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The respected horticultural reference “Hortus Third ” states: “The leaves and seeds of the species yield alkaloidal drugs with narcotic properties and have been used since ancient times.”

Since the active alkaloidal and resinoidal principles of roots, barks and gums have been isolated and put in better and more convenient forms, there is no longer need of alcoholic tinctures and elixirs.

Recent investigations, however, show that there is no alkaloidal material in oats, and whatever stimulating effect they may have results from the nutrients they contain.

It may be found in the urine; gives usual alkaloidal reactions, but no distinctive chemical test known.

Another class of bases of an alkaloidal nature, are termed ptomaines; these differ from the leucomaines, being produced by putrefactive or bacterial agency from dead flesh.