901 



dens, or waxwork, which is universally called bittersweet by the 

 common people. The solanum dulcamara is narcotic, as are all the 

 solanums, diaphoretic and diuretic. Bigelow has painted it ele- 

 gantly in his splendid Medical Botany. 



176. Solanum nigrum ; variety Virginianum. Common night- 

 shade ; garden nightshade. A light decoction of the leaves, taken 

 at bedtime, occasions a free perspiration, increases the urine, and 

 produces a purgative effect the following day. The leaves applied 

 externally, abate inflammation and assuage pain. The leaves are 

 poisonous, and to poultry they are immediately fatal. Externally, 

 it has been found a useful discutient and anodyne in various affec- 

 tions of the skin, tumefactions of the glands, ulcers, and disorders 

 of the eyes. With the Arabians, it is a common application to 

 burns and ulcers, and Ray speaks highly of it in indurations of the 

 breast. Mr. Gattaker has recommended, in a publication on the 

 subject, its internal use in old sores, scrofulous and cancerous ulcers, 

 cutaneous eruptions, and even in dropsies; one grain of the dried 

 leaves, he says, infused in an ounce of water, sometimes produced 

 considerable effect ; in a dose of two or three grains, it seldom 

 failed to evacuate the first passages, and to increase sensibly the 

 discharge from the skin, or by the kidneys ; and not unfrequently it 

 occasions headache, giddiness, dimness, and drowsiness. The flowers 

 smell like musk. 



177. Physalis alkekengi. Ground cherry ; winter cherry. The 

 berries are diuretic and sedative. They are acrid and bitterish ; 

 but children are nevertheless fond of them. 



178. Hyoscyamm. Eight species; 5, 1, L. 



Hyoscyamus niger. Black henbane ; stinking nightshade. Off. 

 This is a highly narcotic, but most valuable medicine in the hands 

 of judicious physicians. In many respects, it is superior to opium, 

 as it is not apt to leave the bowels in a costive state. See Dispen- 

 satories. 



179. Datura. Eight species ; 5, 1, L. 



Datura stramonium. Thorn apple; apple peru; Jamestown 

 weed, &c. Off. This valuable anodyne and narcotic may also be 

 found well described in all our standard materia medicas. 



