_Hemlock._—A powerful narcotic, producing giddiness, elevation of
spirits, and other symptoms of ebriety. It was by an infusion of the leaf
of this plant that Socrates was poisoned.
_Leopard’s-bane._—(_Arnica montana._)—Properties analogous to those of
hemlock and other narcotics.
_Bangue._—This is the leaf of a species of wild hemp, growing on
the shores of Turkey, and of the Grecian Archipelago. It possesses
many of the properties of opium, and is used by the poorer classes
of Mussulmen as a substitute for this drug. Before being used, it is
dried, and the exsiccated leaves are either chewed entire, or reduced
into a fine powder, and made into pills. Its effects are to elevate the
spirits, dispel melancholy, and give increased energy to the corporeal
faculties—followed by languor both of body and mind.
_Hop._—Similar in its effects to opium, only inferior in degree. Used in
porter brewing.
_Wolf’s-bane._—(_Aconitum napellus._)—A most deadly narcotic, producing,
in small doses, the usual symptoms of ebriety, such as giddiness,
elevation of spirits, &c. When taken to excess it is inevitably fatal.
_Cocculus Indicus._—The intoxicating powers of this berry are
considerable. It is used by the brewers to increase the strength of
porter and ales; and is sometimes thrown into ponds for the purpose of
intoxicating the fishes, that they may thereby be more easily caught.
_Foxglove._—(_Digitalis._)—Likewise a powerful narcotic, and capable of
producing many of the symptoms of drunkenness. It has the peculiar effect
of lowering, instead of raising the pulse.
_Nightshade._-(_Belladonna._)—This is one of the most virulent narcotics
we possess. Like opium, hop, and cocculus Indicus, it is used by brewers
to augment the intoxicating properties of malt liquors. “The Scots,” says
Buchanan, “mixed a quantity of the juice of the belladonna with the bread
and drink, with which, by their truce, they were bound to supply the
Danes, which so intoxicated them, that the Scots killed the greater part
of Sweno’s army.”
“Some children ate, in a garden, the fruit of the belladonna, (_deadly
nightshade_.) Shortly after, they had burning fever, with convulsions,
and very strong palpitations of the heart: they lost their senses, and
became completely delirious: one of them, four years of age, died the
next day: the stomach contained some berries of the belladonna crushed,
and some seeds; it exhibited three ulcers; the heart was livid, and the
pericardium without serosity.”[20]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account