22 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



will serve as a safeguard against annoying or even dangerous if not 

 fatal symptoms from an overdose of very powerful drugs, as aconite, 

 hyoscyamus, belladonna, strophantus, and others. The promiscuous 

 tasting and swallowing of drug particles, though they are compara- 

 tively harmless, will often develop annoying dyspeptic symptoms. 

 It should also be remembered that some individuals are very sensitive 

 to the effects of certain drugs. Minute doses of nutmeg, mace and 

 aconite have been known to produce alarming nervous symptoms. 



If the drug is comparatively harmless, there should be no hesitancy 

 about tasting a larger quantity if necessary to develop a decided 

 sensation. From one to three grains is an average dose of the powerful 

 drugs, as aconite, Belladonna, Digitalis, Hyoscyamus, Nux vomica, 

 tobacco, Strophantus and others; if this is kept in mind, there need be 

 no danger of an overdose, especially if little or none of it is swallowed. 



As soon as the taste is fully developed the mouth should be well 

 rinsed with pure water in order to remove powder particles and the 

 taste, preparatory to testing the next drug. Some taste sensations 

 (bitter), tactile sensations (pungency) and benumbing effects are 

 quite persistent and not easily removed; but several rinsings with 

 lukewarm water will usually be sufficient. 



While tasting a powder the student should also note concomitant 

 effects, as coloration of saliva, frothiness of saliva, benumbing effects 

 upon tongue and pharynx, mucilaginous condition, grittiness, etc. 



The following classification of true tastes, so-called aromatic 

 tastes and tactile sensations which are generally or occasionally 

 designated as taste sensations, will serve as a review of the subject. 



Tastes of Vegetable Drugs 



A. PURE TASTE SENSATIONS. 



I. Pleasant or agreeable. 



1. Sweet (pleasant in all degrees of concentration) Sugar. 



2. Salty, Saline (agreeable in weak solutions; disagreeable 



in strong solutions) Salt. 



3. Acid, Acidulous, Sour (agreeable in weak solutions; very 



disagreeable in strong solutions) Vinegar. 



II. Disagreeable. 



1. Bitter (disagreeable in all degrees of solution) Quinine. 



B. AROMATIC TASTE SENSATIONS (ASSOCIATIONS OF TRUE TASTES 



AND TACTILE SENSATIONS WITH PLEASANT ODORS). 



I. True Aromatic Sensations (a true taste sensation, usually 

 acid or sweet, associated with an agreeable odor) Many 

 fruits, candies. 



