554 IPECACUANHA 



Two horses had injections of 15 minims of the above 

 solution with 15 minims of water, the dose containing ^nd 

 grain aconitine. The same effects resulted ; but pawing 

 and movements of the head were more marked ; both 

 subjects coughed and sneezed ; while one occasionally 

 belched, ground its teeth, and showed indications of pain ; 

 the pulse, previously 38 and soft, rose to 52 beats, and was 

 firmer ; there was no change of temperature, and no 

 increased secretion from skin, bowels, or kidneys, and in 

 about two hours the symptoms passed off. 



These and other experiments indicate that for hypodermic 

 use ^jth to ^th grain of aconitine nitrate is a sufficient dose 

 for the horse. As with other preparations, administered 

 either hypodermically or otherwise, the effects may be 

 increased and maintained by repeating half the dose three 

 or four times, at intervals of half an hour or an hour. 



IPECACUANHA 



IPECACUANHA. Ipecacuanhae radix. The dried root of 

 Psychotria ipecacuanha (B.P.). Nat. Ord. Rubiacese. 



The Psychotria ipecacuanha is a Brazilian shrub two or 

 three feet high. The root, the only officinal part, occurs in 

 twisted, knotted pieces, two to four inches in length, of the 

 thickness of a quill. The tough, white, internal woody 

 matter is inert ; the brittle brown bark, marked with 

 unequal rings, contains the active principle. The powder is 

 grey-brown, has an acrid bitter taste, a faint, nauseous 

 odour, and communicates its properties to hot water, alcohol, 

 and diluted acids. Besides other plant constituents, it con- 

 tains an odorous volatile oil, the amorphous red-brown 

 tannin called ipecacuanhic or cephaelic acid, and the alka- 

 loids emetine (C 30 H 42 2 N 5 ) and cephaeline. Emetine is a 

 colourless powder, slightly bitter, soluble in ether, alcohol, 

 and chloroform, but not in caustic potash. It neutralises 

 acids, forming crystalline salts. A volatile alkaloid has 

 also been isolated. 



ACTIONS AND USES, Ipecacuanha and emetine are topical 

 irritants and emetics. The drug is thus got rid of, and, as 



