SOLANAQCEH. 575 
The action of belladonna on the spinal cord also has not been 
satisfactorily explained. The spinal symptoms observed after 
poisonous doses, viz., suspension of mental control over move=- 
ments and their co-ordination, seem to result from impaired 
sensibility and power of motion. Gubler, two hours after the 
subcutaneous injection of several milligrams of sulphate of 
atropine, observed symptoms of paralysis of both motor and 
sensory nerves, the patient being unable to button his clothes 
from want of power and feeling in the fingers. (Gubler, Diet. 
Encyclop. des Sci. Med. (1) €. vii. et ix.) 
Like all other medicines which act directly through the 
nervous system, small and large doses of belladonna produce 
opposite effects, the former stimulating, the latter paralyzing 
it. The direct action of small doses upon the heart is to increase 
the vigour and the frequency of its contractions; but large doses 
render the pulse still more frequent, but more and more feeble: 
and thready. 
Under the action of full doses of belladonna the pulse is at 
first slower and fuller, contrary to what takes place in the 
until in fatal cases it grows thready and intermittent. 
the active period of the operation the whole capillary circulation 
would seem to be congested, for the external mucous membranes 
are dry, the face is red and turgid, there is a sense of fulness 
in the head, with throbbing of the arteries, as if the blood were 
prevented from returning to the heart by a ligature around the 
neck. But the intracranial pressure does not appear to be 
increased in a like proportion. (Jacodt.) The general dryness 
of the skin and throat and larynx contrasts with the greatly 
augmented secretion of the kidneys during the active stage of 
belladonna-poisoning. This diuresis has been attributed to the 
fact that the active principle of the drug is excreted with the 
urine, and almost exclusively in this manner. Irritation of © 
scrotum sometimes exists in a high degree. (Stillé and 
eT ‘ aca ee eae 
