Credit: Science Museum, London. Wellcome Images images@wellcome.ac.uk http://wellcomeimages.org Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade is a plant whose name suggests it is poisonous. However, the roots and leaves have medicinal qualities – the leaves are a narcotic to induce sleep, and can be used as a diuretic and as a muscle relaxant. The roots and leaves were also used for plasters to relieve aches and pains. The cobalt blue coloured glass was blown with a ridged design. It is thought that poison bottles had distinctive textures and colours so they could easily be identified by touch and by sight.

A tincture is an alcoholic solution of a medicine.

maker: Unknown maker

Place made: England, United Kingdom made: 1880-1900 Published: -