108 
ON NARCOTIC PLANTS IN THE UNITED STATES. 
the addition of a solution of tannin, however, precipitates of the 
tannate of conia were thrown down, which precipitates, after 
being collected and dried without artificial heat, weighed from the 
American plant 3, and from the English 3J grains. 
The effects on the system of the extract from this plant, par- 
ticularly as an antispasmodic and anodyne, afford still stronger 
proofs in favor of our own preparation, as being at least equal to 
that which we import: besides being several times tried in private 
practice, it was, through the kindness of the resident physicians, 
substituted for the foreign article in three of our public institu- 
tions, and the result carefully noted. In no instance was it found 
inferior to the preparation before in use, and in one case it was 
thought to be decidedly more active. 
The Belladonna and Hyoscyamus experimented upon were from 
plants cultivated expressly for the purpose ; a rich loose soil was 
found best suited to their developernent, their growth was luxuriant 
and even rank, reminding one of the stramonium found wild in the 
neighborhood of this city. The herb was collected during the time 
of flowering in the second year; the average size of the leaf was in 
the Hyoscyamus greater, and in the Belladonna about the same as 
in the English plants ; the peculiar odor exhaled by the former, 
while growing, was so strong as to have a sensible effect on per- 
sons remaining for some time near it. An extract was prepared 
from each in the same manner as from the conium, and it was in 
this form that their curative powers were tested ; the trial was an 
extended and I believe a thorough one, having been continued for 
some months. The result as noted by persons intimately acquaint- 
ed with the action of these medicines, has been even more favor- 
able to the American plants than we could have expected, as in 
every case in which they were employed, they were found quite 
as speedy and efficacious in their action as any preparation before 
in use. The important position which Belladonna now occupies 
in the treatment of diseases of the eye, from its power of dilating 
the pupil, induced me to have it separately tried for this purpose. 
This was effected through the kindness of Dr. Mclntyre, of the 
Wills Hospital, who used it for some time in that institution, 
without finding it at all inferior to the English extracts hereto- 
fore used. 
