An inquiry into the action and uses of atropia / by Alex. Fleming.

  • Fleming, Alex.
Date:
[1863]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inquiry into the action and uses of atropia / by Alex. Fleming. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    AN INQUIRY INTO THE ACTION AND USES OF ATEOPIA. By ALEX. FLEMING, M.D., F.R.C.P. Loud., PHYSICIAN TO THE QUEEN’S HOSPITAL, AND CONSULTING PHYSICIAN TO THE MIDLAND EYE AND EAR HOSPITAL, BIRMINGHAM. Reprinted from the Edinburgh Medical Journal, March 1863. Physiological Action.—Local Action.—When a solution of atropia (1 grain of the alkaloid to 10 drachms of the menstruum) of the same strength as that which I employ for internal use, hut made without spirit,1 is well rubbed into the skin, no change results in the sense of touch—the sensibility to common impressions, or to temperature. The colour of the part is not altered, nor is its con¬ tractility—as evidenced by the goose-skin produced by the galvano- magnetic current and wire brush of Duchenne—either increased or impaired. I have determined these points by repeated experiments. Further, from several trials which I have made on worms and the small intestines of rabbits, I conclude that atropia is not a local paralyzer, as has been commonly inferred, either from its supposed mode of action on the iris, or from its curative influence in spas¬ modic diseases. The alkaloid appeared rather to quicken the con¬ traction of the parts to which it was applied. Painted on the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, it dries the part, and—chiefly as secondary effects—impairs both its feeling and movement, perverting the taste, and causing much difficulty of swallowing. These symptoms are much relieved by moistening the parts with water. Applied directly to the smaller arteries, atropia constricts them (Jones); and this effect may continue for many hours. On the Eyeball.—The same solution of atropia, dropped on the conjunctiva, in a few minutes widens the pupil, and after a much logger interval impairs the sight and lustre of the eye to which it is applied. The eye is misty, and cannot read print, easily seen by its 1 See my paper u On the Internal Exhibition of Atropia and of Strychnia,” in the January number for 1863 of the Edinburgh Medical Journal, p. 625.