MEDICINAL USES 493 



hours, while even smaller doses were more speedily fatal 

 when injected into the jugular vein. 



Rodents, such as rabbits, guinea-pigs, and rats, as well 

 as pigeons, do not exhibit the marked acceleration of the 

 pulse so remarkable in dogs and cats. Rabbits require 

 15 grains of green extract to poison them, pigeons 2 grains. 

 The mydriatic action is much less marked in rabbits than 

 in dogs or cats, and is scarcely noticeable in birds. 



The post-mortem appearances are those of asphyxia. The 

 blood is dark-coloured, and coagulates slowly ; the ventricles 

 are generally empty and firmly contracted. 



The antidotal treatment consists largely in treating the 

 symptoms presented. In the early stages with excitement 

 and hyperaesthesia it may be advisable to use morphine 

 or other sedatives. It must be remembered, however, that 

 the stimulating effect of large doses of atropine is soon 

 followed by its depressant sedative action, and the com- 

 bination of atropine and morphine may produce dangerous 

 results on the respiratory centre. Stupor, if impending, is 

 combated by moving the patient about, by the administra- 

 tion of alcohol, ammonia, and strong coffee, or by the 

 galvanic battery. Subcutaneous injection of caffeine is 

 recommended for human patients, with the cautious use 

 of eserine, and artificial respiration (Brunton). Pilocarpine 

 is the direct antagonist of atropine with regard to secretion 

 and involuntary muscle, but is of little service as an 

 antidote to toxic doses of atropine. As atropine is rapidly 

 eliminated in the urine, recovery usually results if dangerous 

 symptoms can be relieved, and life preserved for a few 

 hours. Where urination is difficult, the catheter should 

 be used. 



MEDICINAL USES. Stimulating the respiratory centre, 

 abating excessive mucous secretion, combating spasm of 

 involuntary muscles, and soothing irritability, belladonna 

 and atropine are serviceable in catarrh, pharyngitis, laryn- 

 gitis, and bronchitis in all patients, and are used in the 

 several forms of inhalation, spray, electuary, and hypo- 

 dermic injection. In influenza in horses, they besides 

 beneficially stimulate the weakened heart. Robertson 

 prescribed belladonna, with small doses of aconite, in the 



