Origin.—Belladonna is the leaves of a plant known as deadly nightshade. It grows wild in some parts of Great Britain, and is also cultivated to a great extent. The dried leaves of atropa belladonna yield, when assayed by the U. S. P. process, not less than 0.35 per cent of mydriatic alkaloids. Usually of a dull brownish-green color, the leaves much wrinkled and matted together, frequently with the flowering tops intermixed; odor distinctly narcotic, especially on moistening; taste somewhat bitter and acrid. Contains not less than 0.5 per cent atropine. The powdered leaves are characterized by few hairs and numerous small arrow-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate.

Dose.—Of the powdered leaves, horses and cattle, ¹/₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹/₂ to 2 dr.; dogs, 1 to 5 grs.

PREPARATIONS

EXTRACTUM BELLADONNAE FOLIORUM—EXTRACT OF BELLADONNA LEAVES

Made by percolation with dilute alcohol and evaporation to pilular consistence. Used in preparing the unguentum belladonnae. Contains 1.4 per cent of mydriatic alkaloids.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 10 to 20 grs.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 grs.; dogs, ¹/₈ to ¹/₂ gr.

TINCTURA BELLADONNAE FOLIORUM—TINCTURE OF BELLADONNA LEAVES

Belladonna leaves 100, dilute alcohol to make 1,000, made by maceration and percolation. (Strength 10%.)

Dose.—Dogs, 3 to 30 ms.

UNGUENTUM BELLADONNAE—BELLADONNA OINTMENT

Extract of belladonna leaves, 10; dilute alcohol, 5; hydrous wool fat, 20; benzoinated lard, 63.