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#106629 06/29/03 06:01 PM
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http://www.geefarms.com/terms.htm

thought that the gardeners amongst us might find something worthwhile in this list. and Dr. Bill can have a field day!



formerly known as etaoin...
#106630 06/29/03 07:32 PM
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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.


#106631 06/29/03 11:28 PM
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stranger
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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
#106632 06/29/03 11:56 PM
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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!)


#106633 06/30/03 12:12 AM
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Dear habrotrocha: Glad to see you post. I have sent you
a PM. Bill


#106634 06/30/03 11:47 AM
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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?


#106635 06/30/03 12:11 PM
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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.


#106636 06/30/03 12:30 PM
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wwh Offline
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I searched for "belladonna aphrodisiac" and got a bunch of hits. Here's one:
http://www.alchemy-works.com/scopolia.html
You wouldn'catch me trying it. Anyway, I never needed any.


#106637 06/30/03 02:20 PM
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Anyway, I never needed any.

ah, you old rapscallion!



formerly known as etaoin...
#106638 06/30/03 06:49 PM
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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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