SOLAN ACE.E. J" ()1 
In seeking for the origin of tlie common name of thfeCplant, we are universally 
met with the assertion that it refers to the practice of the Italian ladies in using it to 
enhance their charms as an accessory to the toilette. Belladonna i.i supposed to make 
the beautiful still more lovely, owing to its action on the pupils of vim' eye, which, on 
a slight application, it dilates, and renders brilliant and lustrous. Di'.'.'Prlor tells us 
that it is known in France as guines de cotes, being used as a cosmet/9. .'Stapel in 
Theophrasto takes it for the bellonaria used by the priests of Bellona to infuriate 
themselves, and hence derives its name. Be this as it may, I am told that the us'e\of 
the beautifying extract is not contined to the land of cloudless skies and sunny biee •..■«,- 
but may be seen on the toilette tables of our fashionable English ladies. Happily, flips' 
property is turned to good account by modern science, and in examinations of the 
eye for surgical purposes extract of belladonna is found to be of great service in 
dilating the pupil, as well as previous to the operation for cataract. Very many are 
the instances where death has ensued from partaking of this plant or its berries ; and 
we cannot read the records of poison cases without being convinced of its terrible 
nature. The action of the poison on the human frame is peculiar, at first occasioning 
diminished sensibility, but sometimes febrile symptoms ; it soon produces giddi- 
ness and delirium, accompanied by a remarkable enlargement of the pupils of the 
eyes. Dr. Taylor mentions several well-marked cases of poisoning by Belladonna, and 
states that in the autumn of 184G many persons in the metropolis suffered from eating 
the ripe berries, sold openly in the streets as edible fruit. Two of these persons died, 
and the man who sold the berries was tried and convicted of manslaughter. The 
usual action of the plant is detailed by Dr. Taylor in his work on poisons, and illus- 
trated by numerous cases. One, " a boy fourteen year's old, ate, soon after breakfast, 
thirty of the berries which he had bought in the street. In about three hours it 
appeared to him as if his face was swollen ; his throat became hot and dry, vision 
impaired ; objects appeared double, and they seemed to revolve and run backwards. 
His hands and face were flushed, and his eyelids tumid ; there were occasional flashes 
of light before his eyes. He tried to eat, but could not swallow on account of the state 
of his throat. In endeavouring to walk home, he stumbled and staggered, and he felt 
giddy whenever he attempted to raise his head. His parents thought him intoxicated ; 
he was incoherent, frequently counted his money, and did not know the silver from 
the copper coin. His eyes had a tixed, brilliant, and dazzling gaze. He could neither 
hear nor speak plainly, and there was great thirst. He caught at imaginary objects 
in the air, and seemed to have lost all knowledge of distance. His fingers were in 
constant motion ; there was headache, but neither vomiting nor purging. He continued 
in this condition for two days, when he began gradually to improve, and eventually 
recovered." In many cases strange spectral illusions occur, followed by complete deli- 
rium ; but these symptoms are sometimes absent, and perfect insensibility shortly 
follows alter swallowing the poison. A medical friend of ours, enthusiastic in the 
discovery of hidden truth, not long ago nearly fell a victim to his own experiments on 
the action of an extract of the leaves of Atropa Belladonna. He had previously made 
known his belief that animal charcoal is the best and safest antidote to vegetable 
poisons. He was, however, too much uuder the influence of the poison to think 01 
his own remedy, and it was only by the timely interference! of a member of his family, 
who knew of the discovery, that his life was saved. Belladonna is a favourite remedy 
in homoeopathic medicine • but as the doses given are inappreciable, it would be difficult 
to trace any results from their administration. As an anodyne, Belladonna is frequently 
given in regular practice. It is said to alleviate pain in neuralgia, ticdoloureux, and 
