NAT. ORDER. SOLANACE^E. 153 



These, and all other poisonous plants, taken out of gardens, should 

 be carefully buried or burned. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Every part of this plant appears 

 to possess a narcotic jjower ; but the seeds are the only pai'ts of 

 whose fatal effects we find instances recorded. Their soporiferous 

 and intoxicating qualities are well known in some parts of Europe ; 

 and, if we can credit the accounts of some authoi's, have been 

 converted into purposes the most licentious and dishonorable. 

 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 this plant, with advan- 

 tage, in cases of mania, epilepsy, and some other convulsive affec- 

 tions. But as the success of this plant, even in the hands of the 

 Baron, was not remarkable enough to claim any extraordinary 

 praise, his account of the efficacy of the Stramonium probably 

 would not have procured it a place in the Materia Medica, had its 

 character rested solely upon its representation. Odhelius, a cele- 

 brated ancient physician, says " that of fourteen patients suffering 

 under epileptic and convulsive affections, to whom he gave the 

 Stramonium, in a hospital, eight were completely cui-ed ; five were 

 relieved ; and only one received no benefit." Wedenberg also 

 relates his experience, where he cured four girls, affected with 

 convulsive complaints, by the use of this medicine. Other instances 

 of the kind might be added. Greding, however, who made many 

 experiments, with a view to ascertain the efficacy of this plant, 

 was not so successful ; for out of the great number of cases in 

 which he employed the Stramonium, it was only in one instance 

 that it effected a cure ; and he objected to the cases stated by Dr. 

 Odhelius, on the ground that the patients were dismissed befoi-e 

 sufficient time was allowed to know whether the disease would 

 return again or not. 



In this country we are not acquainted with any practitioners 



