Black Henbane
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
An overview of Hyoscyamus niger (black henbane), a poisonous solanaceous plant containing the alkaloids hyoscyamine and scopolamine. The article details its botanical description, medicinal preparations, physiological effects, symptoms of poisoning, and emergency treatments, as described in the 1920s-1930s Soviet medical literature.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
BLACK HENBANE, Hyoscyamus niger, family Solanaceae, an annual or biennial plant with a hairy, hollow stem and ovate, deeply sinuate, sticky, hairy, dirty-greenish leaves. Large flowers, almost sessile, solitary, axillary. The fruit is an ovate multi-seeded capsule opening with a lid. Seeds are small, kidney-shaped, brownish-gray. Blooming branch; 2-open corolla; 3-calyx; 4-opened fruit.
The plant grows from June to September. It is distributed throughout Europe and in the USSR. The entire plant is poisonous. For medical purposes, the leaves and seeds of wild henbane are used. The leaves retain their properties for no more than one year. Seeds are gathered only when fully ripe. The plant contains highly poisonous alkaloids: hyoscyamine (C17H23NO3) and hyoscine, or scopolamine (C17H21NO4).
The physiological action of henbane is determined by both alkaloids. Pharmaceutical preparations: seeds (Semina Hyoscyami, pro dosi 0.06 to 0.18), used most frequently in the form of an emulsion (0.6:180.0); leaves (Folia Hyoscyami), prescribed in powders, pills, and mixtures (maximum single dose - 0.4, daily dose - 1.2); extract prepared from the leaves (Extractum Hyoscyami), prescribed in powders and pills (maximum single dose - 0.06, daily dose - 0.3); oil (Oleum Hyoscyami) and ointment (Unguentum Hyoscyami), used externally; scopolamine hydrobromide, used for subcutaneous and intravenous injections (maximum single dose - 0.0005, maximum daily dose - 0.0015).
Medical application. Black henbane and its preparations are used internally and externally as a sedative, antispasmodic, and pain-relieving remedy. Signs of poisoning: headache, pupil dilation, dry mouth, labored breathing, rapid heartbeat, psychic agitation reaching frenzy. Treatment of poisoning consists in removing the poison by washing the stomach and bowels with water containing tannin and by means of emetics and laxatives; internally - tannin; in case of severe agitation - chloral hydrate, morphine, ice packs, cold douches to the head. In case of weakness symptoms - strong black coffee, wine, mustard plasters to the calves.
D. Russian.
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“Black Henbane.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/black-henbane/