SOLANACE. 631 
species (8S. esculentum) are much esteemed in France under the name of 
Aubergines or Brinjals. They are about the size and form of a goose’s egg 
and commonly of a purple colour, and are used as a vegetable. “Phe white 
fruits of a variety of the same plant are known as Ege- apples. The leaves 
of S. oleraceum and S. anthropophagorum are likewise eaten by the Fijians. 
—S. marginatum has astringent properties, and is employ ed in Abyssinia 
in the process of tanning we.) Pseudogquina is much employed in Brazil as a 
tonic and febrifuge. Several species of Solanum are also reputed to have 
diuretic properties, as S. mammosum, S. paniculatum, and others. The 
flowers and leaves of S. cernuum are sudorifi¢, and have been employed in 
gonorrheea, syphilis, &c. 
Sub-order 2. AtTropEa&.—Properties and Uses.—Many of the 
plants have powerful narcotic properties from the presence 
of peculiar and active alkaloids; hence several are very 
poisonous. The juice of numerous species will produce 
dilatation of the pupil of the eye. (See Properties and Uses 
of the Solanez, page 629.) 
Atropa Belladonna, Deadly Nightshade, is a powerful poison; the root, 
leaves, and young branches are official in the British Pharmacopeeia. It 
is employed internally as an anodyne and antispasmodic, and externally 
for dilating the pupil of the eye. john Harley regards it as a valuable 
remedy in “scarlatina. It owes its activity to a peculiar alkaloid called 
atropine, which is frequently employed to produce dilatation of the pupil, 
and for other purposes. Atropine is a most powerful poison. It is official, 
together with Sulphate of Atropine, in the British Pharmacopeeia. 
Datura—D. Stramonium.—aA narcotic property is possessed by all parts 
of this plant, and is especially developed in the seeds, which are official in 
the British Pharmacopeia. Its nedicinal effects resemble those of Atropa 
Belladonna. It is employed as an anodyne and antispasmodic. In 
spasmodic asthma, smoking the herb, or inhalation from its infusion in warm 
water, has frequently given great relief, but its use requires much caution, 
as it has in some instances produced fatal results. A strong decoction of 
the leaves is used in Cochin China as a remedy for hydrophobia, in which 
disease it is reputed to be very eflicacious. Stramonium owes its principal 
activity to the presence of a narcotic alkaloid called daturine, which much 
resembles and is probably identical with atropine, the alkaloid of Atropa 
Belladonnu. Recent investigations appear to show that it is also identical 
with duboisine and hyoscyamine (see Duboisia). Daturine is a powerful 
poison, and strongly dilates the pupil.—D. alba, D. Tatula, D. fastuosa, 
and other species or varieties, have similar properties to D. Stramonium. 
In India D. alba is frequently used by the natives for criminal purposes, the 
professional poisoners from this drug being called Dhatureeas. The truit of 
D, sanguinea, the Red Thorn Apple, is in use among the Indians of the 
Andes, and in Central America, for the preparation of narcotic drinks; these, 
it is believed, produce a peculiar excitement, and enable those who partake 
of them to have communication with the spirits of their ancestors. 
Duboisia myoporoides—This plant, which is a native of New Caledonia 
and some parts.of Australia, is closely allied to Belladonna in its properties, 
and contains a closely allied alkaloid which has been named duboisine. It is 
now said that this alkaloid, hyoscyamine, and daturine, are of the same 
nature (see Datura). It is commonly used medicinally in the form of Sul- 
phate of Duboisine. The leaves, known as‘ Pitury,’ and used as an Australian 
substitute for Coca (see Erythroxylon), are obtained from D. Hopwoodii. 
They are said to contain an alkaloid analogous to nicotine. 
Hyoscyamus niger, Henbane.—The whole herb possesses narcotic proper- 
ties, and 1s employed medicinally asa narcotic, anodyne, and soporitic. Its 
