This section is from the book "The Engineer's And Mechanic's Encyclopaedia", by Luke Hebert. Also available from Amazon: Engineer's And Mechanic's Encyclopaedia.
A new vegetable alkali, extracted by Dr. Brande from the hyoscyamus nigra, or henbane. It is a strong poison. The vapour is extremely prejudicial to the eyes; the smallest morsel of the alkali upon the tongue is dangerous. Nevertheless preparations of it are very advantageous, given in medicine, by eminent practitioners.
 
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