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Joined: Jun 2002
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
http://www.geefarms.com/terms.htmthought that the gardeners amongst us might find something worthwhile in this list. and Dr. Bill can have a field day! 
formerly known as etaoin...
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Dear etaoin: I remember being told in biochemistry that "belladonna" the plant, was so named because Italian ladies thought that the atropine effect of dilating pupils made them more attractive. I am sceptical that this could ever have been popular, because those who took it would also have their vision blurred disagreeably. I once almost cut off a finger using a circular saw before the effects of
atropine given me for a refraction had worne off, and my depth perception was badly impaired. I went to pick up a cut piece, and put my hand right into the saw.
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Joined: May 2003
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stranger
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stranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4 |
Belladonna ladies operating circular saws? Try to get your teeth, if you can, into that scene. Belladonna ladies had to operate (at most) the draping of an arm across a dancing partner's shoulders or the lifting of that last glass of wine to their pouty, expectant lips.
J. Potter
J. Potter
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
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it is normal for human pupils to dilate when they are sexually excited..
so i suspect the belladonna was used to make it seem like the ladies were enjoying themselves.. and looking excited, i suspect, also made them look more attactive.. (and by looking at them through bleary eyes, perhaps their companions, as well!)
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Dear habrotrocha: Glad to see you post. I have sent you
a PM. Bill
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2002
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it is normal for human pupils to dilate when they are sexually excited.. You are speaking from experience as a teacher? 
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
it is normal for human pupils to dilate when they are sexually excited
This was confirmed in a study that was mentioned in Scientific American many years ago. I would also imagine that the helplessness engendered by the fuzziness of vision resulting from the use of belladonna was also a turn on for the gentlemen of the time.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
I searched for "belladonna aphrodisiac" and got a bunch of hits. Here's one: http://www.alchemy-works.com/scopolia.htmlYou wouldn'catch me trying it. Anyway, I never needed any.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
Anyway, I never needed any.ah, you old rapscallion!
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
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Mentioned in Plutarch's Live of Lysander"
"the Cretan storax"
storax
n.
5ME < L storax, styrax < Gr styrax, of Sem orig., as in Heb tsori, terebinth resin6
1 the aromatic balsam exuded by liquidambar trees, used in medicine and perfumery
2 a fragrant, solid resin obtained from a small, E Mediterranean tree (Styrax officinalis) of the storax family, formerly used as incense
3 any of a genus (Styrax) of chiefly tropical trees and shrubs of the storax family, with drooping clusters of showy white flowers
adj.
designating a family (Styracaceae, order Ebenales) of widely distributed dicotyledonous trees or shrubs, as the snowbell
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