82 THE WEEDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES', 



for a sample of the plant, together with some notes on the case. The plant 

 proves to be Datura Stramonium L., the well-known Thorn Apple of Europe, 

 which, singularly, bears the name of " Wild Castor Oil Plant," in the district 

 in which this unfortunate occurrence took place. 



Although, as far as I know, this is the first recorded instance of poisoning 

 by Thorn Apple or Stramonium in the Australian colonies, cases are on record' 

 of poisoning by it in Europe, while in India Thorn Apple poisoning is a common 

 occurrence, chiefly because it is administered from bad motives. The plant is- 

 common enough in all the colonies, chiefly near populated places, and its chief 

 situations are near waste-heaps on which the rubbish of cultivated places has 

 been thrown. It is also by no means a " new churn," and was probably intro- 

 duced, with garden seeds in the first instance. 



I now quote Dr. Robinson's words in regard to his Jerilderie patients: " One 

 of the men when brought here was comatose, the other was able to walk, but 

 was excited and suffering from delusions. I used emetics (zinc sulphate) and_ 

 the stomach pump, after which I administered copious draughts of strong, hot 

 coffee. In about twelve hours after taking the plant both were able to walk 

 about, but the mind was deranged in the worst case for forty-eight hours. Both 

 afterwards described the effects they felt to be a swelling of the tongue, thick 

 speech, giddiness, and drowsiness. One man said his head and body seemed 

 to swell as if it would burst through the skin." From w r hat I can learn, the 

 men were fortunate in escaping with their lives, and one man has particular 

 cause for gratitude. I make no apology for detailing the symptoms and treat- 

 ment, especially as the plant is spreading, and poisoning by it may have to be 

 coped with in the absence of a medical man. 



Mr. C. Pierrepont Johnson records that accidents have frequently happened 

 in Europe in swallowing an infusion of Thorn-apple herb in mistake for other 

 preparations, as was the case at Jerilderie. Dr. Taylor records an instance in 

 which a woman took two teacupfuls of the infusion, instead of senna tea. She- 

 was seized with giddiness, fainted, and became quite insensible in two hours, 

 but the contents of the stomach being removed by the stomach pump, she 

 eventually recovered. 



The seeds are by far the most poisonous portion of the plant, and have caused 1 

 death in numerous recorded cases. In India there were twenty-one deaths out 

 of ninety-two cases. Sixteen grains killed a child in twenty-four hours, and, 

 as the plant seeds freely, it is proper to put people on their guard. 



The following amusing account of the effect of Thorn Apple on some British 

 soldiers in North America early in the seventeenth century is taken from 

 Beverley's " History of Virginia " : " This, being an early plant, was gathered 

 very young for a boiled salad by some of the soldiers sent thither to quell the 

 rebellion of Bacon, and some of them ate plentifully of it, the effect of which 

 was a very pleasant comedy, for they turned natural fools upon it for several 

 days. One would blow a feather into the air, another would dart straws at it 

 with great fury ; another, stark naked, was seen sitting up in a corner, like a 

 monkey, grinning and making mouths. A fourth would fondly kiss and paw 

 his companions, and sneer in their faces with a countenance more antic than 

 any on a Dutch doll. In this frantic condition they were confined, lest in their 

 folly they should destroy themselves. A thousand simple tricks they played, 

 but after eleven days returned to themselves again, not remembering anything 

 that had passed. 



From the following statement it will be seen that we have a far earlier 

 record of poisoning by the seeds, but there are few records altogether; it is 

 hardly possible that there are not more occurrences of this kind: 



Dr. Henry Early (Australian Medical Journal, vol. ii. 1857, p. 241) describes 

 seven cases of poisoning amongst children in the Immigrants' Home, Melbourne. 

 The symptoms and signs were dilated pupils, a bright scarlet efflorescence, 

 rapid pulse, much thirst, great excitement, maniacal paroxysms, starting^, 

 muttering, and occasional screaming, and catching at imaginary objects. Half 



