480 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



Among the poisonous species, one of the most striking is the Acocanthera 

 venenata, a large bush with fragrant flowers, found at the Cape of Good Hope ; 

 a decoction of its bark is said to be a fatal poison, and is used by the Hotten- 

 tots to destroy wild beasts. (Thunberg, ii. 173.) Some of the Oestrums, as 

 the macrophyllum and noctumum, are also very poisonous ; an extract made 

 from the berries of the latter, has been given in doses of 2 — 5 grains in chorea 

 with some success. (Flor. Med. Antill., iii. 47.) Others of this genus, as 

 C. par qui, bracteatum, &c, are found to have a diuretic action, and are also 

 emollient, and applied to ulcers and wounds ; the unripe fruits are said to be 

 used in Brazil in affections of the liver and bladder. (Martins.) The ripe 

 berries of C. tinctorium afford an indelible ink ; but other properties belong 

 to species of this genus, as C. hediunda, pseudoquina, and laurifolium, are 

 used as tonics and febrifuges, and also applied externally, in decoction, in 

 oedema and haemorrhoids. [Martius.) The different species of Physalis are 

 of some importance ; the root of P. flexuosa, is considered in India as deob- 

 struent and diuretic, and also to possess some alexipharmic powers, and the 

 leaves, dipped in castor oil, are applied to carbuncular swellings. (Ainslie, 

 ii. 14.) The leaves of P. somnifera are thought, in Egypt, to dissipate local 

 pains and inflammations ; the roots are narcotic. (Forskal. 99.) The P. 

 alkekengi has been celebrated as a diuretic from the time of Dioscorides, and 

 has been employed in jaundice, retention of urine, &c, and Ray says the 

 berries will prevent an attack of gout. (Murray, Apparat. Med. i. 679.) 

 Our native species have also been prescribed as diuretics and sedatives. The 

 berries of all of them are edible; they are acid with a slight bitterness. 



The leaves of some species of Saracha, found in Peru, are bitter, and are 

 employed in the form of an ointment as anodyne and emollient. (Ruiz and 

 Pavon.) The Himeranthns uncinatus of South America, is considered, by 

 the natives, as an aphrodisiac, and as inciting to the passion of love. In the 

 genus Lycium, the L. umbrosum is esteemed as a remedy in erysipelas, in 

 New Grenada. (Humboldt, Nov. Gen. iii. 54.) The Lycion of Dioscorides, 

 so lauded as an astringent, and employed in dysentery, ulcers in the mouth, 

 &c, is thought by Linnseus and Prosper Alpinus to be a plant of this genus ; 

 the latter writer figures the L. afrum as best agreeing with the description ; 

 other authors, however, state that it was Catechu. 



SoLANuai. — Linn. 



Calyx persistent, 5 — 10-parted. Corolla rotate, tube very short ; limb 4 — 6-cleft, spread- 

 ing. Anthers 4 — 6, partly united, oblong, opening at point by two pores. Berry 2 — 6- 

 cellcd, many-seeded. Embryo spiral. 



A very large genus of herbaceous or shrubby plants, naked or aculeate, 

 but seldom spiny, with the leaves simple, but often sinuately lobed, sometimes 

 pseudo-pinnate, or growing in pairs ; peduncles several or solitary. Pubes- 

 cence stellate. With a few exceptions the species are indigenous to the warm 

 portions of America, extending also to Asia and Africa. 



S. dulcamara, Linn. — Stem twining, shrubby, without thorns. Upper leaves hastate. 

 Racemes compound, corymbiform, drooping. 



Linn., Sp. PL 264; Woodville, t. 33; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 17; 

 Rafincsque, Med. Flor. ii. 86; Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot.'\. 169; Lindley, 

 Flor. Med. 511. 



Common Names. — Bitter sweet ; Woody Nightshade. 



Foreign Names. — Douce amere, Fr. ; Dulcamara, It. ; Bittersuss, Ger. 





