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]