The instances recorded of deleterious consequences, ensuing from the Hyoscyamus incautiously taken, are exceedingly numerous. In a number of cases the roots have been introduced by mistake among culinary vegetables, and have occasioned alarming symptoms in whole families at once. In a case cited by Wepfer, the monks of a whole monastery, in consequence of some roots being boiled among those of chicory with their food, were seized with raving delirium, accompanied by intense thirst, impaired vision and other violent affections. Dr. Patouillat has recorded in the Philosophical Transactions, vol. 40, the case of nine persons, who were affected with loss of speech, convulsions, and at length with violent delirium. These symptoms subsided on the subsequent day, when it was found that some roots of Henbane had been dug up in the garden the preceding day by mistake for parsnips, and boiled in the soup on which the family had dined. Sir Hans Sloane, in the same Transactions for 1733, has given an instance of effects equally dangerous, occurring in some children who ate the capsules of this plant, supposing them to be filberds. Even the odour of this noxious vegetable seems capable of exciting its characteristic effects. In a case cited by Murray from the

Gazette de Sante of 1773-4, some servants who slept in a barn, where the Henbane had been scattered for a defense against rats, awoke with head-ach, dizziness and vomiting.

In instances where death has ensued from swallowing this plant, the stomach has been found to exhibit marks of inflammation, and dark or gangrenous spots.

The principal use which is made of Hyoscyamus in medicine, is as a substitute for opium, in cases where that article disagrees with the patient, or is contraindicated by particular symptoms. It It appears to be free from the constipating qualities of opium, and in some instances it is found to fulfil the indications which call for an anodyne and soporific remarkably well. Among medical writers who have spoken favourably of its operation are Dr. Whytt, who employed it in various nervous diseases, and Mr. Burns, author of different obstetric works, by whom it is recommended as preferable to opium in certain puerperal complaints. Mr. Benjamin Bell states, that he found great advantage from its use in troublesome cases of chordee, after opium had failed to give relief.

It must be acknowledged however, that Hyoscyamus is far less uniform and equal in its opera

tion than opium, and that although in some constitutions it mitigates pain, quiets irritation, and procures sleep; yet in others it produces unpleasant nausea, confusion of ideas, head-ach, and sleep which is laborious and unrefreshing. It is rather a secondary medicine, to be resorted to after the failure of opium, than one which we may confidently apply to at first, with reliance on its anodyne effects.

The Henbane was found efficacious in the disease of colica pictorum by Stoll and several others. Its external application in the form of a cataplasm of the bruised leaves has given relief in various tumors and painful affections.

For internal use the extract should be prepared in the same way as that of stramonium. From one to three grains of this extract is a suitable commencing dose, which may be gradually increased until its effects are perceived.

BOTANICAL REFERENCES.

Hyoscyamus niger, LINN. Sp. pl.-WOODVILLE, i. t. 52.SMITH, Engl. Bot. t. 591.-PURSH, i. 141.-Hyoscyamus flavus, FUCHSIUS, Hist. 791.-Hyoscyamus vulgaris, BAUHIN, J. iii. 627.

MEDICAL REFERENCES.

STOLL, ratio med. iii. 13, 423.-CULLEN, Mat. Med. ii. 271. FOTHERGILL, Med. Soc. Lond. i. 310.-HOME, clinical exp❜ts,

197.-WITHERING, Med. Comment. Dec. II, vi. 567.-KINGLAKE, Lond. Med. and Phys. Journal, v. 438.-BROWN, ditto, iii. 406.-MURRAY. App. Med. i. 655, &c. &c.

PLATE XVII.

Fig. 1. Hyoscyamus niger.

Fig. 2. Corolla laid open.

Fig. 3. Calyx.

Fig. 4. Calyx of the fruit laid open to shew the capsule within it,