‖ Physostigma Bot.
(faɪsəʊˈstɪgmə)
[mod.L., f. Gr. ϕῦσα bladder + στίγµα stigma.]
A genus of leguminous plants, the flower of which has a spiral keel, and a bent style continued into an oblique hood above the stigma; the only species is P. venenosum, producing the highly poisonous Calabar bean. Hence, The Calabar bean or its extract as a drug.
| 1864 N. Syd. Soc. Year-bk. Med. 428 Dr. Fraser has used the physostigma internally in cases of erysipelas. 1878 A. Hamilton Nerv. Dis. 118 Physostigma, aconite, and other cardiac sedatives may be mentioned as other anæmiants. 1880 Garrod & Baxter Mat. Med. 322 The..administration of an appropriate dose of physostigma. |