BELLADONNA. Preparations of the Leaves. Extractum Belladonna Alcoholicum,-Dose, gr. 1-1⁄2 Tinctura Belladonna,-15 per cent. Dose, mj-xxx. 129 Unguentum Belladonna,-has of the Alcoholic Extract 10, Diluted Alcohol 6, Benzoinated Lard 84. Preparations of the Root. Abstractum Belladonna,-Dose, gr. 1-j. Extractum Belladonna Fluidum,-Dose, mj-v. Emplastrum Belladonna,-made with Resin Plaster. Atropine and its Derivatives. Atropina, Atropine, C1HNO,,-in white, acicular crystals, odorless, of bitter taste and alkaline reaction; very soluble in alcohol and in chloroform, also in 600 of water at 50° F. Is decomposed by prolonged contact with caustic alkalies and is resolvable into Tropin and Tropic Acid. 2 Atropine Sulphas, Sulphate of Atropine (CHNO3), H2SO,,-a white powder of bitter taste and neutral reaction, soluble in 0.4 of water and in 6.5 of alcohol at 50° F. Dose, gr. T-8's: Homatropina, Homatropine, C6H21NO, (Unofficial),-is a derivative alkaloid obtained by the action of dilute HCl on Amygdalate of Tropin. The Hydrobromate of Homatropine is used by ophthalmologists as a mydriatic, its effects passing off much sooner than those of Atropine. Homatropine slows the heart, Atropine quickening it. Tropeius (Unofficial),—is a result of the action of a mineral acid on Tropin. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. BELLADONNA is an irritant narcotic, a mydriatic, an antispasmodic and an anodyne; in small doses a cardiac, respiratory and spinal stimulant— in large doses a paralyzer of the cardiac and respiratory centres, the spinal cord, the motor nerves and involuntary muscles. It produces congestion and dryness of the mucous membrane of the throat, mouth, nose and larynx, and at first lessens the gastric and intestinal secretions, but soon reproduces these in large quantity. The heart rate is at first slowed, but soon becomes very rapid and vigorous, the pulse being doubled in rapidity; the arterial tension being at the same time raised, the circulation is greatly increased. This is accomplished by stimulation of the cardiac sympathetic, and paralysis of the pneumogastric, thus stimulating the accelerator apparatus while lessening the inhibitory. [Digitalis increases both.] The vasomotor ganglia are stimulated all over the body, but are afterwards paralyzed by over-stimulation, the heart weakens, the vessels relax, and the blood-pressure becomes greatly reduced. Complete motor paralysis follows, delirium, stupor, and finally death, which usually occurs by asphyxia. The pupils are dilated by the local or systemic use of the drug, it stimulating the end-organs of the sympathetic and paralyzing those of the motor oculi, thus increasing the power of the radiating iris fibres and lessening the action of its circular ones. Atropine locally also paralyzes accommodation and increases the intraocular pressure. The least quantity of Atropine which will affect the pupil is stated at gr. Tobo (Wood), gr. 20000 (Roosa), gr. odoo (Ely), gr. 128600 Trousseau), gr. 460000 (Loring), gr. 700000 (Donders). The brain is congested by Belladonna, headache, vertigo, busy delirium, hallucinations, etc., being produced, the latter from a selective action on the cells of the gray matter. The spinal cord is stimulated from the 3d cervical to the 10th dorsal vertebra, resulting in complete motor paralysis, central and peripheral, power being lost first in the lower extremities. Sensation is also impaired somewhat, but the muscular irritability is not. Respiration is increased and the body temperature elevated. Metamorphosis is greatly promoted by the increased activity of the circulation. A diffused eruption of scarlet color, greatly resembling the eruption of scarlet fever, is often produced on the skin and fauces by Belladonna, with dysphagia and sore throat, and is sometimes followed by desquamation of the epidermis. It is due to capillary congestion caused by the greatly increased circulation. Belladonna is rapidly diffused and quickly eliminated, particularly by the kidneys. The urine of an animal under the action of the drug will dilate the pupil of another animal. Herbivorous animals and birds are scarcely susceptible to it, and pigeons are not affected by it at all. ATROPINE has the same actions as above described, being the active principle of the plant. BELLADONNINE was long supposed to be inert, but has recently been shown to be identical with Hyoscyamine. It is a mydriatic when given internally, but not when used locally. Antagonists and Incompatibles. Opium is the physiological antagonist to the effects of Belladonna on the cerebrum, pupil, heart, respiration, arterial tension and kidneys. Physostigmine, Aconite, Pilocarpine