The action of drugs as charms is much in evidence in "Othello." The father of Desdemona accuses the Moor of having
"Practised on her with foul charms,
Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
That awaken motion."
And again Brabantio tells the Duke that Desdemona has been stolen from him
"And corrupted
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks."
These allusions all occur in scenes 2 and 3 of the first Act; in the latter also Iago promises Roderigo that Desdemona shall soon be to Othello "bitter as coloquintida." At the end of this play Othello describes his "subdued eyes dropping tears as fast as the Arabian trees their medicinal gum."
Autolycus refers to aqua vitæ as a restorative in the "Winter's Tale" (Act IV., Sc. 3), as does the nurse in "Romeo and Juliet" when she finds her mistress dead (Act IV., Sc. 5). The "popinjay" takes snuff in "Henry IV." (part I., Act I., Sc. 3), Cleopatra calls for mandragora to drink "that I might sleep out this great gap of time my Antony is away" ("Ant. and Cleop.," Act I., Sc. 5). "Not poppy nor mandragora, nor all the drowsy syrups of the world," said Iago, shall medicine Othello against the poison he has given him ("Othello," Act III., Sc. 3). "Sleepy drinks" are mentioned in the "Winter's Tale," (Act I., Sc. 1), and in the same play ("Winter's Tale," Act II., Sc. 1) Shakespeare uses the word "land-damn," which some of his commentators have been disposed to identify with laudanum. The King of Sicily grossly insults his wife, Hermione, declaring her to be an adultress,
