354 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Dose.— H., 3i.-ii. (4.-8.); C, 3 ".-iii. (8.-12.); Sh. & Sw., mx.-xv. 

 (.6-1.); D., mi.-iii. (.06-.2). 



Linimentum Belladonnce. Belladonna Liniment. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Camphor, 50; fluid extract of belladonna to make 1,000. (U. S, P.) 



Atropina. Atropine. C,,B.^^ N O^ 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



An alkaloid obtained from belladonna. As it occurs in 

 commerce, it is always accompanied by a small proportion 

 of hyoscyamine extracted along with it, from which it cannot 

 readily be separated. 



Derivation. — Atropine is obtained from a strong tincture 

 of the root. Slaked lime is added, which splits up atropine 

 malate and precipitates lime malate. The excess of lime is 

 precipitated by sulphuric acid, and coloring matters by 

 potassium carbonate, which also sets free atropine. The 

 atropine is dissolved in chloroform, recovered on evapora- 

 tion, and purified by digestion with warm alcohol and char- 

 coaL 



Properties. — White, acicular crystals, or a more or less 

 amorphous white powder; without odor, having a bitter, 

 acrid taste, and gradually assuming a yellowish tint on 

 exposure to air. Soluble in 130 parts of water, 3 parts of 

 alcohol, 16 parts of ether, 4 parts of chloroform, and about 

 60 parts of glycerin. At about 108^ C. (226.4^ F.) it melts, 

 forming a colorless liquid. At about 140^ C. (284° F.) it 

 begins to give off white, acrid fumes, and when ignited, 

 it is consumed without leaving a residue. It has a 

 markedly alkaline reaction; its saturated aqueous solu- 

 tion acquires a pink color upon the addition of a drop of 

 phenolphtaleiu. 



Incompatihles. — Decomposed by sodium or potassium 

 hydrate. 



Dose. — H., gr.ss.-iss. (.03-.09) ; average dose, gr.i. (.06) ; 

 C, gr.i.-ii. (.06-.12); Sh. k 8w., gr.^-VW (OOS-.OOS) ; D., 

 g^-Tio-A (.0005-.001). 



