USES OF BELLADONNA 365 



with morphine, assist in paralyzing the smooth muscular 

 fibres of the intestines, and in quieting peristaltic move- 

 ment. 



Cough, stridulus breathing, and spasm, associated with 

 acute pharyngitis and laryngitis, are influenced favorably by 

 belladonna, in the first stage. The drug acts locally to 

 paralyze the ends of the motor nerves in the throat, relieves 

 spasm, and also contracts the peripheral vessels and over- 

 comes congestion and inflammation. It may be given to 

 horses in electuary, and also applied in liniment or oint- 

 ment externally. The following prescription is suitable for 

 horses suffering from pharyngitis or laryngitis. 



Extract, belladonnae rad. fl § i. 



Pulv. potassii chloratis f ii. 



Pulv. GlycyrrhizaB ^ v. 



Syrupi Fusci Q. S. 



M. et f . elect uarium. 



Sig. Give i ounce every two hours. (Furnish | ounce 

 for sample dose.) 



In bronchitis and asthma, belladonna also allays spasm 

 and lessens secretion, irritation and cough. Other spasmo- 

 dic conditions benefited by belladonna are, "thumps," lead 

 colic, spasm of the rectum owing to fissure or other causes, 

 and incontinence of urine due to spasm of the neck of the 

 bladder. Palpitation of the heart is relieved by the sedative 

 action of the mydriatic upon the unstriated cardiac muscle. 

 Tetanus is favorably influenced by extract of belladonna 

 given in electuary. In this section may be included the 

 effect of small doses of belladonna in paralyzing the inhi- 

 bitory (splanchnic) nerve terminations in the bowels, and 

 thus assisting the action of peristaltic stimulants, as aloes 

 and strychnine. Pills containing aloin (gr.J), extractum 

 belladonnae alcoholicum foliorum (gr.|), and extractum cas- 

 carsB sagradae (gr.J), form a useful laxative combination in 

 chronic constipation of dogs. 



