American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

PREPARATIONS—
Extractum Stramonii Seminis, Extract of Stramonium Seed. Dose,
from one-sixth to one-half grain.
Unguentum Stramonii, Stramonium Ointment.
Extractum Stramonii Seminis Fluidum, Fluid Extract of
Stramonium Seed. Dose, from one to five minims.
Specific Medicine Stramonium. Dose, one-fourth to ten minims.
Physiological Action—The action of stramonium on man is similar to that
of belladonna. Moderate doses increase the frequency and fullness of the
pulse, with dizziness and perspiration; a larger dose (five grains of the
powdered leaves) causes nausea, thirst, dryness of the throat, difficulty of
speech, dilatation of the pupils, fever, relaxation of the bowels and
increase of urine; a poisonous dose causes delirium, with laughter,
loquacity, violent striking and biting, with grotesque hallucinations.
Daturine acts more powerfully than atropine, though its action is
regarded as identical. The resemblance between stramonium and
belladonna is a very close one.
Stramonium is a narcotic poison, a stimulant to the nerve force in its
direct effects, and profoundly so in its influence upon the sympathetic
nervous system.
Therapy—In proper doses it acts as a sedative and anodyne in a manner
similar to hyoscyamus. It is a remedy for excitable mania and acute
delirium, with violent uncontrollable tendencies. It has been given in
epilepsy for its soothing and tranquilizing effect, but its antispasmodic
influence is not sufficiently great to place it among the agents for this
disorder.
It has been given in neuralgias wherever located, and in neuralgic
dysmenorrhea. In hysterical mania, accompanied with convulsions,
epileptiform or other convulsions, it is an excellent remedy. In small
doses it will remove the globus hystericus.
It is credited with controlling the contractions and pain in approaching
miscarriage and abortion, and preventing those accidents.
In the treatment of that condition usually known as milk sickness in
malarial localities, Kipley claims to cure all cases with the freshly
bruised seeds of stramonium, giving as many as from fifteen to thirty seeds
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 167