it a place in the Materia 
Medica of the Edinburgh Pharmacopeeia, had its character rested 
solely upon its representation. Odhelius tells us, that of fourteen 
patients suffering under epileptic and convulsive affections, to 
whom he gave the Stramonium in an hospital at Stockholm, eight 
were completely cured, five were relieved, and only one received 
no benefit." Bergius relates three cases of its success, viz. one of 
mania, and two of convulsions.’ Reef, a Sweedish physician, men- 
tions its utility in two cases of mania.* Wedenberg cured four girls, 
¢ «¢ Ab Indis inter alia inebriantia et aromatica in electuarium recipitur semen, ad 
grata phantasmata cienda, et, ut quidam volunt, quo ad celera patranda tanto auda- 
ciores evadant.” Kampher, Exot. p. 650, Cited by Murray, App. Med. vol. i. 
p- 458. 
It was a custom with the Chinese to infuse the seeds in beer. Sprat, Hist. of the 
Royal Society, p. 162. 
* ¢ Somnum facit adeo profundum, ut impune pudicitia puelle violari possit, que 
hoc toxicum sumserit.” See Haller,/.c. A mulierculis infidis Turcis, gynecais 
inclusis, ad consopiendos & dementandos maritos, quo aliorum magis desideratorum 
amplexibus satientur, usurpari, et Hamburgi a vetula sic honestam feminam, quo se 
inscia moechum admitteret, intoxicatam narratur. Lindenstolpe de ven. Ed. Stenzel. 
p. 531. Cited by Murray, Z. c. & Lib. de Stram. &c. published in 1762. 
» See Vetensk. Acad. Handl. 1766. p. 277. sq. Also Med. Com. V.i. 368. 
In his Mat. Med. he also says, ‘¢ Delirium post puerperium sepe curavi cum 
Datura, ubi aila fefellerunt;” adding, ‘¢ pane illa profuit adversus ideam fixam ex 
122. 
