STROPHANTHUS 361 



Apocynum androscemifolium Linn6, dogbane, resembles the above, but has 

 a relatively thicker bark inclosing a white, porous wood, and contains, in the 

 outer portion, stone-cell groups. By applying the phloroglucin test to a 

 section, the groups of stone-cells are revealed, stained red. Two species sold 

 indiscriminately. 



CONSTITUENTS. Apocynein, a yellowish glucoside (acting like digitalin) ; apocynin, 

 a bitter, resin-like extractive; tannin, resin, starch, etc. 



ACTION AND USES. A valuable diuretic in moderate doses, in large doses emetic 

 and cathartic, producing considerable diaphoresis and expectoration; most 

 used and most beneficial in dropsy. Recently the drug has attracted some 

 attention as a most valuable deobstru%nt in relieving renal congestion in 

 the second stage of tubular nephritis. It is also a decided heart tonic. Dose 

 as a diuretic, 4 to 5 gr. (0.3 to 0.324 Gm.); as an emetic and cathartic, 15 to 

 30 gr. (i to 2 Gm.). 



OFFICIAL PREPARATION. 



Fluidextractum Apocyni, Dose: 15 njj (i mil). 



447. ASPIDOSPERM A. QUEBRACHO. (U.S.P. IX.) The bark of Aspidosper'ma 

 quebra'cho blancho Schlechtendal. Thick, flat pieces (from % to i in. in thick- 

 ness), with a very thick, yellowish-gray cork, which constitutes more than one- 

 half of its entire substance, and is separated from bhe lower layer by a more 

 or less sharply defined outline, deeply fissured, and traversed by parallel 

 yellowish lines; between these lines are whitish dots visible in a cross-section 

 scattered through both the outer and inner layers. Internally reddish- 

 brown to yellow; odor slight; taste aromatic and bitter. Constituents: 

 Aspidosperma is very rich in alkaloids, six having been discovered thus 

 far; the most important are aspidospermine, C22H 30 N2O2, and quebrachine, 

 C2iH28N 2 O2. A peculiar sugar, quebrachite, is also present, and tannin, 3 

 to 4 per cent. Cardiac tonic. Its special action, however, is upon the 

 respiration, lessening the rate and increasing the amplitude of the respiratory 

 movements; it is chiefly used in asthmatic dyspnoea. Dose: 5 to 30 gr. 

 (0.3 to 2 Gm.). 



Powder. Microscopical elements of: See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 



Preparation of Aspidospermine. Treat alcoholic extract with alkaline chloro- 

 form; dissolve chloroformic extract in acidulated (H 2 SO4) water and precipitate 

 with NaOH; dissolve precipitate (mixed alkaloids) in boiling alcohol and cool, 

 when alkaloids will crystallize. 



To separate aspidospermine, crystallize from dilute HC1, when this alkaloid 

 will remain in the mother liquor, from which it may be removed by neutralization 

 and recrystallization. As found in commerce, this alkaloid is a mixture of this 

 and the other associated principles, among which quebrachine is the most 

 important. Crude aspidospermine sulphate is a commercial article, is deliques- 

 cent and unstable; it is much more soluble in water than the alkaloid. 



Fluidextractum Aspidospermatis, Dose: 5 to 30 njj (0.3 to 2 mils). 



448. ALSTONIA CONSTRICTA F. Mueller. AUSTRALIAN FEVER BARK. Tonic, 

 antiperiodic. Dose of fl'ext.: 2 to 8 itjj (0.13 to 0.5 mil). 



449. ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS R. Brown. DITA. A tree growing in the Phil- 

 ippine Islands, the bark of which is used in India as a substitute for cinchona. 

 Dose of fl'ext.: 2 to 8 ttg (0.13 to 0.5 mil). 



450. CONESSL The bark of Holar'rhena antidysenter'ica Wallr. Has been 

 used in Europe and is still extensively employed in India in dysentery. Its 

 alkaloid, conessine, enters commerce. 



451. STROPHANTHUS. STROPHANTHUS 

 STROPHANTHUS 



The ripe seed of Strophan'thus Kombe Oliver or of Strophanthus hispidus De 

 Candolle, deprived of its long awn. 



