256 NIGHTSHADE. 



As this species of night-shade is thought to be the 2t^u%vo; x.rpta,ios 

 of Dioscorides *, its external use was resorted to in ancient times as 

 a (iiscutient and anodyne in various affections of the skin, tumefac- 

 tions of the glands, ulcers, and disorders of the eyesj nor does the 

 utility of this practice want the confirmation of later experience t. 



Of its internal use we find very little evidence in the writings of 

 the ancients; though, according to Caesalpinus J, it appears not to 

 have been wholly neglected. 



Its medicinal powers in modern times appear to be equally doubt- 

 ful. Gataker strongly recommended it, externally and in solution 

 as an excellent restorative lotion for old sores and cancerous ulcers, 

 &c. and internally as an aperient and good diuretic: but Bromfield 

 was never able to obtain these effects in any sufficient degree. 



[Dioscorid. Linn. JVepfer. Lewis. Woodvillc. 



SECTION IV. 



Black Henbane. 

 Hyoscyamus Niger. Linn. 



There are eight species of henbane, chiefly natives of the Levant 

 and Palestine ; but the one before us is also common to our own 

 country. The root is biennial, long, compact, white, and beset 

 with many fibres : the stalk is erect, round, woody, branched, and 

 rises about two feet in height: the leaves are large, cut into irre- 

 gular lobes or pointed segments, of a sea-green colour, undulated, 

 woolly, and at their bases embrace the stem : the flowers are pro- 

 duced in irregular clusters at the tops of the branches ; they are 



p. 66,) relates that he drank an infusion of fifteen grains of the solanutn nigrum 

 without suffering any consequent complaint ; and that an epileptic patient took 

 from half a dram to two drams of the expressed juice of the plant, without per- 

 ceiving any narcotic symptom to follow ; nor with some soldiers, to whom a still 

 larger dose was given, together with two drams of the juice of the berries, was 

 any other effect produced than that of an increased quantity of urine. See 

 Murray, 1. c, 



* Mat. Med. lib. 4, c. 71. 



f With the Arabians it is a common application to burns and ulcer?. See 

 Forskol. Descript. Plant, c.2, p. 46. Ray also speaks highly of its effects in 

 indurations of the breast. See Hist. 1. c. 



J De Plant. 213. 



