Opium and Belladonna

Neuropharmacology is the study and evaluation of the effects of drugs on the nervous system. As mentioned previously, humans have known that chemicals found in plants and animals can cause profound changes in the function of the nervous system and have used natural products such as opium, cannabis, belladonna, and alcohol for thousands of years. As people developed the capacity to extract, purify, and finally synthesize new chemical substances, the number of chemicals that can modify nervous system function has grown rapidly. 

Mege a Bheumatze Ointment. Take 160 parts lard, 6 ports each of the extracts of opium, belladonna, and cinchona, 7 parts ammonia water. 

When comparing these hashish hallucinations to those produced by opium and belladonna, other writers (2,34) noted that such hallucinations were more than simple projected images. As William James (18) wrote at the turn of the century ... 

Geriatric Considerations - Summary Belladonna possesses potent anticholinergic effects and can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, delirium, confusion, psychosis, and increased risk of falls. Opium is a narcotic and when discontinued, physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms can occur. Adverse G1 effects include constipation and abdominal pain. This compound has no role in treating the older adult. 

Ext. Belladonna (extract of belladonna) The active agent Is atropine. In neuralgia. It was preferred over opium. Used In cases of whooping cough, scarlet fever, spasmodic asthma, and other Instances calling for an antlspasmodic. 

Many alkaloids have pronounced biological properties, and many of the pharmaceutical agents used today are derived from naturally occurring amines. Morphine and related alkaloids from the opium poppy, for instance, are used for pain relief atropine from the flowering plant Atropa belladonna, commonly called the deadly nightshade, is used as an anti-spasmodic agent for the treatment of colitis and ephedrine from the Chinese p smt Ephedra sinica is used as a bronchodilator and decongestant. 

In 1698, John Freyer, a physician employed by the same British company, made a similar mistake. Freyer in fact believed that opium was made from bangue. "ft [bangue] grows," he said, "as our hemp, the juice of whose seed ground in a bowl like mustard-seed, and mixed with any other liquor... [causes its users to develop] a craving for this poisonous drink... [and when mixed with belladonna] bangue is the inebriating confection of the Post [opium]." Apparently Freyer was under the impression that the cannabis in Post was more potent than the opium in it. 

Ancient Chinese and Indian medicinal recipes, along with African tribal shamen "cures," have included ingredients such as opium, curare, the belladonna alkaloids, and the digitalis alkaloids. The use of these treatments vas passed down by each generation through traditional practice and word of mouth. 

Humanity s first mood-altering substances were herbal sedatives and alcohol. Plants, which are now known to contain opium and belladonna alkaloids, were discovered millennia ago but entered mainstream medicine during the Renaissance and were widespread... 

Belladonna Anodyne Ointment. Mix 3 drachms fresh and good extract of bolladunna, 4 drachm powdered opium. 

DdCcXieaa s Heuralgric Liniment. Mix together 4 grains extract of belladonna, 6 fluid ounces ammonia water, h fluid ounce oil of turpentine, h fluid ounce olive oil, and 2 fluid ouuces tincture of opium. Apply during the paroxvsnis. 

However the gastroduodenal phytotherapy has not developed in a similar way. In the past century, opium extract was frequently used in the treatment of severe pain associated with peptic ulcer disease. Other sedative remedies prescribed included belladonna, hyosciamus, connium, and cannabis, drugs with analgesic or anticholinergic properties. 

Opium and Belladonna Suppositories (anticholinergic) 60 mg. powdered opium and 15 mg. powdered beladonna extract Used for control of diarrhea... 

Antidotes.—An emetic of sulphate of copper, when practicable purgatives to empty the alimentary canal after vomition or purgation, administer opium in sufficient doses to counteract the effects of the belladonna. Move the animal about affusions of cold water over the head and chest artificial respiration galvanism ether brandy inhalations of ammonia. 

---