.364: VEGETABLE DRUGS 



1. Acute diseases, as pneumonia, bronchitis, influenza, 

 cerebro-spinal meningitis, etc., are frequently treated at the 

 outset with belladonna, with the intent of cutting short the 

 inflammatory process by producing general vascular con- 

 traction. There does not seem to be sufficient physiological 

 or clinical evidence to warrant this practice (except in pha- 

 ryngitis and laryngitis), and there are other drugs (ergot) 

 which accomplish the purpose, were it desirable, more effi- 

 ciently. In the second stage of acute diseases, as pneu- 

 monia, belladonna is a valuable agent in combination with 

 strychnine, to stimulate respiration, prevent effusion and 

 vasomotor and cardiac depression. Belladonna is of great 

 service also as a respiratory, cardiac and vasomotor stimu- 

 lant in poisoning by various drugs, including opium, chloro- 

 form, ether, aconite, prussic acid, physostigma and pilocar- 

 pine. In surgical shock, with low temperature, owing to 

 vasomotor paralysis and vascular dilatation, atropine is a 

 most potent remedy, combined with digitalis. 



2. Belladonna is employed therapeutically to diminish 

 excessive sweating and salivation, mercurial or otherwise. 

 It is recommended in serous, or watery diarrhoea. (Edema 

 of the lungs is combated most successfully with atropine 

 (combined with strychnine) subcutaneously. In the second 

 stage of acute respiratory diseases, as bronchitis, influenza, 

 canine distemper, and pneumonia, belladonna diminishes 

 secretion, irritability and cough, and stimulates the heart 

 and respiration. It may be associated with opium to in- 

 crease the sedative effect. 



3. Belladonna does not have much influence over spasm 

 of the voluntary muscles, unless injected (atropine) into their 

 substance. Kheumatic lameness, and cramps and spasm 

 due to injury of nerves, may be treated in this manner. 

 Spasm of involuntary muscle is, however, more easily over- 

 come, and this action is of exceeding therapeutic importance. 

 Intestinal spasmodic colic of horses succumbs most readily 

 when atropine is given with morphine under the skin. In 

 peritonitis and enteritis, full and repeated doses of atropine, 



