372 SOME REPUTED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 



The following references to the alkaloid are taken from 

 Martindale and Westcott's Extra Fharmacopceia. 



It dilates the pupil, dries the mouth, checks perspiration^ 

 causes headache and drowsiness, antagonises muscarine; on the 

 eye it acts more promptly than atropine {Lancet, i., 1878, 304). 



Eight cases of toxic symptoms, giddiness, delirium, and dryness 

 of the mouth from use of eyedrops four grains to the ounce 

 (Z., ii., 1879, 353). 



As a mydriatic it is much stronger than atropine. Its use 

 requires care ; it is apt to produce giddiness, &c., and even 

 delirium (Z., ii., 1879, 441). 



Its action relative to atropine, physiologically, &c. {Practitioner, 

 xxiii. 246). 



Therapeixtic and physiological effects. Differs from atropine 

 by the persistence and greater rapidity of its action on the muscle 

 of accommodation ; is a useful calmative in maniacal delirium ; as 

 a sedative ointment 1 in 500 of vaseline applied night and day is 

 useful in inflammation of the cornea {Pr., xxv. 294). 



In exophthalmic goitre, jig grain two or three times a day gives 

 great relief {B. M. J., i., 1883, 958). 



Resume oi its physiological properties in Lancet, ii., 1881, 806 ; 

 British Medical Journ., ii., 1879, 362, ii., 1881, 529 ; Trans. Med. 

 Congress, 1881, i., 511. 



This tree is also found in Queensland. 



26. Erythema australis, R.Br., N.O. Gentianeae, B.Fl., iv., 



371. 

 " Native Centaury." 



This plant is useful as a tonic medicine, especially in diarrhcea 

 and dysentery. The whole plant is used (not the root alone, as 

 in the case of gentian, for it is very small in the plant), and is 

 pleasantly bitter. It is common enough in grass-land. It 

 appears to be increasing in popularity as a domestic remedy. 

 The first reference to its use I can find is in Woolls' " Flora of 



