BELLADONNA.

855

n}' Xx ix. p. 200; and Schiibler and Zeller, Schweigger's Journ. f. d.1827, B. 50, S. 54-66).

^ an ^ ma ^ s generally. —Belladonna proves poisonous to mammalsPi , “ lf ds; but much less so to herbivorous than to carnivorous animals.

Pounds (Troy) of the leaves have been eaten by a horse withouteffects (Moiroud, Pharm. Vet. p. 344). A pound of ripe berries((/. been given to an ass with very little effect (Viborg, in Wibmer,<j|] | f Arz. u Gift. Bd. i. S. 366). Given to dogs, belladonna causesPost'**' 1011 P u pi^ plaintive cries, efforts to vomit, weakness of the0n °r extremities, staggering, frequent pulse, a state like intoxication,itii ° ea ^‘ (Orfda, Toxicol. Gen). Forty or fifty grains of the watery extract,^into q le jugular vein of dogs, have proved fatal [Ibid.) Flourens

°f ^ x P^ r - 1824) thinks that the tubercula quadrigemina are the partste Uc nervous centres on which this poison specifically acts. His infe-

°f i Ce f " ere drawn from experiments made on birds. The topical actionjfyp^dadonna is that of an acrid, though not a very violent one (Orfila,

J e ') man. — In the first degree of its operation, belladonna diminishes

^ility and irritability. This effect (called by some sedative) isstat rcel y obvious in the healthy organism, but is well seen in morbid( lu 6S ’ "^ len these properties are pretematurally increased. A very fre-of ,1*1 an d sometimes the earliest obvious effect of belladonna is dryness^cr • mouth 311 d throat, frequently attended with thirst. The others ; °l 10 Us and the circulation are oftentimes not affected, though occa-d' e y are augmented. Mr. Bailey ( Observ. relat. to the Use ofsto a ^° nila i P- 9) 1818) “ asserts that belladonna affects neither theac h nor bowels, nor any of the secretions nor excretions, those of0y salivary glands excepted.” The asserted influence of belladonnaijj er die organic functions is said to be shewn by its power of inducing,cases, resolutions of swellings and tumors of various kinds, asj P r usently be noticed.

V’ the second degree of its operation belladonna manifests, both inst)i l an( l morbid conditions, its remarkable influence over the cerebro-ju ll: d system. It causes dilatation of the pupils, obscurity of vision, orsin ° il d e blindness (amaurosis), visual illusions, suffused eyes, occa-thefly disturbance of hearing (as singing in the ears, &c.) numbness of. ^e, confusion of head, giddiness, and delirium, which at times re-

l’h J (!S mtoxication, and may be combined with or followed by sopor.tvit? Sti Opiums are usually preceded by a febrile condition, attendedjj ? a remarkable affection of the mouth, throat, and adjacent parts,apj Cs ch'yuess of these parts, it causes difficulty of deglutition and ofRation, a feeling of constriction about the throat, nausea, and some-%c eS ac ' jUa ^ vomiting, and, now and then, swelling and redness of the5 ^ 1 ' The pulse is usually hurried and small. The cutaneous, renal,mucous secretions are frequently augmented. An exanthematoustl^P^on, like that of scarlet fever, has been noticed ; and irritation of^ Urinary organs has in some instances occurred (Jolly, Nouv. Bibl.

j • 1828, iii.; and Lancet, 1828-9, vol. i. p. 45).t[ ( . n some cases very severe effects have been induced by the applica-nt i°- ^ le extract to abraded surfaces (Wade, Med. and Phijs. Journ.P- it Vl1 ' P' 286, 1827 ; Davies, Led. on Dis. of the Lungs and Heart ,.• The continued application of it to the sound skin has also