MOTOR DEPRESSANTS. 159 



odor, extremely volatile, insoluble in water, but solu- 

 ble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform. It is obtained 

 by the reaction of nitrous or nitric acid upon amylic 

 alcohol. Dose: H., fl. 3 ss.-ij. ; D., fTii.-v. 



Glonoiniim, glonoin, glyceryl trinitrate, trinitrin, 

 nitroglycerin — C3H,(N03)3 — is a clear, oily liquid, 

 insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, and is pro- 

 duced by the reaction of HNO3 and H,SO, upon glyc- 

 erin. It is a very explosive compound, and is there- 

 fore usually kept only in one-per-cent. solution in 

 alcohol, which is known as — 



Tinctura Triniiriiii, one per cent. ; Spirihis 

 Glonoini^ one per cent. Dose: H., fl. 3 ss.-ij.; D., 



TT[SS.-X. 



Sodii Nitris, sodium nitrite ; Potassce Nitris, po- 

 tassium nitrite. Dose: H., gr. xv.-3iss. ; D., gr. 

 ss.-iij. 



Ethyli Nitris, ethyl nitrite— C,H,NO,— constitutes 

 about five per cent, of spiritus eetheris nitrosi. (See 

 under ^ther). 



Physiological Action.— The nitrites are said to 

 produce great vascular dilatation, and consequently 

 lower blood pressure. They are all muscle poisons in 

 large doses. They create a tumultuous action of the 

 heart by relaxing its inhibitory apparatus ; they di- 

 minish sensation, motion, and reflexes; they lower 

 body temperature and respiration. 



The amyl nitrite is the most prompt but less endur- 

 ing in action, and is best given by inhalation. The 

 nitroglycerin is less prompt, less violent, but more 

 lasting in action, and most suitable for internal use. 



