100 BRYONY. 



substance killed a rabbit in ten hours, and thirty-four grains 

 thrust under the skin of the neck and back of a dog, killed it in 

 fifty-eight hours, causing extensive inflammation and suppura- 

 tion around the wound. Bryonine therefore is a pure irritant, 

 which does not appear to act through absorption *. 



Poisonous Properties. — The improper administration of the 

 root of Bryony, has been followed by violent vomitings, accom- 

 panied with faintings, intense pain, profuse alvine evacuations, 

 and the other effects of an acrid cathartic. 



The following case of poisoning is recorded in a foreign pe- 

 riodical f. The writer says, "I was called a few days ago to 

 the assistance of a lying-in woman, whose infant was dead, and 

 to whom a surgeon in the village ordered a drink prepared with 

 an ounce of Bryony root infused in a quantity of water, and a 

 strong decoction of the same as a wash, to stop the secretion of 

 milk. On my arrival, four hours after this remedy bad been 

 taken, she expired." 



The treatment required, is nearly the same as that already 

 mentioned under Aconite, Arum, and Bearsfoot. " The inflam- 

 mation must be combated by emollient and mucilaginous drinks, 

 and the usual antiphlogistic measures. If the nervous system be 

 in a state of great excitement, recourse must be had to opiates 

 and the different medicines which are capable of diminish- 

 incf this excitement." Orjila. 



]\Iedical Properties and Uses. — The root has been long 

 known as a powerful cathartic and diuretic, and the juice ob- 

 tained from it by incision or otherwise, is a popular remedy in 

 many countries. In Germany and Sweden, the peasants scoop 

 out a portion of the root and fill the cavity with beer, which in 

 the course of a night becomes emetic and purgative. The milky 

 juice will exude for two or three days together in considerable 

 quantity, and may be collected as the cavity becomes full. It 

 was recommended by Dioscorides as a remedy in epilepsy. 

 Arnaldus mentions a case of epilepsy which was cured by these 

 means in three weeks. It has also been employed in dropsy, 

 asthma, hysteria, and obstructions of the viscera, in the quantity 

 of two or three spoonsful every morning. If it be found too 



* Noiivelle Bibliotheque Medicale, May, 1827- 

 ■)- Gazette de Sante, Dec. 181S. 



