![]() ❖ Increased intraocular pressure contraindicated inĪngle-closure glaucoma (unless already treated by laser iridotomy)Īnticholinergic (antimuscarinic) agents block muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. ❖ Photophobia due to mydriasis (dilated pupils) ❖ Cycloplegia (loss of accommodation)-lens cannot focus on near objects ❖ 50% increased risk of developing dementia ❖ Dry mouth (risk of sublingual adenitis) ❖ Decreased sweating flushing-“Red as a beet” There can always be a useful side to the proverbially deadliest of plants.❖ Constipation (risk of ileus, bowel rupture) Ironically, the very “poison” that Jane Toppan used to kill a victim whose death was originally recorded as heart disease is now used to help save patients from dying from a heart attack. It is also used to dilate eyes for examination by an ophthalmologist and is given to patients after cardiac arrest. It is the standard antidote for nerve gas poisoning, as it blocks the excess acetylcholine the nerve gas produced. However, atropine in the right hands can be a very useful chemical, even a lifesaver. Atropa belladonna poster from the Manchester Museum Herbarium As atropine and morphine produce opposite responses, atropine “speeds up” the system whilst morphine slows down the body, Toppan balanced the doses of both drugs to prolong her victims’ struggle until a fatal dose was given. In the late 19th century, the psychopathic American nurse Jane Toppan used atropine in concert with morphine to kill over 31 people. belladonna and its derivatives were favoured tool for the poisoner. Atropa belladonna Herbarium sheet showing flowers, from the Manchester Museum HerbariumĪ. If the dose is high, this can lead to psychosis, convulsions, respiratory failure and death. This produces anticholingeric syndrome, whose symptoms are remembered by the mnemonic, “dry as a bone, blind as a bat, red as a beet, mad as a hatter, hot as a hare”. After a delay, this leads to an inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system. The toxins have an anticholinergic effect, which means they affect neurones by competing with the neurotransmitter acetylcholine for muscarinic receptors. belladonna‘s deadly potential is principally derived from three toxins, the tropane alkaloids hyoscine, hyoscyamine and atropine. Some report that an adult would be killed by 10-20 berries, whilst others report a case of children who had eaten eaten up to 40 berries and survived after hospitalisation.Ī. Atropa belladonna Herbarium sheet showing the fruit, from the Manchester Museum HerbariumĪs with many poisonous plants, it is very difficult to get an accurate measure of the lethal dose. It has the potential to be quite dangerous. This doesn’t mean the plant should be treated lightly though. Atropa belladonna was involved in 42 of these cases, but no deaths were reported. Of a total of 24,950 cases of contact with poisonous plants, 135 cases (0.6% of total) were serious poisonings with sufficient information. ![]() For example, the plant topped the list of plants causing severe poisoning in Switzerland between 1966-1994. ![]() Finding Atropa belladonna Herbarium sheets in the Manchester Museum HerbariumĪtropa belladonna is one of the most common plants involved in poisoning throughout most of Europe and central Asia, but is still no minor threat. ![]() Compared to the shriveled fruits I had just seen, this was a regal fruit with the sepals like a ruff and a grandly arching stem. It caught my eye as I was returning the gloves I wore to find Atropa belladonna Herbarium sheets. The Herbarium has a large model of these berries displayed on a cabinet in the main room. A figurative translation of the name could be femme fatale, appropriate for a plant whose main danger to humans is to the forager lured to pick and eat the glossy black berries. The species name belladonna is the Italian for beautiful woman, named so because of the plant’s use in giving pleasingly dilated pupils. The genus name is derived from Atropus, one of the three Fates of Greek Mythology, whose shears could cut the threads of life. But it’s binomial, Atropa belladonna, is far more beautiful and apt. Deadly nightshade’s common name stresses its notoriety as a poison. Posted on FebruUpdated on JanuAtropa belladonna model from the Manchester Museum Herbariumīinomials can be a pain to learn, but they often have a hidden poetry.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |