This section is from the "A Practical Treatise On Materia Medica And Therapeutics" book, by Roberts Bartholow. Also available from Amazon: A Practical Treatise On Materia Medica And Therapeutics
Deadly nightshade.
Belladonna-leaves. The leaves of Atropa belladonna Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae), U. S. P. Feuilles de bella-done, Fr.; Tollkraut, Ger.
Belladonna-root. The root of Atropa belladonna, as above. Racine de belladone, Fr.; Belladonnawurzel, Ger.
Belladonna-plaster. (Belladonna-root and resin-plaster.)
Extract of belladonna. Dose, gr.1/4 gr- J-
Alcoholic extract of belladonna. Dose, gr.1/4—gr. j. Prepared from the leaves.
Fluid extract of belladonna. Dose,τη j—τη v. Prepared from the root.
Tincture of belladonna. Prepared from the leaves. Dose, τη v— 3 ss.
Belladonna contains a peculiar alkaloid, atropine, on the presence of which the physiological activity of the drug depends. This principle is found chiefly in the bark of the root, and of young root. Another principle has also been discovered analogous to atropine, to which the name belladonnine has been given. Ladenburg has shown that belladonnine is identical with the active principle of hyoscyamus, or hyoscyamine. It is identical with atropine in composition, and can only differ in the arrangement of its molecules. The root also contains a fluorescent substance and a coloring matter, which has been called atrosin. Atropine exists in the plant in combination with malic acid as bimalate.
 
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