154 NAT. ORDER. SOLANACE^E. 



whose experience would throw any light on the medical charac- 

 ter of this plant. It appears to us, however, that its effects as a 

 medicine are to be referred to no other power than that of a nar- 

 cotic. Dr. Cullen, speaking on this subject, says, "I have no doubt 

 that narcotics may be a remedy in certain cases of mania and ep- 

 ilepsy ; but I have not, and I doubt if any other person has learned 

 to distinguish the cases to which such remedies are properly 

 adapted. It is, therefore, that we find the other narcotics, as well 

 as the Stramonium, to fail in the same hands in which they had in 

 other cases seemed to succeed. It is this consideration that has 

 occasioned my negltcting the use of Stramonium, and therefore 

 prevented me from speaking more precisely from my own ex- 

 perience on this subject." 



The extract of this plant has been the preparation usually 

 employed, and given in the quantity of from one to ten grains a 

 day ; but the powdered leaves may be given in the quantity of 

 two to six grains, according to circumstances. In procuring the 

 extract, which is usually found for sale at the botanical and Sha- 

 ker shops in this city, we find it to vary exceedingly in strength ; 

 on which account but little I'eliance can be placed upon it. 



Externally, the Stramonium is used with great advantage, es- 

 pecially in the treatment of old sores and ulcers. It is also quite 

 extensively used for the piles, for which it has of late gained con- 

 siderable celebrity. 



Unguentum Stramonii ; Stramonium Ointment. " Take of 

 fresh Stramonium leaves, cut into j^ieces, and bruised with the 

 pestle, a pound ; lard, three pounds ; yellow wax, half a pound. 

 Boil the Stramonium leaves in the lard, until they become friable ; 

 then strain through linen : lastly, add the wax, previously melted, 

 and stir them until they are cold." — U. S. Dispensatory. 



Tinctura Stramonii ; Tincture of Stramonium. " Take of 

 Stramonium seed, bruised, four ounces ; diluted alcohol, two pints. 

 Macerate for fourteen days : express ; and filter through paper." 



