17G NIGHTSHADE. 



ginous and acidulous drinks and saline purgatives should be 

 administered, followed by mild tonics. " If M. Runge's ex- 

 periments be correct, lime-water should be the antidote for 

 poisoning by Belladonna." * Oxide of zinc has been found an 

 effectual remedy in the case of an animal poisoned by this 

 plant. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — Notwithstanding the 

 poisonous nature of the Belladonna, when duly modified in its 

 use by the discretion of a skilful practitioner it is a most va- 

 luable and efficacious remedy. Like all other powerful reme- 

 dial agents, it has been celebrated for a host of diseases, in 

 many of which the propriety of using it is very question- 

 able. The whole plant is possessed of the same virtues, ap- 

 parently most powerful in the berries and the root, but more 

 manageable in the leaves. The sensible effects produced 

 by proper doses, are usually increase of perspiration, and of 

 urine, and sometimes relaxation of the bowels. The leaves 

 were first externally employed to discuss scirrhous and can- 

 cerous tumours, and to painful and ill-conditioned ulcers : for 

 which purposes a decoction, or poultice made of them was ap- 

 plied, or when ulceration had taken place, the dried powder was 

 sprinkled on the sore. Their good effects in this way led to 

 their internal use for the same diseases, and numerous well- 

 authenticated cases have sufficiently established their reputationf; 

 but it must still be confessed, that in the hands of many dis- 

 tinguished members of the profession J they have proved unsuc- 

 cessful. From the influence which the Belladonna exerts over 

 the nervous system, it has been proclaimed a powerful curative 



* Thomson's Dispensatory, 1836, p. 215. 



•f- Juncker's Consp. Ther. gen. ed. 1725, p. 491.— Arnold Timmermann, 

 Progr. de Bellad., Rintel, 1765. — Journ. de Med. ann. 1766. — Munch, in 

 Hannov. Magaz. 1767, p. 1011, &c— Mich. Albertus, De Belladonna — T. 

 Lambergen, Lect. inang. sistens ephemeridem, &c. — Phil. Trans, vol. i — 

 Comment, de reb. in sc nat. et med. gest. torn. viii. p. 654. — Durlac, 

 Journ. de Med. torn. ii. p. 449 — Amoureux, loc. cit. tom.xiii.p. 47- — Mar- 

 teau, loc. cit. torn. xiv. p. 108. — Zeigler, Beobacht, aus der Arzneywissen- 

 schaft Bergius, Mat. Med. vol. i. p. 128, &c, &c. 



+ Heister, Chirurgie, p. 328 Van der Harr, over de Knierknoest — en 



Ranker Gezwellen, p. 85 — Van Doevern, in litt. ad Timmermann, Progr. 

 cit. p. 28.— Timmermann, Chir. H'andelser, ed. 2, p. 40.— De Haen, Rat. 

 Med. torn. ii. p. 45, &c, &c. 



