On Poisonous Plants

§. 6.

From this it seems to be concluded that the boundaries between remedies and poisons are scarcely defined by anything other than what depends on the dose, age, constitution of the body, habit, and several other circumstances. Many substances called poisons in ancient times, and which were occasionally prohibited by the Magistrates for medical use—such as Antimony, Mercury, Arsenic, and even Opium—are now frequently called into use by cautious and skilled Physicians. Belladonna Deadly Nightshade, Mandragora Mandrake, Cicuta Hemlock, and many other Toxic substances, when prescribed with prudent judgment by experienced Physicians, have occasionally relieved stubborn diseases and demonstrated a longed-for healing power.

Let these things be said in general regarding remedies, which restore the equilibrium of impaired functions, and regarding poisons, which are able to destroy both vegetable and animal life.

§. 7.

Poisons, as well as health-giving remedies, are very numerous and greatly varied within the vegetable kingdom.

Let those substances be called remedies which act more mildly without danger, and let those be poisons properly speaking which are most dangerous and exert their power most violently.

To the class of remedies may be referred:

1. Sweet-smelling substances, such as Nyctanthes Night-flowering jasmine and Jasmine, whose flowers scatter a pleasing scent, and very many herbs from the class of didynamia A Linnaean botanical classification for plants with four stamens, two long and two short, abounding in a most sweet essential oil, especially Rosemary, Lavender, Mint, Basil, Germander, Thyme, Lemon Balm, and Sage: all of which are most friendly to our nerves and brain, being highly stimulating and relaxing; they are very often used in inflammations and in lethargic original: "soporosis," referring to diseases causing morbid sleep or drowsiness and paralytic diseases.