[426]. The root of this plant seems to partake of the same qualities as the leaves, but is perhaps less virulent:
“Or have we eaten of the insane root,
That takes the reason prisoner.”
Macbeth.
The Belladonna is supposed by Sauvage to be the plant that produced such extraordinary effects upon the Roman Soldiers during their retreat, under the command of Anthony, from the Parthians, when they are said to have “suffered great distress for want of provisions, and were urged to eat unknown plants; among others they met with a herb that was mortal: he that had eaten of it lost his memory and his senses, and employed himself wholly in turning about all the stones he could find, and after vomiting up bile, fell down dead.” (Plutarch’s Life of Anthony.) The Scotch historian Buchannan relates, “that the Scots mixed a quantity of the juice of the Belladonna (Solanum Somniferum) with the bread and drink which by their truce they were to supply the Danes with, which so intoxicated them that the Scots killed the greater part of Sweno’s army.”
[427]. Fumigating Pastilles. Benzoin generally constitutes the chief ingredient in these compositions, to which may be added any variety of odoriferous substances; the following formula may be offered as a specimen: ℞. Benzoin ʒj, Cascarillæ ʒss, Myrrh ℈j, Olei nuc. moschat. ol. Caryophyll. āā gr. x. potassæ nitratis ʒss, carb. ligni ʒvj. mucilag. gum. Trag. q. s.
[428]. Virgin’s Milk. A spirituous solution of Benzoin mixed with about twenty parts of rose water, forms a cosmetic long known by this name. Under the same title also a very different preparation is sold, vid. Liquor Plumbi sub-acetatis.
Friar’s Balsam, Wade’s Drops, Jesuit’s Drops.—These preparations are nothing more than the Tinctura Benzoini composita.
Pectoral Balsam of Honey.—Is merely the tincture of Benzoin, or that of Tolu.
Essence of Coltsfoot.—This preparation consists of equal parts of the Balsam of Tolu, and the Compound Tincture of Benzoin, to which is added double the quantity of rectified Spirit of Wine; and this forsooth is a Pectoral for Coughs! If a patient with a pulmonary affection should recover during the use of such a remedy, I should certainly designate it as a lucky Escape, rather than as a skilful Cure.