NAT. ORDER. — PArAVEHACE.E. 113 



generally through the order. Their seed is universally oily, and 

 in nearly all the varieties in no degree narcotic. The oil obtained 

 from the seeds of the PapaA'er somniferum is found to be perfectly 

 wholesome, and is, in fact, consumed as food in many parts of 

 Europe, in considerable quantities. The expressed oil is also em- 

 ployed extensively for the adulteration of Olive oil. At one time 

 its use was prohibited in France, by decrees issued in obedience to 

 popular clamor, but is now openly sold by all the druggists in that 

 country. Meconopsis napalensis, a nipal plant, is described as being 

 extensively poisonous, especially its roots. The Sanguinaria cana- 

 densis, or Puccoon, -belongs to this order. This plant is well known 

 to be emetic and purgative in large doses, and in smaller quantities 

 stimulant, diaphoretic, and expectorant. See Vol. iii., page 121, for 

 particulars. The seeds of Argemone Mexicana are used in the West 

 Indies as a substitute for ipecacuhanha ; and the juice is considered 

 by the native doctors of India as a valuable remedy in ophthahnia, 

 dropped into the eye and over the tarsus ; also as a good application 

 to chancres. It is purgative and deobstruent. The Brazilians admin- 

 ister the juice of this plant (which they call Canlo santo) to persons 

 or animals bitten by serpents— but, from the authority of those who 

 have witnessed its operation, without much success. The narcotic 

 principle of this plant is an alkaline substance called Morphia. 



An oil is expres.sed from the seeds of this plant which is used in 

 Mexico for shining wood. The yellow juice with which the plant 

 abounds, when reduced to a consistence, is not distinguishable from 

 gamboge. In very small doses it is probably of equal efficacy, given 

 in dropsies, jaundice, and cutaneous eruptions. It is esteemed very 

 detersive, and generally used in diseases of the eyes ; but the infusion 

 is looked upon as a sudorific and sesolutive. The seeds are said, 

 by those who have used them, to be more powerful and a stronger 

 narcotic than opium. 



