ALKALOIDS 701 



of the bowels are more often effectually controlled by the 

 conjunction of a stimulant like ether, and an anodyne like 

 opium, than by either given alone. Pain which is not 

 alleviated by either morphine or atropine is sometimes 

 abated by giving them together, (b) The adjuvant is intro- 

 duced in order to increase, moderate or modify the action of 

 the basis. Frequently its chief object is to ensure solubility 

 and ready absorption, (c) A corrective is occasionally 

 required to temper the effects of the basis. Thus, a small 

 dose of laudanum is prescribed with oil or other laxative 

 in cases of diarrhoea ; ginger is generally added to the 

 aloetic mass for horses, (d) The vehicle generally consists 

 of some comparatively inert substance, added to facilitate 

 administration, such as the treacle, linseed meal, or liquorice 

 powder used as excipients for boluses and pills, the benzoated 

 lard or vaseline used for making ointments, and the water 

 given in drenches. 



The prescriber's aphorism, ' Curare cito, tute, et jocunde,' 

 is more easily fulfilled now than formerly. With a widening 

 choice of carefully-prepared drugs, the effects of which are 

 becoming more fully known, the practitioner is better able 

 to cure quickly, safely, and pleasantly. Instead of crude 

 vegetable drugs, often inconveniently bulky, and containing 

 useless and even injurious constituents, extracts, infusions, 

 and tinctures have long been used. But concentration and 

 simplification are being carried still further. Active alka- 

 loids and neutral proximate principles are now prepared, 

 and possess the advantage not only of concentrated form, 

 but usually also of more uniform quality and less liability 

 to spoil. 



To guard against impurities and adulterations, the British 

 Pharmacopoeia, under the head of each drug, gives characters 

 and tests which enable purchasers to satisfy themselves of 

 the quality and purity of the articles used. 



ALKALOIDS 



These alkali-like organic bases are found in various plants, 

 some of which, like the opium poppy, cinchona bark, and 

 jaborandi, contain more than one alkaloid. They probably 



