CONIUM, BELLADONNA, AND HYOSCYAMUS. 
473 
drachms, will produce the full physiological action of the plant as I have described 
above. In prescribing this medicine I have regard to the activity of the individual; to 
an ordinarily active woman, I begin with 5ij, and to an active, strong man jiv or Jv, 
increasing the dose 5j at a time, if necessary. I find that the doses which fall far short 
of producing the above described effects are useless ; but when we can oppose—as we 
may do with certainty—this powerful drug against those diseases of which I have given 
examples, we have a means of subduing these otherwise uncontrollable and fearful 
maladies.” 
Lecture IT. 
In the second lecture the action and uses of belladonna formed the subject of inquiry. 
It was assumed at the outset, that the action of belladonna and its preparations was 
identical with that of its active principle atropia. The effect of small doses of the 
sulphate of this alkaloid is to cause increased frequency of the pulse, transient giddiness, 
dryness of the mouth, and dilatation of the pupil; sometimes there is delirium ; in two 
or three hours the effect, passes off. 
It was next shown that the action of belladonna was the same whether administered 
by the mouth into the stomach, or when injected into the skin, the only difference being 
in the rapidity of its action; given by the skin, the effects are developed in a quarter of 
an hour or less ; given by the mouth, the operation is not fully manifested for half or 
three-quarters of an hour, and sometimes later. 
A “ Succus Belladonnae ” was prepared by a method similar to that which is used in 
making “ Succus Conii.” 
30 tr. of “ Succus Belladonnse ” were administered to several adults, and the effects 
were precisely the same as when an equivalent dose of sulphate of atropia (viz. ^th of 
a grain) was given. 
Whether the juice of the plant, or its active principle, is given, the symptoms are 
the same in time, mode of accession, and duration, if equivalent doses are given, so that 
there can be no doubt that atropia represents entirely the active principle of the plant. 
The kidneys seem to be the active agents in eliminating the alkaloid from the system; 
it may be found in the urine 18 minutes after the injection of Jgth of a grain of sulphas 
atropise, and it is generally entirely removed at the end of two or three hours. That 
the whole of the atropia is removed, when given in medicinal doses, may be proved :— 
1. By the fact that 8 or 10 ounces of urine, secreted during the 2\ hours that the 
patient is under the influence of ^th of a grain of the sulphate, shall contain so much 
of the active principle, that 12 drops of it will cause the pupil to dilate from -J^th to £th 
of an inch in diameter. 
2. If at the end of three hours the bladder be emptied, and the urine which is secreted 
directly after be examined, no trace of atropia can be found. 
To the toxicologist this elimination of the alkaloid by the urine is of great importance, 
as it is readily demonstrated, points directly to the cause of death, and limits the question 
to one or two plants; it is possible to detect it in the urine when only J^th of a grain 
is given, and this is probably the least quantity that can destroy a newdy-born infant. 
Certain conditions interfere with the action of belladonna upon the system:— 
1 . Children are less susceptible than adults, and occasionally they bear very large 
doses, before dryness of the mouth, etc., comes on ; still the stimulant effect upon the 
circulation, and the dilatation of the pupil are as readily induced in the young as in the 
old. 
2. Amongst adults there is considerable variation in its action. 
3. The fixed caustic alkalies decompose the active principle of belladonna; thus if (a) 
caustic potash or soda be mixed a few hours previously with a dose of belladonna, suffi¬ 
cient to produce the full symptoms of that drug in a given patient, and administered to 
him, no effects will follow ; if (6) the same quantity of each be taken and given imme¬ 
diately after admixture to the patient, the alkali will be found to have no influence in 
diminishing or delaying the effects of the belladonna. 
4. These facts are true of caustic ammonia and of caustic lime. If -Jg-th of a grain of 
sulphate of atropia, or n\xxx of “Succ. Bellad.” be mixed with ^iij ot lime-water and 
taken immediately , the full effects of the belladonna will be produced ; if only 3vj of 
lime-water be mixed for a few days with the same quantity of alkaloid or juice, the 
operation of the drug will be delayed for a little time, and then its operation will be full 
and complete. 