and Quinine are each antagonistic to some of its effects, Muscarine to most of them. In poisoning by this drug, Tannic Acid and emetics should be used, then Morphine, Physostigmine or Pilocarpine for the nervous disturbances. Caustic alkalies decompose Atropine and are therefore incompatible with the preparations of Belladonna. THERAPEUTICS. BELLADONNA is one of the most valuable drugs in the Materia Medica, ranking with Aconite, Arsenic and Opium in efficacy and wide range of It is especially useful in the pain of inflammation, particularly that of rheumatism, gout, neuralgia due to peripheral disturbance, sciatica, cancer and pelvic affections. In cerebral and spinal hyperæmia, congestive headaches, encephalitis, meningitis and myelitis it proves one of the very best remedies. In erysipelas of superficial and non-vesicular character and when cerebral, it is really curative locally and internally administered. Inflammations of the lungs, iris, bladder, kidneys and breasts are all amenable to it. In constipation from atony of the bowels it is remarkably efficient, and in the enuresis of children it is equally so if used freely, 10 to 20 drops of the tincture thrice daily. In recent cystitis BENZINUM. 131 from chill, spasm of the urethra, bladder, and sphincter ani, typhus and typhoid fevers, acute nasal catarrh, sore throat with fever, inflammation, and swollen tonsils, many skin diseases, asthma and whooping-cough, epileptic and puerperal convulsions, spermatorrhoea and seminal losses, Belladonna is often a highly useful agent. Its local application is efficiently used in ulcers of the rectum, anal fissure, abscesses, boils, carbuncles, and other superficial inflammations. In scarlet fever it relieves many of the symptoms, and is especially indicated in this disease when the rash is imperfect, the pulse feeble and the condition one of adynamia. Its prophylactic power against scarlet fever is believed in by many of our best practitioners, though questioned by many others. ATROPINE is used in poisoning by Opium, Physostigma, and Prussic Acid; in ptyalism from mercury, pregnancy, etc.; in the sweats of phthisis, sudden cardiac failure, and by eye-surgeons to paralyze accommodation, dilate the pupil, contract the vessels, lessen pain, and diminish (?) intraocular tension. In opium-poisoning it should be given in very small doses, and repeated for effect, as most of the unsuccessful cases of its use in this connection were due to overdosing with the antagonist, superinducing belladonna-narcosis upon the opium-narcosis. In cases of heart-failure from Chloroform or Ether inhalation, the hypodermic injection of Atropine has, in the writer's hands, saved several lives when all other methods of resuscitation had failed. BENZINUM, Benzin, Petroleum Ether, is a purified distillate from American petroleum, consisting of hydro-carbons, chiefly of the marsh-gas series, having a specific gravity from o.670 to 0.675, and boiling at 122° to 140° F. It is a transparent, colorless liquid, highly inflammable, very diffusive, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether, etc. It should be distinguished from Benzol, which is called Benzene by English chemists. In pharmacy it has many uses on account of its powers as a solvent for oils, fats, resins, caoutchouc and some alkaloids. Dose, gtt. v-x, on sugar or in mucilage. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION AND THERAPEUTICS. Benzin is reported to have caused death in one case from gastro-enteritis, but ordinarily it does not produce vomiting or diarrhoea. It has been used with some success externally as a remedy for rheumatic pain, neuralgia, itch and prurigo; and internally as a vermicide against tapeworm. Its chief value is that of a solvent in cleaning old clothing and in pharmaceutical operations. BENZOINUM, Benzoin,—is a balsamic resin obtained from Styrax Benzoin, a tree of the nat. ord. Styraceæ, native in Sumatra and Siam, by incision of its bark. It occurs in agglutinated tears or a brown, mottled mass, is soluble in alcohol and solution of potassa, and is composed of Resins 80 per cent., Benzoic Acid 10 to 20 per cent., and a trace of Volatile Oil. Some varieties of benzoin yield also Cinnamic Acid. Preparations of Benzoin. Adeps Benzoinatus, Benzoinated Lard,-has of Benzoin 2 parts in 100 parts of Lard. Tinctura Benzoini, Tincture of Benzoin,-has of Benzoin 20 parts, Alcohol q. s. ad 100. Dose, 3 ss-j. Tinctura Benzoini Composita, Friar's Balsam,-has of Benzoin 12, Aloes 2, Styrax 8, Balsam of Tolu 4, Alcohol q. s. ad 100 parts. Dose, 3 ss-ij. Preparations of Benzoic Acid. Acidum Benzoicum, Benzoic Acid, HC,HO,,-occurs in light, feathery plates and needles, and is obtained from Benzoin by sublimation. It is soluble in 500 of water, and in 3 of alcohol at 95° F., but its solubility in water is aided by Borax, one part of each being soluble in 100 parts. It is a constituent of Tinctura Opii Camphorata. Dose, gr. X-xxv, in wafers. Ammonii Benzoas, Benzoate of Ammonium,-is soluble in 5 parts of water and in 28 of alcohol. Dose, gr. v-XXX. Lithii Benzoas, Benzoate of Lithium,-soluble in 4 parts of water and in 12 of alcohol. Dose, gr. v-xxx. Sodii Benzoas, Benzoate of Sodium,-is efflorescent on exposure to air, soluble in 2 parts of water and in 45 of alcohol. Dose, gr. v-3j. