iv] Solanacese 59 



of various species — and even individuals of the same species — ^is very 

 variable. Human beings are most susceptible, followed by the cat and 

 dog ; the horse is much less so ; and the pig, goat, sheep, and rabbit 

 are little susceptible to poisoning, even on eating the root — ^the most 

 poisonous part (Cornevin). Gohier and others have given over 2 lb. 

 of the green plant to horses without ill effects, and this repeated on three 

 days did not cause marked pathological troubles. Hertwig considered 

 large ruminants to be more sensible than horses to the action of Bella- 

 donna. It appears to be agreed that small ruminants are very slightly 

 susceptible to this plant. Birds are considered almost insensitive, 

 while rabbits may be fed for weeks on the leaves without poisoning, as 

 also sheep, goats, and pigs. Horses and cattle are more sensitive but 

 nevertheless resistant. The poison is no doubt quickly removed by the 

 kidneys, since ordinary injection of Belladonna causes the usual symp- 

 toms. It is stated that the flesh of rabbits and birds which have eaten 

 the plant and have been slaughtered apparently healthy is poisonous 

 to man. 



One berry can induce symptonis of human poisoning, and a child 

 died after eating only three berries. Mortality in human cases of 

 poisoning by Belladonna is given by Kanngiesser as 10 per cent. 



Toxic Principle. Deadly Nightshade is the source of drugs widely 

 used in medicine, and its properties as regards man have been exten- 

 sively studied. The principal substance present is the alkaloid Hyos- 

 cyamine (C^HgjOgN), readily converted into Atropine (C17H23O3N); 

 Scopolamine or Hyoscine {Cj^H2x0^l!i), and in smaller quantity Apo- 

 atropine, and Belladonine are also present. 



AH parts of the plant contain the toxic alkaloids, but in unequal 

 degree. The total quantity of the alkaloids is largest in the roots 

 (0-4 to 1 per cent.), which in the fresh state contain no Atropine, but 

 only Hyoscyamine ; the leaves and fruits contain less of the alkaloids, 

 and cultivated plants have been found to be poorer (0-26 per cent.) than 

 wild (0-4 per cent). The root has been found to be five times as toxic 

 as the berries. Drjdng does not destroy the poisonous properties. 



Symptoms. In quantities which are not fatal the symptoms are 

 nausea, dilatation of pupils, muscular weakness, stumbling, falling, and 

 rising only to fall again. These are followed by vertigo, frenzy, and 

 coma (more rarely). There is a slight slackening in respiration, and an 

 increase in the rapidity of the heart's action. Dysury and constipation 

 are observed. 



In fatal quantities t^e symptoms are more intense and make their 



