MOTOR EXCITANTS. 97 



the chief agent in producing gangrene of the extrem- 

 ities in chronic ergotism. 3. Cornutine, an alkaloid, 

 which produces convulsions, ergotism, and increased 

 peristalsis of the uterus. Ergot also contains a non- 

 drying oil, with trimethylamine, and lactic and phos- 

 phoric acids. 



Preparations of Ergot. — Ergot a Pulvis, pow- 

 dered ergot. Dose: H., 5 ss.-i. ; D., gr. xv.-xxx. 



Extractum Ergotoe, solid extract of ergot, ergotin. 

 Dose: H., gr. xx.-xl. ; D., gr. i.-v. (prepared by 

 evaporating fluid extract 5 parts to 1 part) . 



Extractum Ergotce Fluidum, fluid extract of 

 ergot. Dose: H., fl. 3 iij.-viij. ; D., tti x.-xx. 



Ergotole, a very concentrated fluid extract, is 

 manufactured by Messrs. Sharp & Dohme, of Balti- 

 more, Md. It is two and one-half times stronger than 

 the official fluid extract, and contains in permanent 

 solution all the active principles of ergot in an un- 

 changed condition and permanent form, while the in- 

 ert and irritating constituents have been removed. It 

 does not produce nausea even in repeated large doses, 

 and being non-irritant is especially valuable for hypo- 

 dermic medication. Dose: H., 3 ss.-iij. ; D., fit v.- 



XXX. 



Medicinal Actions and Uses. — As a parturient, 

 but should not be used until after the head and neck 

 of foetus have passed the os uteri. Ergot acts as a 

 motor excitant, haemostatic, stimulating chiefly the 

 spinal cord, and effecting a contraction of the muscu- 

 lar coat of vessels, intestines, and particularly of the 

 uterus; in fact, its action is directed mostly to wher- 

 7 



