78 MATERIA MEDICA. 



shops, are several inches long, contorted, of a grayish-brown colour, 

 about the thickness of a small quill, apparently composed of a series 

 of transverse rings, from which cause it is often called annulated. 

 The cortical portion, which includes the rings, is hard, horny, and 

 brittle, resinous in its fracture ; the ligneous portion is small and 

 inert. Colour of powder, light fawn ; odour, slight in mass. The 

 powder excites sneezing, and, in some, asthmatic symptoms. Water 

 and alcohol extract its virtues ; but injured by long boiling ; also by 

 exposure to the light. Active principle, an alkali called emetina. 



Uses. — In very small doses it is tonic and alterative ; rather 

 larger doses prove diaphoretic and expectorant; still larger quantities 

 cause vomiting. Its emetic operation is mild, prompt, and certain ; 

 hence it is very useful as an evacuant from the stomach. It has 

 been used with advantage in hemorrhage. — Dose, as an alterative, 

 5 to J gr. ; as a diaphoretic, J to grs. ij ; as an emetic, 15 to 30 grs. ; 

 best given in warm water. 



The Vhinni Ipecacimnhce contains 3j to Oj ; — dose, as an emetic, 

 f 3j, — for an adult. Used chiefly as a diaphoretic and expectorant. 



There are several indigenous emetics, the most important of which 

 are the following : 



GiLLENiA, U. S. — Root of the G. trifoliatfz and G. siipulacea. 

 It is sometimes called Indian 'physic^ and Americmi ipecacuanha. 

 It has a long, branching root, of a reddish-brown colour. — Dose of 

 powder, 20 to 30 grs. — A good substitute for ipecacuanha. 



Lobelia, U. S. — Indian Tobacco. — Herbaceous part of the i. in- 

 jlata^ an annual plant. Along with its emetic properties it is also 

 narcotic, producing very much the effects of tobacco. Used chiefly 

 in spasmodic asthma. — Dose, 5 to 20 grs. The tincture-\s officinal ; 

 — dose, f 3j ; repeated if requisite. 



Sanguinaria, U. S. — Root of the »S. Canade7isis, or blood-root ; — 

 distinguished by its red colour, and truncated appearance. Emetic, 

 and slightly narcotic ; also used in catarrhs. Dose, 10 to 20 grs.; 

 — of tincture, f 3ij to f3ss. 



Squill and Tobacco are emetic in large doses, but are seldom em- 

 ployed for this purpose ; the great prostration produced by the latter 

 is an objection. 



Mustard^ in powder, is a stimulant emetic ; it may be used in 

 some cases of narcotic poisoning. 



Tartar Emetic. 



Difl^ers in its action, as an emetic, from ipecacuanha, in causing 

 much more retching, nausea, and general disturbance of the system ; 

 hence employed to act upon the surrounding viscera, as in congested 

 liver or spleen; to break up the paroxysms of intermittents ; to pro- 

 duce relaxation in croup and in dislocations ; in nervous diseases, 

 as in neuralgia and amaurosis. Ipecacuanha is preferable in poison- 

 ing from narcotics. Often combined with ipecacuanha. Dose, 2 



