MATERIA MEDIC A. 109 



Duboisia Hopwoodi, F. von Muell. ( = D. myoporoides, 

 R. Br.), the broken leaves and twigs of which form 

 PlTURl, which is chewed by the Australian natives 

 as a stimulating tonic, or intoxicant. It contains 

 Hyoscyamine and Duboisine ; and, on its introduc- 

 tion to medicine by Dr. Bancroft, about 1873, proved 

 to be a powerful mydriastic, one part in 32,000 suf- 

 ficing to dilate the pupil.* 



Fabiana imbricata, Ruiz and Pavon, of Chili and the 

 Argentine, contains FABIANINE, and has proved ser- 

 viceable in cystitis. f 



SCROPHULARIACE^E. 



Digitalis purpurea, L., the FOXGLOVE, a favourite 

 British flowering plant, was mainly introduced into 

 medicine by Withering. J It is a powerful poison, 

 reducing the action of the heart ; but its dried leaves 

 are used as a sedative and diuretic. 



ACANTHACE.E. 



Andrographis paniculata, Nees, the KARIYAT of 

 India, is used, like Chiretta, Gentian, or Quassia, as a 

 stomachic bitter tonic. 



Hygrophila spinosa, Vel., is recommended as a 

 diuretic.|| 



SESAMES. 

 Sesamum indicum, X)C., indigenous to India, but 



* G. Bennett, ' Pharm. Journ.,' iv (1873), P l8 4 I v 0877), 

 p. 878 ; viii (1878), pp. 705, 720 ; ix (1879), P- 638- 



f Christy, No. 10, p. 108. 



Withering, William, * Account of the Foxglove/ 8vo., Bir- 

 mingham, 1785. Bentley and Trimen, iii., pi. 195. 

 Ibid., pi. 197. || Christy, No. J.o, p. in. 



