“ I have had the pain to be called to the Harrow Road, on two occasions, where the little sufferers 
died, from my visits being protracted to ten and twelve hours after the poisonous repast. In neither case 
could I obtain leave to inspect the bodies.” 
On animals, the berries of Solanum Dulcamara produce but little or no effect, as we have ascertained 
by experiments ; the results of which support the accuracy of those which are detailed in the work already 
referred to by M. Duval, entitled Histoire Naturelle, Mddicale, el Economique des Solanum. 
Medical Properties and Uses. — The effects of the Solanum Dulcamara are those of a narcotic, 
diaphoretic and diuretic : in large doses it produces nausea, vertigo, syncope, diarrhoea, and even death. 
Chronic rheumatism, gout, incipient phthisis, humoral asthma, jaundice, and several other diseases, are said 
to have been benefited by the use of this plant ; and although it is now but little employed, it has been 
highly recommended by Linnaeus, Carrere, and others, for its efficacy in herpetic diseases, scabies, &c. 
Murray, in his “ Apparatus Medicaminum,” says it promotes all the secretions ; and Bergius recom- 
mends its use in rheumatism. According to a letter from Sir Alexander Crichton, which is published in 
Dr. Willan’s celebrated work on Diseases of the Skin, only two cases of Lepra Gracorum, out of twenty- 
three, resisted its action. Psoriasis and pityriasis appeared also to be benefited by it. His mode of 
employing it is the following : Take of the stalk of Dulcamara, one ounce ; water a pound and a half ; 
boil to a pound, and strain when cold. Of this decoction, the patient is recommended to take two ounces, 
morning, noon, and evening, and to increase the doses till a pint is consumed a day. Where the skin is 
not in an inflamed or a very irritable state, a strong decoction may be applied, as a useful auxiliary. 
Dr. Crichton found that in delicate people, and hysterical women, it frequently produced syncope and 
slight palpitation of the heart, attended occasionally by nausea and giddiness. Our own experience con- 
firms these remarks; but if the dose be somewhat diminished, and an aromatic added, these symptoms 
cease. Professors Bigelow and Murray and Dr. Bateman confirm the utility of this medicine ; and the 
latter considers, that “ one of the most effectual remedies for lepra, under all its varieties, is the decoction 
of the leaves and twigs of the Solanum Dulcamara .” We have often given it to patients afflicted with 
the different varieties of lepra, and sometimes with success ; but as lepra is a disease, which, in this 
country, may be generally traced to a want of tone or vigour in the whole system, we prefer a general 
mode of treatment to a specific one ; and believe, that experience will confirm the propriety of this view of 
the subject. By some it is averred to be a valuable auxiliary to mercury, and as it is a medicine indigenous 
to our country, we should strongly recommend it to be employed on an extensive scale, in our hospitals, 
that its real powers may be ascertained. Dr. Cullen found different parcels of the herb to exhibit very dif- 
ferent degrees of strength ; but as we think with Professor Bigelow, that “the appearance of slight narcotic 
symptoms is an evidence of the goodness of the medicine,” we can regulate the dose by its effects. As it is 
an active medicine, it is proper to begin with small doses. Dr. R. Pearson, in his practical Synopsis of 
the Materia Medica, observes that an infusion or decoction of the stalks or twigs has been given with good 
effect in humoral asthma and dropsy. He recommends two drachms of the fresh stalks, chopped small, 
to be infused in eight ounces of boiling water. Of this infusion, which is a more certain preparation than 
the decoction, since by long boiling the active properties of the plant are mostly dissipated, two ounces 
may be given three or four times a day. Of the powder, which is rarely employed, the dose may be from 
one scruple to a drachm or more, gradually increased. 
Off. Prep. — Decoctum Dulcamarse. L. 
We do not know if any one has ever written a panegyric on digressions; if not, it should be done forth- 
with. How could didactic poets get on without them? Cowper’s Sofa is all digression, and if the Georgies 
had merely taught us how to clip vines, and rear bees, they would not have been the delight of every man 
of taste for nearly two thousand years. These considerations prompt us to wander from dulcamara to the 
spring’; though, indeed, there is a strong analogy between the subjects; are not the bright skies and sharp 
winds of April so many alternatives of sweets and bitters ? Let us indulge ourselves, then, with a quotation 
from one who writes upon the spring at once like a lover of nature and a scholar. 
