46 LEAVES 



it is more probable that these are formed from hyoscyamine during the process 

 of extraction. Hyoscyamine is also found in Hyoscyamus niger, in Hyoscyamus 

 muticus (see p. 53), in Datura Stramonium, as well as in other species of 

 Datura, and is often accompanied by scopolamine (hyoscine) (compare * Bella- 

 donna Root '). For the distribution of the alkaloid in the various parts of the 

 plant compare * Stramonium Leaves.' 



Duboisine, the alkaloid from the Australian Duboisia myoporoides appears 

 to consist of hyoscyamine or scopolamine according to the variety of drug from 

 which it is obtained. 



Adulterations. (1) The leaves of Scopola carniolica, Jacquin, 

 a Solanaceous plant widely distributed in Hungary ; they closely 

 resemble belladonna leaves, but are more lanceolate, more trans- 

 lucent, brighter in colour, and with more distinct veinlets ; the 

 crystal cells are less numerous, hairs are absent, and stomata occur 

 on the under surface only ; they are usually accompanied by the 

 fruit which is a nearly spherical pyxis almost completely covered 

 by the papery calyx, that of belladonna being a berry ; they contain 

 hyoscyamine and scopolamine (0'5 per cent.) 



(2) The leaves of Phytolacca decandra, Linne ; these may be dis- 

 tinguished by containing acicular crystals of calcium oxalate, and by 

 the epidermal cells which are elongated and straight-walled. 



(^ The leaves of Ailanthus glandulosa, Desfontaines (N.O. Simaru- 

 bece) ; these have cluster-crystals of calcium oxalate along the veins. 



Other leaves have also been found in the commercial drug, but 

 the microscopical characters of the true drug generally suffice for 

 its identification. 



-Belladonna acts as a local anaesthetic and anodyne, and 

 is used externally to relieve pain. Internally, it is given to check 

 the sweating in phthisis, as a sedative to the respiratory nerves, to 

 relieve spasmodic cough, and in numerous other cases. 



STRAMONIUM LEAVES 



(Folia Stramonii) 



Source, &c. The thornapple, Datura /Stramonium, Linne (N.O. 

 Solanacece), is a large bushy annual attaining about 1 metre in height, 

 a native probably of the shores of the Caspian Sea, but found commonly 

 on waste ground throughout the temperate and warmer regions, 

 abundant in South Africa, and met with occasionally in England, 

 escaped from cultivation. It is cultivated in this country, but our 

 supply of the drug is derived largely from Germany, France, and 

 Hungary. The introduction of stramonium into medicine is due 

 chiefly to the exertions of Storck in the latter half of the eighteenth 

 century. The leaves only are official, but usually the young shoots 

 are collected when the plant is in flower and dried. 



