POISONING FROM OPIUM 



61 



mucous membrane is reddened, inability to swallow, deranged vision, breath 

 at first a little slow and then rapid; the nervous system is affected in a marked 

 degree; the lower extremities are often partly paralyzed. There is want of 

 coordination. "The person reels like a drunken man." In adults this takes on 

 a hilarious pleasing form. The symptoms of poisoning from hyoscyamin are 

 similar to those of atropin. The absence of deHrium and excitement, however, 

 makes it decidedly different. The symptoms in animals for both of these sub- 

 stances do not differ essentially from those given above 



Fig. 16e. Nightshade iSolanum nigrum) 

 From Darlington's W«eds and Useful Plants. 



Fig. 16f. Jimson Weed (Datura Stramo- 

 nium), a, leaf and flowers; b, fruiting capsule. 

 (U. S. Dept. Agrl.). 



Atropin may be absorbed by the skin, and enough may be absorbed, if it is 

 broken, to cause death. Blyth quotes Ploss ^ to the effect that atropin sulfate 

 applied as an ointment to the abraded skin was fatal. Atropin has also been 

 absorbed from the bowel as recorded by Blyth: 



A clyster containing the active principles of 5.2 grms. (80 grains) of belladonna root 

 was administered to a woman 27 years of age, and caused death. Allowing the root to have 

 been carefully dried, and to contain .21 per cent of alkaloid, it would seem that so little 

 as 10.9 mgrms. (.16 grains) may even prove fatal, if left in contact with the intestinal mucous 

 membrane. Belladonna berries and stramonium leaves and seeds are eaten occasionally by 

 children. A remarkable series of poisoning by belladonna berries occurred in London during 

 the autumn of 1846. 



1 Zeitschr f. Chir. 186.1. Blyth, Poisons; Their I^ffects and Detection. 



