556 VERATBINE 



to grs. xxv. ; cats, grs. iv. to grs. xii. ; pigs, grs. xv. to grs. 

 xlv., given in tepid water, either alone or with half a grain 

 to a grain of tartar emetic. Some practitioners use Dover's 

 powder, or its pharmaceutical imitation, made by triturating 

 together one part each ipecacuanha and opium, and eight 

 parts potassium sulphate. Of this expectorant and diaphor- 

 etic, horses and cattle take 3*- ^ 3 U J- > sheep, grs. xxx. 

 to 3*- 5 dogs, grs. x. to grs. xv. ; cats, grs. ii. to grs. v., 

 repeated several times daily, the patient supplied with 

 plenty of diluents, and kept comfortably clothed, and in 

 an atmosphere of about 60 Fahr. The wine is prepared 

 with an ounce of the liquid extract of ipecacuanha and ten 

 fluid ounces of sherry. Doses for the dog, H\xv. to 3*- 



Emetine, when inhaled even in minute amount, irritates 

 the mucous membrane of the air-passages, and induces 

 symptoms analogous to hay-fever. The toxic doses of 

 emetine are gr. iss. to grs. viii. for the dog, and gr. J for the 

 cat. Two grains swallowed by a dog caused violent vomit- 

 ing, increased secretion of mucus from the respiratory and 

 alimentary membranes, inflammation of the stomach and 

 intestines, stupor, and death in twenty-four hours (Magendie). 

 It is eliminated by the mucous membranes and liver, in- 

 creasing secretion of bile. Large doses lower temperature, 

 relax voluntary muscles, and kill by cardiac paralysis. 

 Emetine hydrochloride (or hydro-bromide) has been pre- 

 scribed as a gastric stimulant for cattle and sheep, and as 

 an emetic for dogs. Doses Cattle, grs. iii. to grs. vi. ; 

 sheep, gr. i. to grs. ij. ; dogs, gr. ^ to gr. i. Administered 

 subcutaneously, the emetine salt is dissolved in equal parts 

 of water and alcohol. 



VBRATRINB 



VERATRINA. An alkaloid, or mixture of alkaloids, obtained 

 from Cevadilla, the dried ripe seeds of Schoenocaulon 

 officinale (B.P.). Nat. Ord. Liliaceae. 



It is prepared from Cevadilla by precipitation with 

 ammonia. It is pale grey, amorphous, odourless, bitter, 

 and acrid, insoluble in water, but soluble in spirit, in ether, 



