352 THORN-APPLE. 



is commonly followed by drowsiness. To produce its proper 

 effect, the fumes should be fully inhaled, and not merely re- 

 ceived into the mouth, and then puffed out again. Mr. Waller * 

 recommends a mixture of one-third of the dried leaves, with 

 two-thirds of the herb tobacco, mentioned under the article 

 Coltsfoot. He has seen great benefit result from this combina- 

 tion, and recommends it to such as labour under asthma, or 

 troublesome irritating coughs. 



The root of Thorn-Apple is given by the native practitioners 

 in the Carnatic in violent headaches. 



As an external application, the foliage of this plant has its 

 advocates. It has been applied in the form of decoction or 

 cataplasm to chancres and cancer, to burns f and haemorrhoids, 

 to certain inflammatory and painful tumours, and is said to 

 dissipate indurated milk in the breasts of nurses. The oint- 

 ment is a useful application to haemorrhoidal tumours. 



The dried and powdered leaves may be given in the dose of 

 two or three grains, gradually increased. Storck's extract was 

 made from the inspissated juice of the plant, the commencing 

 dose of which is one grain. The British Pharmacopoeias order 

 an extract from the seeds as follows : 



EXTRACT OF THORN-APPLE J. 



Take of Thorn-Apple seeds fifteen ounces. 



Boiling water one gallon. 



Macerate for four hours in a covered vessel near the fire ; take out the 

 seeds, bruize them in a stone mortar, and return them to the liquor. 

 Then, boil down to four pints and strain the liquor while hot. Lastly, 

 evaporate it until it acquire a proper consistence. 



Dose. — Half a grain to two grains in the form of pills ; in- 

 creasing the quantity by degrees to ten or twelve grains. 



* Brit. Dom. Herb. p. 335. 



f Our old friend, Gerard, appears entitled to the discovery of its use in 

 burns, &c. He says, " the juice of Thorn-Apple boiled with hogs-grease to 

 the form of an vnguent or salue, cures all inflammations whatsoever, all 

 manner of burnings or scaldings, as well of fire, water, boiling lead, gun- 

 powder, as that which comes by lightning, and that in very short time, as 

 my selfe have found by my daily practice^to my great credit and profit."— 

 Herb. em. p. 349. 



1 Pharm. Lond. 1836. 



