96 VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 



dyspepsia; gastric catarrh; chronic or habitual con- 

 stipation, and colic resulting therefrom; to assist in 

 the action of purgatives. For local paralysis, inject 

 strychnine into affected muscles once or twice a week. 

 Post-partum paralysis and chronic paralysis of cattle; 

 dyspnoea from pulmonic affections ; also in roaring 

 and broken wind. Cardiac failure from any cause; 

 cerebro-spinal meningitis; stringhalt; chorea, asth- 

 ma, and chronic bronchitis in dogs. Strychnine 

 stimulates the sexual functions if continued for some 

 weeks. Combined with cantharis in small doses it is 

 an effectual remedy to relieve relaxation of sphincter 

 muscles of the bladder. 



Ergota— Ergot. 



Ergota, ergot of rye, Secale cornutum, horned or 

 spurred rye. The sclerotium of Claviceps purpurea, 

 natural order Fungi, replacing the grain of Secale ce- 

 reale, natural order Graminacese. Somewhat fusi- 

 form, obtusely triangular, usually curved, about one 

 inch long and one-eighth inch thick, three-furrowed, 

 obtuse at both ends, purplish-black in color, whitish 

 internally with some purplish striae, breaking w^th a 

 short fracture ; having a peculiar, heavy odor and a 

 disagreeable, oily taste. It contains three distinct 

 active principles: 1. Ergotic or ergotinic acid, hav- 

 ing no power to contract muscular fibre, but acting 

 on the heart, respiration, nerves, and producing con- 

 vulsions. 2. Sphacelinic or sphacelic acid, soluble in 

 alcohol, which stimulates vasomotor centres, and is 



