368 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



a tobacco-like odor, and an acrid, nauseous and bitter taste. 

 Deliquescent on exposure to the air. Soluble in about 0.3 

 part of water, 2 parts of alcohol, 3,000 parts of ether, or 250 

 parts of chloroform. 



Dose.—!!., gr.i.-ii. {.06-.12); D., gr.^-^V (.00i-.002). 



Hyoscin^ Hydrobromas. Hyoscine Hydrobromate. 

 CnH,,N 0,H Br. (U. S. P. & B. P.) 



The hydrobromate of an alkaloid obtained from hyo- 

 scyamus. 



Properties. — Colorless, transpaient, rhombic crystals; 

 odorless and having an acrid, slightly bitter taste. Perma- 

 nent in the air. Soluble in 1.9 parts of water, and in 13 

 parts of alcohol ; very slightly soluble in ether or chloro- 

 form. 



Z>os6.-H.,gr.i-i (.001-015); D.,gr.^.^ (.0004-.0006). 



Action Internal. — The action of hyoscyamus is a resul- 

 tant of that of its two alkaloids, hyoscine and hyoscyamine. 

 The latter is practically atropine, except that its mydriatic 

 action is shorter. Hyoscine, in poisonous doses, is a power- 

 ful depressant to the cerebrum, respiratory centre, spinal 

 reflex centres, and motor tract. It differs from atropine in 

 being a cerebral sedative, and in its greater paralyzant 

 action upon the spinal cord. The tetanic stage succeeding 

 spinal paralysis, observed in atropine poisoning, does not 

 ensue with hyoscine. The latter alkaloid slightly depresses 

 and slows the heart, and does not paralyze the vagus termi- 

 nations, nor depress the motor and sensory nerves or 

 muscles. The circulation is but slightly influenced, and 

 vasomotor depression only occurs in the latter stage of 

 lethal poisoning. Death occurs from paralysis of the respi- 

 ratory centres. Poisoning in animals is exhibited by loss of 

 muscular power, slowing and failure of respiration, dryness 

 of the mouth, stupor and asphyxia. The pulse may be 

 infrequent, the pupils are dilated and the skin is moist, 

 rather than dry. Delirium and convulsions sometimes 



