Hey there, can anyone tell me:
how atropine used to be administered by the ancient greeks
Atropine is derived from the deadly nightshade plant, which was known to the ancient Greeks for its medicinal properties. The Greek physician Dioscorides mentioned the use of deadly nightshade as a pain reliever and sedative in his work "De Materia Medica," which was written in the first century AD.
However, the specific method of administering atropine by the ancient Greeks is not clear. It is possible that they used a tincture or infusion of the plant, or they may have applied the crushed leaves or berries directly to the skin. It is also possible that they used other plants that contain atropine, such as henbane or mandrake.
if administering it in a way that's not intravenously will affect how well it can cure sarin gas effects
Atropine is used to treat the symptoms of nerve agent poisoning, such as those caused by sarin gas. It works by blocking the action of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that is overstimulated in nerve agent poisoning.
Intravenous administration of atropine is the preferred method of delivery in cases of severe poisoning, as it allows for rapid absorption and distribution of the drug throughout the body. However, atropine can also be administered through other routes, such as intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or even orally which seems the most likely in Greek societies where tools and medical systems may have been lacking.
The effectiveness of atropine in treating sarin gas effects will depend on various factors though, such as the severity of the poisoning, the dose and route of administration of atropine, and the timing of treatment.
how atropine is made (in the context of medieval-fantasy setting)
Atropine is a chemical compound that is extracted from plants, particularly deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) and related species. In a medieval-fantasy setting, atropine could be made by a skilled alchemist or herbalist who has knowledge of the properties of plants. That chemist or herbalist could also offer some form of atropine for sale if you want an easy source for your character.
The process of making atropine would involve harvesting the plant material, crushing or grinding it to extract the alkaloids, and then purifying the extract through various chemical and physical processes. The resulting atropine would be in the form of a powder or liquid, which could be administered orally or through other routes as needed.