USES OF BELLADONNA 385 



congestion of the lungs, general passive hyperemia, and sometimes 

 ecchymoses in the brain, cord, and their membranes. Congestion of the 

 retina is said, however, to be pathognomonic of belladonna poisoning. 



Administration. — The fluidextract of belladonna root is the official 

 preparation more commonly used for horses. The alcoholic extract of 

 the leaves is given in pill or suppository to dogs, and in electuary to 

 horses. Atropine sulphate is employed under the skin when a rapid effect 

 is desired. 



Uses External. — Local application of belladonna is more effective 

 when combined with internal medication of the same drug. Belladonna 

 is used for mammitis, applied by massage in the form of liniment, and 

 given by the mouth. It relaxes spasm, contracts the blood vessels, and 

 lessens inflammation and congestion; paralyzes the secretory nerves and 

 so diminishes the amount of milk, vascular tension, pain and glandular 

 activity. In fissure of the rectum, and in hemorrhoids, belladonna (with 

 opium) in ointment or suppository, allays spasm and pain. Liniment of 

 belladonna is useful in rheumatic or neuralgic pain, and rubbed upon the 

 throat, in cases of pharyngitis and laryngitis, affords a serviceable appli- 

 cation, when combined with the internal administration of the drug. 



Uses in Connection with the Eye. — In examination of the fundus of 

 the eye, the media, or lens for cataract, the pupil may be dilated to 

 advantage with a weak solution (gr.l/20-§i.) of atropine sulphate. A 

 drop will sufSce, and no trace of its effect will remain after the second 

 day. A strong solution (gr.iv.-gi.) is essential to completely paralyze the 

 iris and ciliary muscle. In the normal animal, accommodation is para- 

 lyzed and vision disturbed for 8 or 12 days after the use of this solution. 

 Atropine is particularly useful in keratitis and iritis. In the former dis- 

 ease, photophobia and blepharospasm are diminished by the paralyzing 

 action of atropine upon the trigeminus, and pain, congestion and inflam- 

 mation are diminished by contraction of the peripheral blood vessels. In 

 central perforating ulcer of the cornea, with protrusion of the iris, atro- 

 pine, by dilating the pupil, draws the iris away and prevents its perma- 

 nent adhesion (anterior synechia) to the cornea, while the perforation is 

 becoming filled with lymph and the anterior chamber is being restored. 

 Strong solutions of atropine instilled at frequent intervals, are useful in 

 iritis by ( 1 ) paralyzing and securing rest of the iris and ciliary muscles ; 

 (2) in lessening local blood supply, congestion and inflammation, and in 

 preventing adhesions of the posterior surfaces of the iris to the anterior 

 capsule of the lens (posterior synechias), which both limits the normal 

 variation in the pupillary diameter and interferes with the nutrition of 

 the lens, and so predisposes to cataract. Atropine is contraindicated in 

 glaucoma. 



Uses Internal. — The general indications follow directly from our 

 knowledge of the physiological action of the drug. They are as follows : — 

 1. To stimulate the respiration and circulation. 2. To diminish secretion. 

 3. To relieve spasm and pain. 



1. Acute diseases, as colds, bronchitis, influenza, etc., are frequently 

 treated at the outset with belladonna, with the intent of cutting short the 

 inflammatory process by improving vascular tone. This applies more 



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