DEADLY NIGHTSHADE 

 Fig. 6. 



37 



aged or plethoric. Given m 2Joivder — dose, 2 or 3 grains; in seed — 

 dose, one grain twice a day ; extract of the leaves — dose, one grain 

 twice a day ; extract of the seeds — dose, | to ^ a grain. 



The extract is used by American oculists to dilate the pupil of the 

 eye previous to the operation for the cataract. 



The ointment [Unguentiim stramonii, TJ. S.) is made by boiling 

 the fresh leaves in lard : it has a light green colour, and may be em- 

 ployed in the same cases as the belladonna ointment. 



Deadly Nightshade. — (Belladonna, U. S.) ,,..^ 



The Atropa belladonna (Fig. 7) is an herbaceous perennial plant, 

 a native of Europe. It has a thick fleshy root, several downy, erect 

 stems ; ovate, entire leaves ; and pendant, bell-shaped, purplish flow- 

 ers. All parts are possessed of narcotic properties, though only the 

 leaves are oflicinal. The dried leaves have a dull greenish colour, 

 a slight narcotic odour, and a bitter nauseous taste. Active principle, 

 atropia, a violent poison. 



Effects, <^c. — Anodyne, antispasmodic, and rather sedative ; one 

 of its earliest impressions is a dryness and stricture of the fauces; 

 it often causes dilatation of the pupil, giddiness, dimness of vision; in 

 large doses, great thirst, dysphagia, violent delirium, blindness, and 

 occasionally convulsions, coma, and death. Its fatal efl?ects are 

 usually accompanied with marks of gastro-intestinal inflammation. 



Uses. — As an anodyne, to relieve the pain of neuralgia ; as a re- 

 solvent or discutient, in chronic indurations ; as an antispasmodic in 



4 



