STROPHANTHUS 429 



4. The use of digitalis in large doses as an antipyretic 

 in fevers is not without danger and is inadvisable. 



Strophanthus. Strophanthus, 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



The seed of Strophanthus hispidus De Candolle (nat. ord. 

 Apocynaceae), deprived of its long awn. 



Habitat. — Tropical Africa. There are eighteen species, 

 and the seeds from at least two are found in commerce. 

 This has led to some confusion, as the chemical and physio- 

 logical properties of their different products vary to some 

 extent. 



Description. — About 15 Mm. long and 4 or 5 Mm. broad ; 

 oblong-lanceolate, flattened and obtusely edged, grayish- 

 green, covered with appressed, silky hair, one side with a 

 ridge extending into the attenuated, pointed end ; kernel 

 white and oily, consisting of a straight embryo, having two 

 thin cotyledons, and surrounded by a thin layer of peris- 

 perm ; nearly inodorous ; taste very bitter. 



Constitmnts. — The chief one is (1) Strophanthiu, C31 H.g 

 O12 (8-10 per cent.), a glucoside occurring in white, trans- 

 parent crystals, and having a very bitter taste. Soluble in 

 water and alcohol, and insoluble in chloroform or ether. 

 Decomposed by sulphuric acid into glucose and strophan- 

 thidin. Strophanthin is said to be contained only in S. 

 Kombe. (2) Kombic acid. (3) An alkaloid, Ineine. (4) 

 Tanghinin, occurring in rhombic prisms. 



PREPARATION. 



Tinctura Strophanthi. Tincture of Strophanthus. 

 (U. S. &B. P.) 



Made by digestion and percolation of strophanthus (50) with alcohol 

 and water to make 1000. (U. S. P.) 



Dose.— H. & C.,'3i-iv. (4.-15.); D., irtii-x. (.12-.6). The minimum 

 doses should be used at first, since preparations vary in strength. 