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. BENZOIN is decidedly antiseptic and disinfectant, and when used externally is somewhat stimulant to the vessels. Its actions are due to its BENZOIC ACID, which taken internally produces slight epigastric heat, increases the pulse-rate, and stimulates the action of the skin, the salivary glands, and of the bronchial mucous membrane. It is chiefly excreted by the kidneys, in part as hippuric acid by combination with glycocoll, and in part unchanged. It renders the urine acid and increases its quantity. Benzoin is irritant to the fauces, and the powder inhaled excites sneezing and coughing. THERAPEUTICS. BENZOIN is principally used as a stimulant expectorant, especially in the chronic bronchitis of the aged, and by atomization in laryngeal affections. The compound tincture, 3j to 3j in a pint of boiling water, is a useful sedative inhalation for the irritation and cough of subacute laryngitis and tracheitis. It has also been used beneficially in chlorosis and some uterine disorders. The compound tincture is a good local application (1 to 4 of glycerin and water) for sore nipples and chaps of the hands. and lips. For use as a cosmetic, either tincture is mixed with 20 parts of water, and employed to remove freckles and other skin affections, especially urticaria. They are excellent applications to foul-smelling BERBERIS. 133 wounds, and form the basis of all the proprietary preparations sold for that purpose. BENZOIC ACID and its salts are the only certain means we possess, by which to neutralize morbid alkalinity of the urine. In cystitis, with phosphatic deposits and alkaline urine, they are extremely valuable, acidulating the secretion, and stimulating and disinfecting the mucous surfaces involved. Phosphatic calculi are said to be dissolved by the long-continued use of Ammonium Benzoate. BENZOATE OF SODIUM has been largely used as a substitute for the salicylates in the septic diseases, being equally antiseptic and antipyretic. Though slower in action, its effects are more permanent, and it is capable of being used in larger doses (3ij-iij daily). In diphtheria and scarlet fever it has been highly efficient, and in acute rheumatism, typhoid and the malarial fevers, it has rendered good service. In phthisis, its use by inhalation to the extent of 10 of the body-weight daily has seemed to be of value in some cases. It has also proven very efficient in whoopingcough. BENZOATE OF LITHIUM is intended for use in gout and the uric acid diatheses, with the object of forming the very soluble urate of lithium in the system, as also on the theory that, as benzoic acid is converted into hippuric acid at the expense of nitrogenous material which would otherwise become uric acid, the latter product will be lessened. BERBERIS, Barberry (Unofficial), is the root of several species. of the nat. ord. Berberidaceæ, the one generally used being the Berberis aquifolium, or Oregon grape, which grows on the Pacific slope of the United States. Its value is probably due to its alkaloid, Berberine, C20HNO, a yellow, crystalline body, soluble in hot water and alcohol, but not in ether, which is found also in several other plants, as Hydrastis, Coptis, Podophyllum, Menispermum, Calumba, Xanthoxylum, etc. 17 Preparations. Extractum Berberidis Fluidum (Unofficial),-Dose, mv-xxx. Tinctura Berberidis (Unofficial),-1 to 5. Dose, mx-3j. Berberina, Berberine (Unofficial),-Dose, gr. j-x. Usually occurs in commerce as "Hydrastin," which is a Muriate of Berberine, prepared from Hydrastis. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION AND THERAPEUTICS. BERBERIS is an astringent bitter, a tonic and stomachic in small doses, but in large doses it is cathartic, producing watery diarrhoea with abdominal pain. It is also believed to possess considerable alterative powers. BERBERINE has some antiseptic and antiperiodic value, and in large doses is a gastro-intestinal irritant. BERBERIS has been successfully used as a local application in conjunc |