eighteen minutes.[1] This poison, therefore, like other narcotics, acts through absorption. But it is far from being energetic. The extract is very uncertain in strength,—as may indeed be inferred from the variable nature of the processes by which it is prepared.
Lactucarium, the inspissated juice, especially that obtained from L. virosa, is obviously a more active preparation than the extract. Doses of no great magnitude kill small animals. But there is a want of good observations on its effects and energy as a poison. Of Poisoning with Solanum.
Different species of solanum, a genus of the same natural order with the hyoscyamus, have been considered by Orfila to possess the same properties, though in a much feebler degree. The S. dulcamara or bittersweet has been erroneously believed by some to possess distinct narcotic properties.[2] M. Dunal found that a dog might take 180 of the berries or four ounces of the extract without any inconvenience, and quotes an experiment on the human subject where thirty-two drachms of extract were taken in two doses also without injury.[3] If it has any power at all, therefore, it must possess too little to be entitled to the name of a poison. Chevallier says he knew an instance of a druggist's apprentice being attacked with deep somnolency for ten hours after carrying a large bundle of it on his head;[4] but some other cause may be justly suspected to have here been in operation. The S. nigrum or common nightshade has been made the subject of experiment by Orfila, who found its extract to possess nearly the power and energy of lettuce-opium.[5] The following seems a genuine case of poisoning with the berries of this species. Three children near Nantes in France were seized with severe headache, giddiness, colic, nausea, and vomiting. One of them then had excessive dilatation of the pupils, sweating and urgent thirst; loss of voice, stertorous breathing, and tetanic spasms ensued; and in twelve hours he died. Another had swelling of the face, alternate contraction and dilatation of the pupils, repeated vomiting, and eventually coma; but he recovered. The third was similarly, but more slightly affected, and also recovered. The children who recovered pointed out the berries they had eaten; which were found to be those of S. nigrum.[6] The S. fuscatum is rather more active, fifteen berries having caused hurried breathing and vomiting.[7] The S. mammosum is also probably an active species, the capsule of the berries having been known to excite vomiting, giddiness, and confusion of mind.[8] In the S. nigrum and dulcamara, M. Desfosses discovered in 1821 a peculiar alkaloid, which induces somnolency in animals, but is not a very active poison.[9]
- ↑ Toxicol. Gén. ii. 184.
- ↑ Dr. Schlegel, in Hufeland's Journal, liv. ii. 29.
- ↑ Histoire des Solanum. 1813.
- ↑ Annales d'Hyg. Publique et de Méd. Légale, viii. 334.
- ↑ Toxicol. Gén. ii. 190.
- ↑ Journal de Chimie Médicale, 1840, 142.
- ↑ Dunal, &c.
- ↑ M. Des-Alleurs in Journ de Chim. Méd. ii. 30.
- ↑ Bulletins de la Soc. Méd. d'Emul.—Mars, 1821.
