176-4 
Veratridine, C,.H,,NO,—An uncrystallizable alkaloid (the soluble veratrine 
of Weigelin and E. Schmit), soluble in water, and decomposing when boiled with 
an alcoholic solution of baryta water* into veratric acid, and 
Veratroine, C,,H,,N,O,,.—A body forming, after dehydration and trituration, 
a yellowish-white powder, the dust of which causes coughing and sneezing. It is 
sparingly soluble in water, but readily soluble in chloroform, ether, amylic alcohol. 
benzol, and carbon bisulphide; therefore answering fully to C. L. Mitchell’s vera- 
trowdia as obtained from V. viride, to which Tobien gave the formula C,,H,,N,O,,. 
Veratric Acid, C,H,,O,, crystallizes in colorless needles, losing their water 
of crystallization on heating, and sublimes completely at high temperatures. This 
body is soluble in water and alcohol, and insoluble in ether. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.— Ox Aximals—Dr. Percy’s experiments upon 
dogs and frogs show finely the action of the drug. From his prize essay from the 
Am. Med. Assoc., 1863, | have selected two of the more prominent cases: 
“EXPERIMENT VII.—Into the cellular tissue of the right lumbar region of a 
mongrel dog weighing sixteen pounds was passed, by Wade and Ford’s hypo- 
dermic syringe, ten minims of the concentrated tincture. The pulse at the time 
was 110. The movements soon became uneasy and unsteady. In eighteen minutes 
the dog vomited, and the pulse was reduced to 63. In thirty-four minutes the dog 
staggered, lay down, and was unable to rise, the retching continuing frequent. In 
thirty minutes the dog lay completely on its side, and the saliva flowed very freely 
from his mouth. The eye was dull, the pupils widely dilated, but fixed; but the 
eye closed if the cornea was touched. The limbs were very flaccid, the pulse 32. 
Ten minims more of the same tincture were now injected into the left lumbar 
region. In forty-five minutes from the first injection, the heart was beating 14 in 
the minute, and very irregular; the saliva continued to flow freely from the mouth, 
being almost as limpid as water. The dog was perfectly insensible to pain. The 
respirations were slow but full. At one hour from the first injection, the heart 
merely fluttered; the dog could be moved in any way without the slightest o/un- 
fary motion. The urine and feces were passed involuntarily. , 
“ ExpertMent I—Ten minims of a solution containing % gr. of the alkaloid 
veratria made from veratrum viride, by Mr. George Scattergood, of Philadelphia, 
_were, given to a large dog weighing about thirty pounds, in gelatine capsules ; 
great care was taken that none of it escaped into the mouth. 
3-35 P.M. Pulse 150 
4 “- salivation very profuse. en 
4.05 “ vomited. Be ar 
4.20 “ vomiting very frequently. ere 
4.45 “ vomiting viscid mucus and bile. ‘ae 
_ 5.20 “  prostration very great, unable to stand. ee iun 
5-45 “ pupils widely dilated, eyes fixed, BE Sc 
6  “- prostration great, profuse salivation. Intermittent 
_9 “walking about, but sober and dejected. se 
Veratridine. Water —- Veratric Acid. Veratroine. 
© CaBgNOD,+ (HO, = GH OF Calla NOue 
