USES OP BELLADONNA 383 



atropine under the skin has proved fatal to dogs. Two 

 grains of atropine produce mild toxic symptoms in the 

 horse. Small dogs are slightly poisoned by gr.^ of atro- 

 pine ; medium sized dogs by gr.-^L, given hypodermatically. 

 Cattle are as susceptible as horses, although herbivora are 

 not so easily influenced as carnivora. The pulse in dogs is 

 greatly accelei'ated, sometimes as high as 400, while the 

 pulse rate of the horse is not generally more than doubled. 

 Kodents, as guinea pigs and rabbits, and pigeons, are parti- 

 cularly insusceptible to belladonna, in regard to its e£fect 

 upon the pupil, circulation, etc. 



The treatment of poisoning includes the use of the 

 stomach pump, emetics, cardiac stimulants, and pilocarpine 

 under ,the skin. Also external heat, general faradism and 

 artificial respiration. 



Post-Mortem Appearances. — These are not generally 

 characteristic, except of asphyxia. The blood is dark and 

 poorly coaguable. There is congestion of the lungs, general 

 passive hypersemia, 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 fluid extract of belladonna root is 

 the official preparation more commonly used for horses. 

 The alcoholic extract of the leaves is given in pill or suppo- 

 sitory to dogs, and in electuary to horses. Atropine sul- 

 phate 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 the best remedy 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 haemorrhoids, belladonna (with opium) 

 in ointment or suppository, allays spasm and pain. Lini- 



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