MATERIA MEDIC A. 107 



Ipomcea simulans, Hanbury, TAMPICO JALAP, is 

 often, /. orizabensis, Ledanois, ORIZABA-ROOT, more 

 rarely, imported in lieu of the true Jalap.* 



SOLANACE^E. 



Solanum paniculatum, L., JURUBEBA, of Brazil, is 

 suggested as a tonic and diuretic, in syphilis, etc.f 



Solanum Dulcamara, L., the BITTERSWEET, or 

 WOODY NIGHTSHADE of our hedge-rows, though used 

 in the form of a decoction of the leaves and stalks, 

 which have a taste at first bitter and then sweet, has 

 no certain value.J 



CAPSICUMS, the fruits of Capsicum fastigiatum, 

 Blume, and C. annum, L., already alluded to (p. 64, 

 supra), are of use as digestives, and in gargles. 



A tropa Belladonna, L., the DEADLY NIGHTSHADE, 

 not uncommon on our limestone hills, is a powerful 

 narcotic poison. Its leaves, and especially its roots, 

 contain the alkaloid Atropine, C 17 H 23 NO 3 . This pro- 

 duces contraction of the iris, i.e., dilation of the pupil 

 of the eye, whence its use in ophthalmic medicine, and 

 by the ladies of Venice in the sixteenth century, 

 from which it derived the name ' Bella donna.' || 



Datura Stramonium, L., the THORN-APPLE, ap- 

 parently a native of the Caspian region,^!" D. Tatula, 

 L., of America, D. fastuosa, L., and D. alba, Nees, 

 both Indian plants, contain in their leaves and seeds 



* ' Pharmacographia,' pp. 401-2. Bentley and Trimen, iii., 

 pi. 185-187. 



t Christy, 'New Commercial Plants,' No. 10, p. 101. 



t Bentley and Trimen. Iii., pi. 190. Ibid., pi. 188, 189. 



|| Ibid., pi. 193. \ Ibid., pi. 192. ' Pharmacographia/ pp. 

 412-16. 



