350 LOGANIACE^E 



brucine, C23H 26 N2O4, the former being in excess. These are com- 

 bined in the seed with igasuric acid. A third alkaloid, igasurine, has 

 been claimed, but it is probably simply a mixture of the other two. A 

 glucoside, loganin, C25H 34 Oi 4 , has been found in the seeds, but it 

 exists in greater quantity in the pulp surrounding the seed of the 

 fruit. Other constituents are a concrete fixed oil, gum, wax, phos- 

 phates, and a yellow coloring matter. 



Strychnine. As usually found in commerce, strychnine is a 

 white or grayish-white powder. When rapidly crystallized from an 

 alcoholic solution, it has the form of a white 

 granular powder; when slowly crystallized, 

 that of an elongated octahedra, or rhombic 

 prisms with pyramidal capping. It is offi- 

 cially described as "in colorless, transparent, 

 octahedral, or prismatic crystals," etc. 



The test usually employed for its recogni- 

 tion is sulphuric acid with potassium bichro- 

 Si mate; gives a deep violet or blue color. A 

 physiological test is usually employed by 

 toxicologists as confirmatory to the chemical tests. 



Brucine. Brucine occurs in rectangular octahedra containing 

 4-H2O, readily soluble in alcohol; nitric acid colors blood-red, chang- 

 ing to orange and yellow, the yellow liquid becoming violet upon the 

 addition of stannous chloride or ammonium or sodium sulphide. 

 Ash, not to exceed 3.5 per cent. 



Preparation of Strychnine. Boil powdered seeds with acidulated (HC1 or 

 HjSOi) water. Decompose solution of alkaloidal salts by adding milk of lime, 

 which precipitates strychnine and brucine. Wash precipitate; treat with dilute 

 alcohol to dissolve brucine, or with alcohol or benzene to take out strychnine, 

 thus leaving brucine in the residue. Purify with animal charcoal and reprecipi- 

 tate with ammonia. Occurs in four-sided rhombic prisms; very bitter; soluble 

 in boiling alcohol 5 parts chloroform, no alcohol. 



ACTION AND USES. Nux vomica is a tonic, spinal nervine, and a poison. 

 In small doses it stimulates the appetite and digestion and the respi- 

 ration. Dose: ^ to 5 gr. (0.0324 to 0.3 Gm.). Strychnine repre- 

 sents its action fully. Brucine has the same physiological action as 

 strychnine, but is only about one-twelfth as strong. 



OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS. 



Fluidextractum Nucis Vomicae,. .Dose: % to 5 15 (0.0324 to 0.3 mil). 



Extractum Nucis Vomicse, ^ to I gr. (0.0324 to 0.0650 Gm.). 



Tinctura Nucis Vomica, 5 to 15 115 (0.3 to i mil). 



Druggists should never make the tincture from the fluidextract 

 of nux vomica regardless of whether the latter is assayed or not. 



