Introduction - Uppsala Monitoring Centre

possible blindness, paralysis of the arms and legs, mild seizures, slowed
heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, and low blood pressure. Death occurs
when the drug stops either the heart or the lungs. (Jaffe et al., 1990 ;
Peterson, 1905). It was still used in 1952 for hypertension as Veriloid or
Sabidilla (SED 1952).
2. Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger, Jusquiame noire, L. Solanacées)
Figure 4 Henbane
Used from about 3500 BC. Other herbs with
similar actions include Datura stramonium,
(jimson weed, angel’s trumpet, thorn apple),
Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) and
Mandragora officinarum (mandrake). These
plants contain the tropane alkaloids:
atropine, scopolamine (epoxide of
hyoscyamine = hyoscine), and
hyoscyamine. Henbane contains not less
than 0.05% hyoscyamine and also hyoscine
and atropine. Used as an hypnotic and
anodyne. There are 15 species of annuals,
biennials, and perennials in this genus,
which is distributed through Western
Europe, Northern Africa, and Central and
South-western Asia. H. niger is found in
base sandy soil, near the sea. Its use faded
as it its component alkaloids were identified
and manufactured. One of these alkaloids, scopolamine, was used until recent years
with a form of morphia, colloquially known as ‘Om & Scop,’ (Omnopon +
scopolamine) as an anaesthetic premedication. Used in 1694 for madness, melena,
asthma, difficulty in breathing, epilepsy, and as a purge and as a diuretic.
3. Mercury
Included because of its use from at least 1500 BC and its resurgence as a
treatment for syphilis in the 1500s AD until now when it is finally disappearing.
The end of the use of Thiomersal (O-(ethylmercurithio) benzoic acid), which
contains 50% mercury by weight and is metabolized into ethyl mercury and
thiosalicylate as a preservative in vaccines, is 'imminent' and has been so for many
years. The different inorganic forms of mercury are: mercuric iodide HgI 2 , mercuric