502 NUX-VOMICA 



delirium occurring in some cases of parturient apoplexy, and 

 in tranquillising the involuntary spasms of chorea in dogs. 

 In the form of suppository it is sometimes substituted 

 for opium in the treatment of irritable or painful condi- 

 tions of the rectum and urino-genital organs. F. Smith 

 and other veterinarians bear evidence to the narcotic 

 and analgesic effects of the thick, treacle-like, semi-solid 

 extract obtainable in India. An ounce, it is stated, very 

 shortly renders the horse so sleepy that he can be roused with 

 difficulty, and may be severely pricked with a needle with- 

 out wincing. The Indian extract is devoid of the excitant 

 effects which opium exerts on many horses. 



DOSES, etc. Of the extract, horses and cattle take 3J- to 

 3iv. ; dogs, gr. j. to grs. iij. in bolus or pill. Larger doses 

 may be given without danger. F. Smith prescribed one 

 ounce, sometimes, two, three, or more ounces of the extract, 

 for horses affected with colic, enteritis, or laminitis. It is 

 often advantageously conjoined with chloral hydrate. The 

 B.P. tincture is made with one ounce of the extract and a 

 pint of alcohol (90 per cent.). It contains one grain of 

 extract in twenty-two minims. The tincture is incon- 

 venient to use, as water precipitates the resin. It may 

 be given to horses in doses of j. to Jiv., or more, mixed 

 with mucilage, a drachm to the ounce of tincture, before 

 adding water or other vehicle. As the quantity of Canna- 

 binol contained in different samples of Indian hemp varies 

 considerably, only standardised preparations should be 

 used. 



NUX-VOMICA 



Nux-VoMiCA. The dried ripe seeds of Strychnos nux- 



vomica. Nat. Ord. Loganiaceae. 

 STRYCHNINE. Strychnina. An alkaloid obtained from the 



dried ripe seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica, and other 



species of Strychnos (B.P.). 



The Strychnos nux-vomica grows on the southern coasts 

 of India, in many islands of the Indian Archipelago, and in 

 the northern parts of Australia. It is a moderate-sized 

 tree, with crooked stem, irregular branches, tough white 



