350 THORN-APPLE. 



the details. Additional instances of poisoning by this narcotic vegetable, 

 may be found in the undermentioned works *. 



Treatment. — As the Thorn-apple is a common plant in gardens, the 

 seeds may be inadvertently swallowed by children. In such cases, the 

 prompt exhibition of an emetic, as sulphate of zinc, is advisable. When 

 the narcotic symptoms are increasing, the affusion of cold water upon the head 

 is highly useful in rousing the system and aiding the operation of the emetic. 

 As there is generally determination of blood to the head, bleeding is indi- 

 cated. The vegetable acids have been successfully administered, and Dr. 

 Christison mentions a case in which, after a strong glass of lemonade, vo- 

 miting was produced, and the symptoms gradually receded, when emetics 

 had been given without effect, and little amendment had been obtained 

 from blood-letting, leeches to the temples, cold to the head, or purgatives. 

 The exhibition of camphor lavements is stated to be highly beneficial. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — The ancients can scarcely 

 be said to have used the Stramonium medicinally ; indeed, its 

 deleterious properties have been a formidable barrier to its em- 

 ployment. It has been reserved for the physicians of the last 

 century to discover, that the dose, and the suitable administra- 

 tion of it, may convert the most deadly poison into a useful 

 medicine. Storck t was the first to institute experiments on 

 the therapeutical action of this plant in mania, epilepsy, and 

 convulsions, in some of which cases it proved beneficial. Gred- 

 ing X and others have made numerous trials of it in these affec- 

 tions, and, although in some cases it disappointed their expect- 

 ations, in others it produced the most salutary effects. Ber- 

 gius § says, " I have often known maniacs completely restored 

 by the use of the extract of Stramonium continued for some 

 time. I have also frequently cured the delirium supervening 

 to parturition with this extract after other remedies had failed, 

 and have found it equally efficacious in the melancholy produced 

 by excessive grief. If a seton in the neck be combined with 

 this remedy in mania, the disease is more quickly subdued." 



* Fowler, in Edin. Med. and Philos. Commentaries, vol. v. p. 161. — 

 Huckel, in Comm. Noric. 1744, p. 14 — Swaine, Essays and Observ. Phys. 

 and Lit., vol. ii. p. 247. — Gmelin, Gesch. der Pflazengifte, 421.— Edinburgh 

 Med. and Surg. Journal, xv. p. 154. — Journal de Chim. Med. vi. p. 722. — 

 Orfila, Toxicol. Gen. ii. p. 247- 



f Libell. de Stramonio, Hyoscyamo, &c. Vindob. 1762. 



% In Ludwig Advers. Med. Pract. v. i. p. 259. — Wedenburg Diss, de 

 Stramonii usu. Ups. 1772. — Strandenberg om Chron. Sjukd. p. 16. 



§ Mat. Med. torn. i. p. 122. 



