856

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

been attended with similar effects (Bacot, Lond. Med. and Phys• 0vol. xxiv. p. 383, 1810). .

In the third degree of its operation, belladonna produces effects sito the preceding, but in a more violent form. The following a*®symptoms experienced by above 150 soldiers, who were poisoned b) ^berries of belladonna, which were gathered at Pima, near Dresde “ Dilatation and immobility of the pupil; almost complete insensiof the eye to the presence of external objects, or at least confused ' lS ^injection of the conjunctiva with a bluish blood ; protrusion of the ^which in some appeared as if it were dull, and in others arden ^furious; dryness of the lips, tongue, palate, and throat; deglutition ^ficult or even impossible ; nausea not followed by vomiting; ee r, )( r;weakness, lipothymia, syncope ; difficulty or impossibility of stan , sfrequent bending forward of the trunk ; continual motion of the > jand fingers; gay delirium, with a vacant smile; aphonia or coD j 0 ol;sounds, uttered with pain ; probably ineffectual desires of going togradual restoration to health and reason, without any recollection °preceding state” (Gualtier de Claubry, in Orfila’s Toxicol. Gen.) , J0 .

In comparing the operation of belladonna with that of other cer . )ra ctspinants (narcotics, auct.), the most remarkable symptoms which aour attention are the dilatation of the pupils, with insensibility 0 r .irides to light, disturbance of vision, diminished feeling, giddiness, s ^ 3 ' o ~ )0 j,ing, the delirium (extravagant, pleasing, or furious), followed by s ,and the remarkable affection of the mouth and throat (dryness o ^throat, difficulty of deglutition and of articulation). Convulsions ^rare, and, when they occur, are slight. Lethargy or sopor occurs squently to the delirium. Local irritation is not well marked. ^ aI1 y

These characters distinguish the effects of belladonna from those ^other substance, except henbane (see p. 851), stramonium {see p-and perhaps from some other solanaceous species. y fae

When applied to the eyebrow, belladonna causes dilatation °. g j oJJ .pupil, without necessarily affecting the other eye or disturbing ' ^ a tSegalas {Lancet, 1826-27, vol. xii. p. 170) has rendered it probab 0llabsorption or imbibition is essential to this effect. But the ad 1 oJJthe iris depends, according to Muller {Physiology, vol. i. p 630), n llSthe operation of the belladonna on the central organs of the ne g>

system, but on its topical, paralyzing influence on the ciliary n ^When, however, belladonna is swallowed, it is obvious that the irid ebecome affected through the general system only, and in this casedilatation of the pupil is accompanied with disturbance of vision.some interesting observations on the associated functions of the - n(l land iris, consult Grainger’s Observ. on the Struct, and Fund, of theCord, p. 72 and seq.) The pneumogastric nerve ism producing the affection of the mouth and the difficulty of deginand articulation. j gy

The disorder of the intellect and of the external senses causebelladonna proves that the influence of this agent is not limited 0 gexcito-motory system, but is extended to those portions of the necentres which are the seat of the intellect and of sensibility-

Uses. —Belladonna has been employed to allay pain and nervou^.^tation ( erethismus nervosus of some authors) ; to diminish the f enS *y theof the retina to the impression of light; to produce dilatation