Stramonium, Thornapple or Jimson Weed. In large doses (f.e. [assayed] of leaves, 2 to 5 I.; of seed, 2 to 4 I.) a potent antispasmodic and anodyne, similar in influence to belladonna, but preferred in asthmatic attacks. It does not act so well as does belladonna in inflammatory and febrile states. In spasmodic asthma, 10 to 20 gr. of the dried leaves may be smoked in a pipe. It can be used in large doses in mania and convulsions, dysmenorrhea, chorea, and hydrophobia, but is inferior to other agents. In small doses (f.e. or ec. tr., 1/4 to I I..) it is a good cough sedative, is employed in retention of urine from spasm of the neck of the bladder, and in various conditions of brain irritation and sexual excitement. Small doses are said to remove the globus hystericus and to relieve muscular tremblings of functional or reflex origin.

An ointment composed of I part opium. 4 parts extract of stramonium, and 16 parts of vaseline is used in rheumatism, hemorrhoids, glandular swellings, and painful areas. Fresh leaves stewed in lard make an excellent ointment. Daturine has no well-established chemical identity, being usually a mixture of alkaloids. Atropine is similar in action, and much more reliable.