262 VEGETABLE POISONS. 



powdered leaves, after the manner of those directed of hemlock, 

 would seem, for the reason there given, to be a preparation more 

 certain and convenient. Greding found the strength of the extract 

 to vary exceedingly ; that which he obtained from Ludwig, was 

 a much more powerful medicine than that which he had of 

 Stoerck. 



Externally the leaves of stramonium have been used as an appli- 

 cation to inflammatory tumours and burns ; in the latter a remark- 

 able instance is noticed by Gerard. 



The leaves have lately been dried and smoked as a remedy for 

 the asthma ; in many cases there has been evident advantage. But 

 so far as our observations have extended, the plant loses this part 

 of its benefit by use : the patient who has smoked it for some 

 months, or even weeks, no longer finding his respiration improved 

 hereby. 



\Woodville. Fowler. Luclwig. Editor. 



SECTION VI. 



Vomic'Nut. 

 Strychnos Nux Vomica. Linv. 



This is a large tree which sends off numerous strong branches, 

 covered with dark grey smooth bark. The young branches have 

 swelled articulations, or a knotty jointed appearance, scandent, and 

 covered with bark of a dark green colour. The leaves arise at the 

 joints in pairs, upon short footstalks, and are ovate, broad, pointed, 

 entire, with three or five ribs, and on the upper side of a shining 

 green colour. The flowers terminate the branches in a kind of fas. 

 ciculated umbel. Calyx small, tubular, five toothed. Corol 

 monopetalous : tube cylindrical, or rather inflated at the middle, 

 very long, and at the limb cut into five small ovate segments. Fila- 

 ments five, short, fixed at the mouth of the tube, and furnished with 

 simple anthers. Germ roundish, supporting a simple style, ter. 

 mmated by a blunt stigma. Fruit a round smooth large pulpy 

 berry, externally yellow, and containing round depressed seeds, 

 covered with downy radiated hairs. 



It is a native of the East Indies, and, according to the Hortus 

 Kewensis, was introduced into England in ] 778, by Dr. Patrick 



