A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    138/554 (page 126)
    LOCAL THERAPEUTICS. patient should be brought under the influence of the drug, preferably by means of a suppository of half a grain of the extract of belladonna inserted into the rectum about half an hour before the proposed introduc- tion of the instrument. In many cases what would otherwise be an impermeable stricture, can readily be passed. In some cases of tight stricture it is advisable to smear the instruments with the ointment of belladonna instead of sweet oil. By this means the local effect of the drug is supposed to be made more prompt and active. Care, however, ought to be exercised that too much of the drug does not find its way into the system from the mucous membrane of the urethra. It must be remembered that belladonna is of little service when the retention of urine is due to an enlarged prostate, as it has a tendency to paralyze the vesical expulsive muscles; and where the desire to pass water arises from the presence of urine which the bladder fails to expel, the difficulty is only aggravated by belladonna. In Strangury following the ab- sorption of cantharides from large blisters, and also from the use of turpentine, belladonna combined with opium will prove a satisfactory remedy. In irritable spasms and neuralgic conditions belladonna may be combined with advantage with opium and camphor. In Orchitis immediate relief may be obtained by enveloping the tes- ticle in lint on which has been spread a thick coating of belladonna oint- ment, and applying over this fomentations of hot water. In Chordee Mr. Hill recommends a suppository of extract of belladonna and morphine. In Fissure of the Anus Dupuytren states that belladonna is of service in inducing relaxation of the sphincter. It may be applied in a supposi- tory, or the following : R. Ext. belladonnge, plumbi acetatis, aa gj; adipis, 3vj. M. Sig. Applied three or four times daily. In the treatment pf Hemorrhoids belladonna is incorporated with many ointment bases. The following prescription is used at the University of Pennsylvania Hos- pital: B. Ext. belladonnse, gr. x; ext. stramonii, ^ss; acid, tannici, gr. viij ; adipis, §j. M. Ung. The selected part should be washed before the application of the ointment. When the hemorrhoids are accompanied with much itching, the following ointment may be found of service: R. Ung. hydrarg. nitratis, ; ung. belladqnnge, ^vij. Ailing- ham recommends that when the masses are inflamed they be anointed with equal parts of extract of opium and of belladonna, and then be covered with a hot poultice, though in some cases a cold application may be found to be more grateful. Diseases of the Skin.—Belladonna is employed in the treatment of Hyperidrosis, and in affections of the skin where excessive sweating interferes with the action of other remedies. In excessive sweating of the palms and soles, or of the axilla, groins, etc., the tincture may be