NIGHTSHADE. 175 



that tremors, disordered vision, giddiness, and various nervous 

 affections have prevailed for three or four weeks *. In cases of 

 death, the morbid appearances are swellings of the body, blood 

 flowing from the nose, mouth, and ears, and the most rapid de- 

 composition. 



Some difference of opinion exists as to which is the most 

 active part of the plant. The berries have been generally con- 

 sidered the most virulent ; and both the pulp and the seeds 

 appear to be possessed of poisonous qualities ; as Gmelinf re- 

 lates an instance in which the juice of the berries, mixed with 

 wine, proved fatal ; and we are informed, that the largest quan- 

 tity of Atropia may be obtained from the seeds. The herba- 

 ceous part of the plant is usually employed medicinally, but it is 

 probable, that the berries would furnish a more purely narcotic 

 product. The root appears to be more active than the leaves. 

 " From one to four grains of the dried powder of the root will 

 occasion extraordinary dryness in the throat, giddiness, stagger- 

 ing, flushed face, dilated pupils, and sometimes even delirium. 

 The extract from the leaves is also very energetic. It appears, 

 however, to be a very uncertain preparation, unless when pro- 

 cured by evaporation in vacuo, for some samples from the Paris- 

 ian shops have been found by Orfila to be quite inert." J 



Treatment. — The remedies to be employed in cases of 

 poisoning by this plant vary according to circumstances. The 

 first thing to be administered is an emetic, such as a few grains 

 of emetic tartar, sulphate of zinc or copper ; tickling the throat 

 with a feather, affusions of cold water upon the head, copious 

 draughts of vinegar, or some vegetable acid, are very useful 

 secondary means, especially as the torpidity of stomach in- 

 duced by this poison is sometimes so great, that Haller has 

 known fourteen grains of emetic tartar to be taken with scarcely 

 any effect. If the stupor be very alarming, bleeding from the 

 jugular vein is necessary ; stimulants may be applied to the 

 nose, and frictions over the region of the heart. If a con- 

 siderable time has elapsed and inflammatory symptoms ap- 

 pear, emetics are improper, and vomiting should be excited 

 by mechanical means only ; after which, warm liquids, mucila- 



• Magazin fur die gessammte Heilkunde, xxi. 550. 



f Geschichte des Pflanzengifte, p. 527. 



$ Christison, Treatise on Poisons, 3d ed. p. 701. 



