SOIvANACEAE — BLACK HENBANE 



727 



heart, and does not paralyze the vagus terminations, nor depress the motor and sensory 

 nerves or muscles. The circulation is but slightly influenced, and vasomotor depression 

 only occurs in the latter stage of lethal poisoning. Death occurs from paralysis of the 

 respiratory centers. Poisoning in animals is exhibited by loss of muscular power, slowing 

 and failure of respiration, dryness of the mouth, stupor and asphyxia. The pulse may be 

 infrequent, the pupils are dilated and the skin is moist rather than dry. Delirium and 

 convulsions sometimes occur in man. The effect of the combined action of hyoscyamin 

 and hyoscin in Hyoscyamus is shown when we compare the drug with belladonna. Hyoscyamus 

 is more of a cerebral sedative and hypnotic, and less of a heart and respiratory stimulant. 

 It is said to possess more power in overcoming spasm, and griping of cathartics, and in 

 aiding intestinal movement. Hyoscyamus is also thought to exert a more pronounced 

 antispasmodic action than belloaonna upon the smooth muscles of the bladder and urethra. 



Blyth gives the action of hyoscyamin as follows: 



Thirty-two mgrs. (^ gr.) begins to act within a quarter of an hour, the face flushes, 

 the pupils dilate, there is no excitement, all muscular motion is enfeebled, and the patient 

 remains quiet for many hours: 64.8 mgrs. would possibly be a fatal dose. The root is 



Fig. 425. Black Henbane. (Hyoscyamus niger). At the left, open corolla, and 

 flowering branch. At the right, longitudinal section of flower. A well known 

 medicinal plant. (From Vesque's Traite de Botanique). 



more poisonous than the leaves, and the seeds of Datura contain a considerable quantity of 

 hyoscyamin; they are often mistaken for other seeds such as poppy. 



Many cases of children being poisoned by this seed are recorded. One 

 instance is given by Schimfky where of two children who had eaten the seeds 

 of the plant, one died before purgative action could be produced. The second 

 child slowly recovered but growth was checked. 



5. Nicotiana (Tourn.) L. Tobacco 



Rank, viscid-pubescent narcotic herbs or shrubs; leaves alternate, entire; 

 ilowers borne in panicled racemes; calyx tubular, bell-shaped, S-cleft; corolla 

 funnel-form or salver- form, the limb with five separating lobes; stamens S, 

 inserted on the tube of the corolla; dehiscence of the anthers longitudinal; 

 ovary 2-celled; stigma capitate; capsule 2-valved; seeds numerous, small. 

 About 50 species nearly "all native of North America. 



Nicotiana Tabacum L. Common Tobacco 



A coarse annual from 4-6 feet high; leaves lanceolate, ovate, decurrent. 



