The root of Atropa Belladonna Linne (nat. ord. Solanacece).

Habitat

Central and Southern Europe, in woods.

Characters

In cylindrical, somewhat tapering, longitudinally wrinkled pieces, 10 to 25 mm. or more in thickness; externally brownish-gray, internally whitish; fracture nearly smooth and mealy, not radiating or showing medullary rays in the thicker roots, only in the layer near the bark; nearly inodorous; taste sweetish, afterwards bitterish and strongly acrid.

Composition

As of the leaves. Usually contains 0.2 to 0.6 per cent. of alkaloids.

Preparations

1. Extractum Belladonnae Radicis Fluidum. - Fluid Extract of Belladonna Root. By percolation with Alcohol and Water, and evaporation.

Dose, 1 to 3 m.; .06 to .20 c.c.

2. Linimentum Belladonnae. - Belladonna Liniment. Fluid Extract of Belladonna Root, 950; Camphor, 50.